Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart has become the epitome of polarizing during his NBA career. His toughness, tenacity, and propensity for verbal and physical altercations on the court have made Stewart a hot topic in conversations that typically revolve around what he's perceived to be doing wrong.
The undeniable reality that Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon recently addressed on the Game Theory Podcast, however, is that all 30 NBA teams would love to have Stewart on their roster.
Stewart, 24, has spent six seasons developing an old school reputation that's either enraged or excited fans around the Association. What Pistons fans have come to learn from watching him up close, however, is that he's a truly invaluable piece of their puzzle.
During a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast, co-hosts Vecenie and Simon discussed Stewart and the reality that outsiders typically overlook.
"There are 30 teams in the league that would love to have Isaiah Stewart on their team," Vecenie said. "And a whole bunch of teammates that would love to have a teammate protect them the way Stewart does," Simon added.
Stewart may be polarizing, but there isn't a team in the NBA that wouldn't love to have what he offers as a player and enforcer.
Game Theory Podcast: Every team "would love to have Isaiah Stewart"
Stewart's recent suspension was the result of a physical altercation with Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets. Stewart wasn't at the heart of the dispute, but instead ran on to the court in an effort to support teammate Jalen Duren. Chaos ensued.
Whether or not Stewart was in the right to do so, Simon's point that players would love to have a teammate who would stand beside them in that manner is difficult to dispute.
Stewart is the old school enforcer in a new school game, stepping up in a way that most prefer not to talk about. Though the Association is more about finesse than it used to be, the presence of players who won't allow opponents to bully their teammates remains essential.
Even if that element of what Stewart brings to the table isn't publicly applauded, his status as an elite defensive contributor should be.
According to Basketball Index, Stewart ranks in the 92nd percentile or higher in rim protection, rim disruption, rim deterrence, screener mobile defense, screener rim defense, and help defense talent. He even ranks in the 72nd percentile in post defense. For fans of more standard statistics, he offers 10.0 points and 1.7 blocks in just 23.3 minutes per game.
Perhaps Stewart will never appeal to opposing fan bases and players, but everyone on the Pistons knows exactly how valuable he is to the team's success in subtle and more in-your face ways.