Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: Stars Getting Hot at Perfect Time

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) greets Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) prior to their game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) greets Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) prior to their game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) grabs the loose ball in front of Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (L) and forward Jason Smith (14) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 118-102. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) grabs the loose ball in front of Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (L) and forward Jason Smith (14) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 118-102. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Last Rank: No. 16

Position: Center

Age: 22

Slash Line: .526/.333/.359

Season Averages: 33.1 MPG, 16.7 PPG, 14.9 RPG, 4.9 ORPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG

The Detroit Pistons are finally getting the production and consistency out of Andre Drummond that he provided at the beginning of the season. There was a dry spell for quite some time, as hack-a-Shaq limited Drummond’s offensive production and playing time.

The past two games have effectively restored Drummond’s status as one of the best players in the NBA.

Drummond recorded 14 points and 16 rebounds against the Milwaukee Bucks, but the key to his performance was how it ended. Detroit needed a big play to secure a crucial win, and Drummond tipped in the game-winner for a 92-91 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Two days later, he recorded 30 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks on 14-of-20 shooting in a 118-102 runaway win against the Orlando Magic.

Detroit is now the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, and while nothing is set in stone, that’s a promising place to be. Drummond is Stan Van Gundy’s new Dwight Howard, and much as he did with D-12, the head honcho would like to help Drummond become less of a liability at the free throw line.

If Drummond can get his free throw percentage up to 55 percent, he can emerge as one of the Top 10 players in the NBA.

Next: Can't Deny the Numbers