NBA Player Power Rankings: Damian Lillard for MVP?

Feb 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 112-104 at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard finished the game with 34 points. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

6 of 21

Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and Aron Baynes (12) walk onto the court during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Nuggets win 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Last Rank: No. 16

Position: Center

Age: 22

Slash Line: .520/.333/.361

Season Averages: 33.7 MPG, 16.8 PPG, 14.9 RPG, 4.9 ORPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Andre Drummond is the single most dominant rebounder in the NBA. He’s also an extreme liability at the free throw line whose fundamental improvements on both ends have been overshadowed by his inability to convert the most basic of shots.

That shouldn’t hurt his ranking, but based on the degree in which he struggles from the charity stripe, it does.

All things considered, it’s fascinating how dominant a player Drummond has become at just 22 years of age. He’s leading the league in rebounds and offensive rebounds per game, and is also No. 1 in the NBA in double-doubles and, amongst centers, steals per game.

The Detroit Pistons star is doing all of this while averaging just under 17 points per game on better than 50 percent shooting from the field.

The reality is, any player shooting 36.1 percent from the free throw line is a liability, to some extent. In Drummond’s case, teams often disrupt the Pistons’ offensive momentum by utilizing the hack-a-Shaq strategy in the third and fourth quarters.

Until Drummond can make a somewhat respectable respectable of his free throws, he will suffer in these rankings.

Next: The Injured Star