The Detroit Pistons have a knack for acquiring players with whom they feel possess the qualities of commitment and hard work. Andre Drummond fits the bill, and he’s proved it once again in his seventh season with the team.
Drummond surpassed Dennis Rodman (another stalwart name in the Pistons’ franchise), breaking his single-season record for rebounds. The 25-year-old big man recorded his 17th 20-rebound game of the year against the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night.
Andre Drummond notched his 17th 20-rebound game of 2018-19, tying his career-high and the mark for most in a season since Dennis Rodman in 1994-95. #DetroitBasketball
📊 https://t.co/hd1MMcnaGo pic.twitter.com/SPYuLoJ0Fr
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 19, 2019
Though the Pistons came up short on the lowly Cavs, losing the bout 126-119, there’s something to be said for Drummond’s impressive feat.
It’s worth mentioning that Rodman played in a more grubby era of basketball than what is witnessed in today’s game, going toe-to-toe with every team’s most daunting ruffian on a nightly basis.
He earned two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and two All-Star appearances with his high-end effort — owning career averages of 7.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
The Hall of Fame forward served as one of the league’s greatest hustle players and defenders — winning two championships with the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990, as well as three with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
That said, Drummond now exists in a generation where: 7-foot big men are stepping outside for threes and probing the lane at a much more methodical rate, guards are playing like big men, and vice-versa.
Not taking anything away from Rodman, but the game has changed drastically to a point where averaging double-digit boards per contest doesn’t come as naturally.
Andre Drummond is averaging 17.4 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks on a nightly basis — keeping the Pistons poised for a playoff appearance.
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