Power Forward Assessment: Grading the Detroit Pistons’ Big Men.

The power forward position for the Detroit Pistons faced unique challenges this season. Except for Isaiah Stewart, the team needed a true power forward. Players like Ausar Thompson, Simone Fontecchio, Marvin Bagley III, and Bojan Bogdanovic were thrust into the role. This made the power forward position the most out-of-position group on the team. This fact was evident in their performance throughout the season, except for Stewart and Bogdanovic.

This week, we will grade the four true power forwards on the 2023-24 Pistons. Going into the off-season this year, the Pistons will look into adding a power forward to this group. Will it be ex-piston Tobias Harris, Michigan resident Miles Bridges, or even Pascal Siakam? There are still a few months to answer that question, but while we wait, let’s grade the 2023-24 Detroit Pistons power forward position.

Power Forward: Isaiah Stewart

The only player that remains from Troy Weaver’s 2020 draft class, Stewart had a solid season mired with controversy. It has been fun to see the year-to-year development of Stewart. He’s gone from a bruising force to a bruising force with a bit of a jump shot. Stewart will be a crucial piece for the Pistons if he can learn to keep his emotions in check.

Pros

One of the things Isaiah Stewart had to work on to stay on the floor was his three-point shooting. The change in the NBA when it came to how the big man played was due to cripple Stewart if he didn’t work on that part of his game. This season, Stewart shot a career-high 38% from the three. He became a more efficient shooter from last season from all three levels. He upped his 2-point percentage by four percent (44 to 48%) and his free-throw shooting by two percent (73 to 75%).

Outside of shooting, The number suggests that the Pistons were a better team overall with Stewart on the floor.

• Estimated field goal percentage: 54% with Stewart vs. 51% without.
• Offensive rebounding percentage: 26% with Stewart vs. 22% without.
• Defensive rebound percentage: 78% with Stewart vs. 76% without.
• Blocks percentage: 9% with Stewart vs. 7.9% without.
• Offensive rating: 112.3 with Stewart vs. 109.3 without
• Opponents offensive rating: 116.5 with Stewart vs. 120.8 without.

Cons

Durability is becoming a concern for Isaiah Stewart. After just playing in 50 games the previous season, Stewart played in just 46 games this year. I am also concerned with Stewart’s ability to control his emotions. On Valentine’s Day, Stewart got into an altercation with Suns big man Drew Eubanks. Stewart punched Eubanks and was charged with assault. The charges were ultimately dropped, but Stewart remains in these altercations with players. I would also like him to get back to being a solid rebounder. After two seasons with eight rebounds per game, Stewart dropped to 6.6 this season.

Grade: B

Power Forward: Bojan Bogdanovic (Traded to the New York Knicks)

Seen as the missing piece when he was acquired before the start of the 2022-23 season, Bogdanovic scored but couldn’t bring much else. In the season and a half with the Pistons, Bogdanovic averaged 21.1 points on 48/41/83% shooting. Fans wanted him dealt when teams offered the Pistons two first-round draft picks for him.

Pros

When the Pistons made the trade for him in 2022, Bogdanovic was brought in as another shooter to the offense. Bogdanovic was a terrific shooter for the Pistons this season. He shot 46% from the field, 41% from the three, and 77% from the free-throw line. The Pistons also scored more points when he played (113,9 points on the floor vs. 109.3 off).

Cons

Bogdanovic was a liability defensively, and the Pistons were better off with him not being on the floor than with him being on the floor (opponents offense 127.4 with Bogdanovic vs. 116.8 without). Another factor that played heavily in Bogdanovics’ tenure in Detroit was his availability. He played in just 87 of the 132 games the Pistons played during his tenure.

Grade: C

Power Forward: Isaiah Livers (Traded to the Washington Wizards)

A Michigan kid playing for the hometown team. Please tell me if this doesn’t sound familiar. Drafted with the 42nd pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Livers was seen as an elite shooter. In his senior season at Michigan, Livers shot 45% from the field and 43% from the three. He averaged 13.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 31 minutes.

Pros

The Isiah Livers tenure in Detroit was one to forget. He can say that he got to play for his hometown team.

Cons

He shot 34% from the field and 28% from the three. The Pistons were a much better team when Livers wasn’t on the floor.

Grade: F

Power Forward: Taj Gibson

Gibson was brought in as a veteran presence for the Pistons as they began playing their young guys.

Pros

The presence of Gibson brought confidence in James Wiseman that the coaching staff had taken away from him. No matter how much young talent you have on a basketball team, they still need that veteran to help them keep things in perspective.

Cons

You weren’t bringing him in as the missing piece for a playoff run. He brought some of his veteran knowledge to the young guys to help them improve.

Grade: INC

Power Forward: In Conclusion

I expect the power forward position to be a significant focus for the Pistons this offseason. You must first ask yourself, is Isiah Stewart the long-term option for the position? I like that his game is steadily developing as his career progresses, but you wonder if he can provide the scoring they need to be a valuable option as a starter. Ausar Thompson and Simone Fontecchio are helpful options for short spurts; they shouldn’t be long-term solutions at the position.

Overall Grade: D

Other Pistons Grades

• Ownership/Head coach
• Point Guard
• Shooting Guard
• Small Forward