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3 takeaways from the Detroit Pistons 108-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls

By Nicolas Henkel

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 11: Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammate Tony Snell #17 of the Detroit Pistons during a game against the Chicago Bulls on January 11, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 11: Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammate Tony Snell #17 of the Detroit Pistons during a game against the Chicago Bulls on January 11, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Understanding Drummond’s frustration

Andre Drummond was ejected in the third quarter of tonight’s game after just 19 minutes of play. He was sent off after Gafford baited him into a frustration technical foul. (Gafford scored – yelled in Drummond’s face – and Drummond proceeded to throw the inbound pass off the back of Gafford’s head so, yeah. Makes sense) At the time of his ejection, the Pistons found themselves in a 62-52 hole which was immediately erased due to the spark Christian Wood provided, and Detroit went on an 11-2 run.

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Obviously judging by the final score, the Pistons weren’t able to sustain any momentum. Prior to Drummond’s ejection, one could easily see what lead to the eventual frustration that he displayed. He was receiving no help from his teammates protecting the rim, which buried Detroit in the first half. On offense he was frequently finding himself in optimal post up situations but the ball was seldom given to him, and there were a few reasons why.

Either the defense on the ball handler was so tight that Drummond wasn’t in their view, or the help defense coming to Drummond was close enough that dishing the ball down low to him would result in a turnover. The Pistons weren’t able to force the ball to him the way that they normally want to, and it was clearly causing some frustration, which is entirely understandable.

While it may be a bit of a stretch to speculate this much, one has to wonder if the noise surrounding Drummond and his trade rumors play into this at all.

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