While the Houston Rockets’ deployment of the tallest starting lineup since the NBA began tracking starters has generated ample ballyhoo, their decision to eschew utilizing a traditional point guard could yield greater ramifications.
The Rockets, set to host the Detroit Pistons in their home opener on Friday, experienced mixed results with their XL lineup during a 125-124 double-overtime loss to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
Third-year wing Amen Thompson, the de facto point guard with veteran Fred VanVleet out indefinitely due to a torn ACL, paired 18 points with five assists but committed four turnovers before departing with calf cramps.
Three others also recorded four turnovers apiece for the Rockets, who were guilty of 25 miscues while attempting a by-committee approach to ballhandling among the 6-foot-7 Thompson, fellow starters Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun and second-year reserve guard Reed Sheppard.
“It’s a balance of being aggressive and trying to get us into sets, and that’s what I’m saying by committee,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka. “We don’t have to rely on one guy if they have a ballhawk pressuring (the primary ballhandler). We can release it to ‘Alpi,’ ‘KD’ and those other guys. That’s the definition of committee, and we’ll have to rely on that until guys grow on the fly.”
Sengun is a viable candidate as a release valve on offense, given his exceptional passing ability from the post. He thrived against the Thunder, delivering 39 points, 11 rebounds and a team-high seven assists. But, like Thompson and Durant, Sengun committed four turnovers and there were glaring moments when the Rockets bogged down offensively and struggled to execute half-court sets.
Those growing pains were expected. How quickly the Rockets adjust to their unconventional approach will shape the early weeks of their season.
“We have enough guys who can create,” Udoka said.
“It won’t be the same defenders or game plan every game, but we’ve got enough guys that can be our hub on offense.”
The Pistons qualified for the playoffs last season, following a five-season absence, in part by leaning into a reputation for tenacious defense. Detroit waited a bit too long to ratchet up its defense in a season-opening 115-111 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, surrendering 94 points through three periods before fashioning a desperate fourth-quarter rally that fell short.
Development isn’t always linear, particularly season to season. The Pistons have cultivated an impressive collection of talent that appears poised to take the proverbial next step, but their youthful core can’t rely on past success to be the guiding light. The effort the Pistons displayed last season en route to the playoffs must be undergirded by unrelenting attention to detail.
“The difference between us having a successful season and taking a step in the direction we want to go is going to be the details,” said Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “How do we limit mistakes, and then how do we force our opponents into making mistakes? We believe in the talent that’s here, but that’s going to be the difference for us.”
Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons against the Bulls with 23 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Ausar Thompson, Amen’s twin, led the Pistons’ starters with a plus-6 in plus-minus differential.
