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Eight predictions for the Detroit Pistons’ season in 2016-17

By Duncan Smith

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) takes a free throw during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) takes a free throw during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Andre Drummond will still not be playable in crunch time.

The Pistons had a real problem with Andre Drummond last season. Their best player and franchise player was virtually unplayable in close games in the late stages.

Thanks to Drummond’s inability to hit free throws reliably, teams were able to foul him intentionally with impunity to either force him to the bench to protect him from having to shoot from the line, or actually allow him to shoot free throws at his 35.5 percent success rate.

Neither option is attractive.

Drummond and the organization vowed to stop at nothing to fix this deficiency, stating that everything was on the table. Maybe even shooting underhanded.

It’s later been revealed that the underhanded free throw shooting won’t be a thing. Considering the fact that he’s said to hit about 65 to 70 percent of his free throws in practice, it’s going to take actual game action to see if his methods through the offseason will bear fruit.

The likelihood is that they won’t. Drummond is a dynamic force to be reckoned with, but the Pistons will struggle to play him in close games down the stretch once again.

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