Pistons Youngsters Show Promise

Playing at Van Andel in grand Rapids last night in a pre-season game, Pistons youngsters showed that they have promise and displayed a little of what we may expect to enjoy this upcoming season. Chauncey Billups (DNP-coaches decision) and Richard Hamilton (ankle sprian) did not play so there was plenty of opportunity to get a look from the newbies.

"Probably the biggest positive was even though they made mistakes, they stayed aggressive," Saunders said. "Down the stretch, they didn't play not to win, they played to make plays. That was a positive."

Rookie Sammy Mejia said one of the reasons why they played so well together was because of the bonds formed on Detroit's summer-league team in July.

"We had a good chemistry when we were out there as a group," said Mejia, who had four points and seven rebounds. "We spent two weeks together in Las Vegas, playing together and practicing. That was good experience."

Jason Maxiell had a strong game with 25 points and a game high 12 rebounds in the contest on 11-15 shooting in 33 minutes. He threw in 4 assists and 3 blocks as well. Rodney Stuckey, starting in place of Billups, had 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists and played 40 minutes. His shooting was a bit off at 3-11, but he was able to get to the line often going 10-11 from the stripe. A solid all-around game for him, which has seemed to be missing in previous exhibition contests. It was good to see him put together a fuller stat line for the game instead of being relied on strictly as a scorer. Stuckey even connected on a 45-foot bank shot at the end of the 1st quarter with the clock running out.

Rookie, Cheikh Samb, is expected to spend most of this season with Detroit's Development League affiliate in Fort Wayne, Ind., had eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

"It just goes to show, you give guys some time, they can produce," said Detroit's Rasheed Wallace. "He (Samb) did a couple of good things tonight. Had the (jumper) from the baseline, the jump hook ... Cheikh did his thing tonight."

"That's the name of the game," said Pistons forward Jarvis Hayes. "The better the competition, the better your game becomes. When you don't have somebody pushing you, you can become lackadaisical and kind of just go through the motions. But anytime you have a very competitive
team, up and down the roster, rookie or veteran, it makes everybody play harder."

Afflalo, who had 10 points off the bench. Another of the guards drafted this year. HE is expected to contribute this season.

"We got some veterans guys who have been here a while, and this is their team," Afflalo said. "We're trying to join in on that family."

Veteran Flip Murray added 21 points in 23 minutes.

This is going to be an exciting season I think. Wasn't real high on this team last year with what we had going in on the bench, but at least these young guys are a bit more exciting. Stuckey is supposed to be awesome and we all know that Amir Johnson (DNP-sprained ankle) is looked at as a future freak.