The Detroit Pistons Are Hacking The NBA | HHT 65
On the 65th episode of Hot Hand Theory, Geoff and XJ break down how Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, JB Bickerstaff, and the Detroit Pistons just hacked the NBA—and why their red-hot start isn’t luck; it’s brilliant strategy.
The duo dives into the film and data to show how the Pistons are winning by ignoring modern NBA rules: dominating the paint with two-big lineups, leading the league in offensive rebounding, and turning perceived weaknesses into strengths. While the rest of the NBA chases spacing, Detroit is owning the paint—and it’s working.
We explore why Cade Cunningham is already one of the best pick-and-roll passers in the league, how Jalen Duren has become the perfect offensive engine for this system, and why playing Isaiah Stewart and Duren together is a huge advantage. Then we tackle the bigger question: did the Pistons just prove that doubling down on your strengths beats chasing league trends? The Pistons are 6-2 with wins over four straight opponents, and this isn’t just a hot start; it’s validation of an unconventional philosophy. We break down what it means for Detroit’s identity, why their front office deserves credit for self-awareness, and how Cade and Duren’s synergy could make them the East’s most underrated duo. We also discuss why Ron Holland landed in the perfect developmental system, how Duncan Robinson impacts the game without even shooting, and what the Pistons need to add to become true contenders.
We cover:
🔹 Why the Pistons are winning by ignoring spacing orthodoxy: paint dominance, offensive rebounding, and two-big lineups
🔹 Cade Cunningham’s elite pick-and-roll passing and how he operates in tight spaces
🔹 Jalen Duren as the offensive engine: screening, rolling, putbacks, and short-roll playmaking
🔹 Why playing Duren + Stewart together is a strength, not a compromise
🔹 The Pistons’ philosophy: 3+2 spacing beats half-measure 4+1 lineups
🔹 How Detroit’s roster construction creates the perfect development system for Ron Holland
🔹 What the Pistons need to add to compete with Cleveland, New York, and Boston
💬 Let us know in the comments: Are the Pistons for real? And should they make a move to try to contend NOW?
If you value strategic analysis over hot takes and want NBA breakdown that explains HOW teams win, not just that they won, subscribe and catch every episode.
#Pistons #DetroitPistons #CadeCunningham #JalenDuren #HotHandTheory #NBAPodcast #NBAAnalysis #PistonsBasketball #EasternConference #NBASeason #NBA
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Timestamps:
0:00 | Preview
0:58 | Intro: Detroit’s Unique Strategy
9:17 | Jalen Duren’s Ascendance
15:02 | Are Cade & Duren the Best Duo in the NBA?
17:32 | Why Cade Cunningham’s Ceiling is Limitless
20:02 | How Detroit Leverages Duncan Robinson
20:55 | Isaiah Stewart is Hitting 3s Again!!
22:53 | Comparing the Pistons to the mid-2010s Cavs??
24:50 | Why Ron Holland Fits Perfectly
27:23 | The Player Detroit Needs to Contend Right NOW
30:50 | Please Comment & SUBSCRIBE
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20 Comments
Cade yes sir
I appreciate y’all talking about my team. A lot of people sleeping on this team, but we bout to wake their ass up.
Where do Cade Cunningham + Jalen Duren rank among guard/big duos in the NBA?
Who are they surprisingly ahead of in your book?
Appreciate you guys as always 🙏🏾
Guys, would you trade for someone like Lauri Markkanen if you're the Pistons, agree or disagree and why?
Great analysis. You understand why they are effective. This really has been the recipe through three championships
How come you guys use per 75 possession metrics rather than 100? What’s the difference?
Not to nitpick here because I did thoroughly enjoy this, but Ron Holland is shooting roughly 35% from 3 so i don't really get why you guys were talking about him like he's another Ausar. Small sample obviously, but early returns are solid, especially coming off of last season (though he did have long stretches of good shooting last year).
Pistons fan here, your analysis is on point; both of you guys!
Playing Isaiah Stewart alongside Duren has been an experiment, but I think the Pistons need to start Isaiah Stewart because he warps offenses, Pistons basically force you to out shoot them. With Duren, Stew, and Ausar we are dominating the paint. Stewart's presence alone in the paint forces opponents to pass.
What do you guys think of a Jarace Walker in that "Tari Eason" role? I do agree that Ron Holland can fill that role, but as you say you can't have too many of those guys, especially on this team.
Great analysis
Cade vs Luka for first team. Its gonna be one or the other, but Cade is definitely the dark horse
The answer to the question of why Beef Stew forgot that he was a stretch 5/? Monty Williams had to much personal stuff going on to recognize and delineate roles. Trader Troy Weaver put the pieces in place, but Monty didn't have the focus to use them properly. And, injuries count when a specialized young core is trying to build chemistry.
Duren just needs to be a positive on defense. Just dont be bad please! His piss poor defense last year was why he was underrated becasue yea his offense was awesome and only got better this year. His D has improved lets see how it looks a quater into the season
Okay, On Isaiah Stewart – The previous administration wanted to shoehorn him into a power forward because he was our starting center but he didnt fit the mold for an athletic vertical spacer center like Duren (Hayes, Gafford, Claxton). So he learned to shoot 3s and the first year it didnt pan out well, but word was in house he was actually pretty good and just needed time. So last year JB Bickertaff came in and said he wanted to use him like a traditional big, and Stew said thats what he wanted to so he stopped shooting them. But literally among fans we were all pleading for him to shoot some. It would be SOOOO beneficial to the team and his career so I am happy to see its back lol (large exhale)
Sorry I am rambling… But Ron Holland will soon be a 3pt threat. I dont think auser will get there. Maybe like 4-5 years lol
Our "one piece away" Guy hopefully comes next year. Dont rush it. Dbook coming home
Pistons fan here. I love this team not only because they are playing so well but because they are the anti modern NBA. They will dominate with defense and points in the paint. Other teams can chuck up 3s all day and we will beat them the RIGHT way. Detroit vs modern soy NBA. Detroit vs EVERYBODY.
I think Cade is gonna be in the MVP race for a long time
Jalen Duren is only 21 years old imagine how good he’s gonna be when he’s 26 years old. IMO sky is the limit once he fully develops his offensive game.