What is the cause of Andre Drummond’s improved play?

Andre Drummond’s improved play has given the Detroit Pistons an extra weapon on offense. But what has caused him to become so dangerous offensively?

Andre Drummond on offensive recently has brought a smile to all Detroit Pistons fans. He’s dunking the ball a lot, taking smart shots, and overall just feels way more comfortable on offense.

Not only has his offense looked super. But his defense has been key for the Pistons in the recent stretch. Although he may not be blocking everything; he’s definitely making an impact defensively and it’s given the team some life.

Here are his stats in the last 8 games since returning from his head injury.

No I’m not making the Ed Davis part up. Some fans really thought Davis would be a better fit for the team. This including a couple of other bench playing centers in the league.

In 10 games before Drummond’s injury, he was averaging 12.7 points per game, 13.5 rebounds per game,1.9 steal per games, and .9 blocks per game on 46.6 percent shooting. This stretch put many fans sick to their stomach with Drummond. They wanted him gone for just about anyone.

Recently the Pistons were rumored to be interested in center Marc Gasol. A trade would probably have included Andre Drummond to Memphis if the deal had went down. The deal ultimately got shut down by the Pistons. They valued Drummond a lot more than they did Gasol. And rightfully so.

Pistons fans wanted Gasol because of the spacing he could provide next to Blake Griffin. His ability to shoot the ball would implement a center into the offense. But Drummond’s recent play helps the front office decide whether they want to move on from him.

But the question is, what has caused Drummond to play some of the best basketball of his career in the recent stretch?

Dwane Casey offensive change?

If you have been watching the Pistons early this season. You’ll know Casey hasn’t been a very creative offensive coach. The play that he ran the most would be a Blake Griffin post-up. Now although this might have been effective for Blake and a couple of the Pistons shooters; it made Drummond almost irrelevant in the play. All Drummond could do is box out for an offensive rebound and tip a shot back in.

In the last few games, the Pistons have went towards a different type of offense. Reggie Jackson has been able to get more touches and it’s been effective. We have seen more pick-and-roll plays in this good stretch of games than all of this season. And it’s not just Reggie Jackson getting in on the pick-and-roll play. Luke Kennard, Ish Smith, and Langston Galloway have contributed.

Pick-and-Roll isn’t the only thing the Pistons are running. They are passing the ball quicker and finding the open man. Doesn’t matter who has the ball; Reggie, Blake, Drummond, etc. The quick passing has led to high percentage shots in the lane and from three.

Casey has finally found a way to implement Drummond into the offense. Teams have not been able to stop Drummond and his destruction at the rim. In fact, he has averaged a plus-minus net rating of plus 9.3 per game in the 8 game stretch. This includes a plus 39 net rating game he had versus the New York Knicks where he could do almost nothing wrong.

Until Drummond completely falls off; nobody can tell me that he hurts the team more than helps. Casey should continue to use him as an offensive weapon until teams figure a way to stop him.