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The Top 10 Most Important Detroit Pistons Moments of the Decade

By Steven Garcia

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Dwane Casey (L) poses with Tom Gores (C) owner of the Detroit Pistons and Ed Stefanski (R) senior adviser at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Dwane Casey (L) poses with Tom Gores (C) owner of the Detroit Pistons and Ed Stefanski (R) senior adviser at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Andre Drummond talks to the media after being selected number nine overall by the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images)
Andre Drummond talks to the media after being selected number nine overall by the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Pistons Draft Andre Drummond

Without a doubt, Drummond is the best Piston of the 2010s, making his draft one of the most important moments of the decade. An absolute steal at the 9th pick in 2012, he has had the misfortune of bearing the brunt of the Pistons’ mismanagement and inability to build a functional team ever since. Andre Drummond could be the 2nd or 3rd best player on a championship-level team but the Pistons have managed to mostly waste Drummond’s time in Detroit.

He started his career as a pretty limited athletic big with an absolutely historic gift for rebounding the basketball. During this past decade, he has managed to transform himself into a solid free-throw shooter, passer, scorer, and one of the most versatile defenders in the league, able to switch on guards, play the passing lane and defend the rim.

Like I mentioned before, he’s led the team in Win Shares 6 of the past 7 seasons. When he’s dominant, he’s able to push the Pistons into a higher level of play, where they can compete with just about anyone.

Related Story. Roundtable: Our favorite moments of the 2010s. light

As Andre had progressed, so have the Pistons but we may have reached the upper limits of where Andre can take the Pistons. He’s a very good player but he’s not a transcendent offensive player, which is what you need when you’re relying on one star. Even then, one player can only take a team so far.

Andre has a player option after this year. After nearly a decade in a dysfunctional franchise, no one would fault Drummond for deciding to leave the Pistons and explore free agency. He’s only 26 and continues to grow as a player, I think Drummond could be the perfect rim running big for a championship contender. Imagine Drummond running pick and roll with Luka Doncic, surrounded by shooters.

Ultimately, Drummond has been the face of the franchise this decade. The coaches, teammates, owners, and executives have all changed but Drummond has remained, grabbing 16+ rebounds a game and supplying Pistons fans with just a modicum of hope that one day the franchise will turn it around.

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