Detroit Pistons: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

3. Andre Drummond will lead the league in rebounding (again)

In two of the last three seasons, Drummond has led the NBA in rebounding. In 2015-16, he topped the list with 14.8 boards per game; last season he bested everyone with 16.0 per game.

Since he became a full-time starter in 2013-14, Drummond has grabbed more total rebounds than anyone in the league (5,735) and is tied with DeAndre Jordan for the highest rebounding average (14.2 per game).

In other words, there’s plenty of evidence supporting the claim that Drummond is the best active rebounder on the planet; and at just 25 years old, he’s in his prime with no signs of slowing down.

The gap between Drummond and the rest of the most prolific rebounders was significant last season. Jordan pulled down 15.2 boards per game for the Los Angeles Clippers, but the league’s No. 3 rebounder was Dwight Howard, who averaged 12.5 boards compared to Drummond’s 16.0 per game.

Howard will turn 33 years old this season, while Jordan recently turned 30. Both them and Drummond will be playing for new coaches in new systems this season, with Casey taking over in Detroit, and Howard (Washington Wizards) and Jordan (Dallas Mavericks) having joined new teams.

Barring injury, there’s no reason to believe Drummond won’t win his second straight rebounding title and his third in four seasons.