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Andre Drummond among Pistons in ESPN’s Top 25 under 25

By Duncan Smith

Feb 3, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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While Detroit Pistons fans have some issues with Andre Drummond’s development, the national view is reflected in ESPN’s Top 25 under 25 rankings.

There have been times this season where fans of the Detroit Pistons may have lost sight of the value of one of the best players this team has had in the past ten years. While many fans have been frustrated with the fact that Andre Drummond isn’t where they thought he’d be, it’s important to remember that he’s still one of the best young players in the NBA.

He shows flashes of what he might be on an almost nightly basis, a defensive powerhouse with great post moves while being one of the greatest forces of gravity in the NBA. That can be more frustrating than anything at times because those flashes aren’t always evident, but if and when all those pieces come together, he’ll be what the Pistons and their fans always hoped for and more.

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In his present form, Andre Drummond is still really good, and he’s really young. That’s been enough to earn him a top-10 mention in ESPN’s Top 25 Under 25 list. ESPN’s Amin Elhassan, Kevin Pelton and David Thorpe compiled this list, and all three listed him in the top 15 or higher. Elhassan’s verdict reigned supreme as he came in 9th overall.

Elhassan writes on Drummond in the piece (it requires Insider access):

"Drummond’s momentum has slowed. There was great hope for a jump in his production — and acumen — playing under Stan Van Gundy. Unfortunately, that jump has not occurred, particularly on the defensive end, where teams are shooting an above average 61 percent at the rim in his presence.He is the most dominant rebounder in the league and an elite finisher, and although he’s in his fifth season, he’s already a good player at age 23 who should be far from his prime years."

As for other Pistons earning mentions in this list, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was listed by Kevin Pelton in 18th and Tobias Harris was listed by David Thorpe as 25th.

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