El pívot de los Detroit Pistons Isaiah Stewart, que se autodenomina el mejor defensor de la NBA, debe jugar al menos 20 minutos en cada uno de los 19 partidos restantes de su equipo para clasificarse para los premios de fin de temporada. Lidera la liga en porcentaje de tiro de campo defensivo al aro por segundo año consecutivo, con los rivales anotando solo el 42,7 % contra él. Stewart ha expresado su frustración con la regla de los 65 partidos de la liga, que cree que perjudica a los jugadores dedicados.
Isaiah Stewart ha sido vocal sobre su destreza defensiva desde la temporada pasada, afirmando repetidamente ser el mejor defensor de la NBA. Después del shootaround en el Barclays Center el martes, el pívot de 6 pies y 8 pulgadas de los Pistons reiteró su argumento. «Lo digo porque es mi segundo año consecutivo liderando la liga en porcentaje de tiro de campo defensivo», dijo Stewart. «Obviamente, puede que no consiga el tapón cada vez, pero estamos hablando de un 42 % al aro frente a jugadores que promedian muchos más tapones, pero si miras su porcentaje al aro, está en 50–55 % o altos 40. Así que simplemente siento que soy el mejor.» NBA tracking data supports his claim, showing opponents shoot a league-low 42.7% at the rim against Stewart. Beyond statistics, he values the respect he commands, noting, «I'm not 7-foot, I'm not 7-2, I'm not 7-3. The fact that I am who I am and they see me at the rim and they defer, I think it's a respect thing.» The Pistons boast the East's best record at 45-18 and the league's second-best defense, allowing 108.9 points per 100 possessions, with Stewart's rim protection, toughness, and mobility contributing significantly. Stewart further explained his versatility: «I'm the best defensive player because you can put me in any defensive scheme and I'm able to anchor the defense, whether that's guarding perimeter, guarding the rim, guarding bigger guys. And not only that, I feel like my presence -- not everybody's driving in looking to score every time because of my presence and my timing on taking dunks out the air.» However, his awards aspirations hinge on the NBA's 65-game eligibility rule, introduced for the 2023-24 season to encourage participation and reduce load management. Players must log at least 20 minutes in 65 games, with up to two games of 15-20 minutes counting. Stewart has appeared in 52 of Detroit's 63 games but only 46 qualify, having played under 20 minutes in eight. A near-miss occurred in the Pistons' 122-117 win over the Indiana Pacers on November 24, where one more second would have made it 47. To reach 65, he needs 20 minutes in all 19 remaining games. Last season, despite playing 72 games at an average of 19.9 minutes, he only hit 20 minutes 30 times and missed eligibility. «I was pretty pissed off about that because I left it all out there every single game and I wasn't able to qualify,» Stewart said. He contacted the National Basketball Players Association, which agreed the rule hurts deserving players, though it was already in place. Recently, a seven-game suspension from a skirmish with the Charlotte Hornets spared his eligibility, as eight or more would disqualify him. «I'm not a big fan of the rule,» Stewart said. «I feel like it hurts guys.» He understands its intent but finds it creates tricky situations for players like himself. For comparison, Donte DiVincenzo of the New York Knicks missed Most Improved Player votes last year for similar reasons but was less affected.
