Professional Game Coverage: New Jersey 111, Detroit 98

Detroit News

“Pistons sluggish as Nets cruise,” by Chris McCosky

"Antonio McDyess, who has logged some uncharacteristically heavy minutes during Wallace’s prolonged absence, appears to have hit a wall. His jumper has deserted him (he was 1 for 6) and he wasn’t his usual stout presence on defense.“The last couple of games he hasn’t been shooting well, and maybe (fatigue) has a little to do with it,” Curry said.“But he’d never make that excuse and I won’t make it for him.”"

“Curry unfazed by Iverson rant,” by Chris McCosky

"When asked if he had to sit down and remind Iverson of his role, Curry said no.“Only thing I would have to remind him of is if I wavered on what I told him,” Curry said. “He’s coming off the bench as the backup two (shooting guard). He might get more minutes some nights when we can play Rip (Hamilton) at the three (small forward). But for the most part he’s backing up Rip because we really like how Will Bynum has played backing up Rodney Stuckey.”"

Detroit Free Press

“Sluggish Pistons 3 games below .500 after another loss” by Vince Ellis

"Still, the effort was troubling since the Pistons remain in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining. And they didn’t look like a team battling for their playoff lives on Wednesday."

“‘Sheed sits, Curry not bothered by Iverson’s actions,” by Vince Ellis

"Pistons center Rasheed Wallace missed Wednesday’s game because he picked up his 16th technical foul Tuesday night when he argued a call against Tayshaun Prince, who was guarding Cavs All-Star LeBron James.Before the Nets game, Curry joked: “Yep. Doomsday for real this time.”Curry was referring to earlier this season when it was thought that Wallace would have to sit a game, but the league had revoked two technicals, so he got a reprieve."

“‘Iverson doesn’t want to be The Answer from the bench,” by Vince Ellis

"Iverson may be a first-ballot Hall of Famer while Bynum is a basketball journeyman with stops in the NBA Development League and Israel; but frankly, in terms of blending in with the team, Bynum was a revelation while Iverson was out with a sore back for more than a month. He has earned his playing time."

Booth Newspapers

“Pistons’ slide continues with loss at New Jersey,” by A. Sherrod Blakely

"“I don’t even know where to start,” said Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey, who finished with 16 points. “Defensively, we weren’t in the game. That’s pretty much what killed us.”"

“Kwame Brown may keep starting spot for Pistons,” by A. Sherrod Blakely

"As far as Wallace coming off the bench, Curry said “We’ll see. I like Sheed coming off the bench (Tuesday at Cleveland). I think it helps that unit, especially when we’re small with Will (Bynum) and Allen (Iverson).“When you have those two out there and you’re small in the backcourt, you need someone like Sheed, possibly Max (Jason Maxiell) with his activity out there, with him.”"

The Star-Ledger

“New Jersey Nets, playing for embattled coach Lawrence Frank’s job, beat Detroit Pistons, 111-98,” by Dave D’Alessandro

"Rod Thorn said he couldn’t — wouldn’t — guarantee that Lawrence Frank would return for the final season on his contract next year, and that essentially means only one of two things:The Nets president already has made up his mind to replace him, or the players had exactly eight games to save his job, starting with a 111-98 rout of Detroit Wednesday night. Most of them hoped it was the latter. “I look at it like this,” Vince Carter said. “If we can save his job by finishing out on a high note, then we have to help him and at the same time, it possibly helps us.”"

“New Jersey Nets pound Detroit Pistons, 111-98, with new-look lineup,” by Dave D’Alessandro

"Hassell, whose next complaint will be his first, went from starter to DNP-CD. Frank “said he wanted to start KD to get some energy out there,” the wing said before the game. “I just want to get the win. We really need this game.”“And as we move forward there may be other lineup changes,” Frank said. “This isn’t an indictment on Trenton. Trenton’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. We want to look at a different number of combinations, so the lineup may be where it changes as we move ahead. “Trenton is one of the most professional, competitive guys we have. But at the same time, I want to look and see Vince at forward and look at some different guard combinations as we move ahead.”"