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Detroit Pistons Star Andre Drummond Playing to Cash In and It’s Obvious

By Bob Heyrman

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 28: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons battles for a rebound against Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on October 28, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 96-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 28: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons battles for a rebound against Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on October 28, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 96-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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He’s not the first star player in this city fans have questioned his effort.  Remember Sergei Fedorov?  What about Miguel Cabrera?  Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond is off to a hot start, but he may just have his eye on the prize.  A new payday.

Usually, the prize is a title, right? But what’s the next best thing? Money. Right. Well, many players post career-years as they play towards a new contract. Twenty boards to go along with twenty points are becoming the new normal for Detroit Pistons’ big man Andre Drummond.  It’s a rare offense in today’s NBA that’s running through the center position.  With star forward Blake Griffin sidelined to start the season, it’s been Drummond benefitting in a big way.

There is no question about Andre’s talent. Drummond is exceptionally talented, but the effort or lack thereof has often been attached to the Detroit Pistons star.

In addition to Griffin being injured to start the season, or resting; the Pistons have also been without point guard Reggie Jackson-surprised? Perhaps last year’s healthy season was a fluke?  Jackson will be out at least a month with a back issue.

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Derrick Rose, another star, is off to an incredible start this season, but after a strong effort Friday night in his hometown of Chicago, he’s missed the next two games with a sore hamstring.  No problem, he’s another injury-prone player, but Detroit needs to continue to limit the wear and tear on Rose.  He’s flashed some of that greatness early on with Detroit that won him an MVP award earlier in his career with the Bulls.

Rose is a player that should be under this ‘load management’ term that’s being used across the NBA these days.  A healthy Rose is much more important in March to Detroit than in November.

So with Griffin, Rose, Jackson all sidelined Andre Drummond is taking matters into his own hands.  He’s just the second player to a guy named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to record at least 20 points, and 20 boards in four of the first seven games to start a season–that my friends is what you call being in elite company.

At times Drummond appears to be a bit lackadaisical getting back on defense after an offensive miss.  Sometimes the big fella takes a bit too long to get into the offensive side of half-court after the opponents hit a bucket.  A player of his size doesn’t always appear to be hustling as say a six-footer does.

In an article published on Mlive, here’s what his coach had to say;

"“I will fight for Andre,” Pistons coach Casey said. “People question his effort. When you average that many rebounds, that’s effort. I think sometimes his body language gives you the (impression) that he’s not playing hard, which is unfair. You go down there trying to bang with those guys that long and get as many rebounds as he gets every night, that’s effort. So just now he’s combining his rebounds with some scoring, which is gravy for us.”"

The effort is there in ’19, so far anyway.  Perhaps the Detroit Pistons star is performing at this level as he plays for a new contract?  Drummond is set to hit the open market next summer.  He’s a player that will be seeking a max deal, and here in Detroit, everyone seems to be split on this.  Should Andre receive max money?

It’s not a center’s league anymore.  Don’t forget how easy the Milwaukee Bucks disposed of the Detroit Pistons last Spring.  Blake Griffin was out the first two games, Drummond all but disappeared when the ‘real’ season started.

Blake returned for two games in the series but was limping around, doing the best he could on one leg.  Andre is fantastic during the regular season, but when it comes to the playoffs, it appears the regular season was just a tease.

For a guy averaging 22.1 points, 18.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game this year, when his career averages are 14.2 points, 13.8 boards and 1.2 assists make me question his future intentions.

Next. How newcomers could affect offensive statistics. dark

I’d be lying if I said I am not impressed with Drummond’s play thus far this season.  How can you not be?  But if I’m the Detroit Pistons, I proceed with caution.  We’ve seen it so many times throughout sports. Players get a new long-term deal and lock in the cruise control until their next contract season.

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