As the clock struck zero Monday night, a dejected Jaden Ivey stood underneath his own basket, bent over in frustration as his team fell to potential future NBA champions the Milwaukee Bucks. In the aftermath of the loss, the Detroit Pistons’ talented rookie was intent on highlighting both the team and his own attention to detail against the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks.
“It was the little things ... the little things killed us. The extra possessions, missed box-outs...against these teams you [have] got to finish plays,” Ivey said.
At no point in a five-minute postgame interview did the 21-year-old gush over his own performance.