The Detroit Pistons have been hoping that Andre Drummond would take “the next step” for a couple of season’s now. After a poor showing last season, that hope all but faded. Then the unexpected happened. Drummond finally elevated his game this season, in areas many thought he couldn’t. So its time to review this question: What is Drummond’s ceiling?
Detroit Pistons all-star Andre Drummond is averaging a career high in rebounds,steals, assists, and free throw percentage.
Those numbers might not impress you without context. Drummond, who many consider the league’s best rebounder, is averaging a career high 15.9 rebounds per game.
Drummond has improved an elite strength.
The Pistons’ big man also has tripled his career-high in assists per game, elevating from 1.1 assists per game to 3.1.
Drummond has added an element to his game that will make not only himself better, but his teammates.
Then there’s the free throw shooting, an area that Drummond had really nowhere to go but up.
Drummond has turned an obvious weakness, shooting 38.6% from the free throw line to a respectable 60.9%.
That jump is almost unfathomable considering his career numbers.
What’s more, Drummond has begun developing a mid-range game, an element, much like free throw shooting, that most probably figured he would never develop.
Even more impressive, he’s made these enhancements to his game in just one offseason.
Yes, Drummond’s historically low free throw shooting help explain his sizable improvement at the free throw line, in that the 30% increase is still well below league average.
And yes, Drummond’s assist totals can be partly explained by the renovated Pistons offense, which had Drummond operating in more of a facilitating/hand off role that a post up role.
You’re right, Drummond’s only grabbing about one more rebound per game than he’s ever had, which is within a reasonable range of his outcomes based on production.
Still, these improvements cannot be ignored, and when coupled with the improvements that are obvious to any trained eye while watching him play, it is clear that Drummond has reached a level that we all were starting to wonder if he would ever reach.
His performance this season has made me ask myself, “what is Andre Drummond’s ceiling?”
It’s a question I’ve asked before.
In fact, I said after the preseason that I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Drummond develop a reliable 10-15 ft jump shot.
I really think Drummond will be a true cornerstone piece. Not just a guy that gets paid like a franchise player, but an actual franchise player. The player that can take over games, the player a franchise can build around, and the player that makes everyone around him better.
Now, will he average 25 points per game and dominate offensively like Anthony Davis or James Harden?
He’s got a long way to go, and he’s still only flashing his skills, versus delivering consistent results. Maybe Drummond can’t dominate in the way Harden and Davis do, but I think Drummond could be a Tim Duncan type of franchise superstar.
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That’s my take, what’s yours?