NEWSLETTER
Andre Drummond didn’t mince words after the Chicago Bulls win over the Atlanta Hawks: “My mentality is that I’m not a backup. I still believe I’m a starter in this league.”
There is no denying the big man looked like a starter on Tuesday night. Earning his first-ever appearance in the Bulls’ starting five since joining the franchise two offseasons ago, Drummond dominated all 39 minutes he was on the floor. He finished the night with 24 points and 25 rebounds, marking the 45th 20-20 game of his career and his first since Jan. 31, 2021, per Stathead.
While the entire league knows what Drummond can bring in the rebounding department, it didn’t make the performance any less impressive. The Atlanta Hawks came into the night with the league’s fourth-highest OREB%. Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu make up one of the best center duos in the NBA, yet Drummond effortlessly overpowered each on his way to 10 offensive rebounds and an 11-13 shooting effort.
To be sure, DeMar DeRozan and others did a nice job setting Drummond up for some easy buckets, but it was still the center’s sheer strength and sneaky agility that jumped off the screen. Whether it be quickly intercepting Capela’s pass to Trae Young underneath the basket or hitting Okongwu with the smooth turnaround hook shot, Drummond reminded everyone that he is much more than just a one-trick pony.
“Amazing. It’s amazing. First of all, he’s the ultimate pro,” DeRozan said about his teammate (h/t Cody Westerlund of 670 The Score). “Second of all, it’s nothing new. My time in Toronto, I’ve seen that countless times when he’s in Detroit. All-Star for those exact reasons tonight. One of the best rebounders the game has seen. So it’s not surprising, it’s just fun to be a part of it, witness it, and help him show what he can do.”
Andre Drummond isn’t about to see his career return to the glory days in Detroit, but he also might be showing everyone that he’s paid his dues as a specialist. Drummond has averaged just 15.9 minutes per game over his previous 172 contests. His last time playing 39 minutes or more came on Jan. 31, 2022, with the 76ers. Despite this dip in playing time, however, Drummond has remained locked into whatever role he’s given. And it remains one of the most impressive things about his career thus far.
“It’s not hard at all,” Drummond said after his big game about playing a backup role (h/t Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic). “Being a good teammate is easy. It’s not hard to support your teammates. And it’s reciprocated when it’s my turn. It’s all love.”
Drummond could have pursued a new opportunity this offseason. He had a player option for just $3.3 million and wasn’t going to see his role change in Chicago. Instead, he opted to come back and give his all to the second unit. And the decision seems to paying dividends right now, especially with more starting opportunities on the horizon with Nikola Vucevic banged up.
NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson reported earlier this season that Drummond would surely draw interest on the trade market if the Bulls were to enter sell mode at the deadline. While his availability remains unclear, I’d have to imagine this interest would easily translate to free agency. Does that mean someone would be willing to offer him the starting role he covets? Who knows. But I feel confident in saying more minutes and more money will be on the table.
Again, I’ve already spent time gushing about Drummond’s journey and team-first mentality, so I’ll direct your attention to that post here. From All-Star to glorified role player, he deserves a big round of applause.
