What would Drummond’s success at FT line mean for Detroit Pistons?
The Detroit Pistons have never been able to play Andre Drummond in the fourth quarter with confidence due to his poor free throw shooting. To top it off, Drummond played with little consistency on either side of the floor and his effort was consistently questioned. In the preseason, Drummond has shot 80%. He’s also reportedly lost 30 lbs and looks like a new player. Are things about to change for Drummond this season, and what does it mean?
The Detroit Pistons are counting on Andre Drummond to elevate the team to new heights. That’s the expectation that comes with signing a maximum contract that makes you the team’s highest paid player ever, like Drummond did last offseason.
After an all-star appearance and a post-season run for the first time in years, signing Drummond to a max contract made sense, despite Drummond’s glaring free throw, energy/attitude, and offensive skill issues, due to the immense upside.
Fast forward one season. After what was deemed a successful offseason that saw the Pistons add a talented backup point guard in Ish Smith, as well as a front court player in Jon Leuer that would finally give the Pistons the ability to match virtually every lineup, Drummond regressed in just about every area, and to top it all off, the Pistons did too.
But it appears the both Drummond and the Pistons are due for a rebound season, and Drummond seems to finally have taken his game to the next level the Pistons envisioned when the Pistons signed him to a max contract last offseason.
Drummond has lost 30 lbs, he’s repaired a deviated septum which should vastly improve his energy levels, and he’s shot 80% (16-20) from the free throw line in the preseason.
If what we have seen in the preseason so far is indicative of what’s to come this season, these improvements clears most of the hurdles that Drummond has been unable to in the past.
It also means the Pistons could have a truly elite player on their hands, locked up for four more seasons. In a weak Eastern Conference, that could mean a very bright future for the Detroit Pistons.
Next: Detroit Piston’s Drummond Has Become A Skilled Foul Shooter
We’ll see if it’s all legit, with the regular season just days away.