The Philadelphia 76ers had high hopes when they signed Andre Drummond. Dubbed the “best rebounder to ever play” by the man himself, Drummond was expected to fill a crucial role, especially with Joel Embiid’s injury concerns. He was brought in to handle the dirty work—grab boards, finish defensive possessions, and provide some offensive relief. But fast-forward to today, and that promise has crumbled faster than a house of cards in a hurricane.
Is Andre Drummond Destroying the 76ers’ Playoff Hopes?
This was supposed to be the move that gave Philly stability in the paint. In fact, preseason predictions had Drummond as a key player poised to make a significant impact on the team. Yet here we are, with Drummond’s minutes resembling a trainwreck in slow motion. With just two wins under their belt and the league’s worst offense, the 76ers are realizing the cold truth: Drummond isn’t the answer they hoped for.
The numbers don’t lie. When Drummond steps on the court, the 76ers’ offensive rating plummets to a disastrous 99.8, ranking in the league’s worst 1%. For comparison, the Utah Jazz—the kings of futility—are sitting at 104.5. These aren’t just bad stats—they’re catastrophic. When paired with players like Tyrese Maxey and Kyle Lowry, Drummond’s presence seems to grind the offense to a halt. In 92 possessions, this lineup can’t even scrape together a decent rating—91.3. Swap Maxey for Paul George, and it gets even uglier at 78.9.
But it’s not just the numbers. Drummond’s shooting is another glaring issue. He’s hitting just 49% of his contested shots—fourth-worst among centers shooting at least five attempts per game. And while he occasionally excels against tight defense, his 1.4 attempts per game don’t exactly scream “game-changer.” It’s clear: if you’re relying on Andre Drummond to carry your offense, you’re in deep trouble.
The real issue here is the modern NBA game. Spacing, floor movement, and shooting from all over the court are non-negotiable. If a player can’t stretch the floor, their defender can practically camp out in the paint, and that’s exactly what’s happening with Drummond. The 76ers saw this firsthand in their game against the New York Knicks. Drummond’s poor positioning led to missed opportunities and awkward plays, while his inability to stretch the defense left his teammates scrambling. Even veteran coach Nick Nurse has been forced to favor Guerschon Yabusele, whose spacing offers more freedom to the offense.
At this point, it’s clear that Drummond is holding the team back. Yes, he’s a great screener and one of the league’s top rebounders, but those qualities alone can’t justify his place on the court. If the 76ers want to climb out of the basement of the standings, Coach Nurse will need to make some tough calls. For Drummond, time on the bench may be just what the doctor ordered.
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