Hamidou Diallo making the most of extra opportunity

With several key Detroit Pistons players missing time over the last week or so, Hamidou Diallo was tasked with picking up the slack as one of the only healthy rotation players available. And he blew away any reasonable expectations with his play in lieu of the regular starters. With a safety mask on too!

Diallo had perhaps the best three performances of his career all in a row last week. His first big stats game came in a huge loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Detroit lost by 35 as Keldon Johnson led all Spurs starters with just 27 minutes of play in a curb-stomping of the East’s last-place team. But Hami had 28 points and made 13-19 shots to lead all Pistons both in scoring and minutes.

Then, in a nine-point loss to New York a few days later, the depleted Pistons mustered just 85 total points–thanks to guys such as Luka Garza and Cassius Stanley, who made three of their 20 combined shots. Again Diallo was efficient though. He repeated his 13-19 shooting performance for 31 points this time and also added 13 rebounds and four assists as he and Saddiq Bey, who went for 32, scored 63 of Detroit’s 85. That’s 74% of the team’s total points between the two.

Finally, his highest-scoring performance came via New Year’s Day revenge against San Antonio. Diallo started and played a team-high 50 minutes in a one-point win over the Spurs that required overtime. He also led the team in scoring with 34 points, though he needed 32 shots to get there. Not his most efficient game, but Diallo willed his team to victory late and finished with a 34-point, 14-rebound triple-double.

Alright, so with this string of performances, we know that, when called on, Hamidou Diallo can deliver big performances in the absence of the usual stars. But is this more of a When the Cat Is Away The Mice Shall Play situation? Meaning, when Cade Cunningham and Jerami Grant return, how sustainable is Hami’s ridiculous production?

Well, he won’t score 30 a night or attempt 32 shots, I assure you that. However, he showed an ability to use his athleticism to drive the lane and convert at the rim or absorb the defense and kick out to shooters. He also crashed the glass hard, evidenced by his 13 & 14 rebounds that accompanied his back-to-back 30-point games.

Again, 34 points and 14 rebounds will not be the norm. But Diallo has proven to the Pistons coaches and front office that he’s capable of using his extraordinary athleticism to get to the rim and crash the glass at an above-average level for a 6-foot-5 wing that can realistically play the two, three or four. Also, there’s his defense. He could be more fundamentally sound but with his physical attributes, defense comes naturally and he’s always been solid on that end.

The explosion of last week won’t earn him the keys to the car in the Motor City. Instead, what he’s earned is trust; belief that he can bring complementary value as a slasher, rebounder and versatile wing next to the other starters.

In Monday’s matchup with the Bucks in Milwaukee, Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes and Trey Lyles all returned and started. As did Diallo. He didn’t put up 30, but he did score 11 points, grab nine rebounds, and dish out five assists as every starter except Hayes played 30+ minutes and the Pistons beat the Bucks on the road. A Bucks team that wasn’t missing Giannis.

It’s a one-game sample, but it seems that Hamidou’s huge final week of 2021 earned him some trust as a starter and primary rotation player going forward. We love to see it.