The Pistons bruising big man has an opportunity to smash the stereotype that he’s just here to cause trouble
For years, the Detroit Pistons lacked an identity.
They were built, and rebuilt. They succeeded a little, and failed a lot. It was like watching one of your friends try out a new look only for it to clearly not be working time after time.
Then, Isaiah Stewart arrived.
It felt like a weird pick in a weird draft back in 2020, trading up to draft an undersized center who couldn’t really shoot and played on a Washington team that specialized in the same zone defense that hurt the draft stock of numerous Syracuse players before him.
Yet, Stewart came in and was a perfect fit. He was tough. He was powerful. He had a motor that never stopped running. I remember buying property on Beef Stew Island back then thinking maybe we found a Derrick Favors-type of dude.
What I did know is we found a guy who fit the Pistons’ brand. He would have fit in with the Bad Boys and the Goin’ to Work crew seamlessly. He was never going to be a star, but he was a player who was not going anywhere.
Even then, as Stewart embodied what so many fans thought being a member of the Detroit Pistons meant, the collective product on the court was never very Pistons-y. It was shit. It was bad. It was sometimes fun, but often those “fun” times were just us trying to put on rose-colored glasses because the franchise was so unapologetically horrid.
Stew grew as a player. His offensive game evolved. He went from a small, post-up guy to a stretch big capable of knocking down three-pointers. That part of his game, for whatever reason, isn’t as utilized these days, but he’s still got that in his bag.
His defensive prowess, however, was apparent early, and he’s blossomed into one of the best all-around frontcourt defenders in the NBA. He can bang around down low, he can switch out on perimeter scorers outside and, most importantly, he’s become a difference maker at the rim.
Before Stew’s emergence it felt like the Pistons hadn’t had a good rim protector since Ben Wallace. Truly, that feels crazy to type… but it also feels true in my heart.
But here’s the other thing about Stew.
He’s a gritty, hard-nosed player, yes, but he’s a hot head who will fight for every player on is team — from the superstar in Cade Cunningham to a two-way player hanging onto a roster spot for dear life. It’s admirable, and as a Pistons fan, we love it.
However, it’s led to a narrative that Stewart isn’t a basketball player. He’s just here to fight.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say, “I’ve never seen video of Isaiah Stewart actually playing basketball. He just fights,” I’d be sitting court side with Tom Gores throwing t-shirts at y’all during Game 3.
And, frankly, I totally get it.
Stewart has had high-profile blowups, beginning with his bloody chase down of LeBron a few years back to the tussles with Indiana and Minnesota this year .
(I still crack up every time I think about him pointing at Myles Turner and saying, “shut up, you play with legos” though. It reminds me of when I laughi at my kids even thought they just do something stupid and irresponsible, but I digress)
The point here is to say that I think Isaiah Stewart can be this generation’s Patrick Beverly. He can be the new PJ Tucker. You know, the premier role player who wears their heart on their sleeve and would be welcome on any contender because they defend like a demon and contribute to winning.
This series is Stew’s chance. He has a high-profile matchup with Karl-Anthony Towns, whom he held in check just a few weeks ago. He’s going to be called upon to do more as Detroit shortens its rotation. The defense needs him because the Pistons’ defense is what fuels their fast-breaking offense.
Without stops, they are c-o-o-k-e-d.
I think he’s up to the task.
There’s so much chatter about how going to Madison Square Garden will intimidate a young team like the Pistons. I don’t know if I buy that. The Pistons aren’t your run of the mill young team. They have vets, sure, but they’ve been to hell and back after last season’s historic flop.
The leader may be Cade, but the heart and soul of this team is Stewart. He’s the one that sets the tone on defense. He’s the one who has everyone’s back. He’s the one who never backs down.
I don’t think that changes with this series.
That’s why Isaiah Stewart can rewrite his story starting Saturday in New York.