Detroit Pistons: Make them know you, Andre

Detroit Pistons star Andre Drummond was one of the most notable All-Star snubs. Proving that Drummond will have to do even more to be there next year.

Andre Drummond deserves to representing the Detroit Pistons in this year’s All-Star game. He’s definitely playing like a top player, and without a doubt is one of the best centers in the entire league. However, the All-Star game has been pretty anti-center since the switch to frontcourt and backcourt voting. And now even more changes have been made to the format to give the game a little more flavor.

And if this proves anything, it proves that Drummond isn’t seen as good enough still. Sure, he has the league lead in rebounds per game. Sure he’s fixed all of his free throw struggles. Heck, he even stopped shooting those horrible mid-range post shots. But there’s still something he hasn’t done, turned the Pistons into a winning team.

That’s the last thing holding Drummond back. And is that completely on him? Not a chance. Worse players on better teams will be in the All-Star game instead. (I mean, they are still good players, just Drummond has been better this season.) (I just imagined Smush Parker as an All-Star and I made myself laugh.) And if the Pistons were better as a team, Drummond would be reaping the benefits too.

This isn’t something new, nor is it 100% wrong. If you’re a major piece of getting your team into the playoffs you deserve the love. Heck, if the Pistons were in the top half of the east right now I’m certain Drummond would be in, with Tobias Harris and Reggie Jackson either in or just on the cusp of making it. But unfortunately, since Jackson went down the Pistons have been awful.

But either way, that’s the only thing holding Drummond out. And I’m sure there are people in his corner telling him that. So if this does anything, I hope that it pushes Drummond to continue to be great, and more importantly, helps him become a great leader. Drummond will be 25 when next season starts. That’s young to most people, but the NBA is so young that he’s a savvy vet at this point.

And there is no reason Detroit should even think about getting rid of him. He should be enough proof to show that being patient pays off. You know, kind of the exact opposite of what this team has been since Stan Van Gundy came in. But that rant is for another time. Drummond came into the NBA raw, but solid, now he’s a bonafide star that just about every single team would love to have.

So please Drummond. Keep doing what you’re doing. Get better and better. And make sure the NBA doesn’t forget that not only are you a top-tier talent, but also somebody that other teams will fear for years to come.