Terry Foster: Andre Drummond Pouted, So What?
By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971
If you don't believe in Andre Drummond because he is a poor free throw shooter then I won't argue with you.
If you say you are not on board because you saw him pouting then you have not followed professional sports. Athletes pout, stomp and shout. They get angry, do not speak to their coaches and become disruptions at times. But it does not mean their careers are over and that they will never recover.
Fans saw Drummond sit by himself during a timeout as the Pistons were about to clinch their first playoff berth in seven seasons during a 112-99 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Palace. It was a special moment for the organization, fans and players. But Drummond sulked and it fueled social media.
Drummond claimed he'd lost a close friend and wasn't in a good mood. He was thinking about his pal and how they would not get to see him play in his first playoff series. But Drummond also sat the final 8 minutes, 51 seconds in favor of Aaron Bynes and scored just eight points and grabbed six rebounds. I am not naïve enough not to think that factored into things. Drummond is a star in this league and the Pistons are about to give him max money and secure him in the long term.
It is something they should do unless there is a sweetheart deal where the Pistons can bring in another superstar center or power forward. If President Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Jeff Bower can pull that off then I approve. No Piston is an untouchable.
However, the team should focus on making Drummond a better player and teammates must rally around him if they see him sulking. The team will need him for the upcoming playoffs and beyond.
"I was excited for my team," said Drummond. "It's exciting, playing a winning season. We haven't won that many games in a very long time. Tonight was a special moment for the city as a whole and we're finally back in."
Yes, Drummond pouted.
So what.
Do you know who else pouted on his way to an NBA title? Ben Wallace. But he got over it and the team won. The same should happen here.
(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)