Error processing SSI filePistons: Notebook
Don't let Acker know his status
Rookie guard has no desire to hear about his prospects in a fight for the last roster spot.
AUBURN HILLS -- Rookie guard Alex Acker of the Pistons doesn't want to hear it.
He doesn't want to know how he's playing in training camp or what his chances are to land the final spot on the Pistons' roster.
It's shaping up to be a competition between Acker and forward Ronald Dupree.
Acker will find out his fate by Monday, before 6 p.m., when the final rosters are due in the NBA office. Until then, he wants to concentrate fully on the remaining three practices and two games of the exhibition season.
"I'm not trying to get in my head about that kind of stuff," Acker said after practice Wednesday. "I do better not knowing. Just let me play. At the end of the day, if it happens, tell me. Tell me now, and it's in my head, during the game, so I'm still thinking about it. That would mess up my performance."
Coach Flip Saunders will take longer, harder looks at Acker and Dupree, starting with an exhibition in Dallas tonight. Saunders intends to run through several lineup combinations to see which blend of starters and reserves shows the most chemistry and effectiveness.
"The next two games will be a good evaluation period for some guys," Saunders said. "We'll see where some individual players are at and make our final decisions."
Saunders said the Pistons are trying to find the best approach, given that guard Lindsey Hunter is out indefinitely while recovering from surgery on his left ankle.
Acker could be a viable option to substitute for Hunter.
"You know he (Hunter) is going to be back, you're just trying to sense what's going to be the best overall for your whole team," Saunders said. "The biggest thing to take into consideration with Alex is you have to say when you get to those final spots, how much are those guys going to play and do you look for someone you try to bring along? A younger guy that might help you in a year or two rather than right now?
"So I think those are the decisions you end up making."
Acker has practiced more with the first and second units, allowing him to work with the veterans and starters. Being around the more established players has made him feel more confident about blending in and playing with the Pistons.
"I do feel more comfortable -- a lot more," Acker said. "It starts here in practice. Practice is going good, and it carries out in the games."
Injury updates
Darko Milicic has incurred some bumps and bruises in the past few days. His left calf was bandaged during practice Wednesday, and he also was seen gingerly holding his left elbow after contact.
Milicic is expected to play tonight against the Mavericks.
Hunter watched practice, clearly hobbling after arthroscopic surgery three weeks ago.
The Mavericks also are a bit dinged up.
Erick Dampier is suffering from a hip injury and former Piston Jerry Stackhouse hindered by a sore right knee. Dampier is expected to play. Stackhouse is likely to sit out.
Quick shot
Look for reserve center Dale Davis to get more minutes than usual in the next two games. Saunders wants to work on his game conditioning.
You can reach Joanne C. Gerstner at Joanne.gerstner@detnews.com or (313) 223-4644.
Copyright © 2005
The Detroit News.
Use of this site indicates your agreement to the Terms of Service (updated 12/19/2002).