The Detroit Pistons have been the surprise team of the Eastern Conference so far this season. They have gotten off to a hot 5-1 start due to the stellar play from Andre Drummond. Drummond didn’t disappoint last night. He led the way with 29 points and 27 rebounds while adding three blocks in a 120-103 come from behind victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Drummond has shown in the past that he is capable of this play. We are now seeing it on a consistent basis.
Drummond has improved his defensive play this season as well. He had three blocks last night with this monster of a block coming late in the fourth quarter.
This young man is playing like an unstoppable force. With his improved defense and continous dominant offensive game, Drummond has molded himself into one of the best players in the Eastern Conference right now. This can obviously change direction very soon, but this is the hope the Pistons have been longing for in the past couple seasons.
From 1985 thru 2015, only 4 times had a player tallied at least 25 pts & 27 rebs in one game.
Andre Drummond had two such games last week.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) November 9, 2015
List of the last 6 players w/ 80+ points & 60+ rebs in their first 7 career games: Shaq, C Webber, Duncan, L Odom, B Griffin and …Porzingis
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) November 9, 2015
Greg Monroe was a player the Pistons would never want to see leave and play for another Eastern Conference contender. He made them one of the best front courts in the NBA, but Drummond couldn’t reach his full potential because of it. Yes, Monroe signing else where could end up hurting this team, but you can see what this has done for Drummond. Drummond has now solidified himself as the number one option on offense.