Moderators: Cowology, theBigLip, Snakebites, dVs33
2009-10 Preseason ASSISTS LEADERS : Assists Per Game
PLAYER NAME, TEAM NAME GP MPG AST APG TO TOPG AP48M AST/TO
53 Richard Hamilton , DET 8 27.0 21 2.6 19 2.4 4.7 1.1
55 Rodney Stuckey , DET 8 28.9 20 2.5 20 2.5 4.2 1.0
76 Ben Gordon , DET 8 29.9 18 2.2 23 2.9 3.6 .78
208 Jason Maxiell , DET 8 18.4 5 .6 8 1.0 1.6 .62
253 * Deron Washington , DET 7 6.4 1 .1 1 .1 1.1 1.0
Meet the 2009-10 Pistons
POS PLAYER NO HT WT AGE
G Chucky Atkins 17 5-11 185 35
C Kwame Brown 38 6-11 270 27
G Will Bynum 12 6-0 185 26
F Austin Daye 5 6-11 200 21
G Ben Gordon 7 6-3 200 26
G Richard Hamilton 32 6-7 193 31
F Jonas Jerebko 33 6-10 231 22
F Jason Maxiell 54 6-7 260 26
F Tayshaun Prince 22 6-9 215 29
G Rodney Stuckey 3 6-5 205 23
F DaJuan Summers 35 6-8 240 21
F Charlie Villanueva 31 6-11 232 25
C Ben Wallace 6 6-9 240 35
F-G Deron Washington 13 6-7 210 23
C Chris Wilcox 9 6-10 235 27
This week's news quiz (10-25)
How can Magic and Isiah patch up their relationship? (And if they can't make it work, what chance do the rest of us have?)
A) Do lunch, like Lloyd and Rich Rod.
B) Sign a prenup, like Khloe and Lamar (she gets the house, he gets a Kardashian to be named).
C) Agree that, in a long-distance relationship, no suggestion is out of leftfield, like Jim Leyland and Carlos Guillen.
D) Air all their dirty laundry in public, like Jon and Kate. Oh, yeah, that's what they are doing.
DéjÀ vu: Big Ben dominates on defense - again
Ben Wallace showed Friday night that the 14-year veteran might have something left in the tank.Wallace, a four-time NBA defensive player of the year, grabbed 14 rebounds, had four steals and blocked two shots in 33 minutes as the Pistons beat the Bucks, 95-93.
The victory at Milwaukee ended the Pistons' exhibition season at 4-4 and maybe also proved first-year coach John Kuester's previous assertions that Wallace, 35, has something more to offer than just veteran know-how. Wallace, who played with the Pistons in 2000-06 when he was one of the league's top defenders, signed this summer for the veteran's minimum ($1.3 million) after appearing to be on his last legs the past few seasons with the Bulls and the Cavs.
But he set a tone in the first quarter Friday, getting into passing lanes and knocking balls loose from Bucks ball handlers. And down the stretch in a tight game, Wallace always was on the court for defensive purposes. While it remains to be seen how well Wallace can handle the rigors of an 82-game schedule, his defensive play bodes well for the Pistons when the season opens Wednesday night at Memphis.
BROWN OK: Pistons center Kwame Brown sat out Friday with a sore left hand, but Kuester said in a text Saturday that it was just a precaution. Kuester added that an X-ray on Brown's hand turned out OK, and Brown will be ready for the opener.
Brown suffered the injury early in training camp and said this past week it was getting worse, but it appears that the remedy is rest.
Tayshaun Prince rested his sprained big right toe Friday, and he should be ready by Wednesday. The team had Saturday off and will return to practice today.
Taking a look into our crystal ball
WILL THE PISTONS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?
Yes -- It’s dang hard to miss the playoffs in basketball. Pride alone should get Detroit there.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN?
Defense
Oh, and big-man play. This is a bit like saying “my only worry is the sharks and the waves.”
THE MVP?
Rodney Stuckey
If he doesn’t step up and became a premier point guard, the Pistons will be a clanking machine.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN?
Defense
Oh, and big-man play. This is a bit like saying “my only worry is the sharks and the waves.”
THE MVP?
Rodney Stuckey
If he doesn’t step up and became a premier point guard, the Pistons will be a clanking machine.
THE PLAYOFFS
West finals: L.A. Lakers over San Antonio.
East finals: Boston over Cleveland.
NBA Finals: Boston over L.A.
Vince Ellis
WILL THE PISTONS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?
Yes -- Many national pundits are writing off the Pistons, but after Orlando, Boston, Cleveland and Atlanta, the rest of the Eastern Conference is a toss-up. Put the Pistons down for a 42-40 record and an eighth-place finish in the East — behind the four above and Washington, Chicago and Toronto.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN?
The mix
I could say defense, but blending in eight new faces will be a challenge offensively and defensively.
THE MVP?
Rodney Stuckey
The third-year combo guard takes another step toward being a solid player.
THE PLAYOFFS
West finals: L.A. Lakers over San Antonio.
East finals: Boston over Cleveland.
NBA Finals: Boston over L.A.
Michael Rosenberg
WILL THE PISTONS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?
Yes -- I think people are looking at the names they lost and the names they gained and figuring they’ll be worse. But last year’s team had so many issues — Allen Iverson didn’t fit, Rasheed Wallace checked out, and Michael Curry struggled to handle it all. I think this year’s team will surprise some people.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN?
Defense
Rodney Stuckey was a very poor defender last year, and of the remaining regulars, only Tayshaun Prince has been known as an above-average defensive player.
THE MVP?
Rodney Stuckey
I still love his talent and think he could take a big step forward.