ESPN Article - Drummond looking forward to building "Empire" together with Griffin

[Kilo]

Dre wants to build an empire together with Blake Griffin - http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22270142/detroit-pistons-center-andre-drummond-excited-teaming-blake-griffin

DETROIT -- Pistons All-Star center Andre Drummond is looking forward to all the possibilities that could transpire with new arrival Blake Griffin in tow.

"I'm excited," Drummond said after scoring 21 points and grabbing 22 rebounds in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. "It's a new chapter. We've got three new guys coming in, so it's something to really look forward to. Obviously, Blake is a hell of a player, a great passer, as well too, so I'm looking forward to building this new empire with him."

Stanley Johnson sounds giddy, and like he wants to stay here and make it work-

"I'm a huge fan of Blake Griffin," Johnson said. "That's one of the guys I like, at like, 'Oh, this guy's really, really, really, really good.' I think our stance should be let's play around him. He's a guy who I think is a one-in-a-million athlete. You have him paired with another one-in-a-million athlete with Andre. And now it's like let's use that [advantage] and now we'll figure how to [adjust] when you figure out the deal with those two people. You'll never not have them in the game together. You got two of them.

"What he did -- you get Reggie back, I don't know how it's going to come out, but you got Reggie. You got Reggie, you got Blake, you got [Tolliver], you got a lot of good pieces around a guy who I believe can lead a team to that point. [Griffin has] done it, so a fresh start for him and I think the sky's the limit for us."

Dre knows Blake from training in LA in the off-season and share the same agent -

Drummond said he and Griffin have developed a friendship over the past few years as they trained in Los Angeles in the offseason. They also share representation in agent Jeff Schwartz.

"I know Blake very well," Drummond said. "I talked to him immediately after the trade. He's excited to be here, excited to play with us. Obviously when Reggie gets back, he's excited to play with him too."

[Kilo]

[DETermination]

We got our big 3 with Andre Blake and Stanley

[ChuckVanBrown]

I really think this move could bring out the best in SJ. He’s likely been demoralized this season, which hasn’t helped in his development.

Being a CA kid, I’m sure SJ was a fan of Blake’s while a teenager. It’s probably pretty cool for him to play alongside a star player like Blake. Hopefully Blake can help him with his game, and Stanley can find a rhythm.

[zeebneeb]

I love it when players echo my sentiments exactly. Andre, and Stanley see it just as I do;

Two all-nba big men who's games mesh great together.

Its a fantastic start for sure. I am thrilled at the possibilities and the potential to dominate teams inside as so many have gone small. They will have to adjust to the Pistons.

[vege]

We got our big 3 with Andre Blake and Stanley

Big 5 with Luke and Reggie

[Kilo]

I really think this move could bring out the best in SJ. He’s likely been demoralized this season, which hasn’t helped in his development.

Being a CA kid, I’m sure SJ was a fan of Blake’s while a teenager. It’s probably pretty cool for him to play alongside a star player like Blake. Hopefully Blake can help him with his game, and Stanley can find a rhythm.

Stanley would have been 13-14 when Blake Griffin was winning the ROY in Los Angeles, when he was dunking over cars at the ASG. Can't imagine he didn't have a Blake poster on his wall.

I think Stanley will want to play with Griffin, just not sure their games fit. I'm willing to keep Johnson for the ROS to find out through.

[jakebernat]

I really think this move could bring out the best in SJ. He’s likely been demoralized this season, which hasn’t helped in his development.

Being a CA kid, I’m sure SJ was a fan of Blake’s while a teenager. It’s probably pretty cool for him to play alongside a star player like Blake. Hopefully Blake can help him with his game, and Stanley can find a rhythm.

Stanley would have been 13-14 when Blake Griffin was winning the ROY in Los Angeles, when he was dunking over cars at the ASG. Can't imagine he didn't have a Blake poster on his wall.

I think Stanley will want to play with Griffin, just not sure their games fit. I'm willing to keep Johnson for the ROS to find out through.

This. There shouldn’t be a rush to trade Stanley unless we’re getting a shoe-in upgrade at SF.

He’s still under control for one more year, so there’s not much harm in letting him try and figure it out. Most hypothetical trades can be revisited in the offseason.

[Canadafan]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/03/16/pistons-drummond-adds-jumper-repertoire/33012899/

I feel like Andre is a bit delusional lol. I'm kinda over his whole "great" rebounding numbers.
He would get us the most in a trade. We need a wing player in the worst way. That and a serviceable big for Andre. Andre is just so skill-less. Those ridiculous drives to the basket where he just throws up a shot and it misses badly then he complains he was fouled. He looks like a child playing with adults. His post moves and shots are embarrassing as well. His little teardrop he does from the foul line. Wow. Pretty bad. Lots of his rebounds are just his teammates helping him pad his stats. Dude has no skill. Trade him

[ImHeisenberg]

Maybe Drummond meant they were going to import cheap pharma drugs from Canada empire? Because, the on-court results will stand about firmly as the twin towers.

[Spider156]

We got our big 3 with Andre Blake and Stanley

None of them can shoot in a shooting NBA era

[Spider156]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/03/16/pistons-drummond-adds-jumper-repertoire/33012899/

I feel like Andre is a bit delusional lol. I'm kinda over his whole "great" rebounding numbers.
He would get us the most in a trade. We need a wing player in the worst way. That and a serviceable big for Andre. Andre is just so skill-less. Those ridiculous drives to the basket where he just throws up a shot and it misses badly then he complains he was fouled. He looks like a child playing with adults. His post moves and shots are embarrassing as well. His little teardrop he does from the foul line. Wow. Pretty bad. Lots of his rebounds are just his teammates helping him pad his stats. Dude has no skill. Trade him

Nickname is Man-Child. He plays like a guard in a big man's body. I can see Drummond getting a 3 pointer later in his career. Free throws are different because you're not jumping plus he's good at FTs now. I think he's got a soft touch for the 3 and he'll make it happen eventually. I think we should trade him too though. I'd much rather have Lillard or McCollum than Drummond.

[ImHeisenberg]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/03/16/pistons-drummond-adds-jumper-repertoire/33012899/

I feel like Andre is a bit delusional lol. I'm kinda over his whole "great" rebounding numbers.
He would get us the most in a trade. We need a wing player in the worst way. That and a serviceable big for Andre. Andre is just so skill-less. Those ridiculous drives to the basket where he just throws up a shot and it misses badly then he complains he was fouled. He looks like a child playing with adults. His post moves and shots are embarrassing as well. His little teardrop he does from the foul line. Wow. Pretty bad. Lots of his rebounds are just his teammates helping him pad his stats. Dude has no skill. Trade him

Nickname is Man-Child. He plays like a guard in a big man's body. I can see Drummond getting a 3 pointer later in his career. Free throws are different because you're not jumping plus he's good at FTs now. I think he's got a soft touch for the 3 and he'll make it happen eventually. I think we should trade him too though. I'd much rather have Lillard or McCollum than Drummond.

No way Portland is giving up Lillard, and I don't think they'd even do a McCollum for Drummond straight swap. Who knows, though? They're in cap hell like we are. But, they're definitely holding onto Lillard.

[hoophabit]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/03/16/pistons-drummond-adds-jumper-repertoire/33012899/

I feel like Andre is a bit delusional lol. I'm kinda over his whole "great" rebounding numbers.
He would get us the most in a trade. We need a wing player in the worst way. That and a serviceable big for Andre. Andre is just so skill-less. Those ridiculous drives to the basket where he just throws up a shot and it misses badly then he complains he was fouled. He looks like a child playing with adults. His post moves and shots are embarrassing as well. His little teardrop he does from the foul line. Wow. Pretty bad. Lots of his rebounds are just his teammates helping him pad his stats. Dude has no skill. Trade him

Nickname is Man-Child. He plays like a guard in a big man's body. I can see Drummond getting a 3 pointer later in his career. Free throws are different because you're not jumping plus he's good at FTs now. I think he's got a soft touch for the 3 and he'll make it happen eventually. I think we should trade him too though. I'd much rather have Lillard or McCollum than Drummond.

No way Portland is giving up Lillard, and I don't think they'd even do a McCollum for Drummond straight swap. Who knows, though? They're in cap hell like we are. But, they're definitely holding onto Lillard.

On this matter I remain the contrarian. IMO Drummond is completing his first year of approaching basketball as other than something he can get by at because of his superlative talent. I view Drummond as a 'late bloomer' type who may yet make good, and the indications seen this season 'augers well' since he appears to have finally gotten serious about basketball (his FTs?). My big question with Drummond has always been 'does he care about his place in the game?' It appears he might. After noting that Drummond has put together a season that only includes the likes of Garnett and Lanier, it occurs to me that for all of our misery this season, Drummond has rarely been the cause. You can't "trade everyone," and Drummond isn't the place to start. If he went elsewhere and anchored a team that kicked our a*ses for years, I think I would despair. It amuses me to see people disparage his rebounding numbers, or call this an empty stat. Tell that to the teams lusting for a dominant rebounder.

[MrBigShot]

They'd be silly to turn down a Dre/McCollum swap and we'd be even sillier for offering it.

[Collymore]

The treadmill empire.

[potatoaim]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/03/16/pistons-drummond-adds-jumper-repertoire/33012899/

I feel like Andre is a bit delusional lol. I'm kinda over his whole "great" rebounding numbers.
He would get us the most in a trade. We need a wing player in the worst way. That and a serviceable big for Andre. Andre is just so skill-less. Those ridiculous drives to the basket where he just throws up a shot and it misses badly then he complains he was fouled. He looks like a child playing with adults. His post moves and shots are embarrassing as well. His little teardrop he does from the foul line. Wow. Pretty bad. Lots of his rebounds are just his teammates helping him pad his stats. Dude has no skill. Trade him

Hard to disagree. I'm glad they didnt trade him last off season when his value was super low. I think they could definitely get something decent for him since he has raised his stock this season, but I think its time to move on from him. Dream scenario would be to luck the #1 pick and take Ayton, then trade Drummond.

[mercury]

I'm not in a big hurry to deal Dre... if any of his skills improve (mid-range, average post game) it could be another regrettable trade. It's fair to say that he should be further along by now... but is he really done improving?
The mystery... is he a late bloomer or tapped out potential?... would like to wait at least one more year. I see his trade value improving within the next couple of years.

[7r5ur]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/03/16/pistons-drummond-adds-jumper-repertoire/33012899/

I feel like Andre is a bit delusional lol. I'm kinda over his whole "great" rebounding numbers.
He would get us the most in a trade. We need a wing player in the worst way. That and a serviceable big for Andre. Andre is just so skill-less. Those ridiculous drives to the basket where he just throws up a shot and it misses badly then he complains he was fouled. He looks like a child playing with adults. His post moves and shots are embarrassing as well. His little teardrop he does from the foul line. Wow. Pretty bad. Lots of his rebounds are just his teammates helping him pad his stats. Dude has no skill. Trade him

While I've never been against trading Andre if we got a significant return, I think that opportunity passed when we swapped Tobias, Avery, and a pick for Blake.

A firesale instead of the Blake trade would have been the way to go. Spurs seemed to be willing to give up a late 1st for Bradley from what I recall. Tobias was probably worth a mid-first, and Andre could net a mid-lotto pick. Combined with our pick, we'd be in pretty decent position to go full tank and get this thing at least showing some early signs of promise in a few years.

Sadly, when the team has already been so bad for so long, everyone is looking for the fastest way out...

At this point though, You're better off holding onto Dre unless someone comes by and thinks it's worth giving up assets for Blake.

[Manocad]

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.


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