Pistons to fine Iverson after guard misses practice Thursday

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Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson missed practice Thursday and will be levied a "hefty" fine, coach Michael Curry said.

"I'm surprised when guys are late; I'm surprised when they don't show," Curry said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "It's a pretty hefty fine to be late, or to miss, and once again, it's accountability for yourself and your teammates."

Rodney Stuckey, who scored 13 points and added a career-high 11 assists for his first career double-double Wednesday in a 110-96 victory over New York, will start in Iverson's place Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Curry said he hadn't decided whether Iverson would play.

Pistons to fine Iverson after guard misses practice Thursday....

Iverson traded to Pistons

(UPI) -- High-scoring Denver guard Allen Iverson will go to the Detroit Pistons in a trade for three players, the two teams announced Monday.

In exchange for Iverson, Denver gets Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb.

The 33-year-old Iverson is in his 13th season in the NBA. He has averaged 27.7 points and 6.3 assists per game in his career.

Iverson played 10 1/2 years for Philadelphia and has since been with the Nuggets.

"He's a fierce competitor, he's going to bring tremendous energy to our basketball team and he's a proven all-aStar in this league," Pistons Vice President Scott Perry said in a report on the team's Web site. "He'll add excitement not only to our basketball team, but to the community at large."

Iverson traded to Pistons....

Citing family reasons, Billups pulls out of consideration for Beijing

By Ric Bucher
ESPN The Magazine

Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups will not play for Team USA in this summer's Beijing Olympics because of personal family issues.

Billups contacted Team USA director Jerry Colangelo on Tuesday and notified him of his decision.

"It's a matter of what you want to do and what you need to do," said Billups, who declined to be more specific about the family matter prompting his withdrawal from the team. "Winning a gold medal is the one thing that I haven't accomplished, and I was looking forward to standing up on that big stage. That's what I really wanted. But I was taught family comes first, above anything else."

MORE....

Pistons coach Saunders won't be back next season

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Pistons say Flip Saunders won't be back next season after leading the team to three straight appearances in the Eastern Conference finals.

President of basketball operations Joe Dumars said Tuesday a change is necessary despite Saunders' successes.

FULL STORY....

Pierce-led Big 3 lifts Celtics to 89-81 win over Pistons

By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce walked together, sporting black hats with green four-leaf clovers, and tried to soak up the moment when both superstars became conference champions for the first time.

“My heart is beating faster,” Pierce said.

Someone asked Garnett if he needed a water.

“I’m good,” Garnett said.

KG and the Big Three certainly are.

Pierce scored 27 points, Ray Allen had 17 and Garnett added 16 to lift the Boston Celtics to an 89-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Boston got past an old nemesis to set up a matchup with another rival.

ARTICLE....