Andre Drummond carved his total NBA profession out of his prowess across the rim. But as the middle finds his footing in Chicago, he hopes to convey one thing else to the Bulls roster — veteran expertise.
The common Bulls participant boasts solely 4.6 years expertise within the NBA. There are a number of outliers: DeMar DeRozan is the veteran chief of the workforce at 33, Nikola Vučević has performed 11 seasons at 31 and new signing Goran Dragić will convey further expertise at 36. But nearly all of the roster is stuffed with younger gamers nonetheless establishing themselves.
Drummond is barely 29, however his decade within the NBA makes him a seasoned vet within the Bulls locker room.
“This is a team that is very young and hungry,” Drummond mentioned. “We’re in a position to do something very special. I wanted to be part of that.”
Between Drummond’s signing and the return of ahead Patrick Williams, the Bulls will convey a bigger look this season whereas nonetheless cornering their play on the fast tempo set by the guards.
Rim safety and rebounding had been two of essentially the most obvious weak factors final season for the Bulls, who completed third-to-last in general rebounding and second-to-last on the offensive boards. Drummond’s acquisition was a transparent transfer to handle this downside.
“He’s been an unbelievable rebounder and rim protector for the majority of his career,” coach Billy Donovan mentioned.
Drummond is without doubt one of the most constant rebounders, main the league in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. While final season noticed a serious dip in Drummond’s enjoying time, he nonetheless wrangled 9.3 rebounds per recreation off the bench.
As a former Detroit Piston, it’s straightforward to attract parallels between Drummond and former Bulls legend Dennis Rodman, who Drummond cited as one of many gamers who most affected his recreation.
“That’s something I hung my hat on from my rookie year,” Drummond mentioned. “I wanted to be known as being the best rebounder to play this game.”
Drummond’s grueling dedication to rebounds may function a complement to Vučević, who operates as a stretch 4 or 5 to come out for pictures exterior the three-point line. Both gamers voiced curiosity in enjoying on the identical time in a bigger lineup.
The Bulls unsuccessfully tried this two-big strategy with Tristan Thompson final yr, however Drummond’s agility may match extra successfully alongside Vučević.
“I think it would be very useful,” Drummond mentioned. “It’s something that will come along the way. I’m not sure if it will happen right away, but I’m sure it’ll happen throughout the year.”
Drummond’s new residence will seemingly proceed a shift away from a beginning place for the middle. Although he shortly turned a centerpiece of the beginning lineup throughout seven seasons with the Pistons in the beginning of his profession, Drummond turned a rotational piece final season throughout brief stints with the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
Drummond deflected questions on whether or not he aspires to push Vučević out of his beginning job. But the competitors can solely assist each gamers — and the Bulls, who will profit from the pliability supplied by two facilities with markedly completely different ability units.
“If they need me to be a spark off the bench, that’s what I’m going to do,” Drummond mentioned. “My ego is not something that’s driven in this game. My job here is to be the best teammate possible, to help this team in every way possible. Whatever role that may be, I have to accept that.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com