Andre Drummond talked to the media last night, discussed being blindsided by Sixers at the deadline last season
The Philadelphia 76ers fell to Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls last night 126-112 at The Well.
Former Sixers player Andre Drummond returned to South Philly and spoke with the media about his time with the Sixers and how he felt about being dealt at the trade deadline last season.
(All Drummond quotes courtesy of USA Today / SixersWire)
Andre Drummond recalling his time with the Sixers
“I think just how much of a family this organization is. They welcomed me, they made me feel very comfortable when I got here. As a team, we just had a lot of fun as a team. We really cared about each other. We had one common goal which is to win as many games as possible and be great. I’m sad that we had to break things up in February. I definitely miss playing here. I had a lot of fun playing for Doc, somebody who I’ve known since a boy and have so much respect for him so to have the chance to play for him was awesome for me. The city of Philadelphia, man, the fan base is one of a kind. I loved it here.”
Andre Drummond on being blindsided
“Yeah, I definitely was blindsided by it. I didn’t think I would be involved in it, but things happen and here we are.”
On the awkward day of the trade when Rivers canceled practice
“I’ve been a part of a lot of trade deadlines. 11 years straight so any time a coach calls practice off, you know something’s about to happen. I didn’t know it was gonna be me, obviously, but I knew somebody was being moved that day. It happens.”
On being coached by Rivers
“I think, for me, it was a little more personal because I know him and I’ve known him since I was a kid. When he coached me, it felt like a father figure speaking to you and when he spoke, his message always resonated and it was always felt. Whenever he would say something to me, I would always catch myself just being like ‘Alright, I hear you, man.’ Like when your dad says something annoying to you and you’re like ‘I get it, get away from me’. It was always a blast having those conversations and one-on-ones with him.”
On renewing rivalry with Embiid
“I’ve always had fun playing against him. He’s one of those guys that brings the best out of anybody he plays against so you can’t help but prepare to play against him.”
Drummond was part of the Ben Simmons trade package that was sent to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden last February.
He was a free agent after the end of last season and opted to sign with the Chicago Bulls in free agency and at the time, the Sixers were hoping for a reunion with Drummond, but he ended up going to Chicago on a contract that was above the league minimum, putting him out of the 76ers reach.
I know that to be true because of a certain Sixers design that was floating around right before the deadline along with designs for PJ Tucker and Danuel House Jr – both who became Sixers.
