~ Detroit News ~
Pistons: Notebook Delfino welcomes expanded role
Reserve swingman's knee has recovered, and Saunders is getting him more playing time.
By Joanne C. Gerstner
Sometimes all it takes is a little faith.
Pistons reserve swingman Carlos Delfino finally believes, and the positive results are translating to the basketball court.
Delfino, whose 2004-05 rookie season was virtually obliterated by recurring right knee problems and surgeries, is now hitting his stride.
His playing time has gone up the last 10 games, averaging 12.2 minutes. Delfino averaged 8.6 minutes in the first 15 games he played in. He's averaging 3.2 points and 1.5 rebounds overall this season.
NBA: Roundup
Ex-Spartan Cleaves is waived by Sonics Magic place former Piston Hill on inactive list because he has been slowed by a groin injury.Guard Mateen Cleaves was waived by the Seattle Sonics on Wednesday. A six-year veteran, he played in 19 games this season, averaging 3.7 points and 1.9 assists. A first-round draft choice of the Pistons in 2000, Cleaves averaged 3.8 points in 159 career games. He also played for Cleveland and Sacramento. Hill placed on inactive Magic forward Grant Hill was placed on the inactive list for Wednesday's game against the Raptors because of a strained groin. Hill, a former Piston who missed the first 19 games this season after sports hernia surgery, was averaging 17.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in nine games. Dropping in
Webber has hunger for restaurant business
Chris Webber no longer plays with the Kings, but he's keeping ties to Sacramento by opening a restaurant.
Webber, while in town with the Philadelphia 76ers, held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for "Center Court with C Webb."
The family and entertainment restaurant, which will resemble a basketball court, is scheduled to open in October.
Given that Sacramento has been deluged with about 8 inches of rain since Thursday, breaking ground presented a challenge. As Webber walked to the site, his left sneaker was sucked off his foot by mud.
Webber, whose venture calls for 10 more restaurants, said he would like to open a restaurant in Detroit.
~ Detroit Free Press ~
New coach could be tonic for Sonics
By Chris Silva
The Pistons continue to bulldoze their way through the league.
The Seattle Supersonics continue to struggle, so much so they fired coach Bob Weiss on Tuesday and replaced him with Bob Hill.
And Hill will be thrown into the fire when the Sonics and Pistons meet Friday night at the Palace.
Beating the NBA's hottest team with a new coach could be the boost of confidence the Sonics need. They are 14-17 after Wednesday night's 101-97 victory in Chicago, one season after posting 52 wins and advancing to the Western Conference semifinals under former coach Nate McMillan, who left for Portland this season.
~ Booth Newspapers ~
Pistons will listen, but not seek trade offers
By A. Sherrod Blakely
When you consider the Detroit Pistons' impressive record, it's hard to imagine they would try to change a thing.
However, standing pat, even in good times, has not been a given in recent years.
During the team's 2004 championship season, the Pistons pulled off a three-team blockbuster deal just before the trading deadline that brought them Rasheed Wallace. A year later, they added Carlos Arroyo via a trade from Utah that helped put them in the NBA Finals for the second consecutive season.
The Pistons (25-4) aren't looking to move any players, but they are at least willing to listen to teams wanting to discuss potential trades.