Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart graced the latest episode of The Young Man and the Three podcast, giving listeners an inside look into who the Detroit Pistons are. The former mentioned something he noticed right away in San Diego (when he first met the team): how close they are. Specifically, how they (notably Stewart) balance who they are on and off the court.
"I think it is really unique to be able to oscillate back and forth between being really close and having a genuine care and relationship with one another, and then stepping in between the lines and realizing, 'Alright, we can put that on the side.' That's what it was in training camp. There's no love lost, but we're going to get after it."
Robinson heralded Stewart as a "culture carrier" for Detroit, saying the quote above reflects the big man's identity. It feels like Stew's been with the Pistons for far more than six seasons, which says a lot about what he means to the organization, the city, and fans.
The competitive edge that not just Stewart brings to the table is special. You see it in games, but what's just as important (and often overlooked) is how much it genuinely seems like this team enjoys being around one another.
Pistons' success has more to do than their play on the court
We're not here to throw out names of other contending teams that may or may not like spending time off the floor with one another, but you can probably think of at least one or two that give off that vibe.
Luckily, the Pistons don't fit in that category.
Robinson said that when he met up with the team in San Diego last summer, Stewart pulled up in a truck. He made the trip from his farm in Temecula, California. Robinson mentioned how Stew promised him that when the guard has kids, he can send them out to the farm with 'Uncle Stew' to "get them right and work with their hands."
Again, that's a conversation that happened when Robinson was around his new teammates for the first time. That kind of camaraderie is invaluable, especially when you spend a long 82-game season (plus the playoffs) around (mostly) the same guys. It's kind of important to enjoy their company, or at least try to.
Detroit doesn't have to fake it. It's built lasting relationships off the court, which strengthens what fans and everyone else see on it. Stewart will invite your future kids to spend time with him, and then step on the court in a pick-up game and push you to your limit. You have to love that competitiveness and spirit.
To be the last team standing in the playoffs (a place many don't think Detroit can make it to), you need an equal amount of luck and skill. It also helps to have the chemistry that doesn't just come from spending time together on the floor, and the Pistons have that.