Breaking Down The Defensive Game of Detroit Pistons Two-Way Player Braxton Key
Dakota Schmidt breaks down the defensive game of Detroit Pistons two-way player Braxton Key.
Note: this is the 1st part of a two part series on Detroit Pistons two-way player Braxton Key. The second part, which will break down his offensive game, will drop this weekend.
Following a disappointing rookie season in the G League bubble, where he averaged 4.3 points with a 45% effective Field Goal Percentage in 13 minutes per game, it was fair to say that there wasn’t much excitement directed towards Braxton Key prior to the start of the 2021-22 G League campaign. However, the former Virginia and Alabama standout recovered during his sophomore season with the team. Away from the not so friendly confines of Disney World, he played the best basketball since at least his high school run at Oak Hill Academy.
In 40 games with the Delaware Blue Coats, our subject averaged 16.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks on 49% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc on 4.2 attempts in 28 minutes per game. Those solid numbers allowed him to maintain a 60% True Shooting Percentage and 54% effective Field Goal Percentage. Key’s mix of volume, defensive numbers, and great efficiency were the keys behind him being named to their All-NBA G League 2nd Team and All-Defensive 1st Team.
The impact that Braxton made on both ends of the floor was a major factor behind Delaware finishing both halves of the season with an astonishing 36-11 record. As is the case for any G League team, the success of an individual player can be a double-edged sword. Because while those organizations enjoy they’re shining and making a big impact, there’s always a fear of losing them to an NBA call-up. That particular thing happened on March 24th, when the Detroit Pistons signed the pride of Nashville, Tennessee to a 10-day contract.
From the time he landed with the team, the 6’8 forward immediately got playing time and showed that he was able to perform well against NBA competition. In nine games, he averaged 8.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks on 46% from the field and 30 % from beyond the arc on 2.2 attempts per game.
While his offensive production was solid for a player that got brought up from the G League and immediately got playing time, it was Braxton’s work on the defensive end that impressed. Going against the best basketball players in the world didn’t intimidate the 25-year-old forward as he was able to use his strong 230-pound frame to hold his own against wings or forwards that decide to post up against him.
The most impressive part came in the occasions when he’s switched onto guards. In those moments, he showed an ability to keep up as his good footwork, balance, and quick hands allowed him to stay in front of guards that try to use abrupt and quick movements to get around a defender. An example of that is seen in the clip below with Braxton going against Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey. Despite the best efforts of the young up-and-comer who shows off his dribbling chops, the 25-year-old responds by utilizing good footwork and body control to stay on the ball-handler long enough where the 2nd year player has to force up a contested shot.
Whether with the Pistons or Rio Grande Valley Vipers, these types of defensive possessions were common for the 25-year-old forward during the prior season. The mix of great balance, footwork and knowing how to use his chest to stay in front of the offensive weapon may seem simple to some but are the product of years of tireless work that came to fruition last spring with his call-up to the Pistons.
While Braxton’s fundamentals serves as an excellent base for his strong defensive play, his play on that end is heightened by him being a strong athlete. His physical tools are seen with him guarding his man one-on-one on the perimeter, as a high drop defender, or around the dunker spot. In any of those areas, our man shows good burst and reaction, quick feet, and excellent hops that allowed him to make his fair share of chasedown blocks.
An excellent example of that is evident in the play below from a mid-March game against Cleveland. Working as a high drop defender against a team running a dribble handoff, the Oak Hill Academy alum stays close behind the driving before launching off two feet and blocking the attempted layup attempt from Malik Newman. Braxton’s positioning allowed him to pin the ball on the side of the backboard, which led to his team getting back up the floor in transition. The way that Braxton was able to position himself was huge as it gave Delaware the opportunity to push it transition and create a potential four-point swing.
Despite his unknown nature to most NBA fans, the defensive tools that I’ve pointed out to you allows Braxton to potentially follow in the footsteps of Alex Caruso or Robert Covington as G League alums to come into the NBA and stick for the long run through their excellence on the defensive end. While that seems to be an overly optimistic thing to say, it makes sense when you consider the aforementioned physical traits and awareness that he displays on film with his fantastic numbers.
Last year with Delaware, he averaged 2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game during the G League regular season. Those stout averages puts him alongside veteran big Jordan Bell, Sixers forward Paul Reed, and Hornets big Kai Jones as the only two players during the regular season to average as the only players in the league to average more than 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in the G League.
Those numbers alongside the film I’ve shown should help illustrate the fact that Braxton is a versatile defender that can make an impact in various ways. His influence can be seen whether he’s switching onto guards on the perimeter or working around the dunker spot as a rim protector that can use his quick feet and leaping ability to stop drivers. If given an opportunity as a two-way player with Detroit, the 6’7, 230 pound forward’s unique versatility could allow him to make an impact for a young Pistons teams that are stil trying to figure things out as they build around Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Saddiq Bey.