Thursday, December 13, 2012

DETROIT PISTONS ANNOUNCE FAN CONTEST TO JOIN THE TEAM IN LONDON

DETROIT PISTONS ANNOUNCE FAN CONTEST TO JOIN THE TEAM IN LONDON, ENGLAND AS PART OF NBA LONDON LIVE 2013

Pistons Host The New York Knicks At The O2 Arena In London, England On January 17
 
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today a special contest where one lucky winner and a guest will have the opportunity to travel with the team and watch the Pistons take on the New York Knicks in London, England as part of NBA London Live 2013 on January 17.

By joining the Hardwood Club, the Pistons fan affinity club tailored for men, or Pistons Playmakers, the fan affinity club tailored for women, fans will be automatically entered into a contest to win tickets and a travel package to see Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight, Andre Drummond and the rest of the Pistons battle Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks in London.

The winner of this exciting contest will receive:
· Round-trip airfare to London, England for the winner and one guest
· Hotel accommodations
· Two tickets to see the Pistons play the Knicks at The O2 Arena
· A London public transportation card to see the sights during a three-day stay
· Pistons merchandise and a meet & greet with Pistons Entertainment Teams in London

Fans signing up for this special contest from now until January 1, 2013 can visit www.pistons.com/london  to fill out an exclusive entry form. A background check and valid passport proof will be required for the winner and guest, and in addition, the winner and guest must be 18 years or older.



Thursday, October 4, 2012

NBA RETURNS TO LONDON WITH REGULAR-SEASON GAME FEATURING DETROIT PISTONS AND NEW YORK KNICKS

-- NBA London Live 2013 Marks the Third NBA Regular-Season Game in Europe Played at The O2 in London --

NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 4, 2012 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) will return to London with its third regular-season game in Europe featuring the three-time NBA champion Detroit Pistons and the two-time champion New York Knicks, the league announced today.

NBA London Live 2013 will take place on Jan. 17, 2013 at The O2 which will host its seventh NBA game, including four preseason games, since 2007. Tickets will go on sale on Oct. 30 at www.theo2.co.uk.

The game follows the league’s first-ever regular-season games in Europe held in March 2011, which included a pair of sold-out contests between the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets also played at The O2. Following NBA London Live 2013, the NBA will have played a total of 115 games internationally since 1988, including 16 regular-season games in Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

“London was the epicenter of global sports this summer, and the Olympics were a tremendous showcase for basketball,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Playing our third regular-season game in the city in three years and having historic franchises like the Knicks and Pistons serve as our ambassadors provide extraordinary opportunities to further the game's growth and development in the UK and throughout Europe.”

“The Pistons are excited to participate in the NBA London Live 2013,” said Dennis Mannion, President and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons. “Playing a regular-season game in London against the New York Knicks will provide a great experience for our players and we look forward to showcasing our brand of Hard, Smart and Together Detroit Basketball to fans on a global scale.”

“I am excited to show our great fans in London what New York basketball is about,” said New York Knicks Head Coach Mike Woodson. “For Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler to return to the city where they helped Team USA win the Gold makes it even more special for our team.”

NBA London Live 2013 marks a continuation of the strong relationship between the NBA and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), owners of The O2. The 2012 NBA preseason includes two games at AEG venues in Istanbul (Ülker Sports Arena – Oct. 5) and Berlin (O2 World – Oct. 6) as part of NBA Europe Live presented by BBVA™.

“We are thrilled to host NBA London Live 2013 at The O2 in London as part of our ongoing partnership with the NBA globally,” said Jay Marciano, President and CEO of AEG Europe. “Following the two regular-season games in London in 2011, and hosting NBA Europe Live games at the O2 World in Berlin and at the Ulker Sports Arena in Istanbul, we look forward to more exciting regular-season NBA action at The O2, the world’s most popular venue.”

The Knicks are led by 2012 Olympic gold medalists Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler, six-time NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire, and veterans Marcus Camby and Jason Kidd who joined the team this summer. The Detroit Pistons feature a young and exciting roster highlighted by center Greg Monroe, NBA All-Rookie first team selection Brandon Knight, NBA All-Rookie second team selection Rodney Stuckey, and center Andre Drummond, the ninth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft presented by State Farm. The roster also includes 2004 NBA Champion Tayshaun Prince, and veterans Corey Maggette and Jason Maxiell.

The Knicks’ most recent international trip was in 2010 when they played in preseason games in Milan, Italy and Paris, France as part of NBA Europe Live 2010. For the Detroit Pistons, NBA London Live 2013 will be their first-ever game in Europe.

The NBA became the first American professional sports league to stage regular-season games outside of North America when the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz opened the 1990-91 season with two games in Tokyo. Following NBA London Live 2013, 61 games featuring 26 NBA teams will have been played in 18 European cities since 1988.

NBA London Live 2013 also will mark the eighth NBA game held internationally this season, including the comprehensive slate of seven preseason games played as part of NBA Europe Live presented by BBVA™, NBA China Games, and NBA Mexico Game presented by BBVA Bancomer.

The 2012-13 NBA preseason will tip off in Europe where the Boston Celtics will play a pair of games in Istanbul and Milan (Oct. 5 and 7), and the Dallas Mavericks will play games in Berlin and Barcelona (Oct. 6 and 9) as part of NBA Europe Live presented by BBVA. NBA China Games 2012 will feature two games between the reigning NBA Champion Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers in Beijing (Oct. 11) and Shanghai (Oct. 14), while NBA Mexico Game 2012 will feature the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets in Mexico City (Oct. 7).

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

STATEMENT FROM THE DETROIT PISTONS ON PASSING OF DAN ROUNDFIELD

Email In Play Magazine

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The following statement was released this afternoon by Detroit Pistons following news of the passing of former Pistons’ player Dan Roundfield. Roundfield played one season for the team averaging 10.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in 56 games during the 1984-85 season.

“The Detroit Pistons family is deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the passing of Dan Roundfield and we offer our condolences to his family. Dan will be remembered as a great teammate and professional both on and off the court.”

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Pistons Revamping Frontcourt


Pistons Revamping Frontcourt
By Steve St-Pierre | @Steve_Courtside

In just one week, the Pistons have seemingly done more work to their roster than they have in the past three years. Between making shrewd draft choices, trades and additions in free agency, Detroit has begun giving its frontcourt a major face-lift.

Two days before the 2012 NBA Draft, the Pistons acquired swingman Corey Maggette from the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for veteran guard Ben Gordon and a first-round draft pick. Then, for the third straight season, a player projected to be a top-five draft pick fell to the Pistons as center Andre Drummond of Connecticut slid to No. 9. Detroit ended the evening by selecting Texas A&M small forward Khris Middleton and Missouri shooting guard Kim English in the second round at Nos. 39 and 44, respectively.

The Pistons have since also agreed to terms with 2011 second-round draft pick Kyle Singler, who spent last season playing in Spain, as well as free-agent Ukrainian center Vyacheslav Kravtsov. Both players are expected to officially sign contracts with the Pistons on July 11, when the NBA’s moratorium period ends and free agents can officially join teams.

With the additions of Drummond and Kravtsov, the Pistons now have two legitimate centers, which means veteran Greg Monroe will likely play more minutes at power forward. Jason Maxiell, who started at power forward last season, had an option to opt out of his contract but has elected to play out the final season of his deal with Detroit. It’s possible Maxiell could remain the starter, with Monroe shifting between power forward and center as Drummond and Kravtsov enter games from the bench.

Maggette, Singler and Middleton will join a crowded group at small forward that also includes starter Tayshaun Prince and reserves Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye, though Jerebko and Singler can both swing over to power forward at times as well. The Pistons also have power forward Charlie Villanueva still under contract, though it’s possible the team could decide to waive him via the amnesty clause, eliminating his salary from their cap while still paying him in full.

Currently, the Pistons have 15 players under contract when you include all five rookies: Drummond, Middleton, English, Singler and Kravtsov. Detroit also has three unrestricted free agents in Ben Wallace, Damien Wilkins and Vernon Macklin, who the team could have made a restricted free agent by making a qualifying offer but chose not to. Macklin will join the Pistons’ Summer League team in hopes of a roster spot opening or being signed by another team, while Wilkins will likely sign elsewhere. Wallace is expected to announce his retirement this summer.

Detroit’s backcourt appears set with Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey remaining in the starting lineup. Veteran Will Bynum will continue as Knight’s backup at point guard while Maggette, Daye, Middleton and English could all see minutes at shooting guard behind Stuckey.

In all likelihood, the Pistons will look to make at least one more roster move before the offseason ends. The team will likely look to trade Villanueva and Daye in order to free up a roster spot for either Macklin and/or a veteran guard to spell Knight or Stuckey in the backcourt.

At least the Pistons’ main goals this offseason have already been achieved. They have acquired a couple of young, promising centers up front to team up with Monroe. They have created cap space by ridding themselves of the disappointing Gordon and replacing him with a better fit in Maggette, who is playing on an expiring contract. They also secured a deal with Singler, who had excelled in Spain and was said to be contemplating staying there.

They won’t quite be the cream of the crop in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, but the Pistons have revitalized their roster. They’re even younger now than they’ve been, but they’ll be that much more entertaining in watching grow and develop into a potential contender.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

DETROIT PISTONS SELECT ANDRE DRUMMOND WITH THE NINTH PICK IN THE 2012 NBA DRAFT

In Play Magazine

Khris Middleton Selected 39th and Kim English 44th

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ­– The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club has selected Andre Drummond with the with the ninth pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft held on Thursday, June 28. The club also selected Khris Middleton with the 39th pick and Kim English with the 44th pick in the second round.

“We are pleased to draft Andre Drummond with the number nine pick,” said Joe Dumars, Pistons President of Basketball Operations. “He’s a player with good size and physical tools and we look forward to seeing him grow within our organization. We’re real pleased to add Khris Middleton and Kim English in the second round. They’re two young players that will give us quality depth at the wing positions.”

Drummond, a 6-11, 279-pound center from the University of Connecticut, averaged 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 2.7 blocks as a freshman for the Huskies. In 34 games, he shot a team-high 53.8% from the field and ranked third in blocks (2.7) in the Big East Conference. Drummond recorded a season-high 24 points (11-12 FG), eight rebounds and five blocks vs. Holy Cross (12/18). Drummond also earned two Big East Big East Rookie of the Week honors last season by scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds vs. West Virginia (1/9) and 18 points (9-12 FG) with seven rebounds at Georgetown (2/1). A native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., he was rated the No.1 high school prospect by Scout.com, No.2 in the ESPNU Top-100 and led St. Thomas More (Conn.) to the 2011 Prep National Championship.

Middleton, a 6-7 junior from Texas A&M, averaged 13.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season. In 87 career games, he averaged 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 rebounds as a collegian. Middleton averaged 14.4 points and 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a sophomore and earned Second Team All-Big 12 and All-Districts selections.

English played four seasons at Missouri and averaged 14.1 points (.521 FG), 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a senior. He scored in double figures in 26-of-35 games last season including seven games with 20-plus points. English shot 39.4% from beyond the arc last season and shot better than 36.0% from three-point range in each of his four years. He earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors as a senior and was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2012 Big 12 Tournament.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

PISTONS ACQUIRE FORWARD COREY MAGGETTE FROM CHARLOTTE

In Play Magazine

...IN EXCHANGE FOR GUARD BEN GORDON AND A FUTURE FIRST-ROUND DRAFT CHOICE...


AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has acquired forward Corey Maggette from the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for guard Ben Gordon and a future first-round draft choice.

“We welcome Corey Maggette to our organization in a transaction that provides us with a veteran scorer and defender in addition to increased roster flexibility moving forward,” said Joe Dumars, President of Basketball Operations. “We thank Ben Gordon for his commitment to our organization over the last three years and wish him the best in the future.”

Maggette, a 6-6, 225-pound forward, averaged 15.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 32 games with the Charlotte Bobcats last season. In 809 career games, the 13-year NBA veteran has averaged 16.2 points (.454 FG, .325 3FG, .823 FT), 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Maggette averaged a career-high 22.2 points in 2004-05 as a member of the L.A. Clippers and has averaged 20-plus points three times and 15-plus points nine times during his career. Drafted 13th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics, his draft rights were then traded to Orlando where he played one year before being traded to the Clippers where he played eight seasons (2000-08). Maggette also played two seasons with the Golden State Warriors (2008-10) and one with the Milwaukee Bucks (2010-11).

Gordon, 29, averaged 12.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 26.9 minutes in 52 games last season (21 starts). He scored a season-high 45 points at Denver (3/21), tying his own NBA record with nine consecutive three-point field goals made without a miss. He also made a franchise-record seven three-pointers in the second quarter vs. Philadelphia (4/26) and tied the franchise record for three-pointers in a half (7). In three seasons with the Pistons, the former Connecticut product averaged 12.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 26.8 minutes in 196 games. After tallying 15-plus points per game during five seasons in Chicago, where he was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2004-05, Gordon’s best year with Detroit came during the 2009-10 campaign when he averaged 13.8 points and 2.7 assists in 62 games.

Monday, June 11, 2012

DETROIT PISTONS TO HOLD DRUMLINE AUDITIONS

In Play Magazine


AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons will be looking for energetic drummers with a rock ‘n’ roll style when auditions are held for their 2012-13 Drumline team on Sunday, June 24th at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Applicants will be judged on their rudimental technique, ability to learn quickly, personality, self confidence and other qualities that embody being a Drumline member.

All participants should wear comfortable clothing to allow free movement and are required to submit a headshot and resume at registration. The preliminary round will consist of performing a music piece followed by performing in subsections (snare, bass, tenor, cymbals) before the first cuts are made. Drummers will then learn a short piece and will be selected from the subsections for individual auditions. Registration is at 10:00 a.m. and auditions will begin at 11:00 a.m.

For more Drumline audition information, click on the ENTERTAINMENT link on http://www.pistons.com/.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Pistons Drafting No. 9, Targeting Big Man

Pistons Drafting No. 9, Targeting Big Man
By Steve St-Pierre | @Steve_Courtside

The 2012 NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, and the Pistons wound up staying where they were at and have the No. 9 pick in the first round of next month’s draft. Once again, they will be looking to acquire a big man.

This year’s draft class features a number of power forwards and centers, with Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, Kansas’ Thomas Robinson and Connecticut’s Andre Drummond expected to go well before Detroit’s on the clock. Instead, the Pistons will target several second-tier post players, including forwards John Henson of North Carolina, Perry Jones III of Baylor, Terrence Jones of Kentucky, Jared Sullinger of Ohio State and center Tyler Zeller of North Carolina.

The Pistons’ greatest need heading into the draft is a defensive-minded power forward to plug alongside center Greg Monroe. Jason Maxiell, a long-time Pistons reserve who wound up starting last season, has the option of opting out of the final year of his contract and becoming a free agent. While both sides are hoping for a return, the team knows it must find a legitimate long-term starter at power forward.

Henson would appear to be the best fit amongst the group of second-tier big men. Sullinger has a similar game to Maxiell but is better offensively. The Joneses are both arguably better suited for small forward, which Detroit has plenty of right now with starter Tayshaun Prince and reserves Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye. Zeller, if drafted by the Pistons, would likely back up Monroe at center, though they could play together at times with Monroe sliding to power forward.

With the draft being held June 28, the Pistons have less than a month to work out and interview prospects. Clearly, the organization wants to get back to tough, defensive-minded, blue-collar basketball that it played when the team was most successful. The Pistons want somebody who brings that style and will embrace playing in the Motor City.

“To me, it’s the foundations on the defensive end,” says Lawrence Frank, Pistons Head Coach. “That’s when – despite everything – we have to maintain focus to get that one stop.”

“(It’s) about doing the right thing,” adds Tom Gores, Pistons Owner. “We have to represent a quality product in Detroit. We have to represent what we stand for in Detroit.”

The Pistons are already well-prepared for this summer’s offseason and have been in constant communication as a franchise.

“I’m pleased with the communication,” Gores says. “I can call Joe (Dumars, Pistons President) anytime. Joe calls me anytime, so I’m pleased…

“…In Joe and Lawrence, they’re talking every day. Part of our culture is to make sure communication is open and that you’re always speaking because when you talk and you communicate, good things happen…I can call Joe anytime. I’ll call Lawrence anytime. We have open communication.”

A year ago, the Pistons – along with the rest of the NBA – had a lockout to deal with, which cancelled both summer league and a full training camp. Once the Pistons have completed the draft, they’ll be able to participate in summer league play and have an entire offseason to finalize next season’s roster. This will also give the coaching staff the ability to make some tweaks to the playbook and integrate the new players.

“When we start next year,” Frank says, “we’re gonna have a lot of different, special situations that have happened to us both good and bad to incorporate into everything we do.”

“Hopefully, everybody this summer will work on what we need to work on and get ready for next season,” adds Prince.

What the Pistons do during the 2012 NBA Draft will set the tone for what will undoubtedly be a crucial offseason for the team’s development and overall growth. At No. 9, the Pistons know they won’t be getting a star player. However, they’ll need to make sure they get a player who fits their needs and gets them closer to returning to the postseason.

“We’ve just got to come in, and next year we’ll have a full training camp,” says guard Rodney Stuckey. “That’s gonna help out a lot. We’ll see what changes and stuff happen.”

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Wallace Undecided On Retirement As Pistons Miss Postseason

Wallace Undecided On Retirement As Pistons Miss Postseason
By Steve St-Pierre | @Steve_Courtside

For a third straight season, the Pistons have missed the NBA Playoffs, finishing this year with a record of 25-41. Yet, the organization is filled with optimism that it’s finally headed in the right direction.

“After an extremely slow start at 4-20, to the group’s credit, they stayed together, kept on fighting for each other, and really the beginning of February…was the beginning of the turnaround,” says Lawrence Frank, Pistons Head Coach. “We had a bunch of non-competitive games. Then, we came back home and started to play at a higher level.”

“This is a great group of guys,” adds forward Tayshaun Prince. At the beginning of the season, we didn’t have the opportunity to get as much practice time as we would like, but things happen. We all wish we could change something that we did…I think we’ve learned from it, and hopefully we can move on to next season in the right frame of mind and get off to a better start than we did this season.”

Even the organization’s new head boss was pleased with what he saw in his first season at the helm.

“I’m proud of the fact they came back, and they did their thing,” says Tom Gores, Pistons Owner. “They worked hard. They did all the things that Detroit stands for…the culture was reset this year. I am very proud of the folks, and we made a lot of progress.”

The Pistons did a tremendous job of establishing a young nucleus of center Greg Monroe and guards Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey. They also got solid play from longtime veterans Prince, Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace, who has likely played his last game but has yet to officially call it quits.

“It’s one of those things, I’ll have to think about it a little bit,” Wallace says. “It’s tough to walk away from the game when you’ve got so many people in the game who keep asking you to come back. Do I think it’s time for me to retire? Yeah, but people are asking me to come back obviously because they see something in me that I really don’t see in myself right now. We all feel good to be wanted.”

“Look, we’ve talked about it throughout the year,” says Frank. “Ben Wallace – it’s been an honor just to watch him every single day. One of the great competitors who have played this game. From White Hall, Alabama, undrafted, initially diagnosed as a two-guard to then come down and be one of the great defensive players that have played the game, bring a championship to this city, and to be able to still play at a high level at his age and to impact the game every single time he steps on the court. To be the ultimate professional in terms of how he approaches his job.”

Wallace’s teammates insist there’s still a place for him on the Pistons’ roster.

“It’s just been a pleasure,” Prince says. “Hopefully, this is not the end of the road. But if it is the end of the road basketball-wise, it definitely won’t be end of the road as far as the friendship and the family experience. We’re all hoping he will return.”

“He’s a Hall-of-Famer,” adds Stuckey. “He comes in each and every day, acts professional. He’s a hard worker. The crazy thing is he still could play a couple more years if he wanted to…we always tell him that we want him here. Ben’s a phenomenal teammate. He does anything for anybody, so of course we’d love him back.”

Besides Wallace, the Pistons’ only other unrestricted free agent this summer is veteran reserve Damien Wilkins, who will also likely be invited back next season. Additionally, Maxiell has the option to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Vernon Macklin and Walker Russell, Jr. are restricted free agents.

The 2012 NBA Draft Lottery will be held May 30, when the Pistons will find out which pick they’ll have in next month’s draft. The team could also look to improve its roster in free agency this summer, where they’ll be armed with the mid-level exception as well as the ability to use the amnesty clause on either veterans Ben Gordon or Charlie Villanueva.

“Anything’s possible,” Gordon admits. “That’s always in the back of your mind, but until you’re told something or until you hear something, you just always assume you’re gonna be here.”

“I can’t worry about things I can’t control,” adds Villanueva. Whatever happens, happens. (I just have to) stay healthy. That’s one of my goals. Stay healthy and keep working. Keep staying in the routine that I’ve been staying on with Arnie (Kander, Pistons Strength and Conditioning Coach).”

“I’ve been here through the tough years, so hopefully I can be here when things turn around,” Gordon says. “That’s my commitment from when I signed my contract, and that’s where I stand on that.”

Many in the organization believe the majority of the team’s improvement will come from within.

“We’re open to everything, but I don’t want to discount or take away anything from how good our players were this year,” Gores says. “We started 4-20. We were a pretty good team. There (were) a few games we didn’t finish because we were just jelling and coming together, and we did have a short season to deal with. I’m not saying we shouldn’t look at the possibility of making changes, but I’m also saying that we have great players on this team.”

“We know we have a lot of work to do,” adds Frank. “Hopefully, it just gives us an opportunity to reflect in terms of getting off to a better start and building some momentum going into the offseason.”

Surely, the Pistons will be preparing for what should be a relatively active offseason, one way or another. But for now, they’re just focusing on the positives that came from this condensed campaign, including the overall atmosphere that ownership has created in Auburn Hills.

“We have made a lot of changes,” Gores says. “Hopefully, we’ve reenergized The Palace this year…part of our job is - even when we're having tough times - to make it right for the fans. You can't always guarantee wins, but you can guarantee the experience, the moment that you walk in the door, that it's a good experience for the fans.

“Hopefully, we’ve done that.”

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Dumars Must Step Up Rebuilding Process

Dumars Must Step Up Rebuilding Process
By Steve St-Pierre | @Steve_Courtside

Since beginning a rebuilding process over the last couple seasons, the Pistons have acquired several key components as their core. Once this season ends later this month, however, it will be on Joe Dumars, Pistons President, to finish the job he has started.

A year ago, Detroit had nothing to play for. The team was in the process of being sold, it had a coach who knew he would be fired and several players who didn’t care what happened to themselves or the organization.

Now, the Pistons know these last few weeks of games actually mean something. They have a foundation in place that includes a new owner, coach and group of players who are in it for the long run.

Some fans have suggested that the Pistons should purposely lose games down the stretch in order to give themselves a better shot at landing a top-three selection in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft. That’s not going to happen under Dumars’ watch – he wants the losing to stop immediately. He has a plan to fix this team, and he intends on doing it the right way and making sure this current group of players continues building a winning culture.

Dumars knows this draft will be as critical as it gets to finalizing a group that can maximize its potential and restore a championship atmosphere to The Palace of Auburn Hills. He’s been criticized in the past for what some have called lackluster draft picks. However, the Pistons’ current starting lineup consists of all players drafted by the organization – Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince and Jason Maxiell. It’s a lineup that has flaws, but it’s also a collection of players that Dumars hopes to build around.

Over the last two years, Monroe has established himself as the team’s best player and center of the future. Knight and Stuckey appear to be the guards the Pistons want to keep as the long-term starting backcourt. Prince and Maxiell are veteran forwards who have played their entire careers in Detroit and, though they may not necessarily be long-term starters, provide the team with value both on and off the floor.

Clearly, the next step in the rebuilding process is determining who else joins Monroe in the frontcourt for the long haul. Jonas Jerebko, another Pistons draft pick, gives the team versatility off the bench at both forward positions. Same can be said for Kyle Singler, who was drafted last summer but spent this season playing in Spain.

The hope this offseason is that Detroit can somehow acquire that young, athletic power forward to plug in alongside Monroe. Maxiell, despite starting this year, is better suited for a reserve role. Dumars will have a shot at a quality player to fill the starting spot in this year’s draft as well as in free agency or even on the trade market.

Even if the Pistons wind up with a top-three selection, they still need to overhaul the bench. Besides Jerebko, Detroit hasn’t had any consistency from its reserves. Veterans Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva were signed in the summer of 2009 for a combined $90 million, and neither of them have panned out. The Pistons have the option of waiving one of them at the end of the season via the amnesty clause, which allows the team to release a player and eliminate his contract from the salary books while the player still gets paid in full.

Furthermore, Dumars will have to decide on the fate of other bench players. Forward Austin Daye, the Pistons’ first-round pick of 2009, has fallen completely out of the rotation behind Prince, Jerebko and veteran Damien Wilkins. The same can be said for backup guard Will Bynum, who remains one of the league’s best backup point guards and deserves to be playing more. Daye and Bynum present two potential trade chips at the Pistons’ disposal.

The team also needs a backup to Monroe at the center spot. Veteran Ben Wallace is set to retire at season’s end, and the Pistons have nobody else at the position. No matter who they pick up in the draft, Detroit will need to acquire additional depth in the frontcourt, and the only way to do so could wind up being through trades. Depending on which pick it draws, the team could even dangle this year’s first-rounder and/or the rights to Singler.

Any way you look at it, the Pistons are looking to Dumars to finally build around the pieces he has put in place. It’s clear that not all the pieces fit together, but the organization has had time to determine which players are worth keeping. It’s on Dumars and his staff to figure out which ones don’t, find a way to move them and obtain value in return.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Pistons’ Backcourt Developing Cohesion

Pistons’ Backcourt Developing Cohesion
By Steve St-Pierre | @Steve_Courtside

Now passed the halfway mark of the 2011-12 NBA season, the Pistons’ chemistry is growing amongst their building blocks for the future, particularly the backcourt of veteran Rodney Stuckey and rookie Brandon Knight.

Until this season, Detroit had always hoped Stuckey would establish himself as the team’s starting point guard. He spent his rookie season learning under the guidance of former Pistons guard Chauncey Billups. Once Billups was traded, Stuckey was given the responsibility of running the team’s offense.

Whether he was playing alongside former teammate Rip Hamilton or current Piston Ben Gordon, Stuckey never appeared comfortable being a point guard. Last summer, the Pistons had been targeting a big man in the 2011 NBA Draft before Knight surprisingly slipped to them at No. 8. Detroit couldn’t pass on the opportunity to acquire a more-complete point guard that high in the draft.

Stuckey was a restricted free agent coming into this season, but the Pistons convinced him to return. At first, it appeared Lawrence Frank, Pistons Head Coach, was going to keep Stuckey at point guard and bring Knight off the bench. However, early-season injuries to both Stuckey and Gordon allowed Knight to solidify the starting point guard position.

For the last several weeks, Knight and Stuckey have been starting together in the backcourt, with Stuckey at shooting guard. Gordon has been coming off the bench in a reserve role, allowing the Pistons to utilize a three-guard rotation. This has allowed each guard to get comfortable in their spots, which in turn has allowed center Greg Monroe to emerge as one of the NBA’s top players at his position.

“When Brandon is playing north-to-south and attacking the rim, it is vital for us,” Frank says. “When he and Rodney are both doing that, it means Greg is going to get rebounds and he’s going to get some easy shots.”

“We’re a different team when (Stuckey’s) attacking – that’s point blank,” adds Monroe. “When he’s attacking the goal with that intensity and that consistently throughout the game, we’re a different team. That’s something we have to ask him to do every night and just impose his will over the whole game.”

Of course, having such a young and inexperienced backcourt has periodically led the Pistons to more turnovers and less assists. The team knows that its rookie point guard will struggle at times with ball-handling but anticipates improvement in that department.

“It’s one thing to get in the lane; it’s another to find solutions,” Frank says. “It will be an ongoing thing. Brandon is a very, very quick study.”

“There’s no excuse to just throw the ball away and be as careless as we are at times,” adds Gordon. “I don’t think it’s an offensive thing. I think it’s just a matter of us focusing and concentrating better.”

The Pistons anticipated growing pains with this type of roster, which is why they decided to re-sign veteran Tayshaun Prince. Detroit’s starting small forward, Prince has tried to help Knight and Stuckey with moving the ball on offense and showing them the ropes.

“It’s meant a lot just to know that (Prince has) been in a place where I’m trying to get as far as the type of player that he is,” Knight says. “He wants the best for the team. Just to have your veterans talk to you and try to lead you in the right direction shows that our team is trying to get better.”

Though they aren’t likely to make the playoffs this season, the Pistons are hoping to improve during the second half of the year and finish on a high note. More importantly, they need to assure themselves they have their backcourt of the future in place so that they can concentrate on adding another big man to place alongside Monroe this summer.

As of now, that plan appears to be coming to fruition.

Monday, February 13, 2012

PISTONS SEEKING NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGERS

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons are looking for talented, devoted, and open-minded performers who would feel comfortable singing the Star Spangled Banner at the team’s home games. The pre-game anthem is a part of the entire game day entertainment package that carries important responsibilities and a pride of accomplishment.
Interested applicants must submit their headshot along with a DVD, CD or link of them singing the National Anthem to the attention of Game Operations, National Anthem at 6 Championship Dr. Auburn Hills, MI 48326 or by e-mail at nationalanthem@palacenet.com.






Friday, February 3, 2012

PISTONS' CHARLIE VILLANUEVA INJURY UPDATE

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today the following injury update regarding forward Charlie Villanueva.

Following repeated imaging studies as well as multiple consultations from foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons, it has been determined that Charlie Villanueva’s right ankle soreness can be attributed to a resolving posterior tibial tenosynovitis with small talotibal spurs.

A few weeks of partial ankle immobilization have been recommended in an attempt to alleviate the soreness and discomfort.

He will be re-evaluated after that period.


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pistons Experiencing Growing Pains

Pistons Experiencing Growing Pains
By Steve St-Pierre | @Steve_Courtside

It’s hard to pinpoint one specific reason for the Pistons’ misfortunes during this condensed 2011-12 NBA season. A glaring cause for concern, though, has been the inconsistent play from the majority of their young players.

Surely, injuries and a general lack of depth have plagued the Pistons early this season. They’ve been without veteran reserves Charlie Villanueva and Will Bynum most of the year, and they’ve had to shuffle their backcourt rotation due to various injuries to guards Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey.

The lack of health to the team has caused the Pistons to rely heavily on rookie Brandon Knight, who has been thrust into the starting point guard position after beginning the season as a backup to Gordon and Stuckey. Additionally, the team – along with the rest of the league – must endure the responsibility of playing a compressed schedule.

“I’m fine,” Knight says. “Just trying to make sure I rest myself, get a lot of sleep and just working with Arnie (Kander, Pistons Strength and Conditioning Coach) and our strength staff.”

“You just focus it one game at a time, and it’s a mental-toughness test,” adds Lawrence Frank, Pistons Head Coach. “A lot of games, short amount of time. The NBA is a no-sympathy league. You line ‘em up, and you’ve better come out and give your best effort and compete.”

Even with the low expectations they had coming into the season, the Pistons have disappointed fans by not only losing but being blown out most nights by their opponents.

“Losing sucks,” Frank says. “It’s misery. To me, it’s how you win and how you lose.”

“We just can’t afford to pick our spots,” adds Gordon. “We’re just not that good of a team yet. I think we’ve just got to do a better job of playing a complete game with the same intensity level. We know we’re gonna make mistakes, but the key thing is playing with a maximum-level of effort and energy at all times.”

“We have to continue to put more into the game in order to have a chance to win,” Frank says. “Look, the other team, they want to win too.”

The Pistons, as a result of their struggles, have yet to commit to a set rotation. It remains to be seen who will start in the backcourt once Knight, Gordon and Stuckey are all healthy. Lately, it’s been Knight and Stuckey starting with Gordon out with two shoulder injuries.

“It’s kind of nagging, so I’m just trying to find a way to help the team and play through it…” Gordon says. “…We need as much help as we can get.”

Frank has also failed to pick a consistent starter at power forward. Jonas Jerebko began the season as the starter, but he struggled early on with foul trouble. Detroit has since been opening games with veteran Ben Wallace in the starting lineup, though he is no longer capable of handling significant minutes during games. It’s possible reserve Jason Maxiell could wind up challenging for more playing time, and Villanueva could even earn the starting spot whenever he returns from a sore ankle.

The bright side to a season like this is that it allows a team like the Pistons to give its young players plenty of minutes on the floor. While center Greg Monroe has emerged as the team’s best and most consistent player, Jerebko and forward Austin Daye have both battled through stretches of inconsistent play. Even Knight, as a rookie point guard, is experiencing the ups and downs of running an NBA franchise.

“It’s still a very big learning process as to when to attack and when not to, how to position yourself when you’re driving,” Knight says. “As a rookie, it’s tough to get calls at certain times of the games. You’ve got to get completely killed to get a call sometimes. I’m just trying to be aggressive and stay positive no matter what the situation is – continue to attack, continue to try to lift your teammates, continue to provide intensity, provide positive spirit for everybody.”

“He’s learning,” adds Frank. “This is a process. The step for most players, when they come from college to the NBA, is how to play pick-and-roll basketball. At Kentucky, they ran some pick and roll, but it was more dribble handoffs. Now you’re going against the best.”

The Pistons aren’t kidding themselves. They know they aren’t going to be a playoff team this year. They also know that nobody feels sorry for an organization that was once an annual staple atop the Eastern Conference elite.

“We are what we are right now,” Gordon says. “We can’t just change our record because we think we’re better than we are.”

“We can tell that we’ve been getting better,” Knight optimistically adds. “We’ve been competing a lot more. We’ve been trying to put it out on the court a lot more, but it’s just a matter of us doing it for an entire game versus just stretches.”

Many believe the Pistons’ best bet is to continue losing games in order to increase their chances of landing a top selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. The players on this team, however, are only concerned right now with improving and turning the season around.

“Until we prove otherwise, we just need to continue each and every night to try to find a way to muster the effort that it takes to win an NBA game,” Gordon says. “We haven’t been doing that.”

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Pistons Re-Sign Russell Jr.

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

To compensate for various injuries to their backcourt, the Pistons have re-signed Walker Russell Jr., who attended training camp with the Pistons before being released and joining the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA D-League.

Russell Jr. averaged 16 points and a league-high 9.9 assists per game in the D-League in 16 games this season with the Mad Ants. The son of former Piston Walker D. Russell, Russell Jr. should continue to see spot minutes behind rookie Brandon Knight and veterans Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey.