Sixers: 3 goals for Andre Drummond in 2021-22 season

3 goals for Sixers center Andre Drummond: Reclaim his reputation

Andre Drummond has never been the absolute best teammate. That’s no slight on him as a person — by all accounts, he’s an upstanding human being — but on the court, Drummond’s body language has been an issue in the past. It tends to fluctuate with his play, which can lead to ugly moments of complete demotivation from the former All-Star.

We have reached a turnstile moment in Drummond’s career. If he looks great and restores his reputation, then he can probably get more money in 2022. Maybe he can even get a starting gig. He clearly has the talent to start and play a lot of minutes in the NBA. If he continues to underperform, and to combine that underperformance with a sulky reputation, then he can count on a series of backup jobs until his career comes to an unceremonious conclusion.

When he’s locked in and engaged, Drummond is one of the most disruptive, domineering paint defenders in the NBA. He has quick hands, a massive 280-pound frame, and is quick off his feet. He just has to stay locked in and engaged. To keep his foot on the gas pedal the entire game.

Hopefully, a smaller role and the somewhat dire circumstances can motivate Drummond to reclaim his reputation and become the ultimate energy guy his skill set is tailored for. If he’s out there playing 100 percent every night, and he embraces a smaller role, he’s going to look like an absolute steal.

The question is, can he put ego aside and accept that smaller role? His willingness to sign on as Embiid’s backup, given their history, feels like a positive indicator.