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Can Pistons big man Andre Drummond make Team USA?

By Adam Hernandez

Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) walks onto the court with guard Reggie Jackson (1) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) in front of him during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Heat 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) walks onto the court with guard Reggie Jackson (1) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) in front of him during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Heat 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sunday, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that Pistons center Andre Drummond would be taking part in a Team USA mini camp in preparation for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

Drummond, who is entering his fourth NBA season with the Pistons joins an impressive list of viable NBA players including:

  • Kevin Love (Cavaliers)
  • Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers)
  • Chandler Parsons (Mavericks)
  • Steph Curry (Warriors)
  • Klay Thompson (Warriors)
  • Draymond Green (Warriors)
  • Harrison Barnes (Warriors)
  • James Harden (Rockets)
  • Blake Griffin (Clippers)
  • Mike Conley (Grizzlies)
  • Michael Carter-Williams (Bucks)
  • Carmelo Anthony (Knicks)
  • Kevin Durant (Thunder)
  • Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)
  • Mason Plumlee (Trail Blazers)
  • Kawhi Leonard (Spurs)
  • DeMar DeRozan (Raptors)
  • Gordon Hayward (Jazz)
  • Bradley Beal (Wizards)

The camp that’s expected to take place between August 11-13 in Las Vegas will have players undergo non-contact drills as they once again become accustom to international play. It also gives the U.S. coaches an opportunity to test each players commitment to playing next year in the Summer Olympics.

The big question for Pistons fans is can Andre Drummond make the Team USA squad?

Position-wise Drummond is the only true center out of the aforementioned group of players. Portland’s Mason Plumee and Cleveland’s Kevin Love fit the more modern NBA version of a big man as both are seen as a combo power forward and center. Depending if Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski decide to go small, the 6-foot-11, 270 pound Drummond may be on the outside looking in when it comes to making the final Team USA cut down.

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What could be playing into the hands of the young center for the Pistons is skill alone, especially from a defensive standpoint.

When compared to Plumlee, Drummond is for the most part the better player stats wise. Plumlee is undoubtedly the more efficient shooter but when it comes to player efficacy, offensive and defensive rebounding percentages and VORP, Drummond is by far the more positive producer.

As far as the comparison to Love goes, the Cleveland center and power forward has a much better career VORP sitting at 19.4 to Drummond’s 4.9. Aside though from their replacement player ratings, Love and Drummond are both pretty comparable when looking at each players defensive and offensive rebounding percentages as well as their player efficiency ratings.

Looking past the numbers, Love obviously has the perceived versatility between playing power forward and center as well as the experience having participated in the 2012 Olympics in London. Drummond’s limited international exposure came last year during the FIBA World Cup where the Piston center  averaged four points and five rebounds in one game started.

Love however is recovering from a shoulder injury which may still limit his effectiveness during the three-day camp but certainly won’t diminish his name recognition.

So can Drummond make an impression and eventually find himself representing the United States at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games?

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