Detroit Pistons: Who has a higher ceiling, Saddiq Bey or Isaiah Stewart?

Detroit Pistons: The case for Isaiah Stewart

When the names Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace get tossed around in the comparison game, Pistons fans know they have a special prospect. From the second Isaiah Stewart touched the floor in Detroit, it became clear why some argued that he had this type of potential.

Isaiah Stewart plays a different type of hard. At 6-foot-8 playing the center position, Beef Stew finds unique ways to dominate a basketball game when he’s on the floor. He chases down loose balls, jams pick-and-roll’s, and dominates on the glass.

Stewart has over 100 rebounds more than anyone else in the entire rookie class, posting 6.6 rebounds per game in just 21 minutes. He is also first in the class in offensive rebounds and blocks.

With James Wiseman’s injuries and drop in production in Golden State, Stewart has become far-and-away the best center in the class.

Two things make Stewart’s crazy potential even more tantalizing: he’s only 19 years old and has shown flashes of offensive versatility.

The shooting potential is there. He has knocked down mid range jumpers throughout the season and doesn’t hesitate to take the occasional three, with 15 made from beyond the arc. As it currently stands, he is shooting 69% from the free throw line, not great but not horrible for a center.

The biggest ceiling booster for Stewart would be his continued development as a playmaker. There has been flashes of passing and dribbling ability, but it could be a huge wrinkle for the Pistons’ offense if he can get even more comfortable on offense. (Think a slightly bigger version of Draymond Green)

For Beef Stew to fully live up to these lofty comparisons, he will need to become elite at one or two of these skills. It looks like rebounding is a no-brainer, but one (or more) facets of his game will need to continue to develop.

Years away from his prime, it would be dumb of us not expect this from a guy who never takes a play off.