Wednesday, December 30, 2009

IP Was There

Here are some recent pictures taken by IP photographer Brian St-Pierre of fans at a recent Pistons game.


Chris Green of Sterling Heights, Josh Hobbs of Troy, Ian Roy of Sterling Heights and Bill Majewski of Madison Heights.


Sisters Amber and Autumn Cherbeny of Flint.


Ryan Eade of West Bloomfield poses with his Jonas Jerebko viking helmet.


Tabatha Morgan, Karen Maksymowski and Jade Ash of Flint.







Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Pistons Might Be Back To 100%

The Pistons' Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are all listed as game-time decisions for tonight's matchup against the Raptors in Toronto. Fortunately, it's sounding like all four will play.

Assuming everybody sees time on the floor, it will mark the first time since the first game of the season that Detroit's entire roster is available for minutes. John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach, hasn't announced a starting lineup, but it's expected to consist of Prince at small forward, rookie Jonas Jerebko at power forward, Ben Wallace at center, Hamilton at shooting guard and Rodney Stuckey at point guard.

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com


Click on cover!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Pistons Still Without Prince, Hamilton and Gordon

It wasn't so bad when they were on a winning streak, but the ailing Pistons have now lost four games in a row. They're still without Ben Gordon (sprained left ankle), Tayshaun Prince (small ruptured disc) and Rip Hamilton, who returned for one game after recovering from an ankle sprain only to injure his hamstring.

Even some of Detroit's players who are back are still playing through injuries. Will Bynum continues to battle despite two sore ankles, and Charlie Villanueva is competing despite a broken nose and plantar fasciitis. Last night in the Pistons' home loss to the L.A. Lakers, Villanueva took off his mask he had been wearing to protect his nose - a gutsy move to say the least.

In addition to their injuries, the Pistons are struggling with how to best utilize guard Rodney Stuckey. Typically a point guard, Stuckey has had to spend time playing shooting guard to compensate for the injuries to Hamilton and Gordon. Even as a point guard, he's primarily been looking to score as opposed to setting up teammates on the offensive end. His assists have been extremely low to the point where John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach, had addressed the issue publicly.

The Pistons remain hopeful that they can get back to full-strength and insert Stuckey back to the point guard spot. Having a healthy Hamilton and Gordon would instantly provide Stuckey with better scoring options on the perimeter.

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com


Click on cover!

Monday, December 14, 2009

DETROIT’S RODNEY STUCKEY NAMED NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

by Steve St-Pierre
Pistons Sports Writer
Email
In Play Magazine

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2009 – The Detroit Pistons’ Rodney Stuckey today was named the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 13.

Stuckey led the Pistons to a 3-0 week, averaging 27.0 points on .529 shooting from the field, 6.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals. On Dec. 12, Stuckey led the Pistons with a season-high 29 points and added seven assists, helping Detroit to its fifth straight victory, a 104-95 win over Golden State. On Dec. 9 at Philadelphia, Stuckey led all scorers with 27 points, including the game-winning field goal with 8.7 seconds remaining.


Stuckey on the December 2009 cover of In Play! Magazine.
Photo by Brian St-Pierre

Here is a recap of the week for Stuckey:

Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons

Dec. 9 @ Philadelphia: Posted 27 points, eight assists and five rebounds in a 90-86 win over the 76ers.

Dec. 10 vs. Denver: Scored 25 points to go along with three assists and two steals in a 101-99 win over the Nuggets.

Dec. 12 vs. Golden State: Tallied 29 points, seven assists and two rebounds in a 104-95 win over the Warriors.

Other nominees for the Eastern Player of the Week were Cleveland’s LeBron James and Toronto’s Chris Bosh.


           CLICK ON COVER!

Hamilton Returns; Gordon Likely Next

Rip Hamilton returned to the Pistons' lineup as the starting shooting guard, scoring 18 points. Fellow guard Ben Gordon is expected to return tomorrow from his injury. Forward Tayshaun Prince and guard Will Bynum remain out with various injuries of their own.

The Pistons currently boast a record of 11-12, sixth in the NBA's Eastern Conference. They've done so despite five players missing a total of 49 games with injuries. Detroit continues to be one of the top stories in the league this year.

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com


Click on cover!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Pistons Remain Upbeat Despite Injuries, Losses

by Steve St-Pierre
Pistons Sports Writer
In Play Magazine
December 2009 Cover Story

It was already going to be a difficult season for the Pistons after bringing in several new, young players to go along with a brand new rookie head coach. Having played essentially the entire season without key veterans Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, the losses have continued to mount. Yet, the team hasn’t let it stop them from competing their hardest every night, and that has been a sight Detroit fans haven’t seen from the Pistons in years.

“You always miss players that are an integral part of what you want to get accomplished, but other players (have to) step up and play big roles…” says John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach. “…We have young players that are starting to educate themselves on what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

“It’s tough,” adds forward Charlie Villanueva. “It seems like injuries have been a part of the factor throughout this whole season for us. We can’t get a break, but no one’s going to feel sorry for us.”

“Our other guys (have to) step up, and it’s going to take a team effort,” says center Kwame Brown. “We can’t rely on our guys to be out there when they’re hurt. We’ve got guys who can step in and play hard.”

One of those guys has been Ben Wallace, whose play has been one of the top stories this season in the entire NBA. Wallace signed with the Pistons this summer for a minimum-salary contract and was expected to be the fourth or fifth big man in the rotation. However, with the reemergence of his stellar defense, rebounding, hard-work and leadership, Wallace quickly won a starting position in training camp and has been an outstanding role model for Detroit’s younger players.

Read the entire article HERE




           CLICK ON COVER!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Pistons Injury Update

The Pistons' Rip Hamilton are Tayshaun Prince are still being listed as injured indefinitely, and now it's looking like fellow swingman Ben Gordon could miss additional time with an injured left ankle.

Detroit plays tomorrow in Philadelphia against the 76ers before returning home to host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. Hamilton and Prince have been ruled out for both games, while Gordon is questionable.

For the time being, the team will likely continue to bring power forward Charlie Villanueva off the bench while he adjusts to having to play with a broken nose. Rookie forward Jonas Jerebko has been starting alongside Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace in the frontcourt, and it's possible Jerebko will stay in the starting lineup once Prince returns, sliding over to the four-spot.

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com


Click on cover!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Villanueva Comes Off Bench, Breaks Nose

Yesterday's surprising Pistons win over the Atlanta Hawks was about the only thing that went right for power forward Charlie Villanueva. John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach, announced that Villanueva would be coming off the bench in favor of veteran Jason Maxiell for defensive purposes. Then during the game, Villanueva was fouled and smashed his face right into teammate Ben Wallace's arm, breaking his nose.

Villanueva had nasal surgery this afternoon. He's considered day-to-day, and he'll be wearing a mask once he does return to the court. For the time being, Maxiell and rookie Jonas Jerebko will continue to start up front alongside Wallace until the Pistons can finally get all of their key players back from injury.

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com


Click on cover!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Gordon Joins Hamilton, Prince On Pistons' Shelf

Pistons guard Ben Gordon sprained his ankle last night in Detroit's home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He becomes the third player to join the team's sidelines, next to fellow swingmen Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince.

The Pistons are on a six-game losing streak, and they've played inconsistent on both ends of the floor even with Gordon. Now they'll be without their top three scorers for at least the near future as Gordon's day-to-day, while Hamilton and Prince are still out indefinitely.

On the bright side, these injuries have allowed other players to step up and gain experience on the court, such as Detroit's three rookies Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko, who has been starting at small forward in place of Prince. Likewise, reserve guard Will Bynum has emerged as one of the best bench scorers in the NBA, something the Pistons had hoped Gordon could provide while backing up Hamilton at shooting guard.

Unfortunately, Detroit will have to search hard to find enough offense to replace all three scorers as long as they're out. The team has struggled to get consistency out of its big men, particularly the reserves. Charlie Villanueva has been solid at both ends of the floor as the starting power forward, and Ben Wallace - though offensively challenged - has reestablished himself as one of the best interior defenders in the league after nearly retiring this summer before deciding to sign with the Pistons for the minimum. However, bench players Kwame Brown, Chris Wilcox and Jason Maxiell have been shaky in the time they've been on the floor, and the team's going to need more scoring out of this group to compensate for the injuries.

If the Pistons have any chance of turning this season around, it might be in the best interest for Joe Dumars, Pistons President, to find a more-versatile pivot man to hold down the middle both offensively and defensively. Again, it can't be stressed enough how vital Wallace has been in leading this young team, setting an example in showing teammates how to win by playing hard and never quitting. However, what the Pistons need most right now is a better all-around center who can better complement Villanueva's versatility.

Just who that center may be and what it would take to bring him in remains to be seen. What's clear is that the Pistons are moving in a new direction. John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach, reminds the press after every game that the team is a work-in-progress, and it's obvious that the number-one goal right now is evaluating Detroit's youth. Therefore, trading Hamilton and/or Prince could be in the best interest of all parties, assuming that could help bring in an All-Star type big man. Then again, not many teams are likely lining up right now for two injured, aging veterans.

For the time being, the Pistons will continue to focus on growing, developing and continuing to play hard no matter what. Their intensity this season has shown the kind of fire Detroit fans haven't seen since the team's back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2004 and 2005. Here's to hoping they're able to put their best players on the floor as much as possible, as soon as possible.

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

LEAVE COMMENT


Click on cover!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pistons Brace Themselves For Difficult West Coast Trip

Currently with a record of 5-5, the Pistons are preparing for a tough set of road games this week. They play in L.A. tomorrow to face the Lakers, in Portland Wednesday against the Trail Blazers, in Utah Saturday to take on the Jazz and in Phoenix Sunday to battle the Suns. Oh, and as a consolation prize, they get to come home and play the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Playing .500 ball has been impressive for Detroit, who has been without star swingmen Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. Both veterans are injured indefinitely, but the rest of the team has stepped up considerably. The starting backcourt of Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey has set the tone offensively, while Ben Wallace has reclaimed the starting center spot and is anchoring the defense much the way he did during his first stint with the Pistons. With Gordon in the starting lineup, reserve guard Will Bynum has provided a great amount of scoring off the bench.


Click on cover!

The Pistons' big men are doing a tremendous job of following Wallace's lead. Villanueva has been starting at power forward, contributing plenty of scoring inside and out as well as playing surprising stellar defense. Rookie forward Jonas Jerebko has started at small forward in place of Prince, doing a fantastic job shutting down more athletic, experienced players on the wing. Even reserves Kwame Brown, Jason Maxiell and Chris Wilcox have played well despite inconsistent time on the court.

This might be a tough stretch coming up for them, but the Pistons have proven that, win or lose, they are going to play hard every night and give fans an extremely entertaining team to watch this season.

Leave your comments

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Pistons Stepping Up For Injured Stars

The Pistons might have shocked the world last night with their impressive win over the Orlando Magic at the Palace of Auburn Hills. They did it shorthanded as they were without the services of star swingmen Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince.

They got stellar play particularly in the second half, when head coach John Kuester opted for a three-guard lineup featuring Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum. All three players scored 20+ points and showed tenacity, constantly driving the ball to the basket. Here's to hoping they can carry the momentum.


Click on cover!

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Pistons Up And Down In Preseason Play

by Steve St-Pierre
Pistons Sports Writer
Email
In Play Magazine
From the Current issue...

The Pistons have a brand new coach, four rookies, several new veterans, a faster style of play, and it has shown throughout the 2009 NBA Preseason.

Detroit made plenty of noise this summer by signing four key free agents in Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace. Gordon has looked like his old self, coming off the bench and scoring in bunches, but Villanueva and Wilcox have hardly played, whether due to injury or simply for match-up purposes. Wallace, on the other hand, has been a pleasant surprise after being named the current starting power forward.

“(Wallace has) been outstanding all preseason…” says John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach. “…The guy’s still got juice. I keep telling people…he’s a leader. He’s somebody that I trust, that I know is going to be able to tell me when I’m right, when I’m wrong, and his energy is contagious for our team.”

Joining Wallace in the starting lineup has been veterans Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey and Kwame Brown, who was expecting to compete with Wallace and Wilcox for the starting center spot. Villanueva is anticipating coming off the bench until he proves he’s completely healthy and capable of contributing consistently on the defensive end. The other starters have all played well in limited minutes as the coaching staff has been preserving them while giving younger players a chance to earn extended run.
Read more...

           CLICK ON COVER!

Wallace, Villanueva Start In Frontcourt

The Pistons coasted to an impressive win last night in Memphis against the Grizzlies. Detroit boasted a starting lineup that consisted of Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace alongside one another at power forward and center, respectively. It's a move that could pay major dividends early in this NBA regular season.

Villanueva struggled early, picking up two quick fouls in the first quarter before sitting out the remainder of the second half. Wallace appears to be in full-health and capable of providing a major presence defensively, much the way he did when he was a superstar defender during his initial tenure as a Piston.

We'll see if the Pistons can keep it up. Their next game is the home opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder Fri. night.


Click on cover!

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Monday, October 26, 2009

Pistons Release Washington

The Pistons have announced that they have requested waivers on rookie swingman Deron Washington. He averaged 3.3 points, 0.6 rebounds and 6.4 minutes in seven preseason games.

The move comes as a surprise. Washington had a guaranteed contract for the upcoming season, while veteran guard Chucky Atkins still has a non-guaranteed deal. It remains to be seen whether or not Joe Dumars, Pistons President, will pursue a veteran free agent to fill the vacant spot.

Click on cover!

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Pistons Waive Baston

Joe Dumars, Pistons President, announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Maceo Baston. The Pistons roster is now at 15, though Chucky Atkins' contract is not yet guaranteed.

PISTONS TICKETS GIVEAWAY

PISTONS TICKETS
GIVEAWAY
THURSDAY'S GAME
PISTONS VS THE TIMBERWOLVES!!!!


Monday, October 19, 2009

Detroit Shock, WNBA. Season of Whither

Editorial Viewpoint
Jack Rosenberg

Being a publisher of Detroit's only sports magazine I can tell you it was very hard to come up with good and interesting editorial each month concerning the Shock and the WNBA.

In my opinion the biggest problem with the WNBA is the season.
It's during the summer when people are out on their boats, on vacation, on the golf course or gone camping.
That to me, is the biggest mistake!

Change the season so I coincides with the NBA, play around the NBA schedule when its cold out and people are more inclined to go to an indoor sporting event.
Not the middle of summer!

Next, play the games at a college campus arena instead of 22k seat venues, the economics are way out of whack. You're forcing a square peg in a round hole.

Finally, to be brutally honest, the WNBA was a hard sell here in Detroit because we are a heavy duty sports city and the WNBA just didn't cut it.

Maybe the game needs some rule changes; lower the net or make the court smaller. Woman basketball players are (on average) nine inches shorter than the average NBA player, so it only makes sense that the rim should be nine inches lower. This is not an insult to women, it's just a simple fact.

I'm not sure what the answer is to increase the intensity of the game and spark an interest.

But, it's not our problem anymore to worry about...

LEAVE COMMENTS

Shock Moving To Tulsa

The Detroit Shock has been sold to a group of investors based in Tulsa, Okla. The team will play at the BOK Center, a brand new downtown arena that holds about 18,000.

The investors, called Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, have already hired Nolan Richardson, former mens' collegiate head coach at Arkansas and Tulsa, to serve as the new WNBA team's head coach and general manager. The group reportedly had also been targeting the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream as backup plans to the Shock.

The Shock finished dead-last in the WNBA in 2002 with a record of 9-23, hiring former Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer as its new head coach midway through the season. Laimbeer's hiring proved to be a tremendous transaction as the Shock won WNBA Championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008.

LEAVE COMMENTS
_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Friday, October 16, 2009

Villanueva To Play Tomorrow

Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva will make his preseason debut with the team tomorrow in Memphis. He'll likely come off the bench in favor of Ben Wallace, who has been starting at power forward during exhibition season but was given the night off during last night's loss in Dallas. Detroit also hopes to have starting small forward Tayshaun Prince back in the lineup as he recovers from a foot injury.

They know they can score points, but the Pistons need to prove they can play consistent team defense. It will be vital for Villanueva to prove he can defend at both forward spots if he plans on eventually starting for this team.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Monday, October 12, 2009

Villanueva Awaiting Pistons Debut

The Pistons are 3-0 in this exhibition season, and they've done it without power forward Charlie Villanueva.

Villanueva, who has an injured hamstring, has yet to even dress for one of Detroit's preseason games. He's a key free-agent addition and has been expected to start this season in the team's frontcourt.

In his absence, the Pistons have used Ben Wallace at power forward with Kwame Brown playing center. It's a combination that has offered little production offensively but a major staple on the defensive end. Despite his age, Wallace is proving his value as a savvy defender capable of guarding not only post players but perimeter players as well. Brown - at 6'11", 270 pounds - offers a big body around the rim who has contributed at both ends of the floor.

It's to the point now that head coach John Kuester is actually considering starting Brown and Wallace together during the regular season. Ideally, the Pistons would like to get Villanueva healthy enough to gauge how valuable he can be as a defender. However, if he's not able to play in the next couple of preseason games, he might not have enough time to convince the team he deserves to start over Wallace or Brown.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Friday, October 9, 2009

Pistons News & Notes 10/9

It's been an entertaining first two preseason games for the Pistons. Kwame Brown looks to have solidified the starting center spot, the team's guards are developing a great amount of chemistry and Detroit's rookies have displayed an impressive amount of toughness.

Brown has started both games in the middle alongside Ben Wallace, who has been starting at power forward for the injured Charlie Villanueva. It's possible Wallace could move to center with Villanueva taking Brown's starting spot, but that's highly unlikely given that Detroit wants to see more of their other, younger bigs before Wallace at this point in his career.

Rip Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey have played well together as Detroit's starting guards, and Ben Gordon looks like he'll be one of the best reserves in the league this year. It comes as a shock to say that despite these facts, reserve guard Will Bynum has been the team's best player in training camp. He looks extremely confident not only in his slashing ability but also his perimeter shooting, and it's possible he could take some minutes away from the starters once the regular season begins.

It seems the toughness of veterans Wallace, Brown and reserve big man Chris Wilcox is rubbing off onto the Pistons' rookies. First-round pick Austin Daye had an amazing block on Miami Heat superstar Dwayne Wade, while second-round selection Jonas Jerebko was suspended after an altercation with Miami's backup center Jamaal Magloire. Magloire came into the game and immediately attempted to bully Jerebko in the post, and eventually the two exchanged punches. In the second game, 2008 second-rounder Deron Washington provided plenty of highlight plays on both ends of the court.

All in all, the Pistons aren't looking too shabby. Of course it's only exhibition, but Detroit is winning and playing with the passion that hasn't been seen around here since the team's back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

In Play! Magazine Attends Pistons Media Day

IP's own Brian St-Pierre was in attendance this week for the Pistons Media Day. Here's a look at some pictures from the event and some input on the players/coaches featured.

John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach


Kuester is a first-time head coach but has plenty of experience as an assistant coach in the NBA, and the players appear to have much more confidence in him than they did with last year's coach, Michael Curry.

Chucky Atkins, Pistons Guard; Maceo Baston, Pistons Forward



Atkins and Baston are auditioning for the Pistons' 15th and final roster spot during the 2009 NBA Preseason. Atkins is a former starting point guard for Detroit and has the experience and shooting-ability to potentially earn a guaranteed roster spot.

Ben Wallace, Pistons Center; Kwame Brown, Pistons Center w/ IP's Steve St-Pierre



The cornerstone of Detroit's 2004 NBA Championship, Ben Wallace returns to the Pistons and will attempt to earn the role of starting center. However, it's Kwame Brown who is being projected to start in the middle for the Pistons this season.

Charlie Villanueva, Pistons Forward; Rip Hamilton, Pistons Guard; Ben Gordon, Pistons Guard


Villanueva, Hamilton and Gordon form a UConn trio for the Pistons this year. Villanueva is expected to be named the team's starting power forward, while Hamilton and Gordon will compete for the starting shooting guard spot.

Who's going to end up starting at two-guard? How about at center? Does Atkins deserve the final roster spot? Is Kuester going to pan out as head coach?
What's your take?

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

DETROIT PISTONS OPEN PRACTICE SET FOR OCTOBER 10

Coca-Cola To Provide Refreshments And Give Away Free Preseason Tickets

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Pistons will host an open practice inside
The Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday, October 10 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00
p.m. Admission is free for all fans and doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

"The open practice is a great event where our fans can come out and get a
preview of this year's team," said Joe Dumars, Pistons President of
Basketball Operations. "Having the practice free to the public is a great
way to kick-off training camp and get the community excited about the
upcoming season."

Pistons players will practice on the court beginning at 12:30 p.m. Coca-Cola
has teamed with the Pistons and will provide refreshments and free preseason
tickets. In addition, the event will feature a number of exciting
opportunities for those in attendance. Pistons coaches will be on the
microphone at the beginning of the practice to provide interaction with the
fans while the 2009-10 Pistons Dance Team "Automotion" and Pistons mascot
Hooper will perform along with the Pistons Flight Crew.

"Coca-Cola has always been about small moments of refreshment --
something we all could use - so we're inviting people to enjoy an ice-cold
Coca-Cola, a hot dog and a game, all free of charge," said Mike Alter,
Marketing Development Manager for Coca-Cola. "It's a little break that
everyone can enjoy."

Monday, September 28, 2009

Pistons' Training Camp Roster

With their Media Day just hours away, here's a look at the Pistons' Training Camp roster, according to the Detroit Free Press.

NO POS NAME HT WT DOB COLLEGE YRS
17 G Chucky Atkins 5-11 160 8/14/74 South Florida 10
8 F Maceo Baston 6-10 230 5/29/76 Michigan 4
38 C Kwame Brown 6-11 270 3/10/82 Glynn Academy HS 8
12 G Will Bynum 6-0 185 1/4/83 Georgia Tech 2
5 F Austin Daye 6-11 205 6/5/88 Gonzaga R
7 G Ben Gordon 6-3 200 4/4/83 Connecticut 5
32 G Richard Hamilton 6-7 193 2/14/78 Connecticut 10
33 F Jonas Jerebko 6-10 231 3/2/87 Kinna, Sweden R
54 F Jason Maxiell 6-7 260 2/18/83 Cincinnati 4
22 F Tayshaun Prince 6-9 215 2/28/80 Kentucky 7
3 G Rodney Stuckey 6-5 205 4/21/86 Eastern Washington 2
35 F DaJuan Summers 6-8 240 1/24/88 Georgetown R
31 F/C Charlie Villanueva 6-11 232 8/24/84 Connecticut 4
6 C Ben Wallace 6-9 240 9/10/74 Virginia Union 13
13 G/F Deron Washington 6-7 202 12/12/85 Virginia Tech R
9 F/C Chris Wilcox 6-10 235 9/3/82 Maryland 7

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Shock Fall Short In Conf. Finals

After four straight seasons of being knocked out of the playoffs by the Detroit Shock, the Indiana Fever finally returned the favor last night in a hard-fought Game 3 in Indiana.

The Shock battled despite being without the services of two key forwards in Katie Smith and Plenette Pierson. Their injuries were undoubtedly what held Detroit back, and there's no question the Shock will return in 2010 eager to compete for another WNBA championship title.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Pistons Invite Atkins To Camp

In 2000, the Pistons brought in Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins as free agents. It's fitting that towards the end of their careers, the team has decided to see if the two can reunite for one last chance at playoff glory in Detroit.

The Pistons have invited Atkins to next week's training camp on a non-guaranteed contract after signing Wallace earlier this summer. The team already has 14 guaranteed contracts, and Joe Dumars, Pistons President, has said he prefers to leave a roster spot open to begin the season. That said, Atkins is a familiar name to Pistons fans, a class-act and - most importantly - a solid third-string point guard that has outside-shooting ability.

Whether or not Atkins can stick around beyond preseason remains to be seen.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

PISTONS' FANS! FAN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND WIN!

FAN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND WIN!

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Shock's Smith Likely To Miss Series

The Shock begin the first of a three-game series with the Indiana Fever in the WNBA's Eastern Conference Finals tonight at The Palace. The game is set for 8 p.m.

Guard-forward Katie Smith is expected to miss the series, still recovering from her back injury. Should the Shock advance to the WNBA Finals, it remains to be seen if Smith would attempt to return to the court.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Monday, September 21, 2009

Pistons' Open Practice Promises Twist

Pistons fans are already anxious to see the new players on the 2009-10 roster once training camp begins next week. Apparently the team is planning another way to entice interest in the club.

According to Keith Langlois at Pistons.com, the Pistons are planning to hold their annual open practice to the public during preseason. Though the details have yet to be officially released, Langlois says there is a twist in the works this year to attract even more fans.

The Pistons have held the open practice for the last couple of seasons at Oakland University in Rochester. As for the twist, perhaps it's a meet-and-greet with players. It could be a chance to win extra prizes. It could even be a chance to play H-O-R-S-E with the coaching staff, which has happened in past years.

Details are expected to be formally announced shortly.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Shock To Face Fever In ECF

The Shock are set to battle the Indiana Fever in the WNBA's Eastern Conference Finals. The following is a look at the upcoming schedule:

Game Date Teams Time TV

Game 1 Wednesday, Sept. 23 Indiana at Detroit TBD ESPN2
Game 2 Friday, Sept. 25 Detroit at Indiana 7 p.m. NBATV
Game 3* Saturday, Sept. 26 Detroit at Indiana 7 p.m. NBATV

*if necessary

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Friday, September 18, 2009

Shock Advance To Conference Finals

The Shock defeated the Atlanta Dream tonight to advance to the WNBA's Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth straight season. Their opponent is to be determined, and Game 1 will be played at the home site of the lower seed on Sept. 23.

Guard Deanna Nolan returned after suffering a concussion towards the end of Game 1. It's also possible Detroit will get small forward Katie Smith back from injury in time for the second round of postseason play.

The Shock schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals is as follows (all times are Eastern):

Eastern Conference Finals Schedule
Game Date Time TV
Game 1 Wednesday, Sept. 23 8:00PM ESPN2
Game 2 Friday, Sept. 25 TBD NBATV
Game 3* Sunday, Sept. 26 TBD NBATV
*if necessary

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Jerrells Leaves Pistons For Spurs

Undrafted rookie guard Curtis Jerrells has decided to leave the Pistons and join the San Antonio Spurs' training camp roster. It's believed the Pistons would prefer to bring in a third point guard to push current Pistons Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum in preseason.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

DETROIT SHOCK SIGN THREE TO CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith Signed Through 2010, Plenette Pierson Signed Through 2012

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit Shock General Manager Cheryl Reeve announced today
that the club signed Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith, and Plenette Pierson to contract
extensions. Per team policy, financial terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Nolan, a three-time WNBA champion with the Shock, appeared in 33 games (all starts)
this season and averaged 16.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals in
33.7 minutes per game. She scored in double-figures in 29 of 33 games this season,
and was named WNBA Player of the Week three consecutive times to end the season.
Nolan tallied career highs in defensive rebounds (11) and total rebounds (14) vs.
New York on (8/4). The Flint native was named 2006 WNBA Finals MVP and has WNBA
career averages of 13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals in 260 games.

Smith, the 2008 WNBA Finals MVP, has appeared in 27 games (all starts) this season
for the Shock, averaging 15.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 34.7 minutes
per game. She shot a career-high 91.8% (56-61) from the free-throw line and a
career-high-tying 43% (57-132) from beyond the arc. Smith recorded her 300th steal
at Indiana (6/21), becoming the first player in WNBA history to record 5,000 points,
1,000 rebounds, 900 assists, and 300 steals. The Ohio State product and member of
two Shock WNBA Championship teams has WNBA career averages of 15.7 points, 3.1
rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals.

Pierson, who was named 2007 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year and a member of two Shock
WNBA Championship teams has been sidelined since the Shock's first game of the 2009
season. She was injured while battling for a rebound vs. Los Angeles on June 6 and
had season-ending shoulder surgery on June 24 to repair shoulder instability
following her injury.

Pierson appeared in 28 games last season and averaged career highs in points (11.9
ppg), assists (1.9 apg) and blocks (1.2 bpg) in 23.2 minutes per game. She led the
Shock in scoring on five occasions, rebounds five times and assists four times.
Pierson had seven multiple block games, finishing with a career-high 34 blocks.
During the 2008 WNBA Playoffs, Pierson averaged 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7
assists in six games. She missed three games with a dislocated shoulder/torn labrum
after getting injured in Game 2 of the first round. In 196 WNBA games Pierson has
career averages of 8.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.6 blocks.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Shock Playoff Schedule - Eastern Conf. Semis

Atlanta vs. Detroit
Local EDT National Broadcast

Game 1 - Wed Sept. 16 Atlanta at Detroit 8:00PM 8:00PM ESPN2
Game 2 - Fri Sept. 18 Detroit at Atlanta 7:30PM 7:30PM NBATV
Game 3 * Sun Sept. 20 Detroit at Atlanta 3:00PM 3:00PM ESPN2

* If necessary

Shock Open Postseason Against Atlanta

Finishing with a record of 18-16, the Shock will play the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs. The league has yet to release a playoff schedule for the Eastern Conference.

Injury update: guard-forward Alexis Hornbuckle is day-to-day with a strained hamstring but is expected to be in the starting lineup of Game 1 vs. Atlanta; guard-forward Katie Smith's status (back pain) remains up in the air; forward Plenette Pierson (shoulder) will not be playing in the postseason.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Friday, September 11, 2009

Shock Clinch Playoffs; Pierson Could Return

Despite another season of adversity, the Shock have managed to make a late-season push and clinch a postseason berth.

They've suffered injuries to veterans Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith and Plenette Pierson. Reserve center Kara Braxton was suspended for the 2009 season's first six games. They took all season to finalize their roster, including a coaching change following the resignation of Bill Laimbeer, Former Shock Head Coach.

Yet, the Shock have battled to secure a spot in the playoffs and could clinch homecourt advantage for the first round. They've had to do it without Pierson all season as well as Smith, who has missed the last six straight games. Pierson says she is prepared to return to the court for postseason play, but Smith's status is still up in the air. Should Smith be forced to miss additional time, expect the Shock to continue starting guard-forward Nikki Teasley, who recently signed with Detroit for the remainder of the season.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Pistons Add Baston To Camp Lineup

The Pistons have announced the addition of Indiana Pacers free agent forward Maceo Baston to their training camp roster. A 1998 second-round draft pick and former Michigan Wolverine, Baston is not expected to make the team's final roster for the upcoming regular season.

The team's official roster count is currently at 14 of a maximum 15, with Baston and fellow preseason invitee Curtis Jerrells signing non-guaranteed contracts with Detroit.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Monday, August 31, 2009

DETROIT’S DEANNA NOLAN NAMED WNBA EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2009 – Deanna Nolan of the Detroit Shock and Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm were named the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for regular season games played Monday, August 24 through Sunday, August 31.

Deanna Nolan wins the fourth Player of the Week award of her career and first this season after averaging a league-leading 26.7 points on 41.8 percent (28-67) shooting, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games. She led the Shock to a 2-1 record including wins over Eastern Conference rivals Connecticut and Atlanta.

Against the Dream, Nolan set a then-season high with 29 points in Detroit’s four-point win. With the game tied at 79 and 53.6 seconds remaining, Nolan made a jumper off the glass to give the Shock the final lead. She sealed the win with 20.3 seconds left when she sank two free throws to put Detroit ahead by four. One game later, Nolan surpassed her season high with 34 points in Detroit’s road loss to San Antonio. She shot 56.3 percent (9-16) from behind the three-point line in the three games after shooting 23.0 percent (16-71) heading into the week.

Nolan is a four-time All-WNBA selection, a four-time WNBA All-Star and the 2006 WNBA Finals MVP. She’s averaging 16.1 points, which places her in the top 15 among league leaders, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season.

In Play! Magazine

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Pistons Invite Jerrells To Training Camp

The Pistons are inviting undrafted Baylor point guard Curtis Jerrells to
training camp. He'll contend for the Pistons' final roster spot, which is
currently open.

The chances of Jerrells making the regular season roster are very slim,
being as though Joe Dumars, Pistons President, says he prefers to keep
only 14 of a maximum 15 players under contract. Dumars also hopes to
invite an extra big man to camp, which is expected to open Sept. 28.

In Play! Magazine

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

DETROIT SHOCK SIGN TWO-TIME ALL-STAR NIKKI TEASLEY

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Shock announced today that the team has signed free-agent guard Nikki Teasley to a seven-day contract.

Teasley, a 6-foot-0 point guard, started 10 games this season for Atlanta, averaging 3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 23.4 minutes per game before being waived on July 3. After missing the 2008 season following the birth of her daughter, Teasley re-signed with the Dream on January 12, 2009. Teasley is a six-year veteran and two-time WNBA All-Star.

Originally selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, Teasley spent her first four seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she hit the game winning shot in the 2002 WNBA Championship. She was named the MVP of the 2003 WNBA All-Star game, and has career WNBA averages of 8.4 points 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

Teasley takes the roster spot of Barbara Farris, whose seven-day contract with the Detroit Shock expired on August 16.

YOUR TAKE?

Monday, August 17, 2009

SHOCK ACQUIRE FORWARD CRYSTAL KELLY FROM SACRAMENTO IN EXCHANGE FOR KRISTIN HAYNIE

Auburn Hills, MI - The Detroit Shock announced today that the team has acquired Crystal Kelly from the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for guard Kristin Haynie.

“In acquiring Crystal Kelly we add a solid young player to our post rotation who comes with a reputation of not only being a skilled player, but a smart one as well,” said Detroit Shock General Manager Cheryl Reeve. “We are in need of a post that can spell Taj McWilliams as she has been logging heavy minutes at the 4 position.”

In 22 games (three starts) this season, the second-year forward is averaging 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game.

Kelly was acquired by the Monarchs as a free agent on May 18, 2008, after being originally selected by the Houston Comets in the third round of the 2008 WNBA Draft (31st overall).

Kelly played in 33 games (four starts) as a rookie last season averaging 7.4 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 16.7 mpg. She scored a career-high 18 points at Minnesota (6/12/08), and ranked second on the team in free throw percentage.

In 20 games (two starts) this season with the Shock, Haynie averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game.

“This trade is a good trade for both the Shock and Kristin Haynie,” said Reeve. “We've thoroughly enjoyed having Kristin on the Shock but know that Kristin wanted to be on the court more often. The return to Sacramento reunites her with former teammates and coaches and puts her in a better situation relative to playing time. We thank Kristin for her efforts in Detroit.”
Your Take?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

PISTONS SIGN FREE AGENT CENTER BEN WALLACE

Franchise’s All-Time Blocks Leader Returns For 2009-10 Season

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent center Ben Wallace. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to announce Ben Wallace’s return to the Pistons organization,” said Dumars. “Ben played an integral part in the success of the franchise from 2001-2006 and we feel there is a role for him on our team this season. His size and experience will provide depth in the front court while his work ethic and commitment to winning will help our club throughout the year.”

Wallace, 34, has NBA career averages of 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 30.9 minutes in 903 games (785 starts) with Washington, Orlando, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland. The 13-year veteran played in Detroit from 2000 to 2006 where he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA All-Star four times. Wallace was an All-NBA Second Team selection three times (2003, 2004, 2006), All-NBA Third Team selection twice (2002 and 2005) and an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection five times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006). The Pistons made the playoffs in five of the six years he was in Detroit, winning Eastern Conference Championships in 2004 and 2005 and the NBA Championship in 2004. Wallace is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular-season and playoff blocks (1,297 and 215, respectively) and ranks first among all-time playoff leaders in rebounds (1,237). He holds franchise single-game records for blocks in a game (10 – twice), defensive rebounds in a quarter (10) and blocks in a quarter (6). During the 2006-07 season, he became just the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals for seven consecutive seasons joining Hakeem Olajuwon (12 times), Julius Erving (seven times), Sam Lacey (seven times) and David Robinson (seven times). Wallace ranks fifth among active players in career blocks with 1,948 and led the NBA in blocks during the 2001-02 season (3.48 bpg).

Originally acquired by the Pistons along with Chucky Atkins in exchange for Grant Hill as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando (8/3/00), Wallace signed with Chicago as a free agent on July 13, 2006. He was traded by Chicago to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade on February 21, 2008.
In Play! Magazine

Monday, August 10, 2009

PISTONS NAME BRIAN HILL AS ASSISTANT COACH

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has hired Brian Hill as an assistant coach. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to welcome Brian Hill as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons,” said Dumars. “Brian has vast NBA experience as both a head coach and assistant coach and he will help our coaching staff and players in a variety of ways.”

Hill’s coaching career has spanned over 36 years, including head coaching positions with Orlando (twice) and Vancouver and assistant coaching positions with New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando and New Jersey. He most recently served as an assistant coach with the Nets for the last two seasons (2007-2009).

The East Orange, New Jersey native spent three and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic during his first head coaching appointment, 1993-96, guiding the club to a 191-104 (.647) record. He led the team to three playoff appearances, back-to-back Atlantic Division titles, consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (1994-95 and 1995-96) and the 1995 NBA Finals. He posted a home record of 122-26 (.824) while with the Magic, including 40 consecutive wins spanning from March 12, 1995, through March 19, 1996. His record over his first three seasons as a head coach (167-79, .679) ranks third in NBA history behind Pat Riley and Phil Jackson and he ranks as the ninth fastest head coach to reach 100 victories, accomplishing the feat in 149 games. Hill coached the Eastern Conference All-Stars at the NBA All-Star Game in 1995.

Hill was named as head coach of the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997-98, becoming the franchise’s third head coach, and compiled a record of 31-123 in two-plus seasons. After serving on Lawrence Frank’s New Jersey Nets staff in 2004-05, he returned to Orlando for his second head coaching stint. Hill led the Magic to a 76-88 record during his second tenure with the club, guiding the team to a playoff berth in 2006-07.

Hill’s coaching career includes high school as well as 17 years at the collegiate level. He was the head coach at Lehigh for eight seasons and held assistant coaching positions at Montclair State, Lehigh and Penn State. He got his NBA coaching start in 1986, serving as an assistant to Mike Fratello with the Atlanta Hawks.

In Play! Magazine

Friday, August 7, 2009

Pistons Agree To Terms With Wallace

The Pistons have agreed to terms with Ben Wallace, who returns to the the team he helped carry to the 2004 NBA Championship.

Wallace, who will sign a one-year contract for $1.3 million, will likely play spot minutes as the fifth big-man on the Detroit depth chart. Yet, there's a slight chance he could wind up starting at center if he proves to be in great shape and pain-free.

The team also announced the signings of rookies Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. Each player signed a two-year contract.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

PISTONS SIGN DRAFT PICKS AUSTIN DAYE, DAJUAN SUMMERS AND JONAS JEREBKO

PISTONS SIGN DRAFT PICKS AUSTIN DAYE, DAJUAN SUMMERS AND JONAS JEREBKO

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.
Aug 7, 1:06 PM

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed draft selections Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko to contracts. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Daye was drafted by Detroit with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. A 6-foot-11 sophomore forward from Gonzaga, he averaged 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 34 games (33 starts) last season. Daye shot 48% (159-333) from the field and 43% (36-84) from beyond the arc. He also finished the season with 70 blocks, the third-best single season total in program history, and scored a career-high 28 points against Santa Clara, shooting 10-for-13 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range. As a freshman, Daye, the son of former NBA player Darren Daye, averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 33 games (one start). He recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds in his collegiate debut against Montana State and finished the season with 54 blocks, the fourth-best single season total in program history.

Summers was selected with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He started 98 of his 101 games at Georgetown University and finished his collegiate career with averages of 11.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Summers averaged a career-best 13.6 points last season and scored in double figures 25 times, including a streak of 19 consecutive games. Summers finished his career ranked 29th in scoring at Georgetown with 1,129 points and seventh in three-pointers made with 141. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he led the Hoyas to three straight postseason appearances (two NCAA Tournaments, one NIT).

Jerebko was selected with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. A native of Sweden, he played professionally in Italy the last two seasons. Jerebko averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 23 games for Angelico Biella last season. Prior to his stint in Italy, Jerebko played two seasons in the Swedish league where he averaged 10.0 points in 2006-07 and 20.0 points and 11.6 rebounds in 2005-06. He also represented Sweden on both the junior and senior men’s national team.

In Play! Magazine

Thursday, August 6, 2009

PGA and WNBA Partner For “Game Day Experiences” Including Detroit

PGA of America and WNBA Partner for Second Consecutive Year of
“Game Day Experiences” at Eight Sites Nationwide

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – For the second consecutive year, The PGA of America and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) have partnered to present Game Day Experiences featuring free golf instruction from local PGA and LPGA Professionals at selected WNBA games. There are eight Game Day Experiences scheduled so far this season with the first being held Friday (Aug. 7) in Minneapolis, Minn., when the Minnesota Lynx host the Connecticut Sun.

PGA and LPGA Professionals will use inflatable nets to provide free lessons for spectators and organize on-court contests at halftime. The eight sites conducting Game Day Experiences are Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Washington D.C. and Sacramento.

“We look forward to another successful year of reaching new audiences and inspiring those who have never played the game to just try it by taking a free lesson from the experts in golf instruction – the PGA and LPGA Professionals,” said PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka. “We continuously look for unique ways to bring interactive golf experiences to non-traditional venues to help grow the game, and partnering with the WNBA is great fit.”

WNBA President Donna Orender agreed that the Game Day Experiences are a win-win proposition for everyone.

“Golf and basketball share so many common traits – incredible competition, a need for intense training and preparations, and unmatched focus on the court – that it is natural that our fans’ passion for one would transfer to the other,” Orender noted. “Thanks to the enthusiasm of the WNBA fans and the PGA and LPGA Professionals, the program’s overwhelming success continues.”

Both Steranka and Orender will address the media Sept. 3 (Thursday) in Washington D.C., prior to the Washington Mystics/Seattle Storm game to discuss the partnership and share success stories.

Last year, PGA and LPGA Professionals gave 2,700 free golf lessons at 11 WNBA games, including the first regular-season outdoor game in professional basketball history (July 19, 2008) at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. More than 19,000 fans attended that event and Metropolitan PGA Section female PGA Professionals gave free lessons for two hours.

In 2008, there were 5.8 million women golfers in the United States, a seven percent increase since 2000, including 600,000 junior girls (ages 6-17) (source: National Golf Foundation). The WNBA Game Day Experiences are just one of many women’s golf initiatives announced by The PGA of America to help grow this influential segment of golfers and bring more women to the game.

2009 Game Day Experience Dates and Hosting PGA Section:

Date Host PGA Section WNBA Game
Aug. 7 Minnesota Connecticut at Minnesota
Aug. 15 Indiana Detroit at Indiana
Aug. 20 Georgia San Antonio at Atlanta
Aug. 23 Michigan San Antonio at Detroit
Aug. 27 Southern California Phoenix at Los Angeles
Aug. 29 Southwest Connecticut at Phoenix
Sept. 3 Middle Atlantic Seattle at Washington D.C.
Sept. 10 Northern California San Antonio at Sacramento

In Play! Maagzine

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

SHOCK RE-SIGN FARRIS

SHOCK RE-SIGN FARRIS by Steve St-Pierre

The Shock continue to ride the seesaw as they go back-and-forth with their
final roster spot. A week after signing guard Anna DeForge, the team has
opted to let her go and bring back reserve center Barbara Farris.

In eight games this season, Farris is averaging 1.5 points and 1.8
rebounds in 11 minutes per game. She started Detroit's first three games
in place of Cheryl Ford (injured) and Kara Braxton (suspended.)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Shock Re-Sign DeForge

The Shock announced that they have re-signed guard Anna DeForge.
Originally signed July 10, she was waived July 23 to avoid full-season
liability on her contract.

DeForge has started all four of her games for the Shock this season,
averaging 2 points and 1.8 assists in 21.3 minutes per game. Helping out
at point guard, DeForge allows small forward Katie Smith to focus more on
scoring.

Smith, DeForge and the rest of the Shock are set to return to Detroit
following a stay at the White House. Their next game is Friday at The
Palace against the Minnesota Lynx.

In Play! magazine - Shock blog

Monday, July 27, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT HONORING THE 2008 WNBA CHAMPIONS THE DETROIT SHOCK

Photo by Brian St. Pierre/In Play! magazine

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HONORING THE 2008 WNBA CHAMPIONS THE DETROIT SHOCK

Office of the Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
South Portico
2:50 P.M. EDT


THE PRESIDENT: Hey, guys. Hello, hello, hello. (Applause.) Please, everybody, be seated. Be seated. Well, welcome to the White House, everybody. And we are so pleased to have the Detroit Shock here. We want to congratulate them and all your fans for your third WNBA Championship in six years. Give them a big round of applause. (Applause.)

We've got some special fans from Capitol Hill here who take great pride in Detroit -- Senator Carl Levin is in the house. (Applause.) Representative Sandy Levin is in the house. (Applause.) And Representative Carolyn Kilpatrick is in the house. (Applause.)

I want to thank Donna Orender, the president of the WNBA, who's here today. Donna is right back -- there she is, right there. (Applause.) Congratulations on the success of this league and the inspiration it provides to young women everywhere.

I also want to thank the owner of the Detroit Shock and the Detroit Pistons, Karen Davidson, for coming. Your husband -- go ahead, give her a round of applause. (Applause.) Your husband Bill had a great impact not just in the NBA and the WNBA, but also on countless individuals who benefit from his giving spirit.

Now, I have to say, everybody knows I'm a Chicago Bulls fan. (Laughter.) And a few years ago, when the Bulls and the Pistons were thick in the middle of their rivalry, I never imagined that I'd be saying: Congratulations, Bill Laimbeer. (Laughter.) Or, congratulations, Rick Mahorn. (Laughter.) If I knew I was President then, to think that I'd be inviting them to the White House is hard to take. (Laughter.) But let's face it, these guys are winners. They always have been. They know how to win. And I want to congratulate the Finals MVP Katie Smith -- (applause) -- team captain Cheryl Ford -- (applause) -- and all the other women that make this such an outstanding team.

I also want to salute this organization and this team for donating so much time and energy to lifting up the Detroit community. They've given free tickets to underprivileged youth, mentored abused women and children, donated backpacks filled with school supplies to foster kids, restored a rundown library into a safe, clean place for kids to play and to grow.

And I want to thank them for participating in our United We Serve summer of service. Earlier today, these players took time to host a WNBA Fit Clinic for young boys and girls at a local Boys and Girls Club, to teach fitness and nutrition and self-confidence -- and I understand they brought some of the young participants along with them to the White House. I suspect it must be these young people here today. (Applause.)

Let me also say something as a father -- I was mentioning it to the team before we came out. It's hard to believe the WNBA has already been around for 12 years. And that means that my daughters have never known a time when women couldn't play professional sports.

They look at the TV and they see me watching SportsCenter and they see young women who look like them on the screen. And that lets them and all our young women, as well as young men know that we should take for granted that women are going to thrive and excel as athletes. And it makes my daughters look at themselves differently; to see that they can be champions, too.
So, as a father, I want to say thank you. (Applause.) And thank you to all the WNBA athletes who work hard each day to set a positive example to which all our daughters can aspire.

Congratulations again on your championship season. Good luck this year. And, Coach, congratulations. (Applause.)

All right, thank you.

READ MORE ON THE DETROIT SHOCK IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF IN PLAY! MAGAZINE

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Pistons Hire Brian Hill As Lead Assistant

The Pistons have hired ex-Orlando Magic and Vancouver Grizzlies head coach Brian Hill as their lead assistant under head coach John Kuester. Hill, who has over 30 years experience coaching in basketball, joins fellow assistant coaches Darrell Walker and Pat Sullivan.

Dave Cowens, an assistant with the Pistons the last three seasons, has accepted a different position with the team as a special assistant to Joe Dumars, Pistons President. The other asst. coach from last season, Harold Ellis, is not expected to be back.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Friday, July 24, 2009

SHOCK WAIVE DEFORGE

The Shock have waived guard Anna DeForge, who had recently signed with Detroit. She has played in the team's last five games, starting all of them but averaging only 1.6 points and 1.8 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.

The team is in dire need of a point guard, particularly with shooting guard Deanna Nolan struggling with shoulder and knee injuries. The WNBA is currently on break for the 2009 All-Star Weekend, so Shock players have over a week to rest. However, once they return to the court, they'll have to solve their dilemma at the point if they plan on turning their tough season around.

In Play! magazine

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

PISTONS SIGN FREE AGENT FORWARD CHRIS WILCOX

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent forward Chris Wilcox to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

“We are excited to add a young, athletic big man in Chris Wilcox,” said Dumars. “Chris provides our team with some added depth in the front court and we look forward to watching his continued development while here with the Pistons.”

Wilcox, 26, has appeared in 448 career NBA games (2 11 starts) averaging 9.3 points (52.7% from the field), 5.3 rebounds and 21.7 minutes per game. Since joining the league as the eighth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, he has played for three franchises including Los Angeles, Seattle/Oklahoma City and New York. In 62 games with Oklahoma City and New York last season, Wilcox averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and shot 49.7% from the field in 16.9 minutes per game.

His best two seasons came in 2006-07 and 2007-08 with Seattle where he averaged 13.5 points and 13.4 points, respectively. Wilcox started 81 of 82 games during the 2006-07 season where he averaged career-highs in points (13.5) and rebounds (7.7) and ranked 16th among NBA league leaders in field goal percentage (.529).

He earned NBA Western Conference Player of the Week honors during the 2005-06 season by tallying averages of 23.0 points (.750 FG) and 15.3 rebounds during a 3-0 week for the Sonics (4/3-9). Wilcox scored 26 points and grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds vs. Houston that week, becoming the first player since Shawn Kemp to record a 20-point/20-rebound game for Seattle. The Raleigh, North Carolina native played two seasons collegiately at Maryland, helping the Terrapins win the NCAA Championship in 2002.

In Play! magazine

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO HONOR 2008 WNBA CHAMPION DETROIT SHOCK AT WHITE HOUSE

Photo by Brian St-Pierre

--WNBA and Detroit Shock Join President in Call to Service as
Part of the United We Serve Initiative--

NEW YORK, July 22, 2009 – President Barack Obama will honor the 2008 WNBA Champion Detroit Shock for their accomplishments both on and off the court at a ceremony on South Portico of the White House on Monday, July 27, 2009. The ceremony will include a gift presentation from the Shock to the president.

Prior to the ceremony, the WNBA and the Shock will join forces with United We Serve – a national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving in their communities this summer – to host a special WNBA FIT Clinic at the Richard England Boys & Girls Club in Washington, D.C..

The entire team, along with WNBA Legend, Community Ambassador and fitness expert, Jennifer Azzi, will promote fitness, nutrition, and self-confidence to 80 boys and girls at the club through interactive stations and positive messaging. WNBA FIT is part of the league’s social responsibility initiative, WNBA Cares, which supports educational programming, promotes hands-on community service and inspires young people and women of all ages to learn about the importance of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Monday, July 20, 2009

DETROIT SHOCK GUARD KATIE SMITH NAMED TO 2009 WNBA ALL-STAR TEAM

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The WNBA announced today that Detroit Shock guard and 2008 WNBA Finals MVP Katie Smith has been named a 2009 WNBA All-Star Eastern Conference reserve. The All-Star reserves were selected by coaches in their respective conferences. Coaches could not vote for players on their own team The All-Star Game, the ninth in league history, will be held on Saturday, July 25 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. and will be televised nationally on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Smith, who is in her 11th WNBA season, earns her seventh All-Star appearance, second as a member of the Shock, and is the sole representative of the defending champion Shock this year.

Through 13 games this season, Smith is averaging 14.7 points and 2.9 assists.

In her first All-Star appearance as a member of the Shock in 2006, Smith scored 14 points to help the East defeat the West for the first time in league history, 98-82. That made Smith, previously an All-Star for Minnesota (2000-2003, 2005) in the West, the first WNBA player to win the All-Star game as a member of both conferences.

In Play! magazine

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Pistons Agree To Terms With Wilcox

According to reports, the Pistons have agreed to terms with free agent forward/center Chris Wilcox. He will sign a two-year contract worth $6 million in the next few days and will likely challenge Kwame Brown for the starting center spot.

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Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Friday, July 17, 2009

Herrmann Officially Leaves Pistons

Free agent forward Walter Herrmann is officially an ex-Piston after leaving the NBA, signing a two-year contract to play in Europe. With Detroit recently drafting three backup forwards, it was unlikely Herrmann would have received any playing time with the team.

_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

STARTING LINEUPS ANNOUNCED FOR 2009 WNBA ALL-STAR GAME

Photo by Brian St-Pierre - In Play! magazine

Tamika Catchings Ranks as Top Vote-Getter in WNBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile USA, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird Follow Closely Behind.

NEW YORK, NY, July 14, 2009 – The starting lineups for the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game as selected by the fans have been announced today. Indiana Fever forward and six-time All-Star Tamika Catchings led all players with 94,316 votes following the final returns of 2009 WNBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile. Catchings received the most votes for the second time, having also earned the honor in 2006.

San Antonio Silver Stars guard Becky Hammon (88,991), Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson (88,685) and Storm guard Sue Bird (88,591) followed closely behind Catchings’ as leading vote-getters and topped all players in the Western Conference.

Through the 2009 WNBA All-Star Balloting Program presented by T-Mobile, fans were responsible for voting in the starters for the WNBA All-Star Game, which will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, July 25. The game will be nationally televised on ABC beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. It will mark the second time that the midseason classic is played at Mohegan Sun Arena, which also hosted the WNBA All-Star festivities in 2005.

Joining Catchings in the Eastern Conference starting lineup are Chicago Sky forward Candice Dupree, Sky center Sylvia Fowles, Washington Mystics guard Alana Beard and Fever guard Katie Douglas. It marks the first time that Douglas, Dupree, Fowles and Beard have been voted as starters by the fans. Douglas, a three-time All-Star and the 2006 All-Star MVP, and Beard, a four-time All-Star, were both inserted into the starting lineup in 2006 due to injuries. Fowles is a first-time All-Star while Dupree makes her third appearance.

Familiar names in WNBA All-Star history make up the Western Conference starting lineup as Hammon, Jackson and Bird are joined by Storm forward Swin Cash and Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie. Leslie, a three time All-Star MVP, now leads all players in WNBA history with eight All-Star appearances. Hammon makes her fifth appearance in the midseason classic while Jackson is a seven-time All-Star, Bird makes her sixth appearance and Cash is named for the third time. Cash also becomes just the third player in WNBA history to start for both the East and West squads (Dawn Staley, Hammon).

Following are the starting lineups for the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game:

Eastern Conference Starters:
Katie Douglas, Guard (Indiana Fever)
Alana Beard, Guard (Washington Mystics)
Sylvia Fowles, Center (Chicago Sky)
Candice Dupree, Forward (Chicago Sky)
Tamika Catchings, Forward (Indiana Fever)

Western Conference Starters:
Sue Bird, Guard (Seattle Storm)
Becky Hammon, Guard (San Antonio Silver Stars)
Lisa Leslie, Center (Los Angeles Sparks)
Swin Cash, Forward (Seattle Storm)
Lauren Jackson, Forward (Seattle Storm)

The 13 WNBA head coaches will select the reserves by voting for six players within their conference, including two guards, two forwards, one center and one player regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their team.
As previously announced, San Antonio Head Coach Dan Hughes will coach the West by virtue of winning the 2008 Western Conference title. The East will be led by Indiana Head Coach Lin Dunn, who was named the coach after the Fever clinched the best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference for games through July 15. This method was used because Bill Laimbeer, head coach of the 2008 Eastern Conference champion Detroit Shock, stepped down from his post in early June.

In Play! magazine

WNBA All-Star Game Starters to be Unveiled Tuesday Night on ESPN2

The starters for the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game as selected by the fans will be announced live on ESPN2 during Tuesday's telecast of the Los Angeles Sparks and Connecticut Sun game. As ofballoting first returns, Diana Taurasi was the leading vote-getter overall while Tamika Catchings was tops among Eastern Conference players. All-Star reserves will be announced July 20 while the All-Star game will take place on July 25 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

On July 24, fans can take in All-Star open practice for both the East and West teams. The East All-Stars will practice from 3-3:45 p.m. ET while the West will hit the court from 4:15-5 p.m. ET. Fans are invited to the practices at Mohegan Sun Arena free of charge. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. ET. More
Sparks and Sun Square Off on WNBA Tuesdays
The Los Angeles Sparks will continue their seven-game road odyssey Tuesday night against the Connecticut Sun. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN2. Though the Sun is 8-10 all-time against their foes from Southern California, they are 5-3 against the Sparks at Mohegan Sun Arena, the site of the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game.

Sun forward Tamika Whitmore will not play in the game because she is undergoing arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to remove bone spurs in her knee. Whitmore missed Saturday's game against the Detroit Shock to break her streak of 204 consecutive games played. Hers was the eighth longest games-played streak in WNBA history and was the longest active streak in the league. The record for consecutive games played belongs to Dawn Staley, who appeared in 263 consecutive contests from June 10, 1999-August 12, 2006. On the flip side of the injury report, Sun forward Amber Holt will be on the bench in uniform after missing 11 games with a broken hand.

Keeping It Close
Fans watching three of the WNBA games Saturday night were treated to nail biters. Following two blowouts Friday night, three of Saturday's four games were each decided by two points. At Madison Square Garden, Cathrine Kraayeveld hit two free throws with 11.5 seconds left and Shalee Lehning missed a jumper with four seconds remaining to seal the win for New York. Meanwhile,Katie Smith drained a pull-up jumper with 6.3 seconds remaining to give Detroit a two-point lead over Connecticut. The Sun had two chances to tie the game again but both Tan White and Lindsay Whalen missed their shots as Detroit topped the Sun on the road. In one of the more thrilling games of the year, Temeka Johnson took a pass from Cappie Pondexter and nailed a buzzer beater to lift the Mercury over the Monarchs, 107-105, in Sacramento.

Old Friends
To say Becky Hammon and Vickie Johnson have had time to get to know each other during their WNBA careers would be an understatement. The Silver Stars' starting backcourt tied the WNBA record for teammates who have played the most games together on Sunday. The game marked the duo's 271st game together, which tied Lisa Leslie and Mwadi Mabika, whose streak ran from June 21, 1997 to August 31, 2006. Hammon and Johnson played their first game together as members of the New York Liberty on June 10, 1999. To put their accomplishment into perspective, the most possible games two players could have played together was 390, if they played in each of their team's games over the WNBA's 13 years. In their time together, they have been to the playoffs eight times and the WNBA Finals four times in nine seasons prior to 2009. The only year they did not play together when both were in the league was 2006. Hammon and Johnson have a chance to set the WNBA record on Wednesday at Washington.

Can't Shake This Fever
With their win over the Chicago Sky on Friday, the Indiana Fever extended their league-best win streak to nine games. After losing their first two games this season to teams who failed to make the 2008 WNBA Playoffs, the Fever have notched seven wins over playoff teams from a year ago, including two wins over the defending champion Detroit Shock. The team's next game, Wednesday at 1 p.m., will conclude a home-and-home series with the Sky. Should they win that game, the 10-game win streak would be tied for the seventh longest in WNBA history and the team would become just the fourth franchise in league history to record a win streak of at least 10 games. A Fever win would also boost the team's all-time record to a 156-156, marking the first time Indiana owned a .500 winning percentage since the team was 2-2 in 2000, their inaugural season. For some perspective, only five franchises entered 2009 with all-time records above .500.

Around the WNBA
Alana Beard of the Washington Mystics and Cappie Pondexter of the Phoenix Mercury were named WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively. Both players have won the award previously this season. For Pondexter, the award is her second in consecutive weeks.

ESPN's SportsCenter promo featuring Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker premiered Monday.

Against the Chicago Sky, the Indiana Fever set a franchise record for points in a quarter with 33.
Lindsay Whalen of the Connecticut Sun reached 2,000 career points in the Sun's loss to Detroit on Saturday. She became the third member of the 2004 WNBA Draft class to reach the 2,000-point plateau (Diana Taurasi and Alana Beard).

The Chicago Sky beat the Seattle Storm on July 12 to snap Seattle's franchise-record 15-game regular season home winning streak. Prior to Sunday, the most recent Storm regular season home loss was June 16, 2008 against Connecticut. Chicago's win improved the team's record to 7-3 this season when Sylvia Fowles is in the lineup.

Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi became the all-time franchise leader in career blocks after denying Sky guard Jia Perkins with 2:40 left in the first quarter of Wednesday's game.

Charde Houston scored a career-high 26 points against the San Antonio Silver Stars, which is the most points by an opposing player allowed by the Silver Stars this season.

Sophia Young collected six offense rebounds, the most by an opposing player allowed by Lynx this season, on July 12.

Rookies Kristi Toliver and Courtney Paris each recorded career highs with 22 and 16 points, respectively, over the weekend.

Today's Quotes
KARA LAWSON on Alex Chambers' 13 Teams, 1 Journey trip around the WNBA:
"I think it's great and I think it's really cool that he's a guy, too – a guy that's passionate about women's basketball. He's super knowledgeable about the teams and about the players. He did his homework. The questions he asked me weren't just run of the mill questions."
Sacramento Bee, July 11, 2009
LIN DUNN on being named head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Stars:
"It is a great honor to be named coach of the East All-Star Team. I am really happy for the Fever to be represented. It really is a reflection of what the team has accomplished so far."
Indianapolis Star, July 10, 2009

TEMEKA JOHNSON on her game-winning buzzer beater against the Sacramento Monarchs:
"It wasn't designed for me, but I was left open and I was able to knock it down. [Ticha Penicheiro] ran out on me and I took the extra dribble and went to the basket. I knew there was still time to make a shot."
Associated Press, July 11, 2009