Is Christian Wood already a better player than Andre Drummond?

Post #1 » by **GeorgeMarcus** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:20 pm

You're a GM with a blank slate roster. Which player do you choose if you want to compete this year? Ignore contracts.

I think it's relatively close- hence why I started this thread- but personally I lean toward Wood.

mademan · Post #2 » by **mademan** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:22 pm

Ignoring contracts, probably Drummond. I still think a good team/coach/system can make him valuable.

Not ignoring that Drummond is being paid like 20+mill more than Wood, it makes it an easy decision. Gimme Wood

LoveMyRaps · Post #3 » by **LoveMyRaps** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:24 pm

mademan wrote:Gimme Wood

give you what now

Post #4 » by **GeorgeMarcus** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:37 pm

mademan wrote:Ignoring contracts, probably Drummond. I still think a good team/coach/system can make him valuable.

Not ignoring that Drummond is being paid like 20+mill more than Wood, it makes it an easy decision. Gimme Wood

Reasonable take for sure. Drummond is still the best rebounder in the game, but Wood's scoring arsenal is more polished/well-rounded. Might be a better defender as well but I'll need more of a sample to make that call.

Amare_1_Knicks · Post #5 » by **Amare_1_Knicks** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:38 pm

I think I’m there with you, OP. Woods looks to be clearly much more dynamic than Drummond, and post-ASB he’s averaging 24/10/2/1/1 on 66%TS(9 games). His last 18 haven’t looked too far off that pace either, 21/9/2/1/1 on 65%TS.

His outside shot opens up lanes to the basket — when the defender commits to contesting his perimeter shot he gets by so easily and so quickly. Defensively, it looks like he has better awareness and reactions than Drummond also.

Drummond has ventured out and showed a willingness to shoot 3 pointers, but he’s not near the shooter that Wood is. Same with his improved FT% — while he’s no longer in worst FT shooter ever territory, he’s still only at 57%, very much so a liability.

Probably not a huge disparity between the two, and I would love to see a bigger sample size from Wood, but if I had the choice between the two I’d go with Wood in most scenarios.

Post #6 » by **Clyde Frazier** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:51 pm

I'm probably one of the biggest champions on here for wood getting paid this off-season, but I don't think we know enough to say whether or not he's better than Drummond in a vacuum *right now*. I think that would be falling too hard on the "Drummond is overrated and overpaid" stance when that doesn't necessarily mean anything when comparing him to wood. I just don't think we've seen enough from wood yet to come to that conclusion.

Post #7 » by **GeorgeMarcus** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:58 pm

Clyde Frazier wrote:I'm probably one of the biggest champions on here for wood getting paid this off-season, but I don't think we know enough to say whether or not he's better than Drummond in a vacuum *right now*. I think that would be falling too hard on the "Drummond is overrated and overpaid" stance when that doesn't necessarily mean anything when comparing him to wood. I just don't think we've seen enough from wood yet to come to that conclusion.

What you say is probably true, but I've been on the Wood bandwagon since his short-lived stint in Philly. He looked awesome during SL and was never given a chance to prove himself during the RS.

Post #8 » by **Clyde Frazier** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:06 pm

GeorgeMarcus wrote:
Clyde Frazier wrote:I'm probably one of the biggest champions on here for wood getting paid this off-season, but I don't think we know enough to say whether or not he's better than Drummond in a vacuum *right now*. I think that would be falling too hard on the "Drummond is overrated and overpaid" stance when that doesn't necessarily mean anything when comparing him to wood. I just don't think we've seen enough from wood yet to come to that conclusion.

What you say is probably true, but I've been on the Wood bandwagon since his short-lived stint in Philly. He looked awesome during SL and was never given a chance to prove himself during the RS.

Oh, I completely agree. It's beyond me how he hasn't been able to stick with any of his prior teams at least as an end of the bench guy. He has the quintessential modern skillset for a mobile big. I haven't heard of him having any serious locker room red flags either. NOLA letting him go was especially surprising after losing AD and not bringing back randle. Hopefully Detroit doesn't screw this up (unless of course another team throws an over the top contract at him).

abark · Post #9 » by **abark** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:09 pm

LoveMyRaps wrote:
mademan wrote:Gimme Wood

give you what now

The man wants Wood. It's 2020, get w the times.

mattg · Post #10 » by **mattg** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:13 pm

Haven’t watched wood this season, but he was a loser player when he was with Milwaukee. He’s got some skills offensively so he will put up numbers if given the opportunity, but I just don’t think he’s a winning player and knows how to function well within a team concept.

Han Solo · Post #11 » by **Han Solo** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:27 pm

Christian Wood is better at everything other than rebounding. And by a lot. He is ferocious around the rim too. Something Drummond should be better at, but he’s soft.

This isn’t even debatable. Can’t believe people would pick Drummond. Lmfao.

Post #12 » by **GeorgeMarcus** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:30 pm

mattg wrote:Haven’t watched wood this season, but he was a loser player when he was with Milwaukee. He’s got some skills offensively so he will put up numbers if given the opportunity, but I just don’t think he’s a winning player and knows how to function well within a team concept.

Apparently his attitude is why he struggled sticking to a roster before DET. Not sure I can agree with you about not being a winning player though... Here are Net Rtgs for all Pistons who have played 500+ min this year:

Langston Galloway: -4.7 (1702 min)
Andre Drummond: -4.4 (1654 min)
Tony Snell: -6.4 (1641 min)
Bruce Brown: -3.8 (1634 min)
Christian Wood: +2.2 (1325 min)
Derrick Rose: -3.6 (1298 min)
Svi Mykhailiuk: -1.1 (1265 min)
Markieff Morris: -5.3 (988 min)
Luke Kennard: -2.8 (922 min)
Thon Maker: -9.3 (776 min)
Sekou Dombouya: -10.9 (754 min)
Blake Griffin: -2.3 (512 min)

Not to mention, he started seeing more minutes after the starters were decimated by injuries. In theory his +/- would look even better if he played with Kennard, Griffin, etc.

Han Solo · Post #13 » by **Han Solo** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:31 pm

mattg wrote:Haven’t watched wood this season, but he was a loser player when he was with Milwaukee. He’s got some skills offensively so he will put up numbers if given the opportunity, but I just don’t think he’s a winning player and knows how to function well within a team concept.

Dude... Wood isn’t the reason for his team not having success. It’s the exact opposite. I know there is someone on RealGm that has all this broken down. Forget his name. Wood is having a tremendous season. He’s the only positive part of that whole team. He is legit. His numbers aren’t garbage numbers. He doesn’t chuck. He’s up there in the entire NBA in efficiency and his defense has been surprisingly solid too.

Wish people wouldn’t post if they don’t know anything about the subject. It’s better just to stay quiet. Because then everyone that actually knows something about it, will dismiss everything you say.

Talking just to talk is boring.

Post #14 » by **cupcakesnake** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:34 pm

abark wrote:
LoveMyRaps wrote:
mademan wrote:Gimme Wood

give you what now

The man wants Wood. It's 2020, get w the times.

He can have a little Wood, as a treat.

to answer OP. Achh it's close. Wood is flashing such an all-around solid game, and he's done it while scaling his role up and down all year. He's got a nice calm presence on the floor. I still think Drummond gets a raw deal from never playing on a good team or even just with a good guard that can fully weaponize him. I think Wood's shooting is real and so is his finishing, at the very least. I don't see the defensive results with Wood yet though. I also think Drummond has some more potential in him on defense. He's not the backline defender everyone wants him to be, but he's got mean quick hands and feet in switches. Drummond belongs in that Clint Capela role on an extremely switchy defense.

Post #15 » by **GimmeDat** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:36 pm

I'll listen to the Pistons fans on this one, but I had to go Drummond. We're talking about a vacuum here. I feel like it's a bit 'grass is greener' with Wood because Drummond was obviously a frustrating player.

Wood's a great finisher, gets on the boards in his own right, and has shot the 3 well this year. I think the thing that gets overlooked is that Wood is a pretty woeful defender.

Drummond was an underwhelming defender, but I think he had his moments of being a positive on that end, particularly when he was locked in, and iirc correctly he improved in his last year or so.

Either way, Detroit are probably happy with getting Drummond off their hands, they were going no where with him, and Wood was an excellent pickup, never made any sense that he bounced around as much as he did up to this point.

MAC1987 · Post #16 » by **MAC1987** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:43 pm

Han Solo wrote:
mattg wrote:Haven’t watched wood this season, but he was a loser player when he was with Milwaukee. He’s got some skills offensively so he will put up numbers if given the opportunity, but I just don’t think he’s a winning player and knows how to function well within a team concept.

Dude... Wood isn’t the reason for his team not having success. It’s the exact opposite. I know there is someone on RealGm that has all this broken down. Forget his name. Wood is having a tremendous season. He’s the only positive part of that whole team. He is legit. His numbers aren’t garbage numbers. He doesn’t chuck. He’s up there in the entire NBA in efficiency and his defense has been surprisingly solid too.

Wish people wouldn’t post if they don’t know anything about the subject. It’s better just to stay quiet. Because then everyone that actually knows something about it, will dismiss everything you say.

Talking just to talk is boring.

I think you are being a tad bit defensive there. But back to the subject, you must be a DET fan and watched Wood this year. How is he defensively? How is his effort?

I was hoping he would get a chance in Milwaukee. Showed promise in the G league. Didnt see him much at the NBA level. My guess is defense might have been an issue with coach Bud.

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MrBigShot · Post #17 » by **MrBigShot** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:43 pm

Drummond is more talented but has very, very severe motor and consistency issues. When he's engaged he looks so dominant, as he was when he was getting some MVP talk very briefly at the beginning of the year.

But practically speaking Wood is better. Much more diverse skillset, ferocious around the rim and you don't have to worry about him mentally checking out for 3 weeks or mailing a game in if he struggles offensively for a quarter.

Han Solo wrote:Dude... Wood isn’t the reason for his team not having success. It’s the exact opposite. I know there is someone on RealGm that has all this broken down. Forget his name. Wood is having a tremendous season. He’s the only positive part of that whole team. He is legit. His numbers aren’t garbage numbers. He doesn’t chuck. He’s up there in the entire NBA in efficiency and his defense has been surprisingly solid too.

Wish people wouldn’t post if they don’t know anything about the subject. It’s better just to stay quiet. Because then everyone that actually knows something about it, will dismiss everything you say.

Talking just to talk is boring.

I feel your pain. I don't know how anyone expects Wood to win with our dumpster fire of a roster featuring the likes of Brandon Knight and Thon Maker playing significant minutes. This roster rivals the worst ones that the 76ers fielded when they were tanking.

buzzkilloton · Post #18 » by **buzzkilloton** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:48 pm

Wood is better its not even a question at this point.

SWYM · Post #19 » by **SWYM** » Sun Mar 15, 2020 12:37 am

A mod created this, must not be a troll attempt so No and it's not even close

mattg · Post #20 » by **mattg** » Sun Mar 15, 2020 12:42 am

Han Solo wrote:
mattg wrote:Haven’t watched wood this season, but he was a loser player when he was with Milwaukee. He’s got some skills offensively so he will put up numbers if given the opportunity, but I just don’t think he’s a winning player and knows how to function well within a team concept.

Dude... Wood isn’t the reason for his team not having success. It’s the exact opposite. I know there is someone on RealGm that has all this broken down. Forget his name. Wood is having a tremendous season. He’s the only positive part of that whole team. He is legit. His numbers aren’t garbage numbers. He doesn’t chuck. He’s up there in the entire NBA in efficiency and his defense has been surprisingly solid too.

Wish people wouldn’t post if they don’t know anything about the subject. It’s better just to stay quiet. Because then everyone that actually knows something about it, will dismiss everything you say.

Talking just to talk is boring.

I’m telling you the perspective coming from someone who had Wood in his team last season and saw him early in his career and college. As of last year he was trash defensively, and couldn’t play within the team’s identity and he just wouldn’t buy in defensively. He played aggressively, but he wasn’t a guy who could help you win. Now, I admitted I have not seen him this season and he could have turned a corner, but he had a long way to go. Also, I am skeptical that he has gotten there. Obviously Detroit is a dumpster of a roster, they literally have all the crappy bucks players who we got rid of for sucking. But I also know what it’s like to cling to the one semi positive thing you may have on your roster, and end up vastly overrating a player because of it.

Who would you take?