Detroit Pistons Blog – Page 74 – NBA Blog

Tom Wilson resigns as president, CEO of Pistons, Palace

Tom Wilson is resigning his position as president and chief executive officer of Palace Sports & Entertainment, Inc. and the Detroit Pistons Basketball Company. Immediately assuming Mr. Wilson’s executive roles is Alan Ostfield, currently chief operating officer of the Palace and Pistons.

“I have had the honor to be a part of the Pistons family for the last 32 years, 31 of them working along side Bill Davidson,” said Mr. Wilson. “He was a dear friend and partner. I believe that, with Mr. Davidson’s unfortunate passing, however, the time is now right for me and my family to explore many exciting opportunities that have come my way recently. With Alan, I leave the Pistons and Palace in very good hands.”

“Mr. Davidson and I built an organization of talented people and planned for an orderly leadership transition. Alan Ostfield, has been involved in every aspect of our business and helped to make every important decision we’ve made over the last 10 years. Alan has outstanding experience in all areas of sports franchise management and operations, including strategic planning. Now, Alan is ready to help guide the Pistons’ and Palace’s future.”

During his 32 year tenure, Wilson was lauded as a visionary in the sports and entertainment industry. Under his and Mr. Davidson’s leadership, The Palace earned Arena of the Year honors nine times, DTE Energy Music Theatre was the nation’s top-attended outdoor venue 19 consecutive years and the Pistons is heralded as one of the best marketed and most highly valued teams in the NBA. The extraordinary staff that Wilson and Davidson built remains intact.

Alan Ostfield joined the Pistons and Palace in 2000 as senior vice president for legal affairs and assumed his current title as chief operating officer of Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons and as assistant general manager of the Detroit Pistons in 2002. Previously, he was senior vice president and general counsel for the San Diego Padres major league baseball club. A resident of Beverly Hills, Michigan, Mr. Ostfield earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA and JD degrees from Boston University.

“I have the deepest respect for Tom Wilson and the culture of excellence he and Mr. Davidson developed here,” said Mr. Ostfield. “Working with Tom has been an extraordinary professional and personal experience, and I am confident the management team we have in place can build on his achievements and momentum. I appreciate Mr. Davidson’s confidence in me as well as ownership’s trust and support as I assume these new responsibilities.”

“Alan Ostfield and Tom have functioned as an outstanding senior management team in anticipation of a seamless transition,” said Jonathan Aaron, co-personal representative of Mr. Davidson’s estate. “Tom has left his indelible mark on our organization and we want to thank him for his years of exemplary leadership.”

“I would like to wish all the best to Tom Wilson,” said Karen Davidson, wife of the late Bill Davidson. “He was close to Bill personally and professionally and was instrumental to this organization’s growth, reputation and success.”

“Our organization is like an extended family, and Tom has been a valued member of that family for years,” said Ethan Davidson, Bill Davidson’s son. “While change always brings challenges, we are very confident in the future success of the Palace and Pistons.”

Dennis Rodman making coaching debut

Although the article mentions that he has no interest in really becoming a coach, Dennis Rodman is about to give it a shot in the very-minor leagues.

The Dallas Morning News reports:

Former Dallas Mavericks star Dennis Rodman will make his professional coaching debut tonight.

Rodman will coach the Elmira Bulldogs, a minor league team from Eastern Basketball Alliance for games on Friday and Saturday night.

“I want to show people that I am different than the character they see on TV. Everyone always sees me on TV, they see me doing crazy stuff,” Rodman told thedailyreview.com. “They see me on shows like rehab. I’m the sanest guy on that show.”

According to the-leader.com, Rodman is being paid to coach two games as a publicity stunt.

First Arena general manager Robbie Nichols thought it was a home run idea, but pre-order ticket sales have been a disappointment because he told the-leader.com that people weren’t sure Rodman would show up, given his freestyle nature.

Ben Gordon’s financial advisors ordered to repay loan

The AP reports:

A federal judge ordered Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon’s former financial advisors to pay him more than $1.3 million in a dispute over a loan but found there was no breach of their fiduciary duty.

Judge Charles Kocoras handed down the decision Wednesday in a suit Gordon, a former Chicago Bull, filed against California-based Larry Harmon & Associates.

Kocoras ordered Harmon to repay with interest and penalties a $1 million loan from Gordon in 2007 but threw out his claim that the loan and a change in how he paid them – from flat fee to 1 1/2 percent of earnings – represented a breach of the firm’s fiduciary duty to the NBA player.

Tulsa WNBA team, which moved from Detroit, named Tulsa Shock

After months of anticipation, the new WNBA Tulsa franchise officially unveiled its identity today with the announcement of the new team name, logo and colors. The new franchise will be named the Tulsa Shock and its colors black, red and gold. The logo features a basketball on top of “Tulsa Shock” with a lightning bolt through it. The “Tulsa” lettering has an Art Deco inspiration which was influenced by the city’s rich history in Art Deco architecture.

The Tulsa Shock, formerly the Detroit Shock, moved to Tulsa in October 2009. In November, the team decided on a short list of three potential names which included Fire, Tempo and Shock and then gave the fans an opportunity to vote for their favorite on the team’s Web site – www.wnba.com/shock. The name “Shock” received the highest amount of votes with 38 percent. Tempo finished second with 32 percent and Fire was third with 30 percent.

The Shock’s new president, Steve Swetoha, believes the familiarity WNBA fans have with the Shock name will go a long way in developing brand recognition for the team and lends itself well to promotions and marketing opportunities.

“I think its clear the Shock name resonated with fans because of the championship history it invokes, as well as the feelings of speed and power it brings. Our new name and identity fits perfectly with the style of play Coach Richardson brings to the team,” Swetoha said. “It’s the same name with a whole new meaning.”

“The Tulsa Shock – I love it,” head coach Nolan Richardson said. “Having an identity gets me more excited because I know we’re one step closer to tip-off, and we’ll look good when that day comes.”

Tulsa Shock uniforms are not finalized at this time. The team will unveil the uniforms this spring.

Tulsa WNBA team, which moved from Detroit, named Tulsa Shock

Rasheed Wallace enjoys return to Detroit

Wednesday night, the Detroit Pistons hosted the Boston Celtics. Now wearing Celtic green, former Piston Rasheed Wallace enjoyed his return.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports:

As expected, he received the familiar chants of “Sheeeeeed!!!!!” as well as a smattering of boos, perhaps by some who remembered his penchant for controversy and technical fouls.

“It was cool and definitely wonderful,” Wallace said after the Pistons’ 92-86 victory. “It let me know that the fans here still love me as a player.

“It was pretty cool.”

Wallace was playful with former teammates and the Pistons’ coaching staff during the game.

“Just messing with guys,” Wallace said. “My ex-teammates and coaches … just letting them know that we still cool.”

Rasheed is having a decent season in a support role on the Celtics. He fits in and plays well with the team, but misses too many shots. Playing 23.5 minutes per game, the forward/center averages 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, but is shooting just 40.8% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range.

Chris Wilcox stepping up for Pistons

Detroit Pistons big-man Chris Wilcox has mostly been a forgotten man this season, contributing about as much to the team as you. Which isn’t a lot. Unless you buy Pistons tickets, or gear, or something. Then it’s probably a tie.

Anyway, the 14-25 Pistons have been terrible this season, though constant injuries to key players is a very legitimate excuse. But they’ve rattled off several wins in a row, and Wilcox has helped.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports:

After Wilcox, an eight-year veteran power forward, was benched for 13 of the first 26 games, it looked as if he wouldn’t have an impact on this season.

But Wilcox has helped the Pistons to a 3-1 record since coach John Kuester put him in the starting lineup.

And with a 14-point, 10-rebound effort in Saturday night’s victory over the Knicks, Wilcox proved that his athleticism and shooting touch could be a boon to the Pistons the rest of the season.

“I thought in the third period he did some great things,” Kuester said. “Playing the amount of minutes (16) and him giving us that kind of energy … that’s awfully impressive.”

For the season, Wilcox is averaging 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. His stats are barely better than that in the three recent wins, but he’s hustled and helped the squad.

Ben Gordon scores 10 millionth point in NBA regular season history

It’s been over 63 years since New York’s Ossie Schectman scored the first basket in NBA history on Nov. 1, 1946, at Maple Leaf Gardens, and tonight Ben Gordon of the Detroit Pistons scored the 10 millionth point in NBA regular season history.

It was Gordon’s successful jumpshot at The Palace of Auburn Hills with 3:51 remaining in the second quarter of the Pistons-76ers game that represented the 10,000,000th point in NBA history.

Following is a look at the NBA’s million-point milestones:

Point — Date — Game/Play

* 1,000,000 12/22/1962 Occurred in Detroit-Chicago, New York-Boston or Syracuse-San Francisco game.

* 2,000,000 1/9/1972 Occurred in Baltimore-Phoenix or Detroit-Buffalo game.

* 3,000,000 2/17/1978 Occurred in Indiana-Washington, Buffalo-Kansas City, Detroit-New York, New Jersey-Cleveland, or Philadelphia-San Antonio game.

* 4,000,000 2/18/1983 Scored by Philadelphia’s Moses Malone on a tip-in of own miss at 11:59 of the first quarter against Houston.

* 5,000,000 1/25/1988 Scored by Utah’s Rickey Green on 24-foot three- pointer as buzzer sounded ending third quarter against Cleveland.

* 6,000,000 3/23/1992 Scored by Atlanta’s Stacey Augmon on driving layup at 7:41 of second quarter against Golden State.

* 7,000,000 12/1/1996 Scored by Seattle’s Hersey Hawkins on a running 12-foot jumper at 4:42 of the fourth quarter against Utah.

* 8,000,000 4/15/2001 Scored by New Jersey’s Eddie Gill on a layup with 10:37 remaining in the fourth quarter against Boston.

* 9,000,000 12/28/2005 Scored by Portland’s Juan Dixon on a layup with 7:17 remaining in the second quarter against Philadelphia.

* 10,000,000 1/9/2010 Scored by Detroit’s Ben Gordon on a jumpshot with 3:51 remaining in the second quarter against Philadelphia.

Rodney Stuckey playing great

Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News reports:

The story after Saturday’s victory over Golden State was the return of Richard Hamilton.

But it’s one of the mainstays this season, Rodney Stuckey, who’s been a headliner lately.

While winning their last five games, the Pistons are seeing Stuckey at his best — he’s averaging 25 points in the winning streak and dominating at both ends of the court.

“Looking at our team I’m not sure if there were many players that had a better week than (Rodney) Stuckey did,” said coach John Kuester, who has been trumpeting Stuckey’s talent and potential from the start of training camp.

Said veteran point guard Chucky Atkins: “Rodney Stuckey is a guy who’s hard to stop, the way he’s attacking the basket and continuing to put pressure on the defense. We need that. He’s a guy that defenses are going to have to deal with from now on, throughout the rest of the season.”

Charlie Villanueva suffers broken nose

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports:

Villanueva suffered a broken nose with 9:30 left when he was fouled by the Hawks’ Zaza Pachulia on a drive to the basket. As he was falling his face appeared to hit near the hip of teammate Ben Wallace.

His nose started bleeding profusely and a time-out was taken. Pistons personnel was able to slow the bleeding just enough so Villanueva could make the two free throws. He then went to the locker room and never returned.

No Allen Iverson for Knicks

The Memphis Grizzlies and guard Allen Iverson recently came to an understanding that things simply weren’t going to work out. Iverson was waived, and became a free agent.

There have been rumblings that the Knicks were strongly considering adding the former All-Star and league MVP, but apparently it isn’t going to happen.

Howard Beck of the New York Times reports:

The Knicks’ pursuit of Allen Iverson is dead.

In an abrupt reversal, Knicks officials decided late Thursday not to offer Iverson a contract, putting an end to their brief flirtation, according to a person close to the deliberations.

Although team officials were highly intrigued by Iverson, a four-time scoring champion, they finally decided that he posed too great a risk because of his long history of problems on and off the court.

Team officials spent three days weighing the potential merits and pitfalls of signing Iverson, and alternately talked themselves into and then out of making the move.

Iverson is obviously seen by most teams as more trouble than he’s worth right now, but it still made sense for the Knicks to consider adding him. Although he’s best as a scorer, Iverson could have been used as a starting point guard, since Chris Duhon and rookie Toney Douglas are best suited as reserves. The Knicks currently aren’t winning very often. And they don’t really have a lot of top-level youth that would be affected by Iverson being there.

But, Iverson reportedly won’t be heading to New York.

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