Film Breakdown: Andre Drummond, the 6’10 penguin who moves like a gazelle

The Lakers newly acquired big man Andre Drummond — whose unofficial nickname is the “Big Penguin” for reasons unbeknownst to the player himself — continues to adapt to his new role with the defending champions while creating new habits. It’s a process that is especially important after toiling on losing teams for most of his career, something new teammate Kyle Kuzma insightfully pointed out.

“It’s just a process, man,” Kuzma said on Tuesday night. “It’s not going to happen overnight. Rome wasn’t built overnight, and I feel like with him, it’s a big adjustment. Just think about it. He’s kind of never really been coached in his career in Detroit and Cleveland, and then coming here into a championship organization, it’s tough.”

However, even with some of the natural early struggles as part of the acclimation process, one thing immediately stuck out with Drummond — his elite movement ability. Basically, he possesses guard-like movement skills in the frame of a 6’10” big.

I broke down those movement skills in the video below:

Drummond may be called the “Big Penguin” but he certainly doesn’t move like one. It’s a unique skillset that should come very much in handy for the Lakers on their quest to repeat as NBA champions.

Dr. Rajpal Brar has a doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University, and runs his own sports medicine and performance business, 3CB Performance, in West LA and Valencia, CA. He also works at a hospital — giving him experience with patients in the immediate healthcare setting and neurological patients (post stroke, post brain injury) — and has been practicing for 1.5 years. Brar is additionally training at UCLA’s mindful awareness research center (MARC), and analyzes the Lakers from a medical and skills perspective for Silver Screen and Roll and on his own YouTube Channel.