A look back at John Kuester's quest to become an NBA head coach
Vince - Ellis - Freep

"Kuester still couldn't believe his good fortune Tuesday afternoon when he sat down with the Free Press to discuss the turn of events that led to his first NBA head coaching job.

From the sudden firing of first-year coach Michael Curry to flirtations with former NBA coaches Doug Collins and Avery Johnson to finally being named the Pistons' sixth head coach in 10 years on July 9, it had been a dizzying few days for Kuester.

Kuester is OK with possibly being president of basketball operations Joe Dumars' third choice; he's just grateful he's getting the opportunity he had started to believe would never come.

And unlike a lot of first-time head coaches, he landed at one of the rare places in the NBA accustomed to winning trophies. There are three in the Palace trophy case.

"Of all the opportunities, this would be a great fit for me personally, and it worked out," said Kuester, 54, of the franchise where he was on staff for the 2004 championship. "I'm pinching myself that I'm not coming to a situation where I don't know people, and I'm also coming into an environment where Detroit is one of the premier organizations in this league."

http://www.freep.com/article/2009071...NBA-head-coach



Charlie Villanueva expects to tweet at halftime
JAMES JAHNKE - FREE PRESS

"Last season, Charlie Villanueva got in trouble for updating his Twitter account during halftime of a game with Milwaukee. Naturally, SI.com asked the big forward what he'll do now that he's a Piston.

"I haven't talked to coach (John Kuester) about that," Villanueva said, laughing. "But (Pistons president) Joe Dumars is all for it. He gave me his blessing."

Hmmm. That doesn't sound like the Joe we know. But we'll see when the time comes, eh?"

http://www.freep.com/article/2009071...NBA-head-coach



Pistons agree to deal with big man Chris Wilcox
Vince Ellis - Freep

"the 6-foot-10 center/power forward has agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with the Pistons.

When Wilcox comes to Detroit, he will likely battle with Kwame Brown for the starting center spot.

The Pistons were interested in restricted free agent Glen Davis, but the likelihood of the Celtics matching any offer the Pistons could muster apparently scared them off.

Drew Gooden, Rasho Nesterovic and others were also listed as possibilities but the athletic Wilcox is probably the most talented low-cost option on the market.

A first-round pick of the L.A. Clippers in 2002, Wilcox once averaged 13.5 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Sonics in the 2005-06 season."

http://www.freep.com/article/2009071...NBA-head-coach


Pistons hope John Kuester's patience pays off
Sherrod Blakely - Mlive

"LAS VEGAS -- Detroit Pistons coach John Kuester is a man who knows what he wants.

And if necessary, he is willing to wait for it.

During his sophomore year at the University of North Carolina, Kuester said he saw a beautiful girl in the cafeteria and told his friends, "That's the girl I'm going to marry."

She had a boyfriend at the time, but they broke up six months later.
Kuester began dating her shortly after.

Two children and 32 years and later, Tricia and John Kuester remain happily married.

So, as the Detroit Pistons enter an age of rebuilding, they will need a patient leader to help steer them through what's sure to be some tough times.

Kuester, the sixth coach hired by Joe Dumars since 2000, knows a thing or two about patience."

Pistons hope John Kuester's patience pays off - Detroit Pistons Basketball: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio, Schedule & Stats - MLive.com



Pistons reach deal with free agent Chris Wilcox
Sherrod Blakely

"Because of his strength, size and athleticism, Wilcox will have a chance to be in the starting lineup. His stiffest competition will come from Kwame Brown, who remains Detroit's lone true center.

The Pistons are likely to add at least one more free agent big man to the roster. Signing Wilcox basically wiped out the remainder of Detroit's salary cap space. For them to add another player, Detroit will have to sign them to the veteran's minimum, which is $1.3 million.

Former Piston Ben Wallace, who recently reached a $10 million buyout with the Phoenix Suns, is among the most likely players Detroit will add to its roster. Other possibilities include Rasha Nesterovic and Drew Gooden."

Pistons reach deal with free agent Chris Wilcox - Detroit Pistons Basketball: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio, Schedule & Stats - MLive.com


Fits to a T Sahria Springer - Boston.com Wallace and Celtics make a good match

"ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - Rasheed Wallace is fielding questions from his wife. “Is your attitude controllable enough to win a championship?’’ asks Fatima Wallace. She speaks for concerned Celtics fans who worry her husband’s temper and technical fouls could cost the team a title. Sprawled on an oversized couch at home, Rasheed answers, “We shall see.’’

That is not good enough for Fatima.

“Rasheed,’’ she says with a hint of impatience, “Do you think you can control your temper long enough, for eight months, to get that championship?’’


Rasheed sits up and tells the truth. He has no choice. Fatima knows him too well.


“There’s going to be nights where I say nothing and there’s going to be nights where I say a lot,’’ says Rasheed. “I might get a tech one night. I might not get a tech for a couple games. I can get three techs in a row.’’


Fatima fires back, “But can we win a championship with your techs?’’

Wallace fits Celtics to a T - The Boston Globe



The Summer Hoops Ticker...
Greg Wrubell - KSL.com


"Trent Plaisted, meantime, faded to the finish in Vegas, coming off the bench in the Detroit Pistons' last two games, after starting the first three. I'm not sure how much patience the Pistons will have with a former second-round pick who has now appeared in two summer league stints, but Plaisted's numbers were simply not promising.

In five games, he played 57 minutes, and ended up with more fouls (16) than rebounds (14), and even more fouls than points (15). For a player at his position, he shot it terribly, making 5 of 16 shots (31%), and missing five of his final six shots from the field. He had as many turnovers as blocked shots--two apiece.
It would appear that overseas basketball beckons for both players. Plaisted played a handful of games as a Pistons' assignee for a team in Italy last season before back troubles cut his year short. "

ksl.com - The Summer Hoops Ticker...



Pistons in the news, summer league ends, "Big" picture discussed
Mike Payne - Detroit Bad Boys

"With the Pistons Summer League play officially over, the NBA doldrums have begun. Sure, DBB will still be abuzz with trade options, rumors and more questions than answers, but the sporting press is about to go quiet. So to keep our collective Pistons hunger satiated, I’ll chime in when I can with a good old Matt Watson-style Layup Drill post. What’s buzzing around in NBA news in the last 24 hours?"

Pistons in the News: Summer League Ends, “Big” Picture Discussed | Detroit Bad Boys

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