Two of the NBA's top championship contenders faced off to start the season. As the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder matched up, it became apparent how much both teams rely on defensive disruption around their superstar scorers. The Pistons are following the same formula for building their team, and could soon see the payoff.
The Pistons are building their team the right way
The Pistons have relied on surrounding superstar guard Cade Cunningham with a tough-nosed defensive unit. They've resisted the temptation to make a blockbuster trade for another offensive superstar to pair with Cunningham. Instead, they have preferred to sign reliable veterans who can play versatile roles to fill out the roster's weaknesses.
The Rockets started the game with a historically tall lineup. 6'7" Amen Thompson started at point guard and every other starter was listed at 6'11". The Rockets' length all over the court was an immediate advantage that contributed to a disruptive defense and their trademark offensive rebounding. While the Pistons don't have quite the same height at every position, they do have considerable size across the roster.
On the other side, the Thunder rely on a smaller batch of elite defenders who are great at forcing turnovers. Whether it's getting into passing lanes or stripping ball handlers, the Thunder have a cadre of perimeter players known for getting steals. The resulting fastbreak opportunities also buoy the team's offensive efficiency, and are very helpful when the halfcourt offense stalls for stretches.
Defensively, both the Rockets and Thunder looked very formidable. They each forced the other team to make tough shots to get any points on the board, and the overall shooting efficiencies for this game were less than ideal. However, both teams' lack of a true table-setter was also apparent when they were on offense.
Although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant are both individually brilliant and MVP-level players, neither are in the NBA's upper echelon of playmakers. In fact, both often score in isolation and don't need to get the entire team involved for their buckets. But in a game with two elite defenses, the lack of playmakers on the court led to some clunky offenses.
The Pistons are arguably better suited to handle a suffocating defense because of Cade Cunningham's well-rounded game. Cade can also get to his own spots in tight pockets, but he's much better at setting up his teammates. Cade may not be the same scorer that either SGA or KD are, but his playmaking can close the gap without another point guard on the floor.
Cade and the Pistons are not quite as ready as the Thunder and Rockets to contend for a title yet. But the season's opening game definitely showed that the Pistons are following the right path to building their team for success. Their roster shares elements of both West powerhouses, and Cade Cunningham is the perfect superstar to elevate his team against even the toughest defenses.