The Detroit Pistons stand tall on top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 44–14 record, holding a 5.5-game cushion over the Boston Celtics. For a franchise that has been rebuilding for over a decade and only recently committed to patience in its development plan, these results have made their breakthrough even sweeter.

At the center of it all–at least in terms of his listed position–stands Jalen Duren.

Now in his fourth NBA season, the 22-year-old has taken the kind of leap that can shift his career trajectory and that of the entire organization too. The 6-foot-10 center has elevated his scoring average from 11.8 points on just seven shot attempts per game last year to 18.2 points on 11.3 attempts this season. The added shot volume has not come at the expense of efficiency either. Duren is shooting a blistering 63.6 percent from the field while also pulling down 10.6 rebounds per contest.

Coupled with the Piston’s strong record, his production earned him his first NBA All-Star selection earlier this month. He is the team’s first frontcourt player to appear in the midseason showcase since Blake Griffin in 2019.

The All-Star experience seems to have served as motivation for Duren as he has been nothing short of unstoppable since play resumed following the midseason break.

In the four games since his All-Star debut, Duren has posted four consecutive double-doubles, averaging 28.3 points on 65 percent shooting, along with 14.5 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block per game. He has played with relentless energy and a heightened level of aggression—fueling what has become the most dominant stretch of his career.

His finest performance came in Detroit’s most recent win, a 122–119 overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Duren matched his career high with 33 points and added 16 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and three blocks. It was a statement outing—not only because it came against a legitimate Eastern Conference contender, but also because Cleveland’s frontcourt features the “Twin Towers” pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, both of whom have been previously named All-Stars. Duren was anything but intimidated; if anything, facing them seems to have made him play with an edge.

What’s even more encouraging about Duren’s ascent is how sustainable his style of play is. He does not require the offense to revolve around him and plays within the Pistons’ structure. He uses his strength, soft touch, and continuously improving skill to dominate, particularly on the inside. He understands and buys into his role, understanding what he needs to do to make this team successful.

Alongside 24-year-old Cade Cunningham and 23-year-old Ausar Thompson, Duren forms the backbone of a young core that has accelerated Detroit’s timeline from a long-time rebuilding project into a legitimate contender. Cunningham orchestrates the offense, Thompson brings the chaos, and Duren serves as their anchor.

No one doubts that the Pistons’ future is bright. Duren’s first All-Star appearance feels less like a peak and more like a launching point. If this post-All-Star surge of Duren is any indication of what he can do in the years to come, Detroit’s rise in the East may be more than a fleeting moment. The foundation for the Pistons’ future is set and it appears to be built to last.