When speaking to the media on Monday, Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff made a comment that turned heads around the league. While Detroit sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 19-5 record, the Pistons have enjoyed a strong season from center Isaiah Stewart. Bickerstaff, certainly dished out high praise to the defensive specialist. "He's the best defensive center in the league and it's not close. And I think it's time that everybody who watches basketball recognizes it," said the Pistons head coach.
Although Isaiah Stewart is averaging a career high with 2.0 blocks per game, to declare him as the strongest defensive center in the league seems to be a bit of a stretch, let alone saying that the race is not even close.
Though he hasn't played in nearly a month, when it comes to a strong defensive presence at the center position, there is no name more synonymous than Victor Wembanyama. Since joining the association ahead of the 2023-24 season, Wembanyama has led the league in blocks each season, including 3.6 blocks per game this year. Additionally, Wembanyama has averaged 1.1 steals per game this season, much higher than Stewart's 0.2.
With all that said, you can't criticize Detroit's head coach for being high on his player, even if he may have been exaggerating.
In the meantime, Victor Wembanyama is likely to return to action in the coming weeks. He and Isaiah Stewart will have an opportunity to square off against one another as the Spurs are set to face the Pistons in both February and March.
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