Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey speaks to the media on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Auburn Hills.
Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press
Andre Drummond is having a good season.
The Detroit Pistons center leads the NBA in rebounding.
Drummond is averaging 19 points, 16.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
He’s shooting 51.2 percent from the field.
He has made 20-20 games almost commonplace.
Whether it’s because of the inconsistent play or boring familiarity with the team’s longest-tenured player, the fans and media probably take Drummond for granted.
Guess what?
His teammates are also guilty.
“I’d be lying if I said we didn’t,” Reggie Jackson said with a laugh after Sunday’s practice.
“I think a lot of times we rely on him heavily for rebounds. On some nights when we get outrebounded, we’re solely looking for him to do it and not necessarily always helping him.
“When you get a guy who over the last few years get around 14, 15 (rebounds per game), unfortunately it’s hard not to take him for granted, but we definitely appreciate him being the best (rebounder).”
Questions of pairing Drummond with Blake Griffin have been silenced — for now.
The two-man combo of Drummond and Griffin has played the most minutes through 13 games.
They have combined for a positive net rating of plus-2.1.
And unlike in past seasons, the Pistons are better when Drummond is on the floor.
He anchors a top-10 defensive unit.
With his quick feet, he can stay in front of smaller players on switches.
He did a great job against Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry during a key possession in the Pistons’ comeback victory Wednesday night.
Drummond worked out with Kevin Garnett in the offseason and the future Hall of Famer was in town Saturday as part of a Turner Broadcasting crew filming an upcoming segment on the Pistons.
Garnett, who played under Pistons coach Dwane Casey when both were in Minnesota, also checked in on his handiwork.
“He wanted to reinforce some of the things he had talked to him about,” Casey said.
There is a lot for Garnett to work with.
Despite being 6-foot-11 and 280 pounds, Drummond is one of the fastest centers in the league.
He is an elite pick-and-roll man.
He’s the league’s best rebounder.
“We take all of that for granted, but he’s playing at a fantastic level, an All-Star level right now,” Casey said. “We just got to continue to work to get better in a lot of different areas.”
Related: Detroit Pistons mailbag: Assessing Andre Drummond's trade value
Mayoral visit
There was another special visitor Sunday.
Former Detroit mayor and Pistons great Dave Bing spoke with the team before practice.
Casey knew Bing through one of his mentors, former Minnesota Golden Gophers coach Clem Haskins.
Casey had dinner with Bing shortly before accepting the Pistons job.
He invited Bing to speak with the team. (Bing also spoke with the team when Stan Van Gundy was head coach.)
“The players were glued in,” Casey said. “He did a fantastic job of talking about teamwork, professionalism, what he sees with our team. He knew our team inside and out as far as what he saw.
“He knows the game. He keeps up with the game. He talked about the difference between today’s NBA and the past NBA.”
Tough break
Third-year forward Henry Ellenson suffered a broken nose Saturday night playing for the Pistons’ Gatorade League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive.
It’s the second broken nose of his career.
The Pistons said he was being further examined Sunday and would likely be fitted for a mask.
The Pistons declined to pick up Ellenson’s team option for the 2018-19 season, meaning he will be an unrestricted free in the offseason.
Related: Stanley Johnson's defense vs. Kawhi Leonard explains Pistons' patience
Ticket deal
Individual game tickets with no fees can be purchased starting Wednesday.
The offer ends Nov. 26.
Tickets can be purchased at pistons.com or by calling 248-377-0100.
Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.