Stephen A. Smith Questions Isaiah Stewart’s Intentions After 7 Game Suspension: “Do You Want to Be a UFC Fighter?”

The NBA looked at repeated instances and running off the bench as reasons to suspend Isaiah Stewart for seven games.

Stephen A. Smith Questions Isaiah Stewart’s Intentions After 7 Game Suspension: “Do You Want to Be a UFC Fighter?”

Stephen A. Smith and Isaiah Stewart (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Stephen A. Smith questioned Isaiah Stewart's intentions after his seven-game suspension, suggesting he may want to be a UFC fighter instead of a basketball player.
  • Draymond Green criticized fans and media for their inconsistent views on player conduct, urging them to choose a side regarding violence in the NBA.
  • Isaiah Stewart's suspension could jeopardize the Pistons' chances of maintaining their position as a top team in the league during critical upcoming games.

There have been plenty of times when either head coach JB Bickerstaff or some of the Detroit Pistons players have emphasized the importance of having Isaiah Stewart on their team.

He is the tone setter and one of their better defenders. He may not play a lot of starter minutes, but when he is on the court, his hustle and grit are one of the reasons why opposing teams cannot claw away at their lead when starters sit.

Then, when he is on the bench, he keeps motivating his teammates, which has been one of the reasons for them eventually coming out of their shell as the worst team in the league, to now leading the East.

He is a team player, and he took that a bit too seriously when they flew out to Charlotte, North Carolina, to face the Hornets. Clips of him running off the bench and flinging his arms at Miles Bridges are still doing the rounds on social media.

What I’m most pleased about is Isaiah Stewart, and that suspension… Every time there is the slightest scuffle, it’s this brother ready to swing on people… He came off the bench… Do you want to be a UFC fighter? Do you want to be a boxer? Or do you want to be a basketball player?

Stephen A. Smith said on First Take

This was the analyst’s opinion after the NBA suspended him for seven games, wondering why the Pistons have not done enough to rein in Isaiah Stewart’s emotions, especially when he is a valuable piece of their success.

Draymond Green slams critics demanding Isaiah Stewart’s suspension

While Stephen A. Smith continuously reiterated that he loves Isaiah Stewart but just wants him to rein in his emotions, Draymond Green, on the other hand, called out the hypocrisy prevalent among fans and the media.

I hate when I see people getting on TV saying, ‘This persons should get that amount of games.’ If you punch someone, there’s no guideline… Who are you? ‘NBA, soft, these guys soft, the game’s too nice.’ But then when you get the fight, they are like, ‘This dude should be out the league.’ Pick a side and stay there. These guys jump ship more than college players in the NIL era.

The Warriors superstar pointed out how these same fans and members of the media are the first ones to call the league and its current players soft.

But when an incident like the one involving Isaiah Stewart comes about, they call for suspensions. Draymond Green believes those fans and media members should decide once and for all what they actually want, rather than jumping ship at every opportunity.

Isaiah Stewart’s suspension could cost Pistons chance to be league’s best team

The Detroit Pistons are currently playing their last game before the All-Star break, against the Toronto Raptors. This game marks the first time that both Jalen Duren, who received a two-game reprimand for initiating the fight, and Isaiah Stewart will start their suspensions.

Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart
Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart (Image via Basket USA/X)

That means the latter will be absent for the first six games after the All-Star break. It includes three battles against fellow Eastern Conference playoff contenders, and two against the best from the West.

One of them is against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who are also struggling to find some semblance of consistency. This would have been the perfect opportunity for the Pistons to trump OKC and establish themselves as the best team in the league.

If they do not manage to win most of their games in this stretch, the blame will likely fall on Isaiah Stewart. After all, the Pistons could even drop down the tables if their Eastern Conference opponents use this opportunity to surge ahead.

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