'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol:12

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A billboard was put up on I-75 to honor Pistons' owner Bill Davidson's inductions into the basketball hall of fame. A well deserved honor.

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The last installment of the 6-part series that Pistons.com has put up examining the Pistons position by position is up, breaking down the Piston bench(dubbed the "Zoo Crew").

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http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... d_3_o.html

The preseason kicks off October 5th with the Pistons playing the Heat in Miami, which is less than one week away.

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Gilbert Arenas didn't want to take attention from Washington's healthy players when he declined to talk Friday at the Wizards' media day and drew a fine from the NBA. On Saturday, the $111 million man tried to mask his frustration over the third surgery on his left knee in 1 1/2 years by working with the team's young players as they opened their training camp at Virginia Commonwealth University. He also talked. Arenas, who signed a six-year contract in the offseason, was fined $15,000 by the NBA for declining to make himself available on Friday. "I felt that training camp, I wasn't going to be involved, playing and going out there practicing, so I shouldn't be grabbing all the spotlight," the All-Star point guard said after the team's two-hour morning workout. "If I'm sitting here grabbing up all the attention and there's people healthy, that starts to weigh on people, so I figure if I back out of it, let them get the attention, then everything is cool peace," Arenas said.

For the third time in 17 months, Arenas is rehabbing a surgically repaired left knee, and said the odyssey has become ever more tedious. His latest surgery on Sept. 17 was to clean out debris from the first two. "You show signs of coming back, then doing too much sets you back further, then you've got to get it cleaned up to get the debris out from when you were doing well, and now I'm like, 'When is this ever going to end? When can I just go out there and just play?'" he said. Arenas wrote on his blog that he expects to be back in December or January, and said he will get back on the floor as soon as he can. "As soon as I think I can play, I'm going to jump out there," said Arenas, who averages 22.8 points per game. "Sometimes I get criticized for not looking so good when I'm playing, but it's just in my nature. As soon as I think I can play, I'm going to be out on the floor." Regardless, coach Eddie Jordan said it was good to have the star around, and Arenas didn't let his frustration deter him from making his presence felt, especially as it relates to the Wizards' new players. "He brought a group over here early and he got them some shooting drills, so it's been good," Jordan said. "He's really into it." Arenas said the early workout was optional for players like team captain Caron Butler and other veterans, but not for the young guys. He told them he wanted them to get 300 makes in before practice got going. "I've just got to be a presence because, you know, you're part of the team. Even though you're not playing, you're still a part of the team," he said. "Young guys need guidance and some of the veterans, they're trying to get their thing back. Somebody has to talk to the young guys."

It's a role he has always enjoyed, just not publicly, he said. "I've been doing that," he said of his leadership, which was apparent during the half-hour that the workout was open to reporters. "I'm always helping the younger players because when I came in, I got help. I don't think I'd be here if the older guys didn't help me at Golden State." Away from the court, his rehab is going slowly. "Boring. Oh man, it's so boring," he said. "It feels like kindergarten stuff. Leg lifts, basic squatting, stuff I'm teaching my kids. Just trying to get the range of motion, trying to get the flexibility back."Taking it slow makes sense, Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said. "Gil is a young player, a very hard worker," he said. "We're not only looking for the next two or three months, we're looking for the long term. We expect him to come back and be an outstanding player in this league."

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 928&lc=NBA

When Etan Thomas says that the process of recovering from open-heart surgery began with "baby steps," he really means it.

"It started with just walking," said Thomas, who missed all of last season after undergoing surgery last Oct. 11 to replace a leak in his aortic valve. "Just getting up and taking a little walk around this little track they had at the hospital. I'd walk around maybe twice and I'd be exhausted for the day. Not tired. Exhausted. Wiped out. There would be older people out there doing the walking too, and they were whizzing by me. I was like: 'Man, I'm doing bad.' "

Nearly one year later, Thomas was on the court at Virginia Commonwealth University for the opening of training camp with the Washington Wizards. Thomas sprinted up and down the court, bumped and banged bodies with fellow centers Brendan Haywood and JaVale McGee and gave no indication that he was trying to erase a year's worth of rust.

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Haslem (foot), Dorell Wright (knee) and Jason Richards (knee) watched from the side. Haslem said he will attempt to practice at the first of today's two sessions.

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said he has ''no idea'' if a contract could be agreed upon in time for him to be present when two-a-day practices begin Tuesday. ''We've been talking here and there,'' Gordon said. ''But from where I stand, I think both sides are far apart. It is what it is. I can't say I'm discouraged or surprised.''

Bulls general manager John Paxson ''anticipates'' Gordon will be in camp on time.

''There is some time out there for us, but the reality is we've just been so far apart for so long,'' Paxson said. ''We believe we're closer to what the market is in the league. But anything can happen when there is a deadline and all that. The qualifying offer stands until Wednesday.''

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Yi Jianlian and Keyon Dooling will miss about a week after suffering Grade 1 left-ankle sprains from coming down on someone else’s foot during recent pick-up games.

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The chances of the Knicks' first-round pick, Danilo Gallinari, making the rotation this season has been drastically reduced with official news the Italian Stallion could miss the entire preseason schedule.

Gallinari, still experiencing back pain, won't participate in the weeklong training camp in Saratoga Springs featuring two-a-days, according to coach Mike D'Antoni. He said Gallinari could be "100 percent" late in camp, but probably will need time to get into playing shape. "The way we play, a guy sitting for two months without running, I don't want to do that to him," D'Antoni said.

Gallinari could be a candidate for the Developmental League.

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http://www.northjersey.com/sports/nets/29854179.html

BRIEF: Yi Jianlian and Keyon Dooling will miss about a week after suffering Grade 1 left-ankle sprains from coming down on someone else’s foot during recent pick-up games.

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http://www.nypost.com/seven/09272008/sp ... 130944.htm

The chances of the Knicks' first-round pick, Danilo Gallinari, making the rotation this season has been drastically reduced with official news the Italian Stallion could miss the entire preseason schedule.

Gallinari, still experiencing back pain, won't participate in the weeklong training camp in Saratoga Springs featuring two-a-days, according to coach Mike D'Antoni. He said Gallinari could be "100 percent" late in camp, but probably will need time to get into playing shape.

"The way we play, a guy sitting for two months without running, I don't want to do that to him," D'Antoni said.

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl- ... 9049.story

Haslem (foot), Dorell Wright (knee) and Jason Richards (knee) watched from the side. Haslem said he will attempt to practice at the first of today's two sessions.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 928&lc=NBA

"Things are just different around the practice facility," said Stuckey, a second-year combo guard, during the team's recent media tour around the state. "Having a new coaching staff in here and spending more time around Michael Curry ... things are just a lot different. "The vibe is different. It's been good, though. I think we're all ready to get started and get back to the grind."

Part of Stuckey's excitement does come from new coach Curry, who replaces Flip Saunders. But another part comes from Stuckey's potential.

He missed the first 25 games of his rookie season after suffering a broken left hand in the final exhibition game, but averaged 7.6 points and 2.8 assists during the regular season.

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To say Rodney Stuckey is excited for the upcoming NBA season would be an understatement.To Stuckey, the sounds of bouncing basketballs and squeaking sneakers, which will come with the opening of Pistons training camp Tuesday, are music to his 22-year-old ears. "Things are just different around the practice facility," said Stuckey, a second-year combo guard, during the team's recent media tour around the state. "Having a new coaching staff in here and spending more time around Michael Curry ... things are just a lot different. "The vibe is different. It's been good, though. I think we're all ready to get started and get back to the grind."

Part of Stuckey's excitement does come from new coach Curry, who replaces Flip Saunders. But another part comes from Stuckey's potential. He missed the first 25 games of his rookie season after suffering a broken left hand in the final exhibition game, but averaged 7.6 points and 2.8 assists during the regular season. He really flashed his potential as a big 6-foot-5 guard in the playoffs. In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Orlando Magic, he replaced an injured Chauncey Billups and led a Pistons' surge with 19 points, although the team dropped the game. He followed with three double-figure scoring efforts out of six games in the Eastern Conference finals against the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics. He upped his scoring average to 8.2 points per game during the playoffs. His play impressed so much that he was picked to scrimmage against the Olympic team in Las Vegas just before the team departed for its date with a gold medal in Beijing. Never one to lack confidence, Stuckey is filled with self-assurance about his abilities. "I'm ready for any challenge that comes up," Stuckey said. "I'm always ready. You're always going to hear that from me. I know they are going to be expecting a lot more out of me, but it's a challenge."

Stuckey has a lot to be confident about. He has a sure shot and can get to the basket any time he feels like it. With backcourt starters Billups and Rip Hamilton, the Pistons could have a rotation similar to the Isiah Thomas-Joe Dumars-Vinnie Johnson unit of the Bad Boys era. "At his size and his ability to shoot and get into the paint and his ability to defend at that size at the point guard position, he just has the ability to dominate whenever he feels like it," Pistons second-year guard Arron Afflalo said of Stuckey. Curry has indicated that he likes the scoring Stuckey and veteran big man Antonio McDyess could bring from the bench. "When you have both of those guys anchoring your second unit, it allows your other role players to play their roles and not play outside of themselves," Curry said. Stuckey and Curry have formed a mutual admiration society -- Stuckey thinks the new coach will fully exploit the talents of the team; Curry has indicated he will emphasize more running and more pressure defense, stuff that Stuckey wants to hear. "He's going to give us opportunity to showcase our talent, and when the young guys get out on the court, we are going to do what we do and go out there and play hard and play good defense and it's going to lead us to victories," Stuckey said. "He brings everything a coach needs. He brings leadership. He's accountable. All those things you need, he has it. I'm excited about the season coming up and the future of the organization."

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The Detroit Pistons started their season tip-off tour at Lewton elementary school in Lansing September 17, 2008. The 11th A Home of the Pistons Learn and Play Center was donated to the school a few years ago Rodney Stuckey talked with the upcoming season with the media.

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Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey averaged 7.6 points in 19 minutes in 57 games last season. Many expect those numbers to increase.

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dates
Tuesday: Camp opens at Oakland University.
Wednesday: Game tickets go on sale.

Thursday: Open practice at OU, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Next Sunday: Exhibition opener at Miami.

Oct. 8: Exhibition home opener vs. Milwaukee.
Oct. 29: Season opener vs. Indiana.
Nov. 9: First meeting with NBA champ Boston at the Palace.

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Five questions for Pistons training camp: 1 New coach Michael Curry: Can Curry's emphasis on holding players accountable, better conditioning and getting minutes for the young core lead to the team's first NBA Finals appearance since 2005?

2 Second-year guard Rodney Stuckey: Can the supremely confident "sixth starter" continue earning the organization's faith and fulfill his promise of becoming a breakout star? 3 Free-agent signee Kwame Brown: Can the enigmatic power forward, who was once the No. 1 pick in the draft, use his considerable athletic talents to thrive in a situation where he is not considered a main building block?

4The youngsters: Can Brown, Arron Afflalo, Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson earn the trust of the coaching staff and earn extra minutes? 5 The VETERANS: Can the core group of Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Tayshaun Prince justify team president Joe Dumars' decision to ultimately ride with this group at least one more time?

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Off-season moves:NEW PISTONS
Kwame Brown: Signed a two-year deal with the Pistons worth $8 million. Pistons hope at 26, the former top pick can provide some much-needed youth and energy to the team's aging frontline. He has been an enigma during his seven-year career in the NBA. The 6-foot-11 power forward can opt out of the deal after one season.

Walter Sharpe: Traded for on draft night (32nd overall pick by Seattle) this year, the 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in only 12 games last season at UAB. Sharpe has quick feet, long arms and the ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Sharpe averaged 8.8 points in summer league games. Trent Plaisted: The 6-foot-11 Plaisted opened eyes with his ability to defend the pick-and-roll and cover a lot of ground on the defensive end during summer league games. He averaged 4.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in five games. Will play in Italy this year. Deron Washington: The team's third second-round pick signed to play in Israel. Washington is an athletic small forward who will need some seasoning before he plays in the NBA. Will Bynum: Was signed to add depth to the Pistons' backcourt. Bynum averaged an impressive 11.8 points and 3.2 assists during the Pistons' summer league. He hasn't played in the NBA since 2006.

FORMER PISTONS
Jarvis Hayes: Forward signed with the Nets.
Juan Dixon: Guard signed with the Wizards.
Theo Ratliff: Center signed with the 76ers.

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THURSDAY: PISTONS OPEN PRACTICE TO FANS: Let's get this Pistons party started with a free open practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Oakland University's Athletic Center Arena. Doors open at 5:30, and in addition to 'Sheed and the guys, there will be entertainment from Automotion, Hooper and the Flight Crew. For information, call 248-377-0100 or log on to pistons.com.