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Detroit Pistons Midseason Review And Grades

By Aaron Ferguson

November 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pistons 109-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pistons 109-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) defended by Detroit Pistons forward Aron Baynes (12) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Wizards win 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) defended by Detroit Pistons forward Aron Baynes (12) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Wizards win 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Centers

The center position has been steady this season for the Pistons. Similarly to the power forward position, Van Gundy knows what to expect from his centers.

Andre Drummond has had a double-double in 35 of his 41 games this season. He has been a monster on the boards and is averaging a league-leading 15.5 rebounds per game. He has improved his game and has evolved into a superstar this year.

On the offensive end, he is averaging 17.8 points per game and is shooting 52.1 percent from the field. He has made the most of his 24.9 usage rate and is developing his post game. But there is still work to do, as indicated by his -1.5 OBPM.

Drummond has improved defensively. He’s averaging 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game this season. He has a steal in 38 games this season and has a block in 33 games. Drummond’s defense has improved statistically, but he needs to stay out of foul trouble. Too often he hurts his team by picking up fouls early in the first and second quarters that land him on the bench.

Back to Drummond’s rebounding, he is the best rebounder in the league. He leads the league in offensive rebounding percentage (16.2 percent), defensive rebounding percentage (33.2 percent) and total rebounding percentage (24.3 percent).

Drummond is certainly among the elite at the center position. He may be close to reaching elite status in the NBA, where team USA named him as one of 30 finalists for their Olympic roster.

Aron Baynes has been consistently good for the Pistons. He has played well on defense and has had good games offensively.

Baynes has a 1.2 DBPM, a career best, and 0.8 defensive win shares. He’s on pace to match his season best 1.6 defensive win shares. He is a strong shot blocker, blocking 1.2 shots in 11.4 minutes per game.

On the offensive end of the court, Baynes has struggled. He has a -2.1 OBPM, which is more telling of the inept bench the Pistons have. He is third in scoring 5.2 point per game for players on the bench, including Jennings’ who’s only played 10 games.

He needs to improve on the offensive end for the Pistons to have more success. With Drummond sitting late minutes due to his 35.4 free-throw percentage, Baynes has to step up when he’s playing with the first unit late in games.

Overall, the center position has been a strong point for the Pistons this season. Both Drummond and Baynes have work to do to maximize their effectiveness, but they have been strong in the minutes they get.

Previous Center Grade: A

Current Center Grade: A-

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