http://www.mlive.com/pistons/i...n_bunches_to_be.html

By A. Sherrod Blakely
October 07, 2009, 11:50PM

AUBURN HILLS -- Rodney Stuckey, Will Bynum and Ben Gordon will play at some point this season.

And their knack for scoring will give Detroit Pistons opponents something to worry about.

In case there was any doubt about this, look no further than Wednesday’s 113-104 preseason win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Although all three at times initiated Detroit’s offense, it was their ability to score in bunches that helped the Pistons (2-0) remain undefeated in the preseason.

They combined for 68 points, with Gordon leading with 24 points.

And they didn’t rely solely on jumpshots, either. All three penetrated into the lane consistently and finished with layups or free throws after being fouled.

Early in the fourth quarter, Gordon dribbled down the baseline and had a dunk attempt rattle in as Kurt Thomas stood under the rim.

Some of Pistons coach John Kuester’s early comments following the game centered on his three-guard attack, which had its way all game long against the Bucks.

"As explosive as they are, they’re very unselfish, too," Kuester said. "They want other players to feel good about themselves."

In addition to points, the trio combined for nine of the team’s 1 7 assists.

And while it wasn’t all that surprising they scored so many points, seeing them on the floor at the same time was unusual.

When on the court with Gordon and Bynum, Stuckey, the team’s starting point guard, plays the small forward position.

"It’ll be something that we’ll do," Kuester said of the small lineup.

Stuckey said he hadn’t played any small forward in practice.

"I think it can work," said Stuckey, who is 6-foot-5. "I’m not scared to guard anybody. If I have to guard a bigger person, I’ll do it."

While Detroit’s guards scored most of the points, the Pistons’ big men also chipped in.


The Pistons' first points came on a 16-foot jumper by Kwame Brown. Later in the first quarter, Ben Wallace used a cross-over dribble to get into the lane for a layup.

Detroit, however, trailed most of the first quarter.

"Early on, they were the aggressors. We weren’t," Kuester said.


That all changed in the second quarter as Detroit opened with a 15-3 run to take a 39-33 lead. During the run, Stuckey and Gordon combined for 13 of 15 points.

Milwaukee got big shots from its guards, too.

Rookie Brandon Jennings, who had 18 points off the bench, hit a 3-pointer with 1 second left in the half that tied the score at 55.

The score was close early on in the third, but that all changed following a layup by Bucks guard Michael Redd that tied the score at 61.

Detroit responded with a 6-0 spurt and didn't trail the rest of the game.

http://www.detnews.com/article...all+ball+a+big+thing

Thursday, October 8, 2009
Terry Foster
Pistons' small ball a big thing

Auburn Hills -- Welcome to small ball.

The Pistons unleashed their secret weapon on the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night at The Palace, playing much of the second half with a three-guard rotation the Bucks could not keep up with.

It won't win the Pistons an NBA title, but it will make things uncomfortable for some teams during those grueling nights when legs turn sluggish and teams are not in the mood to defend.

For one night it worked as the Pistons ran away with a 113-104 victory to remain unbeaten during the preseason and surpass coach John Kuester's goal of averaging 100 points per game.

First, Kuester showered the Bucks with Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton. That worked like a charm. It got even better when Will Bynum replaced Stuckey at the point and literally ran the Bucks into the ground.

"They are ballplayers," Kuester said. "Other teams might try to use their size to try to post those guys up. That is where we are going to have to continue to do a good job on defense. We will have to help out. Those are three guys who can explode. That is a nice problem to have."

Gordon looks good
Ben Gordon showed he is more than a shooter, scoring 24 points by hitting open jumpers and using a little funk in his game to keep defenders off-balance. Hamilton (4 points) did not do much but he doesn't have to prove himself at this point.

"I think it will be great with how athletic we are," Hamilton said. "We have bigs that can defend and allow us to get up and down the floor. And when you have guys who can shoot, you always keep the floor spaced out."

The real treat was Bynum (23 points, six assists), who runs the point better than anyone for the Pistons and that includes Stuckey -- the man they want to run it.

Bynum is not an elite point guard, but he gives the Pistons exactly what they want. He is an unselfish player who can get into the lane and make good decisions.

Bynum's nifty pass to Austin Daye ignited a three-point play and brought the tiny Palace crowd to its feet. He also found Hamilton inside for a reverse layup on a backdoor cut, and that will motivate guys to keep their eyes open.

terry.foster@detnews.com (313) 222-1494