There have been some suggestions lately that maybe the
Pistons should experiment with Rip Hamilton in a sixth
man/Vinnie Johnson Microwave role.
Forget about it.
"That's not even an option," Flip Saunders said
Monday.
Hamilton has not played well this season and hasn't
reached the 20-point mark the last five games. He's
also been turnover prone.
Saunders attributes that to Hamilton being out a
majority of the preseason with an ankle sprain, then
missing time for the birth of his son. The last few
games, Hamilton has played despite being under the
weather.
"If a guy has been healthy and play, that's
different," Saunders said. "When a guy hasn't been
healthy, now all of a sudden you're making adjustments
when you don't need to."
Perhaps, but when he is healthy, he's going to have to
make some adjustments in his game. If you recall, he
slumped at the end of last season when Chris Webber
joined the lineup.
The Pistons are using another scoring big man, Antonio
McDyess, in that spot this season. Tayshaun Prince's
offensive game has evolved to the point where he needs
to be more than the fifth option. And Rasheed Wallace
has played inspired ball.
That means Hamilton will have to make some sacrifices,
take fewer shots and be more of a decoy to gain
maximum efficiency from this group.
Other developments in practice Monday:
Wallace, who has been out the last two games with a
sore knee, practiced on the limited basis. He should
play Wednesday against Cleveland.
Rodney Stuckey still isn't allowed to have a contact,
but there's a chance he could make his season debut as
early as this weekend.
Also, trainer Mike Abdenour's technical on Sunday was
assessed by Marc Davis, not Bennett Salvatore. Davis
was also the official who tossed Saunders in Utah's
10-point win at The Palace.