Andre Drummond: Boban Marjanovic 'Absolutely' Better Than Expected

Laimbeer · Post #1 » by **Laimbeer** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 5:43 pm

Andre Drummond has been impressed by Boban Marjanovic during their informal pickup matchups this summer.

"I was telling the guys after we got done playing our first pickup game, that might have been the first (time) I've been really frustrated playing against someone," Drummond said Monday, appearing at the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy celebrity golf outing.

"It's so hard to score on him."

The Detroit Pistons signed Marjanovic to a three-year, $21 million deal this offseason.

"Boban is a hell of a player," Drummond said. "He's been a huge addition for us, and he's definitely going to be a big help for us throughout this season as well."

Drummond was asked if Marjanovic is better than he expected.

"Absolutely," replied Drummond.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/243217/Andre-Drummond-Boban-Marjanovic-Absolutely-Better-Than-Expected

detroitKG · Post #2 » by **detroitKG** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:17 pm

Good. It'll force Andre to evolve his game even further. I could see him really developing his face up game to counter Boban's size. Will be interesting to see his improvement through the season.

DocRI · Post #3 » by **DocRI** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:45 pm

I used to play sports with my older brother and his friends all the time when I was a kid. They were in college when I was in middle school, and I understandably struggled to keep up. Then I'd play with kids my own age and I'd dominate 'cuz it was a breeze to compete against opponents my own age, size, speed and strength after I'd gotten used to playing at such a physical disadvantage.

We've all focused on the "Baynes' Impending FA" aspect of the Boban signing, but these quotes add a whole new wrinkle and remind me of my youth — Boban is perhaps the perfect "practice sparring partner" for Dre. He's a damn monolith who Dre can't just overpower, so imagine how much EASIER game action is gonna feel for him against normal-sized opposition! Once practicing every day against Boban the Behemoth becomes his "norm," Dre could absolutely feast on both ends of the court against players who aren't the size of Andre the Giant.

If this plays out as such, VanBowers deserve yet another hat tip; DAMN those guys keep looking smarter and smarter!

BadMofoPimp · Post #4 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:00 pm

I see what SVG is doing. He is building a freaking wall!!!

Blkbrd671 · Post #5 » by **Blkbrd671** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:52 pm

lol,

Reporter ask Dre: Is Babo better than expected

Dre: Absolutely

HEADLINE NEWS!!!

Dre says Marjanovic is better than expected

*Golf Clap

DBC10 · Post #6 » by **DBC10** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:58 pm

I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised whenever Boban plays. The guy's size with his soft touch is really something to behold. The fact that he basically doubles Dre's FT% is also noteworthy too.

Ish, Leuer, and Boban are going to really take the pressure off our starters. Last season was basically a small preview compared to how we should theoretically play this year.

Blkbrd671 · Post #7 » by **Blkbrd671** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 11:17 pm

Honestly i think where Babo's real value lies is in practice. Dre is going to have to consistently learn to score against length which is going to force him to be more creative. I think we'll see that development this season. Another master stroke of course by SVG

Pharaoh · Post #8 » by **Pharaoh** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 12:18 am

Dre lies!

Claims he's never been frustrated by an opponent? LMAO

TWlST · Post #9 » by **TWlST** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 2:50 am

We just have to hope he does not start looking more like a bull in a China shop, collecting off. Fouls.

mercury · Post #10 » by **mercury** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 4:48 am

My only concern is Dre blows a tire trying to move Young Frankenstein

Statlanta · Post #11 » by **Statlanta** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:47 am

I saw this on Wiretap and I really wanted to see what you guys thought of this. I'm not sure if this shows how skilled Boban is, or how much low Andre's initial opinion of Boban was, or how much nuanced(not better though) Boban's game is compared to Andre's. Either way I think you guys should be excited to have someone who probably has a better physical profile than Andre on your team to push him.

DBC10 · Post #12 » by **DBC10** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 2:27 pm

Someone did make a good point though regarding this, Dre gets frustrated easily and it's not like he's a good offensive player at all. So scoring on anyone that big and long is going to be a challenge regardless of who's going up against Boban.

bballnmike · Post #13 » by **bballnmike** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 2:29 pm

OrlandoTill wrote:I saw this on Wiretap and I really wanted to see what you guys thought of this. I'm not sure if this shows how skilled Boban is, or how much low Andre's initial opinion of Boban was, or how much nuanced(not better though) Boban's game is compared to Andre's. Either way I think you guys should be excited to have someone who probably has a better physical profile than Andre on your team to push him.

I think he's always had a high opinion of him, tweet from the day we signed him

Read on Twitter

BadMofoPimp · Post #14 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 3:30 pm

bballnmike wrote:
OrlandoTill wrote:I saw this on Wiretap and I really wanted to see what you guys thought of this. I'm not sure if this shows how skilled Boban is, or how much low Andre's initial opinion of Boban was, or how much nuanced(not better though) Boban's game is compared to Andre's. Either way I think you guys should be excited to have someone who probably has a better physical profile than Andre on your team to push him.

I think he's always had a high opinion of him, tweet from the day we signed him

Read on Twitter

Dre wasn't thinking clearly in that post.

Cuz, if Boban is going to be dunkin all over Dre in practice, that would mean Boban will be Dunkin all over Dre more often!!!

Chillymo · Post #15 » by **Chillymo** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 7:29 pm

I would like to see Drummond become an elite rim protector next season. Hopefully this helps.

MotownMadness · Post #16 » by **MotownMadness** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 8:26 pm

Chillymo wrote:I would like to see Drummond become an elite rim protector next season. Hopefully this helps.

YeAh that's the next step i want is his defense. He's more then capable of being a top defender in this league.

mattao313 · Post #17 » by **mattao313** » Thu Sep 1, 2016 1:31 am

Chillymo wrote:I would like to see Drummond become an elite rim protector next season. Hopefully this helps.

100% agree he really regressed this season I guess to stay out of foul trouble, but I really think this is the best way for him to improve his value on the court.

Blkbrd671 · Post #18 » by **Blkbrd671** » Thu Sep 1, 2016 4:36 am

mattao313 wrote:
Chillymo wrote:I would like to see Drummond become an elite rim protector next season. Hopefully this helps.

100% agree he really regressed this season I guess to stay out of foul trouble, but I really think this is the best way for him to improve his value on the court.

i think its more a product of him being patient to avoid foul trouble but more importantly "maintain good rebounding position". I believe SVG mentioned this last season.

What honestly would literally make the biggest difference is if Dre would learn to keep his hands up. Too often dre plays defense at the rim with his hands on the side and then when he blocks brings them up. A lot of the time that split second from hands at the side to above the head will cause dre to be late on the block. He should at least put them above his head to further deter shot takers as well.

ImHeisenberg · Post #19 » by **ImHeisenberg** » Thu Sep 1, 2016 9:38 am

Anyone else remember when our guys were gushing about how great Slava Kravstov was before the season began?

Post #20 » by **dVs33** » Thu Sep 1, 2016 10:11 am

ImHeisenberg wrote:Anyone else remember when our guys were gushing about how great Slava Kravstov was before the season began?

Yeah, but Boban has actually played a little in the league and done well. Slava never did anything.