Fansided

5 reasons Detroit Pistons can win NBA Finals

By John Buhler

Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy yells to a player during the second half of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. The Pistons won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy yells to a player during the second half of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. The Pistons won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Andre Drummond

While the NBA has become increasingly three-ball centric, and jump shooting and guard play have never been more important, little of that matters in the playoffs. Three components determine championships in the NBA: 1. Dominate the glass. 2. Dictate the game’s tempo. 3. Have the best go-to scorer on the floor in times of crisis.

Center Andre Drummond can’t shoot free throws (at all), but he is arguably the best rebounder the NBA has seen since Dennis Rodman was in his prime. Drummond averages well over 14.0 rebounds per game and is a star in the making for this young Pistons team.

Since Drummond can routinely gather both offensive and defensive rebounds, this will allow the Pistons to be in possession of the basketball more than any other underdog this postseason. In the playoffs, the pace of the game slows down considerably. By having the best rebounder in the game on the floor, Detroit has a better shot at dictating tempo than nearly all 16 playoff teams this spring.

Drummond is a double-double machine and a phenomenal rim protector. Though he still has a raw offensive game, he is the key piece for the Pistons going forward on their first trip to the NBA Playoffs in eight seasons. If he plays like an All-Star at both ends of the floor, he’ll single-handedly keep the Pistons in games they otherwise shouldn’t be in.

Next: 2. Stan Van Gundy and The Wall

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