It’s been a disappointing season for Pistons’ fans, but one bright spot continues to shine – Andre Drummond. In Saturday’s come-from-behind victory over Boston, the second-year center pulled down seven offensive rebounds to top 400 for the year. With five games remaining on the Detroit schedule, his total sits at 402.
How remarkable is that? Drummond is the first NBA player to do so in this century. In fact, the last time this mark was surpassed was in 1997-98, when Jayson Williams of the New Jersey Nets grabbed 443 and Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls snagged 421. While it is unlikely that Drummond can reach Williams’ total, Rodman’s number is within reach.
Drummond’s last offensive board against the Celtics on Saturday was a tip-in that knotted the score at 111-111 with 1:51 left. The Pistons scored the final four points to win the game.
How does he do it? "I think it's just the will to want to get it and be hit hard," Drummond said. "I think that's what it comes down to, just the will to want to do it, and I pride myself on getting offensive rebounds. That's how I get my points."
Drummond has consistently averaged 5.3 offensive boards per game in 2013-14, easily outdistancing his closest competitor, DeAndre Jordan. Playing about three more minutes per game, Jordan averages 4.1 offensive caroms (for a total of 317). Next in line is Portland’s Robin Lopez with 4.0 per game (310).
No player has averaged over five offensive rebounds per outing since Williams and Rodman both did it 16 years ago. Williams was 29 and Rodman was 36 that season, whereas Drummond is only 20. So it’s certainly possible that he could top their totals in the future. (It should be noted that Williams reached his mark of 443 in only 65 games, for an average of 6.8.)
Drummond is no slouch on the other end, either. With 7.7 defensive boards and an overall average of 12.9, he trails only Jordan’s 13.8. And Per36, Drummond leads 14.4 to 14.0. For previous fascinating information on his historic season, check out Shinons* post on DBB last month about Drummond’s offensive rebounding.