March 2010 Detroit Pistons Wiretap

Pistons Unlikely To Pursue Yao Ming

Dec 28, 2010 3:06 PM

The Pistons aren't expected to entertain the idea of acquiring Yao Ming from the Rockets.

The center will miss the remainder of the season and Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday that Houston has begun shopping the former All-Star.

Despite the health risks, the report said "the lure of acquiring Yao for potential suitors is the $8 million in savings that insurance will provide for his $17.7-million expiring contract this season."

The Detroit Free-Press writes that many in the league feel Yao's playing career is over and that the Pistons are believed to be in that camp.

Detroit Free-Press

Tags: Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, NBA

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Hamilton Hurt Team Source Claims He Quit

Dec 21, 2010 5:15 PM

Richard Hamilton says he hasn't quit on the Pistons, but he's hurt that a team source claims he has done so.

"It's a different time in my career now. It's important for me to stay motivated, go out there, help my teammates," Hamilton said.

He said he hasn't been bothered by the change.

"Nah, the biggest thing that hurt me was a source in the organization said I quit," Hamilton said in reference to a Detroit News report.

"I was like, wow," he continued. "That was hard for me because the last nine years I just went out and played hard, played aggressive, did put everything on the line every night. To hear that allegation, it was tough on me."

MLive.com

Tags: Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Hamilton May Have Quit On Pistons

Dec 21, 2010 8:30 AM

Richard Hamilton has become a distraction for the Pistons, according to a team source.

He missed Sunday's game and complaints about his diminished role have led some in the organization to wonder if Hamilton has quit on the Pistons.

"He quit on us," one team source said. Another team source said Hamilton is acting out of emotion and should adjust.

"If I need to have a long talk with him, I will," team president Joe Dumars said Monday on WDFN.

"I'll see how Rip is doing tomorrow when he gets in here. Rip's been good for me."

Detroit News

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Bobcats May Have Genuine Interest In Hamilton

Dec 16, 2010 8:36 AM

Chad Ford of ESPN.com writes that the Bobcats may be one team that has genuine interest in acquiring Richard Hamilton from the Pistons.

"Pistons have been close on a few things with Rip, almost landed Tyson Chandler this summer ... but he's not helping himself right now," Ford wrote in a chat on Wednesday.

"I think Charlotte is one of the few teams out there with genuine interest."

Hamilton is averaging 14 points and 2.5 assists for Detroit this season. He is making $12,500,000 in 2010-11.

Chad Ford/ESPN.com

Tags: Richard Hamilton, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Ilitch Balked On Buying Pistons After Finding Revenues Were Inflated

Dec 16, 2010 8:19 AM

The 30-day exclusive negotiating period between Pistons owner Karen Davidson and potential buyer Mike Ilitch expired last month.

According to a report by Forbes, they couldn't agree because Ilitch determined the financial status of the Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment was inflated.

Forbes has valued the Pistons at $479 million, fourth-highest in the NBA.

However, analysts have expected the selling price to be significantly lower because of Michigan's difficult economy.

Detroit Free-Press

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Pistons May Shorten Rotation

Dec 14, 2010 7:35 AM

Pistons coach John Kuester is flirting with the idea of shortening the team's rotation.

Kuester uses a first and second team, going nine deep at times.

"When you are talking about roles, it is real simple," Kuester said. "We have to make sure guys know their roles. We have spoken to them a lot about their roles defensively. We have offensive explosion, but we have to make sure we take care of the basketball."

The coach plans to evaluate the team's rotation on a game-by-game basis in order to decide who will be on the floor late in games.

Detroit Free-Press

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Raptors Win With Franchise-Best Rally

Dec 12, 2010 11:24 AM

The Raptors stormed back to defeat the Pistons 120-116 on Saturday night thanks to a franchise-best rally.

Jerryd Bayless matched career-high with 31 points and Toronto came back despite trailing by 25 points midway through the third quarter.

They still trailed by 16 going into the fourth quarter.

"We just came together -- that's all I can say," said Amir Johnson. "We were shooting the ball well, but we were having problems on defense. We knew we had to start getting stops, and we stepped up."

Previously, the biggest comeback by Toronto was a 22-point deficit against the Clippers on Nov. 13, 2009.

ESPN

Tags: Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, NBA

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Milicic: I Didn't Work Hard With Pistons

Dec 11, 2010 9:35 AM

Darko Milicic, the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, took responsibility for his failures as a member of the Pistons earlier in his career.

"I didn't handle it well in Detroit," Milicic said. "I was kind of frustrated because I didn't play. I didn't work as hard as I could. In this league, it takes a lot to become a good player.

"I did do a little bit, but not enough."

Detroit Free-Press

Tags: Darko Milicic, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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TNT To Unveil ASG Starters During First MSG Trip Since 2006

Dec 9, 2010 11:24 AM

TNT will televise the New York Knicks' game against Miami on Jan. 27, and said Wednesday that its studio trio of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson will make the trip and unveil the starters for the NBA All-Star game during the live pregame show.

The Knicks were last on TNT for a home game, from Madison Square Garden, in January of 2006 when they lost to the Pistons by a final of 105-79.

Wall Street Journal

Tags: Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, NBA

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Pistons Sale Unlikely Before February

Dec 6, 2010 4:27 PM

The Pistons are unlikely to be sold until at least February, the firm handling the sale has informed potential buyers.

Citibank, which was hired by the widow of the late owner of the Pistons, Bill Davidson, to represent the franchise for the sale, informed potential buyers last week that the deal is unlikely to be completed until the NBA All-Star Game.

Among the potential buyers are Mike, Marian and Christopher Ilitch and their company, Ilitch Holdings Co.; the Beverly Hills financier Tom Gores; and a group headed by George Postolos, a former executive of the NBA and the Houston Rockets.

Detroit News

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA

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McGrady Has No Plans To Retire

Orlando Sentinel

Pistons Aren't Close To Trading Hamilton

FanHouse