Detroit Pistons: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 6: Anthony Tolliver #43 of the Detroit Pistons high fives his teammates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 6, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Weakness No. 2: Liabilities at the free throw line

Every team’s general manager envisions having players who set NBA records. Unfortunately, when Andre Drummond made the record books on Jan. 20, 2016, it was for missing the most free throws during a game. Drummond’s free throw shooting has been one of Detroit’s biggest liabilities.

Drummond went to the line 36 times and missed 23 free throws. Despite his poor free throw shooting against Houston in the record-setting game, the Drummond and the Pistons went on to beat the Rockets.

Per Erin Flynn of Sports Illustrated, Drummond’s poor performance puts him in an elite class. Flynn broke down three of the worst free throw shooters in history.

"“Wilt Chamberlain had previously held the record since 1967 with 22 misses. Dwight Howard holds the record for attempts with 39, but Drummond’s 36 ranks third.”"

According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, Drummond was 6-for-8 from the line and finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds in the Pistons’ first game ever at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night.

After a preseason game last week, Ellis discussed some of the techniques Drummond used last year to improve his free throw percentage. After the Pistons tried a shooting coach and virtual reality technology to address the issues in the past, Drummond said it was simply back to basics.

Drummond’s issues from the line make him a liability and ineffective at the end of close games. Fans and writers can, and have made valid arguments depicting Drummond as the worst free throw shooter in NBA history. That’s a major weakness heading into 2017-18.

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