After finishing the season with the worst record of 14 wins two years ago, the Detroit Pistons managed to overcome setbacks and earn the first seed in the East this past campaign.
Speaking with the Pistons’ frontcourt, Isaiah Stewart felt unappreciated despite contributing during the winning stretch last season.
“You will work so hard and you have a goal, you are putting your all into something, and you’re not able to get a certain opportunity or reap that kind of reward,” Stewart said.
The 6-foot-8 big man talked about his value on the team; he would rather be in a losing franchise than be undervalued.
“You don’t know why, and it’ll make you question yourself, stress yourself out because of the passion and love you have for the game. We felt all we could do is just pray. Let the Lord figure it out, because He always works things out for us,” Stewart explained.
“I’d rather be where I’m wanted than headed back into a situation where it’s not the best,” he added.
Stewart also added a statement about his co-big man Jalen Duren, as he believes underpaid and should get an increase after being an All-Star and a three-team All-NBA.
“They act like they want him to prove it, and I felt he proved it. He was an All-Star, third-team All-NBA. I feel like he should get paid. He’s a huge core piece… Third-year All-Star? Like, come on, give him the bag.”
The 25-year-old forward averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, while Duren took charge inside with 19.5 points, 10.5 boards, and two assists per game during top seeded Detroit stint.
