Who was the best player for the Detroit Pistons in 2019?

As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look at who on the Detroit Pistons made the biggest impact in 2019.

This question applies to both this season and the second half of last season. In the midst of the playoff push a year ago, and the first quarter of this season, who was the best player for the Detroit Pistons in 2019?

Because of the stipulation that last season counts as well, players like Derrick Rose unfortunately won’t make the cut. Though he’s been over the top tremendous, averaging the most points off the bench in franchise history for the Pistons at 16.8 per game. However, playing just 27 games in a Piston uniform doesn’t qualify him for the honor.

The same applies to Tony Snell and Christian Wood, though both have also been exceptional. Snell shot 9 for 9 from the field against the Knicks this season, including 6 for 6 from three-point range and scored 24 points. He became just the ninth player in NBA history to make 6 threes without a single miss. Wood has begun to find a home in Detroit, scoring a career high 28 points against the Spurs earlier this season.

His ability to attack the basket, knock down shots from mid-range and stretch the floor is everything Detroit needed in a frontcourt member coming off of the bench. Rose, Snell and Wood have all emerged as fan favorites this season, but won’t be making the cut.

So, we got that out of the way. Though some players have been tremendous this season, if they weren’t in Detroit last year as well, we’re not going to include them in the running.

The sleeper pick

Reggie Jackson. Though he’s only played 2 games in the 2019-2020 season, he was instrumental in the playoff push a season ago, and after the All-Star break was truly special. He was becoming the point guard upgrade that fans had been hoping for. His ability to mesh with his teammates and shoot when he needed to, not when he felt like he should helped the Pistons in a massive way.

He played all 82 games and coming into this season fans had high aspirations for him. Unfortunately a back injury has kept him sidelined and has temporarily derailed his career in Detroit.

The hopeful pick

A season ago, Luke Kennard began to establish himself as a legitimate scorer in the NBA. That’s carried over into this season as well. His ability to knock down 35-foot three-pointers often overshadows his play making abilities. Because of the attention being paid to him when the ball is in his hands, it allows him to put the ball on the floor and look for open shooters.

Coming into this season, Kennard has slowly been given more keys to the offense. He’s averaging 15.8 points per game on 44.2 percent shooting including 40.0 percent from three-point range. As the confidence in his shot grows, so will the success of the team in Detroit.

Kennard has undoubtedly been the Pistons most improved player from a season ago, and he gives fans a lot to look forward to in the future.

The “gritty” pick

Last year was Blake Griffin‘s first full season in Detroit. He had a new head coach and some new teammates, and came out of the gate firing with a 50 point performance in just the third game of the year against the Sixers. (Though it was technically 2018 so it “isn’t applicable”)

Moving forward there wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that without Griffin, the Pistons may be in a devastating position. He was voted on to the All-Star team and even received Third Team All-NBA honors. Griffin’s transcendence on his three-point shooting ability was remarkable. Seeing a player take that big of a leap so deep into their career isn’t unheard of, but it’s rare.

He had a borderline MVP caliber season.

He willed his team into the playoffs and had two inspiring performances against the Milwaukee Bucks where he was essentially playing on one leg. Griffin puts his body on the line on a nightly basis, whether it be for a loose ball or drawing charges. He is the pinnacle of grit and the quintessential embodiment of what it meant to be a Detroit Piston.

Had he not been having a rough stretch fighting through injuries to open this season, he would be the runaway victor here.

The winner

If you’re in a time machine that’s stuck in 2015 you may be surprised to learn that for the calendar year Andre Drummond was the best player in Detroit. The issues that plagued him in years passed have seemingly begun to dissipate and he’s aiming for the max contract he’ll be eligible for this summer. He has recorded at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in 11 different games this season, including a 32 points 23 rebound outing in the season opener against Indiana.

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We’ve begun to see a more aggressive rim protector and a more selfless passer with Drummond. Going back to the previously mentioned playoff push, the Pistons had the most efficient offense in basketball from February – March. This was largely due to the effectiveness of Drummond in the low post, as well as off of high pick and rolls with Jackson.

Drummond’s value has been a tricky thing to navigate. Fans outside of Detroit seem to undervalue him, while admittedly it’s fair to say that he has a cult-like following that will defend them to their graves. In some instances, maybe they overvalue him.

However – the undervaluing is a lot louder. The constant disrespect and “traditional centers are obsolete” takes that fans have to hear are overwhelmingly egregious. Without him, Detroit would get absolutely melted on the boards on a nightly basis and we’ve seen first hand that when he’s injured – the Pistons interior presence is nonexistent. They need him more than most will care to admit.

At the very most, Drummond has only missed four games since 2013. He’s been one of the most durable players not only in Detroit – but in the entire league. That theme has continued this season, where unfortunately he did miss a few games due to an allergic reaction he had to an avocado.

He’s one of the greatest rebounders of all time. He owns the highest rebounding percentage of all time. He’s officially been deemed the top Piston on the year, and some may even say the decade.