Andre Drummond just turned 25 two weeks ago. He is a six-year veteran with age on his side. The center also has a high ceiling, with some untapped potential still waiting to be unleashed.
Andre Drummond is the cornerstone of the Detroit Pistons.
When he plays with energy, the better the Pistons’ chances are. When that energy is low or non-existent, the team suffers tremendously.
This article will break down the good, the bad, and the ugly components of Drummond’s game.
The Good
Andre Drummond’s stat line this past year was an average of 15.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
In 33.7 minutes per game, he shot 52.9 percent from the floor and 60.5 percent at the free-throw line.
The center improved in six statistical categories: free-throw percentage, points, assists, minutes played and rebounds. The most obvious facet of Drummond’s game that impressed was his ability to knock down free throws at a 60 percent clip.
He made a remarkable 22-percent jump from the 2016-17 season to 2017-18. That type of improvement is unheard of.
It really showed his dedication and commitment to improvement over the summer of 2017. This helped him stay on the court longer, as teams deterred from using the Hack-A-Dre method. Now, he wasn’t a liability on the floor anymore, making him more dependable to his teammates.
I’ll admit that I was one of the louder fans clamoring for Drummond to be traded. I wondered how one could justify paying a one-dimensional (only being a rebounder) player all this money. In addition to the fact that he was unavailable in crunch time due to his struggles at the line.
Well Andre, thanks for shutting my mouth. You made me eat those words, and delivered on making your free throws.
Another facet of Drummond’s game that’s always been a strength is his rebounding prowess. Believe it or not, he averaged a career-high in rebounds last year. He just ate everything that came off the glass, and was more of a presence on the defensive glass as well.
Drummond increased his defensive rebounding average by one percent. It might not seem like a lot, but it limited the number of second-chance opportunities for opposing teams.
The 25-year-old also showed the ability to be a willing and efficient passer. He posted a career-high in assists per game this past season. He often times made the right decision, and finding his teammates to ensure easy buckets.
Overall, Drummond expanded his game by growing stronger, rebounding on both ends, and becoming more reliable from the free-throw line, while adding decision-making to his resume.
Now, if only Drummond can add more of an arsenal to his offensive game. Which leads me to right to my next point, the bad.
The Bad
The bad part of Andre Drummond’s game is his limited skill on offense.
Usually, if he gets the ball in the post, the offense becomes stagnant. This results in the game slowing down.
I used to say to myself, “Every time Drummond got the ball in the post, it was a self check.”
He would always turn and hook the ball over his right shoulder with no luck of dropping it in.
Soon, opposing players started noticing that tendency, which made it difficult for him to attempt that hook shot.
Drummond didn’t have a fade-away post move, hadn’t bullied his way to the basket, and has still yet to show any resemblance of a mid-range jump shot.
This lack of an offensive game puts him way behind some of the top centers in the league such as DeMarcus Cousins, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Joel Embiid.
All of these guys play defense, they rebound, and have a great, low-post game with the ability to know down a 3-pointer. This makes them even more dangerous, since the defense has to guard the whole floor.
On pick-and-rolls, you have to fear them going to the basket. For a pick-and-pop, you have to fear them shooting the three, or simply fear them scoring in the low post with ease.
Drummond has a long way to go before he can be mentioned as an elite center with those guys. Maybe this is the year we see a more expanded offense game from him. He has all the tools necessary to be in the conversation with the top centers in the league.
The Ugly
I’ve had some heated Andre Drummond debates over the years.
Most of my argument stems from the lack of defensive presence I see from him in games. I sometimes see opposing centers take him to town, and that’s without mentioning his play against the top centers in the NBA. It’s absolutely horrendous.
Guards, or whomever for that matter, drive the paint with no resistance or attempt from Drummond. He needs to show consistent effort and contest shots more often.
I had a group discussion about Drummond a few days ago, and was told that it’s not fair to compare Ben Wallace and Andre Drummond. I asked why.
Wallace was one-dimensional. He could rebound the heck out the ball, while always controlling the paint. Teams drove to the lane with caution, because he could swat your shot to the border.
Somebody mentioned to me that Wallace lived for defense. But that’s all he was.
It’s a bit unfair that I compare the two, but I only do so because my definition of a center is the epitome of Wallace. Yes, he was even more offensively challenged than Drummond is. However, he gave you his heart and soul on defense.
I can’t figure out why Drummond won’t give more energy on the defensive side. In my opinion, he has an advantage in athleticism and size over Wallace. Therefore, he should be causing more havoc. But he simply hasn’t taken that step in his career yet.
Overall Synopsis
I truly believe that Drummond may have one of the highest ceilings in the NBA. But that’s only if he can put it all together.
It’s good that he has experience on his side, while still being relatively young at 25. The work ethic and hunger to improve is there. That’s evident in his dramatic improvement at the free-throw line.
If Drummond can add a perimeter shot (which from the looks of it, he’s been working on), a low-post game, and better intensity on the defensive end, I think he could become a top-three center behind Cousins and Embiid.
What’s your take on Andre Drummond? What would you say are the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of his game?