The Chicago Bulls exited the 2021-22 season with a transparent weak point across the rim.
The Bulls have been one of many worst rebounding groups within the NBA, ending third-last in general rebounds (42.3 per recreation) and second-last in offensive rebounds (8.7 per recreation).
Center Andre Drummond, acquired this offseason, provided an answer for the Bulls: himself.
“You have the best rebounder of the past century on your team,” Drummond mentioned Wednesday after shootaround. “I take rebounding very seriously.”
Drummond isn’t bluffing about his prowess — nobody has out-rebounded him within the twenty first century. He leads the NBA in rebounds per recreation since 2000, averaging 13.2 — almost two extra per recreation than his closest competitors in Dwight Howard with 11.8 per recreation.
And whereas no participant is more likely to ever attain the herculean feats of Wilt Chamberlain (22.9) and Bill Russell (22.5), Drummond at present ranks because the eleventh general rebounder in NBA historical past — the one at present energetic participant ranked within the prime 20 within the statistic.
“I know that’s something this team was lacking,” Drummond mentioned. “I think our team now, we’re tough. We’re a very tough team. It’s getting down to each and every one of us, knowing that we can’t take those possessions lightly.”
After a Bulls season with little backup at middle, Drummond is a much-needed complement to All-Star massive man Nikola Vučević.
Vučević is a mainstay for the Bulls offense, averaging 18.3 factors alongside together with his 13 rebounds per recreation this season. Drummond’s contribution is much less splashy, however his scoreline towards the Boston Celtics displays his most well-liked approach of taking part in: 2 factors, 12 rebounds.
Both gamers are extraordinarily acquainted on the courtroom after a decade as opponents. Now, that competitors drives them to construct a greater unit for the Bulls — though Drummond famous that he and Vučević hardly ever go full-out in apply.
“It’s not worth fighting for in practice, we have bigger things to worry about,” Drummond mentioned. “So there’s been times where I’ll let him go and vice versa. We’re not going to hurt ourselves in practice.”
The competitors for minutes may push Drummond into probably the most environment friendly seasons of his profession. Through the primary 4 video games of the season, Drummond is averaging 20.1 rebounds per 36 minutes — a extra correct check for a bench participant than per-game statistics.
That’s a tough normal to take care of and the bodily wear-and-tear of the season is more likely to eat away at Drummond’s effectivity. But if Drummond can keep that presence across the rim, the Bulls shall be higher ready to outlast opponents this season.
“I’m doing something right,” Drummond mentioned. “I’m making the best out of my minutes.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com