By Jeff Moss
DetroitSportsRag@GMail.com
October 6, 2016
For the first time, a Detroit Pistons executive has stated in public that the organization desires that center Andre Drummond attempt to shoot free-throws underhanded.
Former super-agent and current vice chairman of Palace Sports and Entertainment Arn Tellem told a gathering at Franklin Hills Country Club in Franklin, MI Thursday evening that the team has requested that Drummond shoot underhanded free-throws in an effort to improve on his woeful career percentage from the charity stripe.
Tellem was speaking in front of a crowd with Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert when Tellem began discussing the franchise’s issue with Drummond. The career 38% free-throw shooter had his worst season ever from the line in 2015-16. There were internal discussions as to how to improve this horrific situation which led to the team’s superstar being benched late in games last season.
It was announced last week that Drummond had settled on positive reinforcement through the process of watching his made FTs utilizing virtual reality. This revelation was mostly met with ridicule from the team’s fanbase.
It is now abundantly clear that the Pistons organization desired that Drummond switch to the underhanded technique as evidenced by Tellem’s comments tonight.
Tellem even went as far as to state that he wanted Drummond to work with NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry to perfect the art of the underhanded shot. Barry was on a DSR Podcast earlier this year and volunteered his services.
Furthermore, Tellem stated that the reason Drummond continues to refuse to engage Barry and switch to the underhanded technique is due to “manliness” issues and “ego.”
Tellem stated that if the underhanded style improved Drummond’s accuracy from the line by ten percent it would be worth it, but Drummond is basically too proud to make the switch. Strangely, Drummond’s ego and pride hasn’t been bruised by shooting 35% from the line last season and getting yanked from tight games because of his inability to make free-throws.
Now that one of the highest ranking officials associated with the Pistons has stated to a public gathering that the team wants Drummond to make this switch, it will be interesting to see how the thin-skinned center reacts.
One has to wonder why the franchise didn’t insist on this change when they made him the highest paid player in team history this summer.
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