Andre Drummond Has Free Throw Tips for a Hypothetical League MVP and Big Man (Not Giannis)

On today's Pardon My Take... it's a TWOFER FRIDAY! Longtime recurring guest Ryen Russillo joined the show to discuss all things NBA Finals, and a current NBA player joined as well: Andre Drummond of the Los Angeles Lakers. The UConn product hopped on the show to discuss the launch of his new NFT's, where he will play next year, and much more. Mr. Cat and Mr. Commenter also asked Drummond about the mental side of shooting free throws. How do you improve on that? The big man gave some tips that we want to make clear are NOT intended for Giannis Antetokounmpo, as you'll read below:

Mr. Commenter: What are you working on right now? Is there something, like, I've always wondered about NBA players who play at a superstar level like yourself, if you're already really good at your job, how do you decide what you're going to do different in the off season?

Andre Drummond: It was more so just polishing things, not even adding anything like I feel like some guys, you know, add different elements to their game, but I think for me, I'm pretty consistent on what my job is and I know what is asked of me. So, I have a specific regimen that I just do to just continue to keep my body going and, you know, try to get as strong as I can, as fast I can, as big as I can, you know, throughout the year.

Mr. Cat: How much are we working on free throw shooting?

Andre Drummond: Well, if you have noticed, I'm shooting at least 70 right now. So, I think that's something I've conquered already. 

Mr. Cat: Yeah, you have gotten a lot better. And we've talked to guys and it's, I mean, what was it... earlier in your career, was it just mental? What were you able to do to get over that hump and be like, hey, here I am feeling consistent. Because obviously we see Giannis in The Finals right now, he's struggling. What would you give a tip personally if you could?

Andre Drummond: (Laughing) I know for me personally, it was a a mental thing for me. You know, I had so many different people telling me different ways to shoot it. And, you know, I listen to so many people, mentally, it throws you off, when you get to the line, you're like, "Damn, this guy told me this, somebody else told me this," and, you know, it got to a point where, you know, I got to do what's best for me. So, I found a routine and shot it the same way for the entire summer. And it's been my routine ever since.

Mr. Commenter: I noticed that you picked up on what we're trying to do, which is like an old school media tip, like get you to say something, so that the headline is then, "Andre Drummond has free throw tips for Giannis," and then it looks bad on you, so let me rephrase that real quick. If there's a hypothetical league MVP, plays the big man position, very strong, takes 11-12 seconds to shoot each free throw, but they're struggling at the line, how would you specifically tell that person to improve? Again, not Giannis.

Mr. Cat: Good question, great question. Not Giannis.

Andre Drummond: Suns in four.

There you have it. Andre Drummond just gave out his experience on ways to fix his free throw shooting, but remember that this was NOT directed towards Giannis. A big man? Sure. But not No. 34 in Milwaukee.