Central Notes: Stewart, Antetokounmpo, Pacers, Cavaliers

Isaiah Stewart has become an elite defender off the bench for the Pistons over the last few years, and his teammates and coaching staff are making sure people know it.

“He’s the best defensive center in the league and it’s not close,” coach JB Bickerstaff said, as relayed by Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa II (via Twitter). “And I think it’s time that everybody who watches basketball recognizes it.”

Pistons star Cade Cunningham disagreed slightly with his coach’s assessment, saying he didn’t go far enough.

“I think he’s the best defensive player in the league,” Cunningham said, per Sankofa (Twitter video link). “I would love to see him get a Defensive Player of the Year award, ’cause I think he deserves it. I see the best defenders in the league all the time, and I’m thankful I don’t have to see Stew.”

Stewart is currently averaging 2.0 blocks in just 22.5 minutes per night, and has five games with at least four blocks this season.

“There will never be a shot that goes up that Stew doesn’t contest,” Ausar Thompson said, per Sankofa (Twitter link). “He puts his body on the line every night. It’s beautiful to watch.”

One thing holding Stewart back in award discussions is the league-imposed minutes restriction. A player must play 20 or more minutes in at least 65 games to be in consideration for awards like MVP or Defensive Player of the Year, and Stewart already has six games with fewer than 20 minutes. That leaves him with just 11 more over the rest of the season before he would be deemed ineligible.

We have more from around the Central Division:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo is the hottest name in the rumor mill these days, but he recently took to the media to state his desire to stay with the Bucks. “There are people who see a door, who want to hurry up and escape through that door,” Antetokounmpo told NBA on Prime’s Chris Haynes (Twitter video link). “I see a wall and I want to run through the wall and make things work.” Haynes adds that according to Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP’s only focus is getting healthy and being there for his team. Kurt Helin of NBC Sports writes that there’s no doubt that Antetokounmpo wants to make things work with the Bucks, and says that any trade involving him feels like it would have to wait until the offseason.
• The Pacers got a sorely-needed road win on Friday against the Bulls, Dustin Dopirak writes for the Indy Star. Head coach Rick Carlisle is aware of the talent deficiency the team is facing on most nights and how it limits them. “A lot of elements right now have to be in place for us to be an effective road team against a team like Chicago,” Carlisle said. The effort was led by Pascal Siakam, who had 36 points and 10 rebounds while hitting five three-pointers. After starting 2-16, this effort gave Indiana its third win in five games.
• The Cavaliers were booed at home during Saturday night’s loss to the undermanned Warriors, Chris Fedor writes for Cleveland.com. It was the team’s fifth loss in seven games. “Can’t keep getting in this position,” Donovan Mitchell said.
  “Shouldn’t come down to it. All due respect and credit to them, but the consistent thing is we get down and then we start playing. There’s no switch to flip. Until there’s a change in that, we’re going to keep being in these positions where sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t, and we have to fix it.” Head coach Kenny Atkinson agreed with his star’s assessment, adding, “We need a reset right now to rest our bodies and get our principles. You always take lessons from struggles.”