Andre Drummond: ‘I’m ready to take the team over’
By Wes Goldberg
Andre Drummond has long been the best player on the Detroit Pistons. He’s arguable been since his rookie season, when he came off the bench. He showed he can hang with the big boys this summer, winning a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.
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According to Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News, Drummond is ready to take the next step in his career and become a leader for his team.
"Fresh from the experience of winning a gold medal and enduring a nine-hour flight back from Spain to Detroit, Andre Drummond decided sleeping in wasn’t the example he wanted to set for his teammates working out in Auburn Hills. When they strolled in for group workouts that Monday morning after, they saw Drummond’s face, a step that he believes is crucial to his growth in becoming a leader.“I got in at about 2 a.m.,” Drummond said. “I came in Monday morning and joined the guys. I felt it was necessary to show my face. To let them know I’m ready to take the team over.”"
Drummond’s potential is obvious to anyone who watches him play. Embracing his role as his team’s best player should be good for everyone involved. Since point guard Brandon Jennings and veteran Josh Smith aren’t taking on the leadership position, someone has to.
If Drummond is serious, it should be a natural fit. Stan Van Gundy’s offense plays through the center, spacing the court with shooters. Drummond will already be the focal point of the offense and he should be the focal point of the locker room, too.
In 81 games last season, Drummond averaged 13.5 points and 13.2 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game.
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