Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Stars Being Born Before Our Very Eyes

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) embraces teammate Kawhi Leonard (2) after a three pointer against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) embraces teammate Kawhi Leonard (2) after a three pointer against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 12
Next
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) prior to action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) prior to action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

First Tier

Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Position: Center

Age: 22

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 9 (2012)

Slash Line: .518/.000/.372

Season Averages: 34.4 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 16.3 RPG, 5.6 ORPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Despite possessing an elite combination of size and athleticism, Andre Drummond fell to No. 9 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. It was a year highlighted by the Kentucky Wildcats’ legendary freshmen, and marred by Drummond’s misrepresented draft stock.

Drummond fell to the Detroit Pistons, which has proven to be a blessing in disguise.

Drummond’s days of being an explosive athlete with an absence of fundamentals have passed. He’s developed into an offensive weapon who can not only dominate the glass, but create his own offense in the half court.

Drummond’s go-to move is a drop-step that’s left many a defender stuck in place. His agility at 6’11” is otherworldly, thus enabling him to balance a face-up game with his burgeoning back-to-the-basket attack.

There’s still work to be done, but Drummond more than makes up for his weaknesses with his strength on the glass.

Drummond’s current rebounding pace projects to place him among the all-time greats. According to Basketball-Reference.com, his 16.3 rebounds per game are on pace to be the most since Dennis Rodman averaged 17.3 in 1993-94.

In other words, Drummond is more than 30 percent of the way to the most dominant rebounding season of the 21st century.

Next: Mr. Versatility