Detroit Pistons: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
3. Andre Drummond has a career year
While producing 13.6 points and 13.8 rebounds per game over 81 games is certainly impressive, it was actually a step back in the case of Andre Drummond. After being selected to his first All-Star game in 2016, Drummond’s game — and the Pistons as a whole — regressed in 2016-17.
However, heading into the 2017-18 season, there are a couple of factors to keep Pistons fans more than excited regarding Drummond’s future. Firstly, he’s only just turned 24 and has been incredibly durable, missing just three games over the last four seasons.
But secondly, Drummond underwent a surgical procedure this offseason that the Pistons are confident will help improve his overall game moving forward. While playing at college with the University of Connecticut, Drummond suffered a deviated septum, which is a condition in which the nasal septum — the bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity of the nose in half — is significantly off-center, or crooked, making breathing difficult.
Therefore, expecting a 6’11”, 280-pound center to play an entire NBA season with breathing and sleeping difficulties is far from ideal. Having this fixed earlier this offseason already had Drummond excited for his future prospects:
"“It was probably the best thing I did because right now I feel outstanding and I’m breathing great. It’s going to be a great summer for me.”"
Looking back, it’s probably no coincidence that Drummond averaged the lowest minutes per game since his rookie season at 29.5 per game. But now with the ability to operate properly, combined with some important additions on the perimeter, look for Drummond to rebound and return to the All-Star level he produced in 2015-16, if not a higher level.