Thinking Basketball #359: Who pairs WITH ball-dominant stars & Pistons energy!
Jan 29, 2026
They debate Detroit’s spacing problems and how multiple non-shooters affect lineups. The hosts run thought experiments about ideal teammates for ball-dominant stars like Luka and Giannis. They compare fits such as shooters, cutters, and secondary creators and weigh intriguing combinations like Curry, Jokic, Murray, Wembanyama, and underrated playmakers.
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Ball-Dominant Stars Reshape Team Construction
- Ball-dominant stars change how teams must be built rather than just who scores most.
- Winning with a lone star often requires elite offense diversity and top defense.
The Two-Three Non-Shooter Problem
- Multiple non-shooters on the same lineup create spacing problems opponents can exploit.
- That weakness becomes magnified in playoff schemes when defenses can sag and clog the paint.
Isaiah Stewart's Energy Cuts Both Ways
- Isaiah Stewart's energy can energize the Pistons but risks too much chaos if overplayed.
- Ben Taylor worries Stewart playing 35 minutes would push the team 'over the line.'
