Detroit Pistons: 2017-18 player grades for Andre Drummond

Weaknesses

Drummond struggled in team defense, as the defense was better with him off the floor for the second straight season. The team’s defensive rating was a 100.8 without him compared to a 106.9 with him, per NBA.com. As the second-highest paid player on the team, Drummond has to be able to make the entire team defense better. Otherwise, he’s putting up hollow numbers on defense.

One weakness that has persisted with Drummond every season is his lack of range. No one is expecting him to become a threat out to the 3-point line like Karl-Anthony Towns. However, he is a non-factor outside of the restricted area. He shot only 28 percent within the paint outside the restricted area and 32 percent from mid-range. Drummond himself admitted that he should be shooting mid-range jumpers consistently this season, but he did anything but that.

Another area that wasn’t a weakness so much as something he needs to work on is shooting more. Drummond shoots 53 percent from the field and 63 percent in the restricted area.  He needs to command the ball more down low to play to his strengths.

As a center, Drummond doesn’t have the typical highlight reel plays that wings and guards put up, but he still put up some incredible overall performances. Let’s get to some of his best moments from the 2017-18 season.