Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond’s (and Jameer Nelson’s) All-Star weekend
Andre Drummond and Jameer Nelson represented the Detroit Pistons in various NBA All-Star Weekend events.
The league’s brightest stars all converged on Los Angeles for the annual NBA All-Star festivities this weekend. Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond participated in multiple events during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Drummond, who is averaging 15.7 rebounds per game this season, was selected as a reserve after an initial snub. Drummond replaced John Wall of the Washington Wizards on Team LeBron. Wall could not attend due to a knee injury.
Drummond also filled in for an injured Kristaps Porzingis in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge during All-Star Saturday night.
Detroit’s big man began All-Star Weekend by hosting an event benefiting the Precious Dreams Foundation.
Drummond co-hosted the Let It Fly NBA All-Star Event on Thursday nigh, with superstars like Kevin Durant, Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Hart from the worlds of entertainment and sports.
After kicking off the weekend with the fundraiser, Drummond did the ceremonial ball tip for the Special Olympics basketball game.
Global Ambassador @AndreDrummond does the ceremonial ball tip with Butti, @SOMENA68, and Kaprisha, @SOSoCal! #NBAAllStar #PlayUnified pic.twitter.com/3sz97pIfIm
— Special Olympics (@SpecialOlympics) February 17, 2018
NBA All-Star Saturday Night
Before the main event, NBA on TNT hosts Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, along with Snoop Dogg, judged the NBA Talent competition.
Detroit Pistons point guard Jameer Nelson participated in the event, displaying his cooking skills. Nelson made it to the top four before eventually losing to repeat champion Victor Oladipo.
Finally, the time came for Drummond to lace it up and get on the court. He was one of four big men participating in the Skills Challenge during All-Star Saturday Night.
In the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, NBA players navigate an obstacle course that involves dribbling, passing and shooting.
Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls eliminated Drummond in the first round. Drummond had a bit of difficulty during the bounce pass part of the competition. His first two attempts were off the mark, and by the time he sank his third attempt Markkanen was well on his way to winning the challenge.
Markkanen defeated Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid in the second round before losing to former Pistons guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who won the event.
2018 NBA All-Star Game
This year the NBA switched up the format of the NBA All-Star Game. LeBron James and Stephen Curry each drafted its team of All-Stars. The league eliminated the traditional East-West format and allowed team captains James and Stephen Curry to choose their own rosters from the pool of selected All-Stars.
https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/965386189824868352
The new format turned the event into the world’s richest pickup game. James scored 29 points before winning his third All-Star Game MVP award. Team LeBron defeated Team Curry, 148 -145.
What a game!#AndreDrummond does his part with 14 points in 18 minutes in the #TeamLeBron win! pic.twitter.com/b5YQMhZzMi
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 19, 2018
Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond finished with 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting, three rebounds and one block in 17 minutes.
Drummond made the most of his second NBA All-Star appearance. Now Drummond, Blake Griffin and the Pistons will try to make up ground and snag a playoff spot. Detroit is currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games behind the Miami Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)
The Pistons resume league play on Friday, Feb. 23 against the Boston at home in Little Caesars Arena.