It's time to have the conversation after Pistons' first win

It’s time for Isaiah Stewart to start, or at least play equal minutes 

Last night was the first game in which Stewart logged more minutes than Duren this season, but it won’t be the last. 

Part of this is on Stew, as he has gotten into foul trouble that has limited him at times, which is exactly what happened to Duren last night. 

On the season, Stewart is playing 20 minutes off the bench and Duren is playing 25 as the starter, two numbers that changed dramatically after last night in which Stew logged 34 minutes and Duren just 11. 

I doubt the distribution will be that skewed, but even if Stewart doesn’t start, he needs to play equal or more time than Duren, as he gives the team the best chance to win. 

Coach JB Bickerstaff may not want to disrupt his starting five or rotation, but putting Stewart into the starting five could help establish the Pistons’ defense early and set the tone. 

And the way Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Tim Hardaway Jr., are shooting right now, it hardly matters that Stewart has yet to make a 3-pointer this season. 

Duren is only 20, so would it kill him to come off the bench? To get a little more seasoning before he’s asked to be the defensive anchor of the team? 

Part of the Pistons’ problem the last few seasons is that they have just handed young players roles they didn’t really earn, so what has Duren done to earn the starting spot this season? 

He is an offensive talent, there is no doubt, but defense from the center position is more important for Detroit than a lob threat. Ideally, we could merge Duren and Stew into one player, but as it is, they both have flaws, it’s just that Duren’s hurt the team more. 

If Stewart is going to start or at least play more minutes, then it also leads to a larger conversation that has been looming over the Pistons for three years.