This offseason, the Detroit Pistons scored a big-time player in free agency by acquiring center Boban Marjanovic. Previously a member of the San Antonio Spurs, Marjanovic proved his effectiveness as a rim protector and shot-changer.
According to Aaron McMann of MLive.com, Marjanovic has been making that impact felt at practice against one the league's best up-and-coming centers, Andre Drummond.
“I was telling the guys after we got done playing our first pickup game, that might have been the first (time) I've been really frustrated playing against someone,” Drummond said. “It's so hard to score on him.”
Marjanovic was no easy player to score over or around last year with the Spurs, as his incredible length made up for his lack of speed. He played just 9.4 minutes per game last year but averaged 5.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks per game. It's a small sample size, but if you look at Marjanovic's per-36 minute numbers of 21 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, he would make a stellar center for any team if he just gets the minutes.
Drummond is getting to see first-hand that Boban is better than he expected, already making him alter his game for the better. Drummond and Marjanovic will be a dangerous 1-2 punch for the Pistons and that's without mentioning Aron Baynes.
“I couldn't back him down,” Drummond said. “He's 7-3, he's pretty agile too, so if there's anything soft in the air he's going to get it. So if I wasn't trying to dunk the ball, I wasn't scoring.
“Boban is a hell of a player. “He's been a huge addition for us, and he's definitely going to be a big help for us throughout this season as well.”
If the Pistons lose Baynes at the end of the year as head coach Stan Van Gundy is expecting, they'll still be in good hands with Marjanovic.
Follow Us
Subscribe