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An inside look at the Detroit Pistons and the NBA.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Pistons Austin Daye answers when called upon

Detroit Pistons forward Austin Daye has struggled to find minutes as of late. Daye logged double digit minutes for the just the fourth time this month on Tuesday in a win over the Cetlics.

Daye was ready when he number was finally called and scored 12 points, all in the second quarter, and shot 5 for 7 from the field, hitting 2 of 3 3-pointers.

Daye was shown the ultimate sign of respect when Tayshaun Prince was about to check in the game and Daye hit his second 3-pointer. Prince immediately walked back to the bench and asked Pistons coach John Kuester to keep Daye in the game, which Kuester did.

The second-year pro was in the playing rotation Tuesday in large part to Rodney Stuckey being out with a stomach illness. Tracy McGrady slid into the starting lineup at point guard and Daye slid into the backup small forward spot.

Moving forward, the Pistons will have to be creative to find Daye minutes. Playing too many guys has hurt the Pistons this season, but Tuesday's game was just another sign Detroit needs to find Daye playing time.

Below is Daye's postgame comments:

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Red hot Tayshaun Prince could attract more trade offers

Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince is the final year of his contract and has been showcasing what he can do as of late to both the Pistons and any other possible suitors.

Prince’s name is always the subject of trade rumors and if his expiring contract wasn’t enough to attract other teams, maybe his recent play will be.

Prince is averaging 23.8 points in his last five games. He scored 20 points Sunday night in Detroit’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I’m just playing good ball,” Prince said. Sunday. “I’ve been shooting the ball well, been getting to the free-throw line. I just have to keep being aggressive. Shots have been falling from the outside in our last five or six games. Once I get to the point where they’re not falling, I got to be aggressive going to the rim. They are falling right now.”

Prince’s inspired offensive play hasn’t resulted in wins for Detroit. The Pistons are just 1-4 during Prince’s current hot streak, something Prince noted Sunday.

“It’s not satisfying right now because we’re not winning,” Prince said. “Me playing well the last couple weeks doesn’t matter if we’re not winning basketball games. Obviously, right now, being able to run some things through me in the post and on the perimeter allows me to be more comfortable throughout the game. Hopefully we can win some games and try to get this thing close to .500 as soon as possible.”

Prince was asked what to attribute the current hot streak to and he said it started at the free-throw line.

“Whenever you can get in the lane and get some easy shots and get to foul line and knock those free throws down, then those other shots will fall as well,” Prince said. “I struggled from the free-throw line early in the season. Once they’ve been able to fall for me, it just opens up everything else.”