Andre Drummond has not been a perimeter marksman, but he is trying to add to his offensive game this summer.
This side of Dwight Howard, Andre Drummond most clearly befits the label of the kind of NBA center that is an endangered species now. But after a relatively down year in 2016-17, he rebounded to average 15 points, 16 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last year.
After never making even 42 percent of his free-throws in any of his first five NBA seasons, Drummond jump up to 60.5 percent from the line last season. He also became more of a playmaker, averaging a career-high 3.0 assists per game with nearly as many assists (237) as he had in his career up to that point (277).
Advanced stats, more specifically seconds per touch, dribbles per touch and assists per 100 possessions, show Drummond generally had the ball in his hands a lot more last season. That came with a negative residual of 2.6 turnovers per game, but that’s not a huge thing in the bigger picture.
Over his six seasons Drummond is 5-for-30 from three-point range, including 0-for-11 last season. Going further, a shade over 95 percent of his career field goal attempts have come within 10 feet of the basket. But the two-time All-Star seems set on changing both of those numbers next season.
After practices at Team USA minicamp, Drummond has been seen shooting three-pointers with Pistons’ teammate Blake Griffin and an assistant coach. He spoke with The Score about it, and it’s not some post-practice sideshow.
I don’t do stuff (on the court) just to have fun,””If I’m taking those shots, (it’s because) I’m working on it for the upcoming season. Those are shots that I’m gonna be taking.
“I make at least 200 corner 3s every day before I leave the gym. I’m getting them up. I’m getting the same shot up over and over again, so I’m getting more comfortable with it. It’s been great so far,
Drummond also spoke highly of new Pistons’ coach Dwane Casey.
“He’s a player’s coach, so he’s going to let us have a lot of freedom on the court, but still ask for structure, as well.”
Drummond has to be commended for trying to add to his game, and he recently said he has lost 20 pounds this summer. Already the league’s reigning leading rebounder, Drummond could push toward 20 points per game as he finds a balance between volume and efficiency as a three-point shooter next season.