It’s clear Andre Drummond isn’t a beer aficionado.

Miller Lite is his beer of choice with Corona a close second.

Not exactly exotic choices — especially when you consider Michigan’s place at the center of the microbrew boom.

But Drummond’s beer-per-day diet is borne out of necessity — not a desire to sample the latest IPA.

The Detroit Pistons center said recently he has eliminated red meat from a diet mainly consisting of fish and vegetables.

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To ensure the necessary caloric intake, he drinks a beer per day.

He was drawn to Miller Lite because, well, that’s what his personal chef bought.

I was skeptical at first, but a quick Google search reveals beer diets aren’t unheard of — although not recommended.

“If you do it the right way, it’s actually not bad for you and that’s why I’m doing it,” Drummond said with a laugh.

Drummond spoke with the Free Press last week after an hour-long appearance at an electronics store in Rochester Hills. He is optimistic about the upcoming season when the Pistons will try to best a 41-41 record and first-round playoff exit.

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He likes the additions of point guards Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier — along with power forward Markieff Morris.

He thinks the young talent will help, citing the strong summer league from second-year guard Bruce Brown and the talent of first-round pick Sekou Doumbouya.

What about Drummond himself?

After a dominant stretch during the Pistons’ playoff push, he exudes confidence that an offseason under the direction of assistant coaches Sean Sweeney and Tim Grgurich will allow him to continue the momentum.

“(Sweeney and Grgurich) are like my left and right hand,” Drummond said. “I couldn’t imagine a better situation to be in than being with those guys, seeing them every day.”

“I just think it’s going to be a really good year for me. I’m excited.”

Important offseason for Drummond

It’s a good idea to bring skepticism to offseason reports of workout diligence.

But Drummond looks lean, which is a good sign for next season.

In the past, it was possible to predict performance based on his body shape.

It appears Drummond, who turns 26 on Saturday, is ready to do his part for the Pistons, who will bring back the team's core from last season.

He’s trying once again to add another weapon.

“I’m still working on the 3-point shot, which everybody seems to not like for some reason, but who really cares?” Drummond said.

I’ll admit it — I’ve been critical of those efforts in the past, thinking the focus should be accentuating his strengths.

Drummond’s 3-point work was well-chronicled last offseason and first-year coach Dwane Casey gave him the greenlight.

But Drummond isn’t a natural shooter and the idea was quickly shelved; he finished 5-for-38 (13.2%) last season.

But he’s back at it, and making some 3-pointers would add value.

He made six 3-pointers (part of a 53-point performance) in a game at the Miami Pro League recently.

It’s just trying to improve – especially since next season will likely be a contract year.

Drummond could decline his $28 million player option for the 2020-21 season and become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Drummond could also agree to an extension before it reaches that point.

Finishing kick

Drummond is coming off the best season of his career, in which he averaged 17.3 points, 15.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks in 79 games.

He took his game to another level after missing three games in the NBA’s concussion protocol in January. He averaged 18.3 points, 16.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.9 steals per game over the last 32 games. He shot 57.6% from the field and 65.2% from the free-throw line.

The Pistons’ record in the final 32 games was 19-13, good enough to earn the franchise's second playoff appearance in a decade.

During that stretch, the Pistons were 10 points better per 100 possessions when Drummond was on the floor, easily the best number on the team.

Drummond clicked with Casey, and there is optimism in their second season together could produce another level for the two-time All-Star who has struggled with inconsistency in seven seasons.

“I joked that maybe I should get hit in my head more often, but I just think it was a sense of urgency,” Drummond said of last season. "We slipped a little bit in the playoff run and when I came back, if I didn’t play at a high level, we wouldn’t make it in. A switch turned on and started playing the way I was supposed to play. It was taking it to the next level and taking matter into my own hands.

“That’s the type of intensity I need to have for Game 1.”

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