Isaiah Stewart
What he needs to do:
-Stay healthy
-Prove he can play center
-Improve attacks on closeouts
For all of the talk about Isaiah Stewart’s toughness, he’s not been an Iron Man when it comes to games played.
Beef Stew has played just 96 games combined the last two seasons, so for him to be a part of this team’s future, he has to show that he can stay healthy for an entire season and be the defensive anchor off the bench.
That includes playing backup center, taking on 2nd-unit bigs and being a weapon on offense.
Stew’s long-range shooting was fine last season, but he doesn’t shoot enough of them to be a real threat. Until he does, teams are going to live with him shooting 3’s, so he needs to keep firing them and keep making him.
Once he does, the closeouts will come and this is where Stewart needs improvement attacking off the dribble and making the right pass.
Stewart is the emotional leader of this team for whatever that is worth and needs to be on the floor. He’s already under contract and is the type of versatile big all contenders are looking for, but this is the year he has to prove it for the Pistons.
No more suspensions. No more lingering injuries. Less nonsense, more Stew.