Cade Cunningham and the Pistons are 19-5 through 24 games this season. That is the top record in the Eastern Conference as of December 9.
Detroit’s head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, recently spoke with Pistons’ insider Omari Sankofa II. Bickerstaff was hyping up Isaiah Stewart’s production to begin the 2025-26 season. He told Sankofa that Stewart is “the best defensive center in the league, and it’s not close.” Bickerstaff praised Isaiah Stewart for what he’s brought to the team.
J.B. Bickerstaff believes Isiah Stewart is not receiving enough praise for his work
“He’s the best defensive center in the league and it’s not close. And I think it’s time that everybody who watches basketball recognizes it.”
– J.B. Bickerstaff on Isaiah Stewart
(Via @omarisankofa ) pic.twitter.com/LfYOK1s1js
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 8, 2025
The Pistons’ starting center in 2025-26 is Jalen Duren. He’s held that role in each of his last three seasons. Duren is averaging a double-double in his 21 starts for Detroit. When Duren is not on the court, backup center Isaiah Stewart makes his presence felt. The 24-year-old is in his sixth professional season, all with the Pistons. Stewart lost his starting role in 2024-25.
Recently, head coach J.B. Bicketstaff spoke to Pistons’ insider Omari Sankofa II. He said that Isaiah Stewart is “the best defensive center in the league, and it’s not close.” That’s extremely high praise for Stweart. In 2025-26, he is averaging 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Stewart’s 2.0 blocks per game lead the Pistons this season. He’s been a defensive anchor for Detroit.
ISAIAH STEWART CHASEDOWN BLOCK‼️ pic.twitter.com/PTDLAxBwQP
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 7, 2025
In 2024-25, Isaiah Stewart fell just short of eligibility for end-of-season awards. The rules state that a player must appear in at least 65 games and average 20+ minutes per contest. Stewart met the 65-game threshold with 72 games last season. However, his 19.9 minutes per game made him ineligible. Media members believe that cost Stewart a spot on the All-Defensive team.
Will the backup big man fall short for end-of-season awards in 2025-26? So far, Stewart is averaging 22.5 minutes per game for the Pistons. He’s failed to play 20+ minutes six times this year. Isaiah Stewart can only do that 11 more times to be eligible at the end of the season.
The big man plays with incredible intensity when on the court. At times, that leads to foul trouble. That factors into Stewart’s minutes issue. Regardless, J.B. Bicketstaff is more than impressed with the production Stewart is giving Detroit.
