The Detroit Pistons didn’t get the first center in the 2020 NBA Draft, nor the second, but they may have gotten the best one when they drafted Isaiah Stewart.
James Wiseman was the first center to be taken by the Warriors with the 2nd pick, a decision they might want to have back after seeing the way LaMelo Ball and some of the other rookies have played.
The Pistons were widely mocked for taking Stewart, who as viewed as a hustling role player whose ceiling wasn’t much more than a backup bench defender.
But after this season we are going to have to re-adjust our expectations for what Isaiah Stewart can be, as he has flashed skills no one thought he would have, especially not in his first season.
Isaiah Stewart now looks like a better prospect than James Wiseman, yet another reason that Troy Weaver needs to be commended after a lights out first season as GM.
Here are three reasons that Beef Stew is going to be better than James Wiseman.
Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart is durable
Up until last night, Isaiah Stewart had not missed a game since joining the rotation early in the season.
He was out last night for “personal reasons” so even this missed game was not due to injury.
Stewart has played in 68 games this season, averaging 21.4 minutes and looks ready to take on way more.
Wiseman on the other hand, suffered a knee injury in April and had to miss the rest of the season after only playing 38 games.
Injuries happen in sports and sometimes they are just bad luck and not a sign that a player won’t be durable in their career, but the Warriors have to be somewhat concerned that their prize rookie has already had a knee surgery at 19-years-old.
Stewart, who is built like a barrel full of snakes, made it through his rookie season unscathed even though he plays a much more physical style of basketball, which is a good sign for Pistons’ fans.