In closely-contested clashes that feature 12 lead changes, 12 ties, and a final possession finish, one simply can’t understate the importance of the second-effort hustle plays that arrived prior to. Already revered for his willingness in providing said sequences for the much-improved Detroit Pistons, Ron Holland prepares himself for one of Year One’s most distinguishable examples, racing side-by-side with RJ Barrett in hopes of amending a teammate’s turnover. Timing his leap perfectly to match that of the Toronto Raptors star, Holland meets the left-handed dunker at the apex, sending his shot away with a forceful, across-the-body swat. The No. 5 pick’s energy proved constant in November 15, 2024’s victory, allowing Detroit to shake off a slight post-halftime deficit for a four-point NBA Cup win. In a performance that could be illustrated through both the traditional box score and play-by-play tracking, Holland offered 10 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and one block, paired with eight deflections, and just a 33.3 shooting percentage allowed (on six attempts). · Nov 16, 2024