Why did Andre Drummond sulk at the end of the Pistons’ win against the Washington Wizards on Friday?
The Detroit Pistons locked in their ticket to the playoffs with a win against the Washington Wizards on Friday night. The win guaranteed that the Pistons would be a playoff team for the first time in six seasons.
Needless to to say, securing a playoff berth was a big deal for the Pistons. It was their single most important goal heading into the season, and an impressive feat after a 32-50 last season.
Given the ramifications of the win, it was a little surprising to see Andre Drummond–the Pistons’ franchise player–sitting on the bench, appearing to be sulking.
Sure he was taken out of the game Friday prematurely for poor free throw shooting, but the Pistons’ accomplishment should have trumped his feelings towards what happened during the game, right?
Drummond would later tweet saying that he wasn’t sulking at the game, but upset that his friend who died recently, wasn’t able to see his accomplishment.
For all those who thought I was sad about that game... Isn't the case at all just was sad my best friend who passed away wouldn't be able
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) April 9, 2016
It is completely understandable for Drummond to be a bit off given the situation. Only, Stan Van Gundy’s recent comments make it seem like Drummond’s benching did play a role in why he was sulking.
Van Gundy via Detroit Free Press:
“I think sometimes — and I’ve said it to you guys before too — whether a guy says something back to me or reacts wrong in a game or whatever it is, I think people are too quick to criticize guys for that stuff,” said Van Gundy. “That’s in the heat of the moment. Every once and and a while frustrations and stuff show. It certainly does in me. That has nothing to do with what kind of guy he is, or how unselfish he is and what kind of teammate he is. …
“I mean, when he has time to gather himself, by the time (Drummond) hit the locker-room after the game, he was fine. … He was happy for his teammates and everything else.
“In the midst of it, Andre is a competitive guy coming out of a playoff-clinching game with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter; of course he’ll be upset. I’d wonder about him more if he wasn’t upset.”
I would imagine that both are valid reasons for Drummond’s attitude towards the end of the game. I know the Pistons secured their first playoff berth in years, which is more than enough of a reason to put personal issues aside and be happy with teammates, but I really do see why Drummond would be upset.
He’s the franchise player, he wants to be on the floor for the Pistons’ biggest win in six years–and he wasn’t. Who wouldn’t be upset?
Top that off with a friend dying, and I think it’s safe to say Drummond deserves a pass.
I know it’s frustrating that Drummond’s energy and level of play appear to fluctuate from game to game, but he’s the biggest piece to the puzzle for the Pistons, and he’s already done so much to ensure the franchise’s success–like delaying his $120 million contract extension so that the team could add another piece around him.
Whether Drummond was sulking about not playing, his friend dying, or a combination of the two, he deserves a pass.