The NBA’s latest trend is clear: the return of the double-big lineup, and on Monday night, the Detroit Pistons got their first honest look at it. With Tobias Harris sidelined, Isaiah Stewart slid next to Jalen Duren in the starting frontcourt — and the results were immediate.
Duren finished with 14 points and nine boards, while Stewart delivered the best performance of his career: 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. The Pistons’ 114–106 win over the Grizzlies also moved them to 5–2 and revealed a promising new identity.
Now the question becomes: was this a one-night wrinkle, or a blueprint for the future? Should J.B. Bickerstaff lean into the league’s size comeback and roll with two bigs full-time — and what would that mean for the Pistons’ rotation and spacing in the future?
The Rise of the Pistons Double Big Lineup Begins Now
Pistons Double-Big Identity
For a double-big lineup to work, the two players can’t overlap — they have to complement, and the Pistons have that. Duren brings overwhelming size and vertical gravity, a lob threat who bends defenses simply by being around the rim. Stewart counters as a bruiser who anchors the paint defensively and spaces the floor enough to keep driving lanes clear.
That balance translated immediately. Against Jock Landale and All-Defensive big Jaren Jackson Jr. , the Pistons’ duo controlled the interior, winning the rebounding battle 23–9 and setting a physical tone Memphis never solved. Stewart’s ability to step out and Duren’s growing comfort in space kept the floor unclogged while still punishing the paint.
Pick Your Spots
The double-big lineup shouldn’t become the Pistons’ default — it should be a tool, not a template. As intriguing as Duren and Stewart are together, the approach comes with real lineup risks. Both players play a physical brand of basketball, and foul trouble is a natural byproduct. If either sits early, the Pistons’ size evaporates quickly.
In the right matchups, the double-big lineup can bully teams and control tempo. But leaning on it every night — especially when depth behind the duo is limited — could put the Pistons under challenging stretches if whistles pile up.
Experience That Holds the Blueprint Together
The Pistons can’t overlook what Harris brings to the starting unit. His impact goes beyond scoring — he provides structure, composure, and veteran awareness to a young group still figuring out how to close games. Harris understands pace, spacing, and when to calm things down, giving the Pistons a steadying presence in moments that typically trip up developing teams.
On both ends, he fills crucial gaps. Harris offers reliable half-court creation without disrupting the flow, spaces the floor for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey , and brings disciplined, physical defense that keeps the lineup balanced when the bigs deal with fouls or fatigue. Even as the Pistons lean into size and physicality, Harris remains the stabilizer — the veteran presence ensuring force doesn’t become disorder.
The Last Word
The Detroit Pistons don’t need to pick just one identity — they need to know when to deploy each one. The double-big look gives the Pistons a bruising, throwback edge that can overwhelm teams physically and tilt games in the trenches. Combining physicality with Harris’s steadiness and the young core’s growth gives Detroit rare versatility and multiple winning styles.
This early-season experiment wasn’t just a fun wrinkle — it was a glimpse into how the Pistons can evolve. When the matchup calls for muscle, they can punch first. When the moment demands control, they can trust Harris and Cunningham to guide the offense home. In a league built on flexibility, the Pistons suddenly have options. If they balance power with poise, Detroit won’t just rise — it’ll arrive ahead of schedule.
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