Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond’s 3-point shot could change everything
Detroit Pistons’ center Andre Drummond has been working on his 3-point shooting this off-season. If that skill comes into fruition, it would change the entire dynamic of the franchise.
By now, it’s widely known that Detroit Pistons’ center Andre Drummond has been developing a 3-point shot throughout the summer.
Whether or not this will translate to the regular season remains to be seen. But let’s say, hypothetically, it does. How would that then impact the Pistons?
Quite well, actually. If Drummond becomes even a marginal 3-point threat, everything changes in Detroit. And for the better.
Drummond finished with a career-high 237 assists last season, smashing his previous record of 90 that he set in 2016-17. Now what does that have to do with outside shooting?
First, it shows that the 24-year-old can be an effective passer on the perimeter. Opponents knew that he wasn’t going to shoot from that distance, and therefore, they gave him some space.
But defenders couldn’t exactly sag off of him either. Even without a 3-point shot, Drummond could still pass or drive the lane with confidence.
In the video above, he attacks the basket after faking a dribble hand-off. This is just one example from a relatively new cog of Drummond’s game: making decisions with the ball in his hands.
And this strategy isn’t limited to the perimeter. It works for Drummond in the mid-range as well.
Give him enough space, and he can make something happen. It won’t always be pretty. But a few years ago, Drummond’s face-up game was non-existent. Now it’s slowly starting to mature.
My point is that Drummond already garners attention when he is outside of the paint. This naturally opens up the lane for cutters. That’ll only increase with him standing 24 feet away from the basket, ready to knock down a triple if he so chooses.
If Drummond could become a 3-point option (say four to five field goal attempts per game) that’s enough to keep the defense honest. Opponents wouldn’t sag off, which then takes away their ability to help defensively.
No longer would Drummond be an offensive liability either. The Pistons could diversify their game plan around a true modern-day center. Quicker players and better shooters would have more off-the-ball scoring opportunities.
Again, this is speaking hypothetically. But stranger things have happened.
Prior to last season, Atlanta Hawks’ center Dewayne Dedmon had taken just one 3-pointer in 148 games. In 2017-18, he shot 35.5 percent from beyond the arc on 50-for-141 shooting.
Even DeMarcus Cousins and Marc Gasol began their careers as horrible 3-point shooters. Now, they’re two of the better long-range centers in the game.
The “Hack-A-Dre” strategy basically disappeared last season, due to his 60.5 free-throw shooting percentage.
Free throws and 3-pointers are not the same. However, the basic shooting mechanics are. A change in form is one of the reasons why Drummond improved his free-throw shooting so rapidly. I broke down the adjustments he made last October.
Related Story. Stanley Johnson is working on his offensive game. light
To reiterate, this is purely hypothetical. Some might call it wishful thinking, and perhaps it is.
But at this time last year, who would’ve guessed that Drummond would increase his average at the line by 21.9 percentage points?
Maybe next year, we’ll be asking ourselves a similar question.