March 2011 Detroit Pistons Wiretap

Frank: Pistons Must Protect Basket Area

Dec 30, 2011 10:36 AM

The Pistons have given up 88 points in the paint in their first two games, including 52 in a 105-89 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday.

"We are a no-middle, no-paint team," Frank said. "We got to defend the paint first."

Frank insists his way of defending will work.

"There are a lot of details to how we teach," Frank said. "It is not rocket science, but I would say it is natural early on that there are probably more thinking than instincts going on right now. But I am coaching for the big picture. I am not coaching to get ready for Game 1. For us to be where we need to be and to go where we got to go this is the way we need to do it. This is a tough league. It is a hard league to guard. For us to be the type of defense we need to be this is the way we need to go."

Detroit News

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Lawrence Frank Confident Ben Gordon Will Revert Back To Form

Dec 27, 2011 12:33 PM

Pistons coach Lawrence Frank admitted Ben Gordon has been in a tough situation, having to split his playing time with Richard Hamilton.

With Hamilton now playing for the Bulls after having the final two years of his contract with Detroit bought out, Frank is hoping Gordon will return to the form that earned him a five-year contract from the Pistons.

"I think now BG is in a position back to what he was used to in Chicago," Frank said. "He's been super every day in practice and I expect him to play at a very high level."

There is some statistical backing to what Frank is saying. In 52 games where Gordon played and Hamilton did not over the past two seasons, Gordon averaged 16.8 points.

Justin Rogers/MLive.com

Tags: Ben Gordon, Detroit Pistons, NBA

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NBA Reduces Suspensions For Bynum, Villanueva

Dec 23, 2011 4:31 PM

The NBA has decided to reduce the suspensions for Lakers center Andrew Bynum and Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva.

Bynum had been suspended five games for body-slamming then-Mavericks guard J.J. Barea during the Lakers' playoff loss to Dallas.

Now, the NBA has reduced that to the first four games of the regular season that he is physically ready to play.

Villanueva was suspended five games for initiating an on-court altercation with Cleveland Cavaliers center Ryan Hollins and attempting to escalate it by entering the Cavaliers' locker room.

Rachel Shuster/USA TODAY

Tags: Andrew Bynum, Charlie Villanueva, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Suspension

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Fesenko Drawing Interest From Heat, Warriors, Pistons, Clippers

Dec 22, 2011 3:38 PM

Kyrylo Fesenko is drawing interest from Miami, Golden State, Detroit and the Los Angeles Clippers, a source said Thursday.

The 7-foot-1, 280-pound Fesenko played four seasons with Utah, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 132 games. He is an unrestricted free agent.

Brian T. Smith/Salt Lake Tribune

Tags: Kyrylo Fesenko, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Stuckey Expects To Play More Off The Ball This Season

Dec 19, 2011 10:14 AM

With Pistons rookie Brandon Knight making a favorable impression early, Rodney Stuckey might be seeing more playing time at shooting guard this season. He certainly envisions it that way.

"It's early, we're just playing around, mixing up the lineup and stuff like that," Stuckey said after practice. "I know this year I'm going to be playing a little more two while Will or Brandon are in the game."

Stuckey, who has been the team's primary starting point guard during the past three seasons, isn't phased by the idea of playing another position.

"It doesn't really matter to me, as long as I'm on the court helping my team out," Stuckey said. "I'm willing to do whatever to help my teammates out."

Justin Rogers/MLive.com

Tags: Rodney Stuckey, Brandon Knight, Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Pistons Re-Sign Rodney Stuckey

Dec 17, 2011 11:31 AM

The Pistons have agreed to terms with guard Rodney Stuckey.

Stuckey’s deal is believed to be worth $25 million over three seasons.

Stuckey, 25, averaged 15.5 points, 3 rebounds and 5.16 assists in 70 games with the Pistons last season.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter)

Tags: Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Sign Richard Hamilton

Dec 15, 2011 4:03 PM

The Chicago Bulls announced the team has signed free agent guard Richard Hamilton. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

“We are excited to welcome a player, and person, with the credentials of Richard Hamilton to our organization,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Rip has been a winner at every level. His resume speaks for itself, and we are confident that he will be an excellent fit with our team, both on and off the floor.”

Press Release

Tags: Richard Hamilton, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Official Signing, NBA Misc Rumor

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Knicks, Blazers, Bobcats, Pistons Emerge As Finalists For Reggie Williams

Dec 14, 2011 12:39 PM

The Knicks, Blazers, Bobcats and Pistons are the four finalists for wing Reggie Williams, according to sources.

Williams was a restricted free agent of the Warriors, but they rescinded their qualifying offer to sign DeAndre Jordan to an offer sheet.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter)

Tags: Reggie Williams, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Stuckey, Pistons Hit Impasse On Deal Worth As Much As $45M

Dec 14, 2011 11:56 AM

Negotiations between Rodney Stuckey and the Pistons have hit an impasse.

Detroit is offering a five-year deal worth between $40 million and $45 million.

Since Stuckey is a restricted free agent and the Pistions are threatening to match nearly any offer he receives from rival teams, his leverage is to take the qualifying offer for approximately $3.87 million.

Chad Ford/ESPN (via Twitter)

Tags: Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Brandon Knight Inspiring Teammates With Work Ethic

Dec 14, 2011 10:29 AM

Pistons scouts, coach Lawrence Frank and Platinum Equity partner Bob Wentworth are transfixed by Brandon Knight's work ethic and endurance.

"He's shown the ability to make plays," Frank said. "The guys have really taken to him because he's hungry, thirsty. You have to take him out of the gym."

After running wind springs when practice ended Tuesday, veteran guard Will Bynum stood by while Knight took extra 3-pointers and went through dribbling drills.

"This is what we need right here," said Bynum, motioning to Knight. "If he never becomes great, it won't be because he didn't put the work in."

Detroit Free Press

Tags: Brandon Knight, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Pistons Officially Waive Hamilton

RealGM Staff Report

Pistons Saved $11M With Hamilton Buyout

Vincent Goodwill/Detroit News (via Twitter)

Hamilton Expected To Sign Two-Year, $10M Deal With Bulls

Chicago Sun-Times

Pistons Sign Damien Wilkins

RealGM Staff Report

Pistons Remain In Talks With Stuckey

MLive.com

Bulls Zeroing In On Richard Hamilton

Chicago Tribune

Pistons Reach Buyout With Hamilton

Vince Ellis/Detroit Free-Press (via Twitter)

Pistons Cut Terrico White

Vince Ellis/Detroit Free Press

Jerebko Agrees To $16M Deal To Remain With Pistons

Larry Lage/AP (via Twitter)

Prince To Sign $27M, Four-Year Deal With Pistons

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter)

McGrady Agrees To Deal With Hawks

Stephen A. Smith/ESPN

Spurs, Pistons Monitor Kaman Situation

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter)

Detroit Names Ken Catanella Director Of Basketball Ops

Press Release

Butler Has Meetings Set With Clippers, Spurs, Nets, Pistons

Jeff Caplan/ESPN

Prince Hasn't Ruled Out Return To Pistons

SI.com

Spurs Covet Caron Butler

David Aldridge/NBA.com

Clippers, Nets Interested In Prince

Detroit Free-Press

Pistons Could Replace Prince With Dunleavy

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

McGrady Prefers To Sign With Bulls

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports