Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart said he is the best defensive player in the NBA, a claim supported by his league-leading 42.7% opponent field goal percentage at the rim among players with at least 150 attempts defended. “I’m the best defensive player in the league,” Stewart said.
Stewart also ranks eighth in the league with 1.7 blocks per game and contests 9.3 shots per night, second among players 6-foot-10 or shorter. Former Pistons coach Dwane Casey said Stewart “earned every minute he got,” crediting his work ethic as the foundation for his development into one of the league’s most impactful defenders.
Stewart leads league in rim protection while contesting 9.3 shots per game for Pistons
The defensive numbers reflect Stewart’s role as Detroit’s anchor on that end of the floor. His 42.7% opponent shooting at the rim represents the best mark among qualified players, and the shot contest volume shows he is not protecting the basket selectively — he is meeting opponents there consistently and still maintaining the efficiency. “I always knew once the wins came, that people were going to see I play a big part in it,” Stewart said.
Stewart was ineligible for All-Defensive Team consideration last season because he did not meet the games and minutes threshold. If he maintains his current production across a full season, he would enter the conversation as a candidate for the recognition that his numbers have warranted.
Ben Wallace mentoring Stewart as Pistons center carries on Detroit’s defensive identity
Stewart’s development has been shaped in part by his relationship with Ben Wallace, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year and Pistons legend. “I definitely see it,” Wallace said of the similarities between his own game and Stewart’s approach. The mentorship has provided Stewart with a direct connection to the defensive standard that defined Detroit’s most successful era.
Stewart has also navigated challenges off the court, including multiple suspensions that shaped early public perception of him. “My second year in the league, seeing how people look at me differently, calling me certain [names] and labeling me — that was a lot to get through at a young age,” Stewart said. His ability to channel that intensity into disciplined rim protection rather than allowing it to work against him has been central to his growth into the player now claiming the title of the league’s best defender.