The development of Saddiq Bey
Saddiq Bey shoots a free throw. <Image credit: Getty Images>
On March 17, Saddiq Bey did something that the Pistons franchise hadn’t seen in nearly four years. He dropped a whopping 51 points, the highest single-game point total for a Piston since Blake Griffin scored 50 against the Philadelphia 76ers in October of 2018.
It's the seventh 50-point game in franchise history, and the first time any Piston has recorded 51 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in a game. It’s worth acknowledging that Bey’s performance came against the lowly Orlando Magic - one of only two teams with a worse record than Detroit - but 50 points is still 50 points.
Not only is this a superb accomplishment for Bey, but it is a sign of great things to come for the Pistons franchise.
After a rough start to the season for the Pistons, one in which a portion of the fan base predicted a run to the play-in tournament, the young core is finally starting to show consistent signs of life.
Rookie Cade Cunningham broke out of his early-season slump and is now averaging just under 17 points per game while taking on a primary ball-handling role. Recent acquisition Marvin Bagley III is a young player who provides a reliable lob threat for Cunningham and former top-10 pick Killian Hayes, who’s now coming off the bench for the team.
Now, it’s Bey’s turn. Over the past few week’s worth of games, in which the Pistons have played noticeably more competitive, Bey has really come into his own. Not only is he shooting better compared to his early-season marks, but he’s found a mentality that he’s embraced - one of a “villain.”
Bey recently said that the green patch in his hair is inspired by the well-known comic book villain, the Joker; he’s certainly embraced the Joker’s menacing mentality on the court this season.
After dropping 23 points against the Raptors and hitting the game winning shot, Bey stated that he liked playing on the road more than at home because he “likes the boos.”
Bey, a relatively quiet but very likable guy, has shown that he’s all-business when it comes to basketball. He’s been on a really solid stretch for this young Pistons team, and he’s continued to prove himself worthy of a spot in the rotation for years to come.
After a tough start of the season for Bey, it’s been great to see him embrace a mentality that the toughest and most successful teams have become known for while also coming into his own scoring-wise. His development is vital for the Pistons, and he’s on track to becoming a lights-out player in the NBA.