The Detroit News -

Three days of practice help to fine-tune plays
Saunders also is using the time to make final evaluations for the last positions on roster.
By Joanne C. Gerstner

It's all a matter of interpretation.
Three days of uninterrupted practice time equals heaven for most NBA coaches.
For the players...well, let's just say they'd rather play games than be run into the ground by more drills.

The Detroit Free Press -

Pistons' theory? Expect gentle 'Sheed
BY KRISTA LATHAM

There are plenty of theories about why the Pistons won't win the NBA title this season.
Perhaps the most perplexing, at least to coach Flip Saunders, is the Rasheed Wallace Theory.

Booth newspapers -

Delfino enjoying fresh start this season
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Carlos Delfino had the kind of rookie season a year ago that he would just as soon forget.
Speaking limited English made communication for the Argentine guard an issue at times. Run-ins with then-Detroit Pistons head coach Larry Brown and a right knee injury that kept him sidelined longer than many expected, didn't help matters.

USA Today -

Pistons say Milicic's time is coming
By David DuPree, USA TODAY

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Darko Milicic hasn't gotten enough playing time during the last two seasons to even earn a varsity letter. But each year, when the NBA trading deadline approaches, Detroit Pistons players parade to Joe Dumars to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid — such as trade the multitalented 7-0 center, who rarely got on court under former coach Larry Brown.

The Oakland Press -

Flip thankful for Rasheed's leadership
By DANA GAURUDER

Nearly an hour after the Pistons' preseason blowout over Miami on Saturday night, Rasheed Wallace was still attracting a crowd.
Surrounded by 60-odd fans on that chilly night, he stood in The Palace parking lot, signing autographs and chatting with the people who pay his salary.

The Detroit news -

Dupree not free to call the shots
He was the last player cut two years ago and could face a similar fight for the final roster spot.
By Joanne C. Gerstner

Pistons forward Ronald Dupree has been down this road.
He is working hard in training camp, doing his best, but his ultimate fate is in the hands of the coaching staff and front office.

The Detroit Free Press -

Pistons eager for real thing
Preseason drags, but it teaches, too
BY CHRIS SILVA

It's like waiting for your first kiss or for your favorite musician to release a new album.
You know it will happen, but you can hardly wait for the day to arrive.

That's how the Pistons feel about the start to the regular season, which will be a week from today against the Philadelphia 76ers. But first, they have to play two more exhibition games, starting Thursday night at Dallas.

The Oakland Press -

Saunders content with camp outing
By DANA GAURUDER

The players have been receptive and cooperative. Injuries have been minimal. The main preseason objective has been fulfilled. No one seems to miss his predecessor.

Flip Saunders could not have mapped out a more productive training camp in his first season as the Detroit Pistons' head coach.

Booth Newspapers -

Contract demands will catch up to Pistons
By A. Sherrod Blakely

At some point, the Detroit Pistons are going to have to pay up.
For years, they have been acquiring high-end talent for bargain-basement prices.

The Detroit news -

Don't let Acker know his status
Rookie guard has no desire to hear about his prospects in a fight for the last roster spot.
By Joanne C. Gerstner

Rookie guard Alex Acker of the Pistons doesn't want to hear it.
He doesn't want to know how he's playing in training camp or what his chances are to land the final spot on the Pistons' roster.
It's shaping up to be a competition between Acker and forward Ronald Dupree.

The Detroit Free Press -

Players unwilling to redress dress code
BY Drew Sharp

Rosa Parks' death offers a timely reminder of the power of conviction. The idea of one person taking a stand for their beliefs above all else transcends the relative value of the fight itself.

Can today's athlete comprehend the simple defiance of a seamstress' refusal to sit in the back of a bus in Montgomery, Ala., 50 years ago?

Today's athlete exists from the back of a limousine.

Pistons' Acker plays cool on roster hot seat
BY George Sipple

The final two games of the exhibition season will be crucial for Pistons point guard Alex Acker, who's in danger of being cut from the regular-season squad.

Zaret to join Pistons telecast
BY MIKE BRUDENELL

Eli Zaret, former host of "The Locker Room," will join George Blaha and Bill Laimbeer in the booth and courtside for Pistons regular-season telecasts this season on WDWB-TV, Channel 20 in Detroit.

The Oakland press -

Evans seems a natural fit
By DANA GAURUDER
He got spurned on draft night. He got a little taste of the league, then had to improve his game overseas. He earned a spot on another NBA roster, then proved he belonged in the league.

Booth Newspapers -

Acker trying to make most of preseason playing time
By A. Sherrod Blakely

There's a common belief that preseason games have little significance. Don't count Detroit Pistons guard Alex Acker among those who think that way.

R.D. is likely to get snatched up by the Spurs if Joe releases him.

From My San Antonio:

"The Spurs don't have immediate plans to add another player, but will monitor who becomes available as other teams make their cuts. Ronald Dupree, an athletic 6-foot-7 swingman the Spurs tried to sign a year ago, is battling for the final roster spot in Detroit."

The Spurs, coach Gregg Popovich said last week, are "always in the market for a young (small forward) who can defend."

wow, now wouldn't that be a cruel irony.

Yeah, especially if he took it to Delfino in the finals.

I just don't see how they can afford to cut Acker at this point... if Arroyo or C.B. gets hurt we would have to look for Tay or Delfino as the primary backup... I'm not sure you want to do that for an extended time.

The Detroit news -

Dumars thinks Prince will sign
Pistons president says although the deal is not done, he's confident it will be by the deadline.
By Chris McCosky

Pistons president Joe Dumars and small forward Tayshaun Prince were checking out of the hotel together a couple of hours before the game here Thursday.
Dumars looked at his bill, specifically at the long and expensive list of phone calls, and handed it to Prince.
"I told him, 'You should pay this bill,' " Dumars said, laughing. "I had been on the phone with his agent all day."

The Detroit Free Press -

Joe D's decision is not clear cut
Pistons lose to Mavs as roster trim looms
by Krista Latham
This isn't the kind of decision that typically perplexes Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars.
With D-day for teams to finalize their opening day rosters just a weekend away -- Dumars must cut one player to get to 15 -- the usually decisive Dumars is having trouble figuring out who should go.