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Andre Drummond shares thoughts on Pistons and Pacers scuffle

By Braden Shackelford

Jan 2, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Referees and coaches try to separate the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons as they get into an altercation at the end of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Detroit 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Referees and coaches try to separate the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons as they get into an altercation at the end of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Detroit 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons’ center Andre Drummond shares thoughts on the brawl that took place after the game against the Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons are division rivals. They don’t like one another, as illustrated by their colorful history.

In last night’s game between the division foes thing turned south once again. It started with a Stan Van Gundy ejection with 22 seconds left in the game, and then quickly escalated to a confrontation at mid-court just before the final buzzer sounded.

This is what Andre Drummond had to say about the altercation, transcribed via MLive Video:

"We kept fighting you know, even though the game was kind of out of hand we didn’t lay down, which is why that game got pretty chippy at the end. Cuz we weren’t gonna allow them to keep beating up on us, we were gonna keep fighting and try to make it as respectable as possible."

On whether the Pistons playing to the final whistle had something to do with what started the altercation.

"I mean, who knows what they were thinking, but I just know what my five guys on the floor was trying to do. I know what I was trying to do. You know, George Hill had an open layup, and I ran up on him and tried to take the ball from him. This isn’t easy. Your gonna have to earn every possession."

On if the forced turnover with six seconds left irritated the Pacers players.

"It is what it is. I’m here to play. I’m not here to watch you dribble the ball around."

I like that Drummond and the Pistons are trying to instill a bad boys type of mentality. Young teams need to be mentally and physically tough, but they also need to be smart.

Here’s what I think happened, based on what I saw from watching the last 30 seconds of the game several times.

  • Andre Drummond forced a George Hill turnover with six seconds left in the game.
  • Paul George wasn’t very happy that Drummond didn’t let the Pacers take their victory dribble.
  • Paul George retaliated on the ensuing possession by trying to steal the ball from Marcus Morris as the Pistons attempted to kill the clock.
  • Morris let George know how he felt about it by shoving him in the back.
  • George got in Morris’ face, and after an exchange of words at half court, Morris shoved him again.
  • Benches cleared and everybody met at half court.

This one’s on the Pistons. They played to the final possession, so the Pacers did too.

The Pistons didn’t like it and things got physical.

This could have been a lot worse–a lot worse. Credit both coaching staffs for separating George and Morris quickly–particularly Pacers coach Frank Vogel who was able to get George in the locker room almost immediately.

I doubt any suspensions are handed down, but a fine for Marcus Morris seems plausible.

Expect a thrilling rematch when these two teams meet again in February.

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