MILWAUKEE — Long term, there is nothing wrong with Andre Drummond’s back that a little rest and some of his mother’sJamaican cooking can’t fix.
But in the short term, the news that Drummond will be out for four to six weeks is a small blow to the Detroit Pistons because the rookie from Connecticut has created a buzz among fans.
The last 2 1/2 months of the season was going to feature Drummond paired with teammate Greg Monroe, allowing the frontcourt of the future to grow accustomed to playing together. It’s a pairing coach Lawrence Frank has used more as the season has progressed, so the injury is a setback for those plans.
Still, Frank said before the Pistons beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 105-100, on Saturday that Drummond has to get to work.
“Right now his job is to get healthy,” Frank said before the game. “That’s his job.
“He has to do everything he can to rehab and listen, follow the directions of our training staff and doctors to get himself right.”
Frank said the coaching staff will make a point to keep Drummond involved, showing him game film and letting him learn by watching.
“He gets a chance to look at the game in a different way, and I think he’s already noticed some things,” Frank said. “You turn every negative into a positive, and you get better intellectually and physically when you’re injured.”
Drummond, 19, has been placed in a special custom brace. He will be evaluated on a regular basis, said team doctor Ben Paolucci.
He added that Drummond might also have a minor injury on the other side of his back after Thursday’s MRI.
Surgery won’t be required.
“Once he gets where he’s a systematic and he doesn’t have any pain, we’ll be able to start some exercising program,” Paolucci said.
Paolucci said the injury on the left side occurred last Sunday against the Lakers. He couldn’t pinpoint when the second injury happened.
The 6-foot-10 center played 50 games for the Pistons, averaging 7.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots in 19.7 minutes. He leads all rookies in rebounds and ranked second in blocked shots.
Vince Ellis and Perry A. Farrell write for the Detroit Free Press
