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Andre Drummond at the follow line (file photo)
When the Detroit Pistons have found themselves locked in tight games down the stretch, Andre Drummond could often be found on the bench. The risk of an intentional foul was too great, considering that Drummond is on pace to become the worst free throw shooter in NBA history.
Well, things might have swung just a little bit in the big fella’s direction with the league’s announcement of a rule change for the upcoming season.
Starting in 2016-17, the Hack-a-Shaq intentional fouling strategy will be outlawed in the final two minutes of every quarter. In the preceding years, only in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter was the repeated fouling not permitted.
At first glance, it appears to be a big win for Drummond and the Pistons. But in reality, this likely won’t have a dramatic impact on the Hack-an-Andre shenanigans.
Oftentimes, NBA teams will pick up a few quick fouls and be “in the penalty” just 4-5 minutes into a quarter. This still leaves plenty of time before the 2:00 mark approaches and the hacking is essentially turned off.
So in no way does this fix the Andre Drummond free throw crisis.
It offers a mild respite for the times late in the first half that the Hack-A-Dre would be put in play, but for the most part, this rule change is not going to save Drummond in the way some think it might.
The onus is still firmly on Drummond, entering his fifth season as a pro, to make a major improvement in his free throw stroke. Only once in his career has he topped 40%, and this past season saw him register a career low 35.5%.
Aron Baynes remains a more dangerous offensive option at the center spot. And now Stan Van Gundy has snatched another former Spurs big man in Boban Marjanovic, himself a 76% guy from the foul line.
So while Tuesday’s announcement does make the Hack-a-Shaq strategy a touch less impactful for the coming NBA season, it will still remain a major part of the pro game.
Overhand, underhand, or sidearm -- if Andre Drummond cannot figure out a way to become a 55-60% free throw shooter in the next few months, he will be the first $100-million dollar player in NBA history that gets relegated to the bench for the majority of important final quarters.
Not exactly money well spent.
