The Sacramento Bee -

Ripping up the NBA
Rip Hamilton is making a living, and keeping the Pistons winning, with the lost art of the mid-range jump shot
By Joe Davidson

Richard Hamilton goes by "Rip," a nickname passed down from his parents.

His father, also Richard, was given the moniker as a baby, for his ability to "rip" out of his diapers.

The tag still fits, only junior - all grown up and starring with the Detroit Pistons - tears NBA teams apart with an array of old-school offensive fundamentals. He is textbook proof that there's still room for movers and shooters and mid-range gunners in a league that highlights finishers and dunkers.

Thanks for posting the news everyday Zo.

__________________
Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

YESSIRRRR!

Sure thing guys. You know how we do.

The Detroit news -

Hamilton thrives in new scheme
Saunders' system stresses more movement on offense, which creates easier baskets for guard.
By Chris McCosky

Richard Hamilton, don't forget, has always been able to score. It didn't matter if he was playing pick-up ball in Coatesville, Pa., or executing the offensive systems of Jim Calhoun, Doug Collins, Rick Carlisle or Larry Brown, Hamilton always found a way to get his points.

It is safe to say, though, that those points didn't always come as easily as they have in his first three games in Flip Saunders' system

Cheap shots motivate Pistons
Before rout, negative images of Detroit are shown at ARCO Arena during introductions.
By Chris McCosky

Rasheed Wallace offered up this little bit of advice to the Sacramento Kings organization after the Pistons ruined their home opener Tuesday, 102-88.
"Don't tread on thee," he said.

Before the game, as the Pistons were being introduced, the Kings ran a series of extremely negative images of Detroit on the giant overhead scoreboard screen. One image after another, abandoned and dilapidated buildings, burned out cars, desolate and garbage-strewn streets, on and on until the introductions were complete.

The Detroit Free Press -

ROOKIE DIARY: Alex Acker
Alex Acker, the 60th overall pick in the draft, won the final spot on the Pistons' roster. The point guard will chronicle his rookie experience in the Free Press, as told to Krista Latham.

Pistons are insulted by Sacramento
by Krista Latham

The Sacramento Kings' marketing staff made their team and fans look like royal snobs before Tuesday night's game.
As the Pistons were introduced, pictures of burned-out cars, abandoned buildings and empty streets were flashed on ARCO Arena's big screen.

It didn't go unnoticed.

Coach Flip Saunders said it made him mad. Assistant coach Don Zierden called it inappropriate. After the game, the players -- many of whom didn't notice the images when they were shown -- were angry when they were told what had happened.

New offense good fit for Hamilton
by Krista Latham

There's Frank's Red Hot Sauce. Then there's Tabasco. And at the top of the oh-my-that's-burning-off-my-tongue-it's-so-hot chart of hot sauces, are those freaky bottles of sauce that come in coffin-shaped boxes with names like "Insanity Sauce."
consider Richard Hamilton the NBA's version of Insanity Sauce.

Pistons start season with a change of pace
by Krista Latham

STRONG START: The past few years, November has not been the month to catch quality Pistons games. The players sleepwalked early the past two years, starting 16-13. They believed they could make the playoffs despite a slow start.
They were right, but the 3-0 start this season still was a nice change. And it was important, considering that Tuesday night's game in Sacramento marked the beginning of a stretch of five of six games on the road.

How Saunders gave Billups the assist of his career: A chance
by Krista Latham

The speculation began the moment news spread that Larry Brown was out and Flip Saunders was in as the Pistons' coach.

Chauncey Billups, the thinking went, will be so happy. He'll be turned loose. Free to shoot 20, 25 times a game. Take as many big shots -- they call him Mr. Big Shot, right? -- as he wants.

So where is this Chauncey Billups? How does that guy average 13 points, 11 shots and wait, nine assists through the first three games?

Truth is, that Chauncey Billups is a memory.

Evans' wish: Beat the Kings
by Krista Latham

No player wants a team to not want him back. That's just Human Nature 101.
But when the Pistons courted swingman Maurice Evans in the summer and the Sacramento Kings decided not to match the offer for the restricted free agent, Evans got over the snub lickety-split fast.

Expanded rosters cure pain in the ... back
by Drew Sharp
It's not exactly the eradication of smallpox, but a medical breakthrough has swept through the NBA -- the abolition of lower back strain as we knew it.
Back spasms had reached epidemic proportions in recent years -- and amazingly, the ailment was pretty much restricted to the far end of the bench.

GETTING PERSONAL WITH: Antonio McDyess

A guarded view of provocative pairings

BY THE NUMBERS

HOT TOPICS

NBA TICKER

Booth newspapers -

Prince lights up Stojakovic as Pistons burn Kings
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Tayshaun Prince once again had the mismatch of the night for the Detroit Pistons, and that can only mean one thing ... someone is going to be exposed.

That "someone" on Tuesday night was Sacramento's Peja Stojakovic, who was lit up in every way imaginable by Prince in a surprisingly easy 102-88 win for Detroit.

Saunders upset about Kings' pre-game video
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Detroit Pistons coach Flip Saunders was fired up even more than usual, and it had little to do with Tuesday's game against Sacramento being Detroit's toughest challenge of the season.
Saunders was visibly upset moments before tip-off because of a slew of negative images on the jumbo screen above half court that showed dilapidated buildings and burned out cars that were intended to depict the city of Detroit.

The Sacramento bee -

They aren't Kings of this castle
Detroit defeats Sacramento handily in its Arco opener, leaving the team with more questions about its game.
By Sam Amick

The consolation wasn't much of one at all.
The Detroit Pistons - defending Eastern Conference champions last season, and world champions the one before - do this as a matter of routine.
They push, pull, fight, scrap, and sometimes score, not to mention rebound, defend and make hoops life a living Hades for any team front and center.

Kings notes: Kings sorry for Detroit video
By Joe Davidson

When images of some depressed areas in Detroit were shown on the overhead video during the Pistons' introductions Tuesday, Detroit assistant coaches cried foul. So did Mike Abdenour, in his 27th season with the Pistons as a trainer, who said it was "inappropriate" and said he will call the NBA office to complain today. Arco Arena video folks said the images weren't meant to offend the Pistons.

from acker's diary:

"My first day in Michigan, it was strange, it was really strange. Not basketball, just driving and making all the U-turns. I guess you gotta pass the light and come back and turn. I miss just knowing my way around. And everything out here looks like a forest. That really freaked the hell out of me."

LOL that's hilarious

where are you reading this?

__________________

http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/...e_20051109.htm

acker's rookie diary

The Detroit news -

Pistons are wary vs. Suns
Although fast-breaking has been added to its repertoire, Detroit can't abandon physical style.
By Chris McCosky

Usually, when you are discussing a matchup between the Pistons and Suns, you are talking about contrasting styles.
It's usually the run-and-gun Suns against the rugged, walk-it-up Pistons.
Not so much this season.

Kings apologize for bashing city
After fouling out with Pistons fans, Sacramento owners say they're sorry for anti-Detroit video.
By Chris McCosky

The city of Detroit took a hit -- again.
But this time, someone accepted responsibility.
Joe and Gavin Maloof, owners of the NBA's Sacramento Kings, purchased full-page ads in both Detroit newspapers to apologize to the Pistons and residents of Detroit for portraying the city in a negative light before Tuesday's basketball game in Sacramento, Calif.

The Detroit Free Press -

Flashy Suns will get taste of their own medicine
by Krista Latham

Last year, when the Pistons played the Phoenix Suns, the story was flash vs. grit, offense vs. defense.
Well, the story has changed. The undefeated Pistons have topped 100 points in three of their first four games and still haven't relaxed on the defensive end, allowing only 85 points a game.

Kings say they're sorry for slamming Detroit's image
by Krista Latham

Although the Sacramento Kings apologized Wednesday for displaying negative images of Detroit during pregame introductions, the NBA began an investigation into the incident that could result in fines.

Before the Pistons beat the Kings, 102-88, Tuesday night at Arco Arena in Sacramento, fans were shown a montage of negative images of Detroit on the scoreboard above center court. They included abandoned buildings, boarded-up houses, burned cars and piles of construction rubble.

Pistons statistics

Booth Newspapers -

Saunders credits Pistons' basketball IQ for success
By A. Sherrod Blakely

As the praise for the Detroit Pistons has gone from that of a leaky faucet to a steady stream of adulation, players are again starting to hear that their success is due in large part to their head coach.

It was that way when Rick Carlisle helped the Pistons win a pair of Central Division titles in his two seasons in Detroit. It was that way under Larry Brown, who helped the Pistons win the NBA title in 2004 and get back to the Finals last season.

Now, new coach Flip Saunders is getting credit for the Pistons' play.

The Arizona Republic -

Steady lineup gives Pistons comfort
Veterans have no ego problems
Jay Dieffenbach

When first-year Pistons coach Flip Saunders agreed to lead the team, which visits the Suns tonight, he knew he was coming into a good situation. But he expressed surprise at the true "team-first" nature of the starting five.