Fansided

1 move every NBA team needs to make to beat the Warriors

By Brad Rowland

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with the Larry O
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with the Larry O /
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Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) takes a free throw during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) takes a free throw during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons: Fix Andre Drummond’s shooting stroke

We are definitely reaching a bit here, and I will acknowledge that at first blush.

The Pistons are a very nice team under Stan Van Gundy, and with young players like Stanley Johnson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Henry Ellenson, the future is quite bright for Detroit. The team was also able to make a run to playoffs in 2016 behind the high-end duo of Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, and that is where we begin here.

Drummond is a fantastic player. At the age of 22, the super-talented center already has three consecutive seasons with at least 13 points, 13 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game on the books, and he is a physical force that is virtually unparalleled in today’s NBA. However, his ceiling would be raised considerably if, you know, he could make a free throw.

Because Drummond is a career (!) 38.0% shooter from the charity stripe, his overall offensive contribution is weakened. Teams can beat him up at an alarming rate around the rim and, until the rule is changed, “Hack-a-Shaq” strategies can also be employed.

Detroit would not become a legitimate NBA title contender if Drummond could make 60-70% of his free throws, but it would help considerably. In the end, though, the Pistons probably need one more elite-level piece to pair with him, and Jackson is better suited in a 3rd/4th banana role long-term.

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