Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond is a prime example of the evolution of the modern NBA big man. Despite being a two-time All-Star and a one-time All-NBA selection, Drummond has found himself in a deep bench role in recent years, despite his ability to dominate the boards.
Despite his limited playing time, Drummond remains confident in his abilities. During a recent appearance on The Comfortable Pod, Drummond claimed that he deserves a place in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I used to play 40-plus minutes. I was a star — All-Star, All-NBA, I’ve done it. Hall of Fame candidate, best rebounder ever … I’m the best ever,” Drummond declared. “I’ve had a great career. I believe my achievements in the NBA make me a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m in the top 20 for being in the Hall of Fame, so I have a great chance.”
Drummond’s claim of being the best rebounder ever is supported by statistics. According to Basketball Reference, he holds the highest total rebound percentage in NBA history, surpassing legends like Dennis Rodman, Reggie Evans, Rudy Gobert, and DeAndre Jordan.
|
Andre Drummond |
24.85% |
|
Dennis Rodman |
23.44% |
|
Reggie Evans |
21.87% |
|
Rudy Gobert |
21.66% |
|
DeAndre Jordan |
21.56% |
Drummond, who has consistently put up impressive numbers throughout his career (averaging 13.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks), has struggled to secure a consistent role on teams in the later stages of his NBA journey. The modern NBA values big men who can protect the rim and guard perimeter players effectively, and Drummond has not excelled in those areas. Additionally, despite his optimistic statements, he has not become a consistent three-point shooter.
Considering his successful tenure with the Detroit Pistons, Drummond’s chances of making it to the Hall of Fame are slim. According to Basketball Reference, he currently has a 0.091% chance of being inducted. Given the situation, it seems unlikely that Drummond will have a defined role for the remainder of his NBA career.
Last season with the Bulls, Drummond averaged six points and 6.6 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game. He still has one year left on his contract.
