When word broke that John Wall would miss approximately six weeks as a result of knee surgery, it was troubling news for the Washington Wizards. However, there was an interesting subplot with regard to Wall’s absence, as the talented point guard was selected to the 2018 NBA All-Star Game and, as a result, would need to be replaced on the roster.
In short order, though, the NBA announced that Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond would be the choice to join LeBron James’ team during the game.
#DetroitBasketball Center @AndreDrummond has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Wizards guard #JohnWall on #TeamLeBron in the 2018 #NBAAllStar Game. pic.twitter.com/oRrN3QdPyA
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 31, 2018
Drummond is averaging 14.7 points and a league-leading 15.1 rebounds per game this season and was a popular choice from the moment news of Wall’s injury issue spread. Because Wall hails from the Eastern Conference, commissioner Adam Silver was forced to choose from only that conference’s pool of players and, according to the release, Drummond picked up the most voting points from the league’s coaches of any player not already on the roster.
Silver selected Drummond because the Pistons center “received the most voting points from NBA head coaches among Eastern Conference players who were not selected as reserves,” per news release. Same reason for Paul George replacement choice. https://t.co/5VDJKSCqgu
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) January 31, 2018
Though there were other deserving candidates including Miami’s Goran Dragic, Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons and Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Drummond is enjoying the best overall season of his career. In fact, the 24-year-old center’s development as a passer (averaging a career-high 3.8 assists per game) and defender is arguably the biggest reason for Detroit’s improved play as a team and, even in the midst of a downturn, this remains an appropriate choice.
That, of course, won’t stop discussions of “snubs” around the league but Andre Drummond is an All-Star again and he is deserving of the nod.
