Getty
Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart viewed as Pistons biggest playoff X-factors.
Currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings, the Detroit Pistons are eager to pull off a playoff run in 2026. As the young squad continues prepping, one former player noted a key factor that could aid them on the big stage.
The Pistons were the NBA’s biggest success story last year, pulling off a historic turnaround by tripling their win total. They’ve carried that momentum into this season, where they’ve cemented themselves as a budding contender for years to come.
While on “Inside The NBA” February 27th, Kenny Smith reflected on the Pistons as they continue to dominate the East. When it comes to their quest to a championship, he is looking at their frontcourt to help propel them forward.
“I think Duren and Stewart can handle anybody in the frontcourt,” Smith said. “Their frontcourt has such an athletic advantage in terms of running, skill, to play with Cunningham, I think that they are primed to win the East this year.”
Jalen Duren has been crucial to the Pistons’ success this year, landing an All-Star nod alongside Cunningham. He is a nightly double-double threat for Detroit, posting averages of 18.5 PPG and 10.8 RPG. Though sometimes his antics can be over the top, Isaiah Stewart has also played a key part in the Pistons bringing back their old-school defensive mentality.
Pistons Big Man Confidently Dubs Himself The NBA’s Best Defender
Having been with the Pistons since 2020, Stewart has had an up-close view of the transformation the franchise has gone through in recent years. Completely unfazed by his perception from people around the league, he continues to play his unique brand of basketball to help Detroit succeed.
Despite being undersized for the center position, Stewart plays much bigger than he is. His physicality brings an added edge to the Pistons and solidifies their defense during the stretches when Duren is off the floor.
While recently speaking with ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill, Stewart wasn’t shy about his skills on the defensive end. He confidently believes there is no player better than him in the association when it comes to this facet of the game.
“I’m the best defensive player in the league,” Stewart said.
Between his overall production and versatility as a small-ball center, Stewart certainly deserves a mention when it comes to discussions for the league’s best defender.
The Pistons Big Men Share a Tight Bond
When it comes to rebuilding into a contender, culture is everything. This has been a major catalyst for the Pistons, as their core pieces seem tighter than ever. According to one key member of the franchise, the frontcourt rotation has built a strong relationship during Detroit’s rise up the NBA ranks.
At the moment, Stewart is serving a seven-game suspension for his actions in the altercation that broke out between the Pistons and Charlotte Hornets on February 9th. Stewart ended up receiving the biggest punishment from this scrum, largely due to the fact that he stormed off the bench to enter the fray.
Following the aftermath of this in-game brawl, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff weighed in on the events that unfolded. When it came to Stewart rushing off the bench, he noted how protective he is of Duren.
“JD and Stew consider themselves brothers,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said that night. “Human instinct tells him to protect his little brother. I hate it for Stew because of the things that are going to follow.”
Soon to return from suspension, Stewart will look to be a key contributor for Detroit in their second straight playoff run.
Kevin McCormick is a veteran sports writer covering the NBA for Heavy.com. After writing for Heavy briefly in 2022, he’s returned to the publication in 2026. McCormick brings with him over seven years of experience writing about the NBA in a newsroom and served as a credentialed reporter of the Philadelphia 76ers for 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, and On SI. More about Kevin McCormick
More Heavy on Pistons
Loading more stories