AUBURN HILLS — For the first time in his basketball career Jonas Jerebko finds himself out of the rotation.

Playing overseas at the start of his career, Jerebko always played.

In his first two years in the NBA, Jerebko used his energy and effort to earn a spot in the rotation and even started at different points.

Now Jerebko is regulated to the bench after Pistons coach Lawrence Frank elected to give Charlie Villanueva a shot at the backup power forward spot.

Jerebko struggled through the first 13 games, averaging 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting just 35.9 percent from the field.

The normally upbeat Jerebko has not complained about the demotion, but his body language in the locker room before Wednesday’s game suggested he is not pleased.

“I feel fine. I’m ready to play,” Jerebko said.

Jerebko was asked if he is going to do anything extra or different to try to get back in the rotation and said he plans on doing what he’s been doing all along.

“Nothing extra, just keep doing what I’m doing,” Jerebko said. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and I’ll be ready when my number’s called.”

Pistons coach Lawrence Frank has said it’s simply a numbers game with four power forwards on the team and just two spots in the rotation.

“We have four guys who play the position,” Frank said. “They’re each very good players. You can only play two. It just came down to the preseason, deciding to go with (Jason Maxiell) and Jonas. After a period of time we decided to give Charlie a chance. Charlie’s a proven player. We decided to go with Jonas and Max, and now it’s Charlie’s opportunity.”

Passing big man
Greg Monroe is second on the Pistons in assists at 3.6 per game, trailing only Brandon Knight’s 5.8 per game.

Frank said it’s no coincidence Monroe has so many assists, it’s part of the offense.

“That’s by design,” Frank said. “With Greg, he’s a hub for us. He touches the ball virtually every single possession, one way or the other within the flow of what we do. For those that are into numbers, ideally one day down the line he could be a 20, 10 and 5 guy because that’s his makeup. He’s a very skilled offensive player.

“Greg offensively has a lot of room for improvement, but that’s his strength. He’s a very, very skilled offensive player. As long as he keeps moving around and finding different spaces on the floor that’s usually when he has good success.”

Quotable
Suns coach Alvin Gentry was clearly not pleased with his team’s 40-point loss to the Pistons Wednesday night, that much was evident in his postgame press conference.

“I mean, there’s nothing to say, it was a total abortion really,” Gentry said. “I wish there were an easier way to put it but we sucked in all phases of the game. There was nothing that we did that you could say was even NCAA quality. It’s the first game that I can say that I didn’t think we competed hard and didn’t try to match their energy level. It is what it is and it’s over and done with. We’ve got to move on but that was, it was beyond embarrassing. If I was a fan or an owner, I’d be totally (ticked) off. Rightfully so. We just have to find a way to gain consistency in what we’re doing.”

Notes
Detroit’s 40-point win over the Phoenix Suns Wednesday was its biggest margin of victory since Dec. 31, 2007 when the Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 114-69. ... The Pistons’ 117 points Wednesday was a season high. Detroit also hit a season-high 12 3-pointers. ... Wednesday’s win marked the first time all season the Pistons have won two straight games. Detroit has won four straight at home.