Detroit Pistons Schedule: 1st game has some compelling subplots

Detroit Pistons Schedule: Battle of two #1 picks

But the biggest subplot in the Detroit Pistons’ opener against Orlando will be the battle of Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, two former #1 picks.

The two are unlikely to be defending each other much, but all eyes will be on the two guys who are now the centerpieces of their respective franchises.

Is Cade going to come out and dominate in year two? He has reportedly put on muscle and been working out with some of the elite of the league this offseason, so I expect him to have a big game right away and start his march towards making his first All-Star team.

Cunningham is out to prove that he should have been Rookie of the Year and that he is the best player from his draft class.

Same with Banchero, who was a bit of a surprise as the number one pick, as it was rumored that the Magic were going to take Jabari Smith, who ended up falling to the Houston Rockets.

Banchero is still a teenager, so may take some time, but that won’t stop the media and fans from questioning him as the #1 pick (as they did with Cade Cunningham), especially if Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith get off to a hot start.

I expect Banchero to be nervous for his first NBA game, especially on the road, and for Cade Cunningham to get the better of this matchup between #1 picks.

Even though these are two bad teams, both have exciting young talent and this game will tell us a lot about how they plan to use it.