Detroit Pistons Blog – Page 72 – NBA Blog

Charlie Villanueva charged with domestic assault

The AP reports

The Toronto Star is reporting that Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva faces a charge of domestic assault after a May 19 incident in Burlington, Ontario.

The newspaper reported that the 25-year-old Villanueva was released by Halton Regional Police on a promise to appear in court on July 9. The name of complainant and other details about the incident weren’t available Tuesday.

His lawyer, Owen Wigderson, told the Toronto Star that Villanueva, “denies all allegations of wrongdoing and I’m very confident that he’ll be exonerated.”

InsideHoops.com says

Until there is real reason to think otherwise we will automatically assume and hope that Charlie is innocent.

Rasheed Wallace could retire

The AP reports:

Former Piston Rasheed Wallace, another old guy who was forced to start and play 36 minutes because of Kendrick Perkins’ knee injury, had to throw his hand up to ask out of the game when he became winded in the second half.

“He was just trying to figure out a way to stay on the floor,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who called the 35-year-old Wallace a “warrior” who was considering retirement.

Rivers said Wallace was battling cramps and strains, which kept him from going inside as he did early in the game.

“We had to keep subbing him for one minute and two minutes, and I thought the reason we got up early was because of Rasheed Wallace,” Rivers said. “We got it low in the post, he started scoring, and I thought what happened was late in the game he got tired and had the injuries and we couldn’t go down anymore, and I think that had a huge impact on how we were playing. We had to go away from the post almost because of fatigue.”

Tom Izzo was unable to get LeBron James on the phone

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Now, let us get this straight: One of the best coaches in the country is offered $6 million a year to leave a great gig to come to the Cavs. The team owner obviously wants him, but he, no fool, wants to know how he stands with the best player on the team, a player barely two weeks away from free agency. But when he tries to reach out to that player, he can’t even get him on the phone?

Wow.

There’s nothing wrong with LeBron James keeping in the background during the Cavs’ search for a new coach. Even if he’s the ultimate power on the team, he’s smart not to make that too obvious. But to refuse a phone call from a guy whose name is already penciled in at the Hall of Fame?

Palace of Auburn Hills claims ex-staffers stole trade secrets

Mike Martindale of the Detroit News reports:

The folks at The Palace of Auburn Hills figured a lot of business savvy blew out the door when longtime president and CEO Tom Wilson took a job with Detroit businessman Mike Ilitch in February.

But they apparently didn’t count on Wilson wooing away nine key Palace employees who, a lawsuit now alleges, stole confidential data to fill seats and suites at Joe Louis Arena and unlawfully compete for sponsors, advertisers, concessionaires and vendors.

The Oakland Circuit Court lawsuit alleges violations of Michigan’s Trade Secrets Act. It also claims breach of contract, unfair competition and conspiracy by Olympia and ex-employees of Palace Sports & Entertainment (PSE).

At stake are thousands, perhaps millions of dollars, in entertainment-industry related funds coveted by Palace Sports and also Olympia.

Palace Sports owns and operates the Detroit Pistons, The Palace, Meadow Brook Music Hall and DTE Energy Theatre.

Cavaliers appear to want Tom Izzo

The AP reports:

The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in hiring Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo to replace Mike Brown, whom they fired as coach last month, according to the Spartans’ athletic director, Mark Hollis.

“If I was anywhere but at Michigan State, I would be interested in Tom, too, because he’s the best coach in college basketball,” Hollis said in a telephone interview, adding that there was “not a contract offer on the table” from the Cavaliers.

Multiple news media outlets have reported on the Cavaliers’ interest in Izzo.

Chris Wilcox uses option to stay with Pistons

Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News reports:

Chris Wilcox uses player option to stay with Pistons

Detroit Pistons forward/center Chris Wilcox has exercised his player option for next season.

Wilcox, 27, will earn $3 million next season. Signed as a free agent last summer, Wilcox averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 34 games last season.

Wilcox provides depth in the frontcourt, but he could prove valuable this summer in a trade package if matching salaries don’t correspond.

Joe Dumars supports Pistons coach John Kuester

Chris Iott of Michigan Live reports:

Q: What kind of a job did coach John Kuester do this year?

Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars: “I thought he did a good job under the circumstances. A lot of stuff was thrown at him. One thing I will say — and I would be remiss if I didn’t say — not looking for anything in terms of excuses, but we got decimated. We got decimated early with injuries. And I’m not sitting here hiding behind injuries, but I’m not going to sit here and pretend we didn’t get decimated by injuries early and for a long time, for months.

“That played a big part with Kue with his team early on. He had to do makeshift lineups continuously for three, four straight months. Any coach put in that situation, it’s going to be tough. So I thought Kue did a very good job under the circumstances he had to deal with.”

Q: What areas of improvement do you need to see from John Kuester next year?

Dumars: “I just think if Kue can have a healthy team for 82 games, I think he’s going to do a great job for us.”

Ben Wallace unsure of future

Terry Foster of the Detroit News reports:

Ben Wallace admitted Wednesday he’s unsure if he’ll retire, or if he does return to the NBA, stay with the Pistons.

“Everybody has supported me, and for the rest of my life I am going to be remembered for what I did here,” he said. “I feel a part of the community of Detroit. This is always going to have a special place in my heart.”

The factor in his decision: his 35-year-old body. Wallace, who is working out almost daily at home in Virginia, said he must listen to his body.

“When I am healthy, I can play this game at a high level night in and night out,” he said. “But sometimes, those knick-knack injuries take so much out of you mentally. Physically, I can handle anything but mentally when you have those injuries, it takes away from your game.”

Timberwolves hire Tony Ronzone as assistant GM

Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn today announced the hiring of Tony Ronzone as the franchise’s Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel. Ronzone has been with the Detroit Pistons for the past nine seasons, most recently as the team’s Director of Basketball Operations. Ronzone will report directly to Kahn.

“We are excited to be able to add a person with Tony’s extensive basketball experience to our player personnel staff,” Kahn said. “Even though Tony’s reputation is largely tied to international scouting, I believe he has always had a firm handle on NBA and college personnel as well. He is a relentless worker and we are fortunate to have him join us.”

Ronzone began with the Pistons in 2001, serving as the team’s Director of International Scouting until 2005 and as Director of Basketball Operations from 2005-10. In his most recent role with Detroit, Ronzone directed all of the Pistons’ international scouting activities and assisted with college scouting and evaluating NBA personnel. Ronzone began his NBA career as a scout with the Dallas Mavericks from 1998 through 2000.

“I’m pleased to be joining a great organization like the Minnesota Timberwolves and excited to work with David Kahn and the entire basketball staff,” Ronzone said. “This is a great opportunity and I look forward to using my knowledge and past experiences in helping the organization achieve its goals.”

Ronzone began his front office basketball career as a player/coach in New Zealand. In 1990, Ronzone returned to the U.S. as an assistant coach at Arizona State. He also coached the Saudi Arabian National Team in 1992, and spent five years as a coach in United Arab Emirates. Ronzone’s international coaching resume also includes stints as an assistant coach for the Chinese youth national team in 1998 and the Chinese National Team in 2001. He was the first American to ever coach with the Chinese National Team.

Ronzone played college basketball at the University of Nevada before finishing his collegiate career at Long Beach State. He played professionally overseas in New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines.

Ronzone is involved with USA Basketball, where he serves as Director of International Player Personnel. In this position, he assisted with the gold-medal winning men’s basketball team at the 2008 Olympics. He is also active in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program.

76ers interview Bill Laimbeer

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski met with Bill Laimbeer in Dallas, TX today regarding the Sixers vacant head coaching position.

Joining Stefanski at the meeting with Laimbeer was Sixers Sr. Vice President and Assistant General Manager Tony DiLeo and Sixers consultant Gene Shue.

“We want to speak to as many qualified candidates as possible and certainly Bill Laimbeer’s credentials as a player and success as a coach – including three championships in six seasons in the WNBA – speaks for iteslf,” Stefanski said. “We want to thank Bill for meeting with us.”