DETROIT — Every time the Detroit Pistons go on the road, it provides the players with an opportunity to amplify their chemistry and bond as a team. But for Isaiah Stewart, road games offer him a unique chance to learn from an all-time great, Rick Mahorn, on what it means to be a Piston.
“I’m always picking his brain over breakfast, lunch or dinner; just talking Pistons basketball with him,” Stewart told The Detroit News. “Learning what this franchise means, from the Bad Boys to the Goin’ to Work eras.”
Stewart has integrated Mahorn’s teachings on a nightly basis, from adopting the franchise’s culture to being a defensive leader. Stewart has become the driving force in the Pistons’ defense, establishing them as one of the best defensive teams early this season.
The Pistons have posted the league’s fifth-best defense, registering a net rating of 110.8, while holding their opponents to an average of 112.4 points per game. Although their perimeter defense has been effective, much of the Pistons’ success has come from their ability to limit their opponents’ effectiveness in the restricted area.
Through seven games, Detroit has the highest rim defensive field-goal percentage in the league, allowing teams to shoot just 52.2% while limiting opponents to 40.9 points in the paint, which ranks fourth overall. Detroit’s defensive success has been a collective effort, but Stewart’s shot-blocking contributions have been a key factor.
“The more time you spend studying defense and getting reps, you start to see what shots should be a block because you are able to read the defense a little sooner to get there,” Stewart said. “I feel like I am the best rim protector in the league. I show that every single game. I can meet anybody at the rim.”
After a career-high in his production last season, Stewart appears to be poised for an even better year. He currently ranks third in the league in blocks, averaging 2.4 per game, trailing only Victor Wembanyama (4.7) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (2.4).
During the 2024-25 season, Stewart led all reserves in blocked shots by averaging a career-high 1.4 rejections across 72 games, which ranked 11th in the league.
He acknowledges that his 6-foot-8 stature makes him somewhat undersized for a big man, which he believes is why players have attempted to dunk on him at certain times. However, similar to how he blocked Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin’s dunk attempt in Mexico City, Stewart tends to frequently win his one-on-one battles at the rim.
“If I saw myself under the rim, I would challenge myself too. But I have great timing,” Stewart said. “But I’ve studied this game. I’ve studied defense, and I will always be there. Whether you dunk it or not, you are going to have to go through this big frame.”
Since entering the league in 2020, Stewart has always possessed the potential to evolve into one of the league’s top shot blockers. However, his defensive production did not improve until the arrival of coach J.B. Bickerstaff in July 2024.
Stewart welcomed Bickerstaff’s big men philosophies, which emphasized being physical, protecting the rim, rebounding and setting screens. Stewart became a more physical player as Bickerstaff unlocked his defensive potential.
Stewart has taken on the role of the team’s defensive anchor and rim protector for the second consecutive season, showcasing his commitment to honoring the legacy of the great Pistons who came before him.