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SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:29 am
by Blkbrd671
Andre Drummond, all of 21 years old, is a basketball terror. Rare are those games in which he lines up against a physical equal. Those strong enough to combat Drummond's size tend to lose track of him in space, while those quick enough to keep up find themselves overwhelmed the nearer he gets to the rim. Drummond's activity level thus demands awareness from every opponent on the floor. Anything less surrenders lobs and rebounds freely to a young star -- albeit an unfinished one -- eager to take them. There are centers in the NBA capable of summoning the kind of force that can change a game. Drummond, though, seems to exude it naturally – if for no other reason than his hard work is enough to exploit every advantage.
This has essentially been the case since Drummond's first days in the league. As a 19-year-old rookie he averaged 13.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes despite the lack of consistent playing time or full confidence from his coach. In this, Drummond's third season, those numbers have swelled to 15.1 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks over the same interval. No player in the league grabs rebounds at a more prolific rate.
"Every time I see a shot go up, it's like a pass to me," Drummond said. "Guys focus on points and getting assists. My goal is to go out and get 20 rebounds a night."
Impressive though his statistical output may be, understanding the full weight of his improvement to this point requires an appreciation of the opposing forces at work. The progress of a young player is so often reduced to basic, relatable terms: effort, focus, confidence. Those matter greatly. Yet any player who experiences consistent success in the NBA must also grapple with the weight of the league's tactical response. The better a player gets, the more dedicated opposing coaches and players become in counter.
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/01/13/andre- ... -the-craft
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:30 am
by Blkbrd671
Can someone tag Pop?????????
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:42 am
by princeofpalace
Eh- Andre's been getting a lot more oops and scoring off putbacks. He's still not a guy you throw the ball in to the low post. My opinion of him hasn't changed- he's not a superstar.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:53 am
by roc
.. yet
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:59 am
by mattao313
princeofpalace wrote:Eh- Andre's been getting a lot more oops and scoring off putbacks. He's still not a guy you throw the ball in to the low post. My opinion of him hasn't changed- he's not a superstar.
Still the most valuable and best player we have and has time to improve.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:02 am
by dVs33
princeofpalace wrote:Eh- Andre's been getting a lot more oops and scoring off putbacks. He's still not a guy you throw the ball in to the low post. My opinion of him hasn't changed- he's not a superstar.
this
r0cd0gg wrote:.. yet
and this
He's got a long way to go, but there's no reason he can't get to "superstar" status.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:08 am
by princeofpalace
mattao313 wrote:princeofpalace wrote:Eh- Andre's been getting a lot more oops and scoring off putbacks. He's still not a guy you throw the ball in to the low post. My opinion of him hasn't changed- he's not a superstar.
Still the most valuable and best player we have and has time to improve.
Most valuable certainly but he's not better than Greg and arguably not even Jennings.
Imo- Drummond is a 3rd/4th option on offense at best, an outstanding rebounder and hopefully becomes a defensive anchor. He will never be a top 10 player in the league, which we don't necessarily need. He plays a much needed role though.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:09 am
by zeebneeb
I'm glad he feels the same way I do. 20 rebounds a night, or bust. That may seem insane, but with his size speed, and athleticism, he could come Damn near that.
No excuses. His effort needs to improve, but having a player like him, makes your team better, period.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:20 am
by mattao313
princeofpalace wrote:mattao313 wrote:princeofpalace wrote:Eh- Andre's been getting a lot more oops and scoring off putbacks. He's still not a guy you throw the ball in to the low post. My opinion of him hasn't changed- he's not a superstar.
Still the most valuable and best player we have and has time to improve.
Most valuable certainly but he's not better than Greg and arguably not even Jennings.
Imo- Drummond is a 3rd/4th option on offense at best, an outstanding rebounder and hopefully becomes a defensive anchor. He will never be a top 10 player in the league, which we don't necessarily need. He plays a much needed role though.
If he's not better than Greg their about equal. The gap between them is not that big but I still think Drummond is better.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 2:23 am
by Blkbrd671
princeofpalace wrote:Eh- Andre's been getting a lot more oops and scoring off putbacks. He's still not a guy you throw the ball in to the low post. My opinion of him hasn't changed- he's not a superstar.
What exactly is your criteria for a "super star"?
For me if a teams defensive game plan is soley to stop 1 player, there is obvious a reaosn. You see it as he has yet to develop into a consistent scoring option, and i see it as he is a scoring option that defenses are consciously taking away, additionally Dre's production is a lot of oops ,putbacks, but also post ups. The fact that we even mention a post up with Dre is proof of development.
I get the, he's not a superstar yet, i don't get why you think he's not on a path to becoming one?
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:46 am
by treefi
princeofpalace wrote:mattao313 wrote:princeofpalace wrote:Eh- Andre's been getting a lot more oops and scoring off putbacks. He's still not a guy you throw the ball in to the low post. My opinion of him hasn't changed- he's not a superstar.
Still the most valuable and best player we have and has time to improve.
Most valuable certainly but he's not better than Greg and arguably not even Jennings.
Imo- Drummond is a 3rd/4th option on offense at best,
an outstanding rebounder and hopefully becomes a defensive anchor. He will never be a top 10 player in the league, which we don't necessarily need. He plays a much needed role though.
*Best rebounder in the NBA today and top 5 offensive rebounder of all-time if he stays healthy.
I've never met anyone who would argue Jennings is more valuable to the Pistons than Drummond... and I don't think you are that person!
During the last 10 games it's closer than usual, but Drummond is nearly averaging 15 and 15 (likely would be if not for him getting sick)... Sure, Jennings has been on fire shooting the ball, so why is half of Detroit ready to trade him RIGHT NOW(hurry while he is hot!!)?? Because he has always been an awful shooter and until last week was terrible defensively. Not to mention Jameer Nelson thrived in SVG's system for years...
Greg is very good. If he were 21, he'd project as a potential future superstar too. Instead he's a borderline top 10, definitely top 15 center in the NBA that can play the 4 but is average defensively and will never be the #1 option, probably only the #3 option on an NBA championship roster. Would love to see Monroe and Drummond go at each other in practice this year.
Would a 25 year old center that puts up 20ppg, 15rpg, 1.5spg, 2.0bpg for an NBA champion be considered a top 10 player in the NBA? I'd say so. Yep, that is what I'd call an MVP candidate.
So I can't say for sure that Andre will never be a top 10 player because as of right now he is the only player in the league that realistically could someday average 20+ppg, 15+rpg, 1.5+spg and 2.0+bpg... and with the way we are playing lately under SVG, 3-4 years from now we could certainly win a championship.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 7:59 am
by Finn McCool
I'd take Jennings and Monroe over Andre as the best player currently on the team.
I would easily trade Drummond for the 1st draft pick in the 2015 Draft.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:56 am
by Blkbrd671
Finn McCool wrote:What a lame article. Andre did not average 13.8 pts. and 13.2 Rebounds in his rookie year... it was in his second season. Stupid hacks can't get their facts right.
I'd also take Jennings and Monroe over Andre as the best player currently on the team.
I would easily trade Drummond for the 1st draft pick in the 2015 Draft.
who the f* is this guy!? lol
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:02 am
by Blomberg
Finn McCool wrote:What a lame article. Andre did not average 13.8 pts. and 13.2 Rebounds in his rookie year... it was in his second season. Stupid hacks can't get their facts right.
Quote from the article: "As a 19-year-old rookie he averaged 13.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks
per 36 minutes despite the lack of consistent playing time or full confidence from his coach."
Finn McCool wrote: I'd also take Jennings and Monroe over Andre as the best player currently on the team.
Saying Jennings -> Andre is just buffoonery.
Finn McCool wrote:I would easily trade Drummond for the 1st draft pick in the 2015 Draft.
Why? Who would you draft?
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:09 am
by Finn McCool
Blomberg wrote:Finn McCool wrote:What a lame article. Andre did not average 13.8 pts. and 13.2 Rebounds in his rookie year... it was in his second season. Stupid hacks can't get their facts right.
Quote from the article: "As a 19-year-old rookie he averaged 13.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks
per 36 minutes despite the lack of consistent playing time or full confidence from his coach."
Finn McCool wrote: I'd also take Jennings and Monroe over Andre as the best player currently on the team.
Saying Jennings -> Andre is just buffoonery.
Finn McCool wrote:I would easily trade Drummond for the 1st draft pick in the 2015 Draft.
Why? Who would you draft?
Guess it's past my bedtime. Skipped over the 36 minutes part. I edited my post. My apologies. Thank you for pointing that out.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:21 am
by Finn McCool
Blkbrd671 wrote:Finn McCool wrote:What a lame article. Andre did not average 13.8 pts. and 13.2 Rebounds in his rookie year... it was in his second season. Stupid hacks can't get their facts right.
I'd also take Jennings and Monroe over Andre as the best player currently on the team.
I would easily trade Drummond for the 1st draft pick in the 2015 Draft.
who the f* is this guy!? lol
Sorry for the mistake. Yes, reading is fundamental. I probably should have had my glasses on.
Re: SI: The Rise of Piston's Andre Drummond
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:48 pm
by hoophabit
Finn McCool wrote:Blomberg wrote:Finn McCool wrote:What a lame article. Andre did not average 13.8 pts. and 13.2 Rebounds in his rookie year... it was in his second season. Stupid hacks can't get their facts right.
Quote from the article: "As a 19-year-old rookie he averaged 13.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks
per 36 minutes despite the lack of consistent playing time or full confidence from his coach."
Finn McCool wrote: I'd also take Jennings and Monroe over Andre as the best player currently on the team.
Saying Jennings -> Andre is just buffoonery.
Finn McCool wrote:I would easily trade Drummond for the 1st draft pick in the 2015 Draft.
Why? Who would you draft?
Guess it's past my bedtime. Skipped over the 36 minutes part. I edited my post. My apologies. Thank you for pointing that out.
No big deal. I had to think about it a second myself. That was one of AD's triumphs last year, he more than maintained those per 36 minute rates which many said he wouldn't and couldn't.
Jennings is very talented, and that's something few really dispute. The "head on straight" question has always been the thing with him, and if SVG and maturity are the cause of his better play it's not unreasonable to put him in the conversation.
The question of who in this draft you think would be worth AD remains open? Okafor maybe? I think it was on the GB where they were talking about who would be the top centers in 2018 and both Okafor and Embiid were listed by some. As you say, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and the board would be pretty boring if we all agreed. Still, it amazes me that people will decide that 2 players who won't have played a single game in the NBA until next year should be in the running for top center in 2018. Okafor is skilled but not that gifted athletically. This is not to say he cannot become a fine NBA player. I've stated my don't fall too much in love with athleticism message in more than one spot, but neither should it be discounted. AD provides proven production, and his athletic gifts offer the potential of a truly special player. I just don't see anyone in this draft worth discarding 3 years of AD's development to go back to square one.