JONAS JEREBKO NAMED TO NBA’S ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

In Play Magazine

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The National Basketball Association announced today that forward Jonas Jerebko was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team. He is the first Pistons’ rookie since Rodney Stuckey to be tabbed as a second team selection (2008) and the 16th player in franchise history to receive all-rookie team honors.

The T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team also includes New Orleans’ Marcus Thornton, San Antonio’s DeJuan Blair, Oklahoma City’s James Harden and Minnesota’s Jonny Flynn.

“We are pleased that Jonas Jerebko has been recognized as a member of the NBA’s All-Rookie Team,” said Joe Dumars, President of Basketball Operations for the Pistons. “Jonas did some great things for our team both on and off the court this season and he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Photo by Brian St-Pierre/In Play! Magazine

Jerebko appeared in 80 games (73 starts) averaging 9.3 points (.481 FG, .313 3FG), 6.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.99 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. Among NBA rookie leaders he ranked third in rebounds (6.0 rpg), fourth in blocks (0.36 bpg), fifth in minutes (27.9 mpg), eighth in steals (0.99 spg) 10th in scoring (9.3 ppg) and T18th in assists (0.7 apg). Jerebko’s 73 games as a starter ranked second in franchise history behind Kelly Tripucka and he became the fifth rookie in franchise history to win the Rookie of the Month award (Isiah Thomas, Kelly Tripucka, Grant Hill, Zeljko Rebraca). The 6-foot-10 product from Sweden was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February averaging 10.2 points (.564 FG), 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 13 games.

The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

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Pistons Already Active This Off-Season

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

As they begin a crucial off-season, the Pistons already appear to be making some changes.

According to reports, Tony Ronzone, Pistons Director of Basketball Operations, will be hired next month as Assistant GM for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In other Pistons news, it was announced on the team's official website that Detroit has relinquished the rights to 2008 second-round draft pick Trent Plaisted. The No. 46 pick that year, Plaisted spent last season playing in Croatia and hopes to catch on with another team's Summer League roster this July.

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BEN GORDON UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL PROCEDURE

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today that guard Ben Gordon underwent a successful surgical procedure performed by Dr. Art Manoli to remove bone spurs and loose bodies from his left ankle. The procedure was performed at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, MI.

Gordon’s left ankle will be placed in a cast for three weeks and rehabilitation will begin immediately following removal of the cast. He is expected to make a full recovery prior to the start of training camp in October.

The 6-foot-3 guard appeared in 62 games (17 starts) for the Pistons last season averaging 13.8 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game.

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Pistons Lose Tiebreaker With Sixers

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

The Pistons lost their tiebreaker drawing with the Philadelphia 76ers Friday afternoon. As a result, the Sixers will have the sixth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, with the Pistons selecting after them with the No. 7 pick, should neither team win one of the top three choices during the NBA Draft Lottery, held May 18. For the second round, the Pistons will have the 36th pick, with Philly going next at 37.

As previously stated, both Detroit and Philadelphia will have a 5.3 percent chance at winning the No. 1 pick, a 6.0 percent chance at No. 2 and a 7.0 percent chance at No. 3.

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Pistons Tie For Sixth-Worst Record

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

The Pistons finished the 2009-10 NBA season with a record of 27-55, tied for sixth-worst in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. As a result, the league will conduct a drawing tomorrow to determine which team would pick first in the 2010 NBA Draft should neither win a top-three pick in the May 18 NBA Draft Lottery.

Both Detroit and Philadelphia will have a 5.3 percent chance at winning the No. 1 pick, a 6.0 percent chance at No. 2 and a 7.0 percent chance at No. 3.

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PISTONS LOWER SEASON TICKET PRICES FOR 2010-11 SEASON

by Steve St-Pierre
Pistons Sports Writer
Email
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Team to Offer Lowest-Price Guarantee to Season Ticket Holders

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today that season ticket prices for the 2010-11 NBA season have been reduced between 10 and 50 percent in all price categories. Also, for the first time ever, the team will offer a lowest-price guarantee to its season ticket holders.

“As an organization, we understand how fortunate we are to have such a loyal season ticket holder base,” said Alan Ostfield, President and CEO of Palace Sports and Entertainment and the Pistons. “The economic situation here in Michigan continues to be a difficult one and we want to continue doing our part to respond to the stresses that have been placed on everyone in this region.”

The across-the-board price reductions for Pistons’ tickets are the largest rollbacks in team history, in response to the economic climate in the area. Additionally, the Pistons’ lowest-price guarantee insures season ticket holders that the team will not sell individual game tickets at a lower price.

For the 2010-11 season, the Pistons will increase the number of 100-Level season tickets available for less than $1,000. This popular season ticket offering sold out this past season.

“The Pistons’ experience will be enhanced for the season ticket holder next year by adding many new benefits,” said Shawn Kuzmin, Pistons’ Senior Vice President of Sales and Service. “These include a Loyalty benefits program, as well as a season ticket holder exchange program for unused tickets and access to ticket upgrades at all Pistons’ home games. The new Loyalty benefits program will reward ticket holders on their tenure with the Pistons by offering Palace cards, suites and concert tickets.”

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Pistons Keep Winning

It might be coming at the worst time, but the Pistons are on their first three-game winning streak in quite some time. Though it's decreasing their chances of winning the NBA Lottery next month, the team is coming on strong to close the season.

Detroit is still shorthanded. The team continues to play without shooting guard Rip Hamilton, and though forward Jason Maxiell returned to action last night, the Pistons were without point guard Rodney Stuckey, who sat out with sore ribs.

The one good thing about this run is that the Pistons are finally getting stellar play out of their big free-agent pickups from last summer, guard Ben Gordon and forward Charlie Villanueva. Their development in Detroit is going to be crucial to any future success of the franchise.

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

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Shorthanded Pistons Win Second Straight

Despite returning home on a back-to-back and playing without several key players, the Pistons managed to beat the playoff-bound Atlanta Hawks to win their second straight game.

Playing without guard Rip Hamilton (ankle), forward Jason Maxiell (back strain), forward Chris Wilcox (hamstring) and forward Tayshaun Prince (personal reasons), the Pistons lost guard Rodney Stuckey to an injured rib just eight minutes into the game. Most of Detroit's other players, most notably center Ben Wallace, is playing hurt, and they've recently dealt with off-the-court issues from forwards Charlie Villanueva and Austin Daye.

Yet, the Pistons have found a way to pick up a couple wins in an attempt to end a sour season on a much brighter note. Even Villanueva and Daye, to their credit, have managed to move past their recent troubles to perform at a surprisingly high level.

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

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Pistons Tweet About Mysterious Practice

Pistons forwards Charlie Villanueva and Austin Daye have posted messages via their Twitter accounts regarding an unspecified incident that took place during the team's practice yesterday.

Both players expressed extreme frustration, citing yesterday's practice as well as the disappointing season in general. It remains to be seen whether or not details will surface or if any disciplinary action will take place as a result.

On the bright side, injured guard Rip Hamilton practiced yesterday and will be a game-time decision tonight for Detroit's road game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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

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Pistons Gain Wallace, Lose Maxiell

It just keeps happening. The Pistons continue to lose players due to injury. This time it's Jason Maxiell, who had been starting in place of Ben Wallace at center.

During last night's loss to the Miami Heat, the Pistons surprisingly activated Wallace to come off the bench. Ironically, Maxiell hurt his back just minutes into the game and did not return. X-rays were negative, and he remains day-to-day heading into tomorrow's game at The Palace against the Phoenix Suns.

To make matters worse, starting shooting guard Rip Hamilton (ankle) is also day-to-day, and reserve forward Charlie Villanueva did not play due to coach's decision. The struggling Villanueva sat out the entire game despite Detroit's extremely thin frontcourt: no Maxiell, no Chris Wilcox and a still-recovering Wallace.

This season just can't end soon enough for the Pistons, who have now lost nine straight.

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

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