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Drummond, Johnson highlight Pistons who can make big jump according to Stan Van Gundy

By Braden Shackelford

Jan 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) gets calmed down by teammates forward Stanley Johnson (3) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) after committing a technical foul during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Spurs win 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) gets calmed down by teammates forward Stanley Johnson (3) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) after committing a technical foul during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Spurs win 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy highlights Andre Drummond and Stanley Johnson as the two players on the roster who can make the biggest leap in play this season.

Detroit Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy has a reputation from shooting from the hip. He tells it how it is regardless of what you or anyone else might think.

So when he says that Andre Drummond and Stanley Johnson have the best chance of making the biggest leap in play this season, he means it.

Van Gundy via detroitpistons.com:

"“Look, he’s the guy – probably he and Stanley (Johnson) are the guys who can, I think, based on their age and what they’ve done and what they’re capable of doing, who have the potential to make the biggest jumps.”"

Van Gundy went on to talk about the things Drummond needs to do well to take another leap forward this season:

"“He’s still so young, but he’s been in the league long enough,” Van Gundy said. “He’s got to really just do what it takes on the mental level to get himself ready to play every night and get himself focused at that level and that hasn’t quite happened yet. Now, it’s improved every year, which is good. But he’s not quite there all the time to where he’s ready to go.“I thought in the Cleveland series, he played with that attitude of challenging shots and making it tough around the basket and he sustained that pretty much throughout the four games. If he does that, then he makes a big jump with our team.”"

As for Johnson? While Van Gundy clearly believes in him, he had some interesting things to say about the second year pro:

"“It’s an ongoing challenge, for him and for us. But the strength Stanley has is he’s got a tremendous passion for the game and tremendous desire to be great. He’s as good a competitor as you’ll find in this league, as young as he is. What goes along with that is a stubbornness, to some degree. At times, I’ll be honest – working with him can be a little bit frustrating because of that. He thinks he knows the way to do it.“But also what goes along with that is a guy who just doesn’t give in easily in games, either. He’s just not going to give in. He’s a tough guy. I’d rather have it the way he is than a guy who let’s say is 100 percent compliant but doesn’t get out there and really fight like he does on the court. Everybody’s a little bit different and everybody’s got different strengths and different weaknesses. His tough mind is his greatest strength and at times can be his … I won’t even say his greatest weakness, but it makes him a challenge to deal with. But he’s a tough guy out there and we’re happy to have him.”"

Remember what I said about Van Gundy shooting from the hip?

Interesting comments to say the least.

If I’m Johnson, I appreciate the honesty. I’d rather have it that way than not know where I stand.

As for players with the most potential, Drummond and Johnson probably fit the billing, but what’s great about this team is that so many players this year can make a jump in play.

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