Despite diminished playoff role, Ron Holland II still valuable part of Pistons' core

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on May 27, 2025

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DETROIT — All it took for Ron Holland II to have arguably his best highlight of his rookie season was a missed layup by Jamal Cain.

With the Detroit Pistons trailing the New Orleans Pelicans late in the third quarter on March 23, Holland recorded a rebound following Cain's missed attempt and pushed the ball up the court, igniting a fast break.

After executing an in-and-out move on Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins, Holland finished the possession with a one-handed dunk that sent the Little Caesars Arena crowd into a frenzy.

"It was huge, I am very happy for him," Pistons guard Malik Beasley told The Detroit News after that game, a 136-130 win. "He was due to have a game like this. He is always talking about the rookie in Chicago (Matas Buzelis) and how he wishes he had the same opportunity. With a few players out, he had that opportunity. As his vet, I am happy for him."

The dunk was a key moment and part of a career night for Holland. In addition to tying his career high with 26 points, Holland had his best all-around performance of the season with six assists and five rebounds.

"A lot of things happened in this game that showed a lot of my skill set," Holland said at the time. "At the end of the day, I just want to go out there and win and do right by my teammates. Every single possession, go out and show that I am the winning player everyone keeps telling me to be."

Several moments made the Pistons' comeback win over the Pelicans the pinnacle of Holland's first NBA season. It also became a staple of how Holland played a significant role in Detroit's success despite his lack of minutes during the playoffs.

The Pistons' first-round pick (No. 5 overall) in the 2024 draft, Holland appeared in 81 of 82 regular-season games, averaging 6.4 points on 47.4% shooting from the field and 2.7 rebounds.

He earned the trust and respect of coach J.B. Bickerstaff and his teammates early in training camp by showcasing his fearless and competitive mentality. As a result, the Pistons relied on Holland's two-way talents throughout the season, during which he played an average of 15.6 minutes per game.

"Coming into the season as a rookie, my main focus was to let them know that I am here to play hard every single night," Holland said. "I just wanted them to know that I got their backs just as much as they got mine … from Trajan (Langdon; Pistons president) all the way down to the players."

Holland's most significant contribution to the Pistons was his high energy and effort, which symbolized the franchise's gritty and hard-nosed traits. Throughout the season, his intensity shifted several games in Detroit's favor, a testament to how Holland became a three-time recipient of the Pistons' BTA (Belt To Ass) honor.

Every time Holland stepped onto the court during the regular season, he showed why the Pistons have high expectations for him as a key part of their future.

"I think I did a good job of asking consistently what the team needs from me, which is staying prepared when my name is called," Holland said. "Just bring the energy when I check into the game. When I am on the bench, helping guys who are on the floor, being that communicator for this team."

Bickerstaff maintained a tight rotation during the Pistons' six-game playoff series against the New York Knicks, and his adjustment led to Holland spending much of the postseason on the bench.

Holland played 34 minutes during the series, recording a combined nine points, six rebounds and a block. His most notable moment occurred during the Pistons' 94-93 Game 4 loss on April 27, when he got into a minor altercation with Karl-Anthony Towns.

"That's who Ron is and that's who he has been all year long," Bickerstaff said ahead of Game 5. "His intensity is what makes him who he is, and it is what has helped him get to the league. … I don't mind his scrappiness. I don't mind him mixing it up. I love his confidence. I love his belief and his will to win."

Bickerstaff's decision to exclude the 6-foot-8 forward from his playoff rotation was surprising. But while additional playing time for Holland wouldn't have been enough to change the outcome of Detroit's first-round exit to New York, the minutes Holland did receive can serve as valuable learning experiences as he aims to build on a promising rookie year.

"This playoff basketball stuff is real," Holland said. "The first few possessions, there were a lot of bumps that were not called. It is what people have been saying that it was. The amount of emotions of winning each possession, people really lock in every single possession."

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