NBA Fans didn’t ease into this debate. They jumped straight in after J.B. Bickerstaff publicly crowned Isaiah Stewart as the best defensive center in the league, a statement that immediately put Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren in the crosshairs. The coach didn’t hedge, didn’t soften it, and didn’t leave room for interpretation.
@TheDunkCentral posted the quote that lit the fuse: “”He’s the best defensive center in the league and it’s not close. And I think it’s time that everybody who watches basketball recognizes it.” – J.B. Bickerstaff on Isaiah Stewart.”
“He’s the best defensive center in the league and it’s not close. And I think it’s time that everybody who watches basketball recognizes it.”
– J.B. Bickerstaff on Isaiah Stewart
(Via @omarisankofa ) pic.twitter.com/LfYOK1s1js
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 8, 2025
From there, NBA Fans did what they do best. They argued, joked, and questioned reality.
Some NBA Fans couldn’t get past the obvious comparison. @Footballjogfv fired back, “Better defender than Wemby [laughing emoji] What is JBickerstaff smoking.”
The height gap became a talking point almost instantly. Wembanyama’s reach and block numbers are hard to ignore, especially when the camera angle makes him look like he belongs in a different sport.
Others tried to downplay that advantage. @oliviacolombo added, “wemby is like a whole foot taller bro [laughing emoji] when u tower over everybody ofc ur gonna get the blocks.”
That comment echoed a common theme among NBA Fans: blocks don’t automatically equal defense.
Still, not everyone dismissed Bickerstaff outright. @989meechy offered a calmer take: “Ok outside of Wemby. Anybody else it’s a discussion.”
That sentiment picked up steam as more NBA Fans leaned into effort, positioning, and physical play rather than highlight stats.
This debate isn’t just about who swats the most shots. It’s about how defense is measured, what coaches value versus what fans see on highlights, and whether dominance always has to look flashy. The gap between film breakdowns and social media clips has never felt wider, and NBA Fans are firmly planted on both sides.
NBA Fans Break Down The Numbers: Why Isaiah Stewart’s Rim Defense Sparked A New Debate
NBA Fans didn’t stop at jokes. The conversation took a sharper turn when defensive data entered the mix and suddenly gave context to what sounded like a wild claim. One graphic making the rounds helped explain why Bickerstaff felt confident speaking up.
@hoopologyxx shared the chart with a simple caption: “Per 75 Poss Rim Protection Numbers. JB has a point [shrug emoji].”
Per 75 Poss Rim Protection Numbers.
JB has a point 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/h7eAp13Qpm pic.twitter.com/q1RswvBLiX
— Hoopology (@hoopologyxx) December 8, 2025
The image showed Isaiah Stewart standing alone in the top right area, separated from the rest by both shot deterrence and results at the rim. For NBA Fans who lean into stats, that mattered.
The reaction shifted from disbelief to curiosity. NBA Fans pointed out that Stewart consistently forces tougher shots and limits clean finishes, even if his blocks don’t flood highlight reels the way Wembanyama’s do. That kind of defense doesn’t always look dramatic, but coaches notice it.
Another detail stood out on the same chart. @jdub_goat wrote, “lotta young guys in that top right section. i think we are seeing the next gen of rim protectors emerge.”
The names clustered near Stewart were mostly younger players, which added weight to the discussion and fueled longer-term comparisons among NBA Fans.
Context matters here. Stewart defends with strength, timing, and awareness, often against players already in motion. He isn’t winning the visual contest every night, but his results show consistency.
The takeaway for NBA Fans is simple. Defense has layers, and numbers sometimes reveal what highlights miss. Whether or not Stewart is the best, the debate now has evidence behind it, not just reactions.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
