Isaiah Stewart is back at it again. It was only last week he yanked Giannis Antetokounmpo’s jersey while he was in mid-air. It made him hit the deck hard. Sure enough, Stewart was penalized with a flagrant two penalty and got tossed from the game. But it looks like the Pistons star has still not learned his lesson. He got into another physical altercation during tonight’s Bulls game. This time with guard Dalen Terry.
The incident occurred during the closing minutes of the first quarter as Stewart and Terry began tussling inside the paint for position while the Pistons were on offense. As they tossed the ball to him, Stewart shoved the Bulls guard to gain some leverage for an easy opportunity to score. Obviously, Dalen did not like the shove. It led the two to get into a heated physical altercation before their teammates and the officials separated them.
Upon review, Terry and Stewart were penalized with a double technical foul. But it looks like Stewart has been more focused on his antics this season rather, than stepping up his game because he is averaging a career-low 6.3 points. It doesn’t help that he is no longer a regular starter for the Pistons, which he had been for the last three years.
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Even Giannis criticized Stewart’s dangerous play after their recent encounter. “I have two older brothers that pushed me on the floor, were tough on me. It doesn’t really faze me anymore. All I could think about was, ‘Get up and make two free throws.’ At the same time, it’s a dangerous play. It’s not a basketball play.” Moreover, Stewart is beginning to get a questionable reputation because of such plays.
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Isaiah Stewart’s ‘Bloody’ altercation with LeBron James
Well, this is not the first season Stewart has found himself in trouble for getting physical. Just three years ago, he got into a heated altercation with LeBron James after catching an accidental elbow to his eye during a play. Unfortunately, the Pistons star began gushing blood because of the hit. It led him to lose his calm and charge at LBJ for a potential fight.
Though his teammates and officials restrained him, Stewart continued his attempt to get his hands on James, while blood poured down his face. It certainly became a scary sight for young fans in the crowd.
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Moreover, Stewart got into trouble earlier this year after reportedly punching Drew Eubanks in the Suns arena. Sure enough, these frequent incidents are not helping Stewart’s reputation as the young center continues to shock the world with his controversial antics.
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Is Isaiah Stewart's aggressive play a liability for the Pistons, or does it show his competitive spirit?
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