Andre Drummond, as reported by MLive.com, has the best player efficiency rating (PER) of any teenager in NBA history.
Andre Drummond (AP)
Soak that in for a second.
Over his past 10 games, Drummond is averaging 10.1 points, 8.8 boards and 1.9 blocks in just 22.8 minutes. Those numbers are better than the ones he put up last winter in Storrs.
He will undoubtedly go down as a steal for Detroit, who plucked him with the No. 9 pick. Seven NBA GMs passed on him (not counting New Orleans, which had to pick Anthony Davis), but I can’t blame any of them. Drummond was a huge risk high in the draft, and many of these GMs are picking in the top five because they botched selections in previous years. Most of these GMs can’t afford to screw up again.
Here’s my column on Drummond’s rookie year, a chart of his stats in comparison to other teenage post players, and some comments from an NBA source who passed on the big fella.
NBA source: “There was lively debate in our draft group about him. Could see the talent and athletic ability, raw skills, but also the seeming lack of drive and maturity. Liked the kid but it was clear that he needed some guidance. For us, we thought he would be an impact player, we just didn’t think it would happen so soon. That is probably the most interesting part of it all to me: How quickly he figured out a way to make an impact every game.”
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons, 2012: 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks in 19.8 minutes
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves, 1995: 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks in 28.7 minutes
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks, 1998: 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 20 percent from 3-point range in 20.4 minutes
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic, 2004: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1.7 blocks in 32.6 minutes
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers, 2005: 1.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.5 blocks in 7.3 minutes
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns, 2002: 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks in 31.3 minutes
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets, 2012: 13.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks in 29.1 minutes
Kwame Brown, Washington Wizards, 2001: 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.5 blocks in 14.3 minutes
Tyson Chandler, Chicago Bulls, 2001: 6.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks in 19.6 minutes
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings, 2010: 14.1 points, 8.6 rebounds,43 % FG in 28.5 minutes
Drummond’s a beast..amazing thing is he’s 6 “10 270 pounds…He’ll most likely put on another 20 to 30 pounds during his career because he has a lot of room in his upper body to put on muscle…if he was given 30+ minutes a game he’d be averaging 13 points, 13 Rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game as a rookie…What a steal in the draft! if the draft was repeated he’d easily be a top 4 selection..I’m happy my Pistons got him because he gives us a player that has superstar potential..want to see how he and Monroe play together tho as the lane is more clogged with both bigs in at the same time
Drummond’s a best..amazing thing is he’s 6 “10 270 pounds…He’ll most likely put on another 20 to 30 pounds during his career because he has a lot of room in his upper body to put on muscle…if he was given 30+ minutes a game he’d be averaging 13 points, 13 Rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game as a rookie…What a steal in the draft! if the draft was repeated he’d easily be a top 4 selection..I’m happy my Pistons got him because he gives us a player that has superstar potential..want to see how he and Monroe play together tho as the lane is more clogged with both bigs in at the same time