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Andre Drummond was benched and said he didn’t get an explanation. “Control what I can control. I can’t do s–t about not playing,” the center said. “All I can do is cheer my teammates on and hope for the best.”
After blocking Knicks center Andre Drummond's dunk attempt in the fourth quarter of the Sixers' season-opening 106-100 win Tuesday night, Philadelphia center Joel Embiid wagged his index finger and shook his head. It was one of three blocks Embiid had on the night, and the finger wag felt like a reminder -- or perhaps a warning sign -- to the Knicks and the NBA that that he intends to be in elite defender form this season. "I think this year's going to be back to All-Defensive team like in the past," said Embiid, who has made the All-Defensive second team three times, most recently in 2021. "So, felt good, moving great. Felt like I was all over the place, so I need to do that every game."
Repetition and a short memory were the keys. “I simplified it and stopped listening to a bunch of people,” he said. “Just shooting the same shot over and over again and not worrying about the results. Sometimes, in the past, I would get frustrated if I miss, and I would try to overcorrect. Then, it’s a domino effect and more and more misses, and then I’m frustrated and I’m out of whack.”
Speaking with The Post, Drummond explained that a form alteration helped dramatically raise his efficiency from the charity stripe. But it was mostly about getting out of his own head. “I feel like a lot of people have opinions about what a good free throw looks like, right? So over my career I’ve had different coaches and teams I played for that tried to help me adjust and make it easier for me,” he said. “Obviously, the stuff they said in practice would work, but when I got in the game, I’d overthink it. So I just simplified it, did a routine I’ve done since a child, and shoot the same shot.”
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Jalen Brunson on Mitchell Robinson: “Obviously, Mitch was near and dear to all our hearts. I think the best part about the situation Andre Drummond is in, he’s not coming in to be Mitch, he’s coming in to be himself. We got to give him the confidence to go out there and be himself. This is a new team, this is a new journey, so everything for us is going to be new and we’re going to attack it every day. We put everyone in the position to be successful and just give each other confidence and encouragement.”
Coach Brown on Andre Drummond: “He’s a veteran, he’s been there, done that with a few different teams. He’s big body, he’s got great feet. It seems like his instincts are pretty good on both ends of the floor. The thing that stands out the most, and it’s early, we’re just getting started, but his feet are quicker than what you could imagine. He’s really light on his feet, which is a good thing. Having a guy that size with length and athleticism that understands the league can be beneficial long-term for us.”
SNY Knicks: Andre Drummond set a career high with 90 three-point attempts last season in Philadelphia He's asked if he expects to shoot threes with the Knicks: "If the shot is there, I'll take it. It's not a shot that I'm hunting...but I've got the green light to do it."
SNY Knicks: "It felt like an away game the whole series. You guys came down and took over the Philadelphia arena." - Andre Drummond on Knicks fans taking over in Philly during the playoffs last season
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Ian Begley: When asked about it, Jalen Brunson said losing Mitchell Robinson was ‘definitely tough.’ “That’s my guy…it’s definitely difficult but… you love to see someone… (earn) generational wealth.” Brunson added that he’s looking forward to playing with Andre Drummond.
NBA 2K: Ball Over Everything 100%. Pre-order NBA 2K27 now! Andre Drummond: How’s Jalen Brunson not the cover?
