WGL Sports Performer of the Day (2/8/17)
Detroit Pistons Center Andre Drummond (24 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals)
The Pistons continue their surprising run toward the NBA postseason. They are holding onto the #8 seed by the skin of their teeth (0.5 games to be exact), so each game over the course of these last two months is of paramount importance for them. The Pistons picked up a key home win last night, using a 36-20 third quarter to defeat the Lakers 121-102, their fourth consecutive home win and seventh in their last eight home games. Andre Drummond led the way for the Pistons, notching his 34th double-double of the season. He had 24 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals and shot 12 for 19 from the field.
Drummond, who was the #9 pick out of UConn in 2012, is still just 23 years old and is one of the better young players in the game. After all, he was an All-Star and named to the All NBA third team a year ago while also leading the league in rebounds. The problem with Drummond is his inconsistency. He is just as likely to put up a monster 20-20 game as he is to lay an egg and be a complete non-factor. If Drummond could bring it on a nightly basis, he has all of the tools to be one of the best centers in the game (minus his horrendous free throw shooting). He is averaging 14.8 points and 13.8 rebounds per game, numbers that are slightly down from last season, though he is shooting a career high 43.2% from the line (which, for the record, is still awful). Right now, Drummond is good but not great, and if the Pistons hope to qualify for the playoffs this season, they will need him to take his game to another level each and every night.
