Andre Drummond to replace John Wall in All-Star Game

John Wall’s recent injury left the Eastern Conference short an All Star.  It was then up to commissioner Adam Silver to choose Wall’s replacement. On Tuesday evening, he had made up his mind. Andre Drummond will make his second All Star appearance next month.

The debate as to whether or not Andre Drummond should be an All Star is over.

For the second time in his career, he’ll appear in the NBA’s midseason classic.

Adam Silver announced Tuesday that Drummond will serve as John Wall‘s replacement. The Pistons’ center is averaging 14.7 points, 15.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season.

Drummond initially missed the cut as an All Star reserve. He then responded with a monster performance the following night against the Utah Jazz. The 24-year-old finished with 30 points, 24 rebounds, six blocks, four assists and three steals.

Some attribute the snub to the Pistons’ poor play as of late. They’ve fallen out of the playoff picture after a 14-6 start. Yet Drummond hasn’t missed a beat.

He has completely reinvented himself as a player. Drummond is shooting 63 percent from the free-throw line in 2017-18. In his first five seasons, he shot just 38 percent. Teams aren’t intentionally fouling him anymore, which has allowed him to play in late game situations.

Drummond’s assist numbers have also risen considerably. Prior to this season, he never averaged more than 1.1 assists per game. But in an ever-expanding role, Drummond has served as a key facilitator on offense. He is averaging 3.8 assists a night.

But Drummond has always made his money on the glass, and this season is no different. In addition to leading the league in rebounds per game, nobody has grabbed more of them than Drummond. As of Tuesday night, he sits at 695.

It took an entire week, but the big man is finally getting his due.

Better late than never.