Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond has marked improvement at the foul line this season. A career 39 percent free-throw shooter, Drummond is shooting 62.7 from the charity stripe so far this season. But it’s not the only aspect of his game that has seen a merited upward swing.

Drummond has noticeably become a better passer this season. The 6-foot-11 behemoth is dishing out a career-best 3.4 dimes in 16 games played in this campaign. To put that into perspective, Drummond hasn't averaged any more than 1.1 assists in any of his previous five seasons in the NBA.

Perhaps nothing underscores better how focused Drummond is on involving his teammates on offense than the fact that he’s had at least four assists in seven straight games, including during Sunday’s 100-97 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in which he had four assists to go with 20 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks.

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In other words, Drummond has as many four-plus assists games over his past seven games than what he had entering the season. Overall, Drummond has 10 such games this season and 17 in his career.

Drummond learning how to find the open man whenever he attracts a double-team makes him an even scarier monster. He’s already taking away opposing teams’ option of fouling him and capitalizing on his formerly poor free-throw abilities, and now foes will have to be more careful in sending an extra defender his way, knowing that Drummond has enhanced court vision.

No wonder the Pistons are among the surprise this season with an 11-5 record through 16 games.