Detroit Pistons: 5 goals for Andre Drummond in 2017-18

5. Stay healthy

Andre Drummond has avoided nagging injuries to his point, knock on wood.  If he can continue to avoid the injury bug, this could be his best season in a Detroit Pistons’ uniform.

Over the summer, Drummond had surgery to repair a deviated septum he suffered in college. Since the operation, Drummond has dropped 30 pounds. Though the statisticians don’t monitor improved stats after this particular injury, it’s bound to have a positive effect on his game.

Drummond is sleeping better, which cuts down on fatigue and helps improve his conditioning. The weight loss helps with his speed and jumping ability. Those skills help improve his rebounding stats.

Drummond told Rod Beard of the Detroit News how the surgery had impacted his play during the preseason.

"“’This past season was the worst it’s been and I did my X-rays and my whole left side was completely closed. Breathing out mouth and right side: that was all I had for the whole season and it was tough to play like that.’ “‘My allergies are horrible throughout the season, so when they came, I was literally breathing through my mouth the entire time,’ Drummond said. ‘I did what I needed to do; I did the surgery and now I feel great.’”"

If Drummond can remain healthy this season, he has a good chance to lead the league in rebounding and return to the NBA All-Star team. Playing at that level is a stepping stone to ending the Pistons’ disappointment and returning them to the NBA Playoffs.