The Pistons have benefited from Isaiah Stewart’s aggressive defensive mindset all season long
During the early stages of his career, Isaiah Stewart looked like a defensive ace who can provide a huge impact in short bursts due to his limited offensive portfolio. But this season, Stewart has revolutionized his game with an added jumper, and his offensive skill set is finally catching up to his defensive instincts.
The result?
A season that has many clamoring for Beef Stew to enter the Pistons’ starting lineup in a two-big format, and a prospective All-Defensive team selection for Stewart at year’s end.
Averaging two blocks per game, Stewart makes the most out of his off-the-bench role, but the defensive enforcer has started a handful of games next to Jalen Duren for Detroit this year, a revelation on a lineup preference that was deemed a failed experiment of the past. Stewart handles a lot of the defensive heavy lifting, and Duren works seamlessly in the pick and roll with Cade Cunningham to set the Pistons’ offense into motion.
With the two-big lineup on the court more often this year, the Pistons have climbed to first place in the Eastern Conference, and Duren is a big fan of how it’s all come together.
“I love it,” Duren said on The Zach Lowe Show. “I love playing with Stew. He’s a guy, like I said, he’s so team-first. He’s so team-oriented. Every night, he puts his body on the line. He’s one of my favorite teammates that I’ve ever had. People see all the other stuff, but I think his skill is very underrated. He shoots the skin off the ball, especially at his size and his position. He’s a guy who can take advantage of small forwards. Any type of small forward, he can dunk on them and get us two. On the defensive end, I think he’s probably the best defender in the league, especially when it comes to rim protection. Stew’s game is very underrated. I love it.”
Now, it’s a shame that Stewart is unlikely to land on the All-Defensive team due to games played and minutes stipulations associated with the honor because his impact as a rim protector has been a calling card for Detroit all season long. Even when Stewart gives up several inches and dozens of pounds to bigger centers in the league, the Pistons’ top-flight defender has developed a knack for impacting shots at the most crucial moments.
“The timing that he has, I’ve never seen nothing like it,” Duren said. “Like the timing is ridiculous. It’s unbelievable. He times everything. When I watch him, I think he’s second off the ground every time too. He’s never like trying to jump at the same time as the offensive guy or trying to beat him, it’s like he’s the second jumper. He’s getting his hand right over the rim when you’re coming down with your dunks. He’s on a different level with that.”
Though Stewart’s profile may not resemble that of a classic shot blocker, the results are inarguable– Beef Stew anchored down in the paint is a scary sight for any player with half a mind to pursue a dribble drive against the Pistons.
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