The Pistons‘ usage of Isaiah Stewart in recent years – and the players they’ve put around him – reflected the fact that they viewed him as a power forward rather than a center. Detroit used a lottery pick on center Jalen Duren in 2022 and encouraged Stewart to shoot more from outside. While the big man has gamely accepted that role, making a career-best 1.5 three-pointers per game last season on 38.3% shooting, he couldn’t hide his enthusiasm this week about playing more at the five, his preferred position, writes Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press.
“(New head coach) J.B. (Bickerstaff) loves my physicality and me playing strong down low, like in my early years in the league with my offensive rebounding and stuff like that,” Stewart said. “I spent a lot of time this offseason at the five and I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to getting back down in the paint, banging and doing what I do because at the end of the day, that’s what I love to do. That’s who I am.
“Playing the four, that was something that I had to work on and add to my game because I was being asked of it. Now I’m happy I get to play some five.”
As Sankofa explains, there are a few factors contributing to the Pistons’ desire to have Stewart spend more time at center this season. The arrival of power forward Tobias Harris is one. Stewart also has the ability to make more of an impact as a rebounder and rim protector if he’s spending more time in the paint.
As excited as he is about spending more time at center, the 23-year-old stressed that he’s willing to play wherever the team needs him.
“I don’t mind at all playing the four, because it’s something I can do,” Stewart said. “I can knock down the 3-point shot, I can space the floor, but we all know it’s something that’s new to me. … The four, it ain’t nothing wrong with it. But me, I love to bang. I love to be physical. I love to set the tone. I love to set great screens for my teammates. I like playing the five. But I don’t mind at all playing the four. I can do both.”
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- While Bruce Brown would’ve been an option to start at shooting guard for the Raptors if he were healthy, Michael Grange of Sportsnet views second-year sharpshooter Gradey Dick as the most logical candidate for that spot. As Grange outlines, besides looking like a good fit for spacing purposes, Dick is Toronto’s most recent lottery pick and has the potential to raise the club’s long-term ceiling if he develops into a reliable starter.
- In interviews with Alex Squadron of SLAM and Melissa Rohlin of FOX Sports, Bucks point guard Damian Lillard spoke about why he’s optimistic about the upcoming season in Milwaukee after going through what he called the “toughest year of my life” on both a personal and professional level last season. “I think a lot of times people talk about revenge seasons, it’s like they’re going out for blood with everybody else,” Lillard told Rohlin. “But I think it’s the revenge of something I need to go take back for me, not for anybody else. I know what went into last season. And I know what goes into me being my best. That’s all I’m focusing on.”
- Hornets forward Cody Martin sustained a laceration on his thumb and sprained his right wrist while attempting to block a shot at the rim in training camp, the team announced today (via Twitter). It doesn’t sound like either injury is considered serious – he’s listed as day-to-day – but Martin has been ruled out of Charlotte’s preseason opener.
I think Lillard struggles from his most visible individual moments outweighing his actual team accomplishments. He went from Portland,
glorifying him because he willed them out of the historical doldrums of Oden and Roy… by making exactly one conference finals(Hi Joel Embiid!), albeit in a stacked Western Conference.
The championship expectations in Milwaukee were already set. He is no longer the best player on his team and the opportunities for moments we all love and remember him for aren’t going to be there every single time the game is on the line. He was always a minus defender but it didn’t matter compared to Dame Time moments.
The NBA in Milwaukee has a history of All-Time performers… Oscar and Kareem are undeniable names. Giannis will join them soon. Damian Lillard isn’t on this list and isn’t close to it. Viral moments aren’t championships, no matter how cool they are.
Lillard getting blown by on defense is overlooked in Portland, not so much in Milwaukee. Much like Giannis dumbass 3 point attempts are accepted in Milwaukee and criticized everywhere else. People don’t like to see the flaws in their heroes, and Dame is not Milwaukee’s hero.
Lillard’s battle is sacrificing what made him popular, so his team can accomplish more. Giannis has to sacrifice who he wishes he was, so he can be even greater at what he actually is. It’s a normal human condition with how we internally view ourselves and what the mirror of reality actually reflects back. Every professional athlete struggles with this except for Bobby Portis, he knows exactly who he is.
Point is, Lillard saying it’s about doing it for himself and taking back whatever, isn’t it. Taking back what? Mediocre playoff success? Lillard is surrounded by championship pedigree teammates and coaches. He needs to learn from them and provide what his team tells him they need.
He also moved away from his kids for the first time ever. It’s not just basketball reasons that guys can struggle.
Lets give him this season before rushing to any assumptions. The trade went down only a month before the season, and the Bucks cycled through three head coaches and fired his old long-time coach before the season (Terry Stotts). Now he knows his teammates, coach, and environment, and has had a full offseason to train. The results of this season will give us a better idea of where he is actually at. Throw last season away.
With Doc Rivers as coach the bucks will not get past the second round. Coach Bud will show them how it is done in PHX.
“Coach Bud will show them how it is done in PHX” by also losing in the second round? neither doc rivers nor bud are great playoff coaches, and the suns aren’t the most well-constructed team…
I like Stewart at PF. It’s better with an offensive big like KAT. Stewart is that steady dependable force. Lot like Achiuwa. You let them play. They give you defense and double. He and Duren not a good mix in talent. I think even Duren can play a strong 4. Definitely can play the 5.
Must Be in the Water ……..
link to hoopshype.com