Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart will lead the NBA in blocks someday

Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons has been one of the biggest rookie surprises in the NBA.

He is leading all rookies in blocked shots, rebounds and field goal percentage and should be a lock to make the All-Rookie team.

He has not only been the best rookie shot blocker, but arguably the best rookie defender overall, as his ability to switch on the perimeter is as good as anyone in the NBA.

Isaiah Stewart is currently tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo for 13th in blocked shots per game as a rookie and is doing it in only 21 minutes per game, far less than most of the other players on the list.

The question is whether Isaiah Stewart could someday be on top of that list?

If we look at the history of some of the league’s best shot blockers, Stewart is well on his way to being one of them.

Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart will lead the league in blocked shots

There are a few reasons why I think Isaiah Stewart will eventually lead the NBA in blocked shots.

He is still only 19-years-old! This is hard to believe when you look at him, as he is already built like a five-year veteran. Beef Stew has also been playing mostly off the bench, getting only 21 minutes a game.

His per-36 numbers would give him 2.2 blocks per game this season, which would tie him for 3rd in the league. If Stewart were playing starter’s minutes he might be top-five in his rookie season.

Currently, Myles Turner is leading the league with 3.4 blocks per game and Rudy Gobert is just behind him with 2.8 per game.

Turner averaged 1.4 blocks per game in his rookie season when he was also 19-years-old and playing slightly more than Stewart.

Gobert didn’t even average a block per game in his rookie season, when he was already a full two years older than Isaiah Stewart.

If Stewart gets more minutes next season, he will make a similar leap in blocked shots and should be able to get more than two a game.

Eventually, Isaiah Stewart is going to be playing starter’s minutes and when he does, he will be one of the league leaders in blocked shots and will eventually lead the NBA.