A new tipping point with Richard Hamilton
By Dan Feldman
Richard Hamilton has been suspended or is refusing to play. Of course, the Pistons haven’t – and likely won’t – describe the situation with those terms, but that’s what’s happening.
Hamilton’s flu isn’t causing him to miss the game, according to Dave Hogg. Rather, the Pistons are calling it “an internal decision.”
A quick look at the math:
- Pistons’ total roster: 15 players
- Pistons unable to play tonight due to injury: four players (Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, Jonas Jerebko and Terrico White)
- Healthy Pistons: 11 players
- Active-roster limit: 12 players
- Pistons dressing for tonight’s game against the Nets: 10 players
The Pistons removed Hamilton from the rotation because they didn’t believe he was good enough to play. But teams don’t voluntarily cede a spot on the active roster because the best option isn’t good enough. When teams forego activating a healthy player, they’ve either suspended him or that player is refusing to play.
Either way, the next rush will be determining whether Hamilton or the Pistons decided this.