Is Jalen Duren The Biggest Loss For Charlotte Since Kobe Bryant? 19YO Pistons Star Rubs Salt to Wound, Repeating LeBron James’ History

Jalen Duren is on a roll. The 19-year-old has been putting up some impressive numbers ever since his debut with the Detroit Pistons last season. He scored 14 points with 10 rebounds, and three blocks in a 113–109 win over the Orlando Magic last October. In February this year, he put up a double-double with a career-high 30 points and a career-high 17 rebounds in a 138–131 double-overtime win against the San Antonio Spurs.

And now he  just achieved another historic feat. With this, he joins one of the greatest basketball players to be the only two to do this. 

Jalen joins James in history

The Pistons played their third game of the season against the Chicago Bulls last night. And Jalen put up 23 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks. By doing this, he joins LeBron James as the only two teenagers in NBA History to record 20+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a game. James achieved this in 2003 when he was 18 years old. 

Jalen was the second-highest scorer for Piston during the match. He followed Cade Cunningham who netted 25 points with 10 assists and 4 rebounds. With great performances from Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson, the Pistons were able to comfortably register their second win of the season. Their first win was against the Charlotte Hornets with whom Jalen shares a connection. 

A history of fumbling the bag

When Jalen declared for the 2022 NBA draft he was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets. On draft day, his rights were traded to the New York Knicks and then to the Detroit Pistons. This was one mistake that will definitely hurt the Hornets. But this is not their first either.  

Read More: Zach LaVine’s 50-Bomb Cannot Save Bulls as Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren Catch Fire at Home

In the 1996 NBA draft, the team picked Kobe Bryant, also as the 13th overall pick. Just before the day of the draft, the Hornets had agreed to trade their No. 13 pick to the Los Angeles Lakers. This was because they wanted to trade their starting center Vlade Divac in in order to free up salary cap space and bring in free-agent center Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant had never been on the Hornets’ radar for a potential draft. Just minutes before the pick was made, the Lakers told the Hornets whom to select. 

Watch this Story: Entering His 21st Year, Shannon Sharpe Asserts LeBron James’ NBA Reign Is Far From Over

With Kobe joining the Lakers, the two created history in the twenty years that he played with the team until his retirement. From what is happening right now, it looks like history does like to repeat itself. Will Jalen also rise above expectations to take the Pistons to greater heights? Only time will tell.