Pistons Insider

Pistons have a good problem

Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

A deep roster, full of players with varying talents.

It's a nice problem to have, coaches will tell you, and Pistons coach John Kuester's no different.

"It's going to be interesting to see how it all plays out," said Kuester, who has four exhibitions remaining -- and at least that many practices -- to figure it out before the Pistons' opener at Memphis on Oct. 28.

There might not be any full-fledge superstars on his roster, but Kuester knows there are quite a few players who can help make this team better.

The question is simply, how does he get them on the floor?

The backcourt looks outstanding -- Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton starting, and Ben Gordon and Will Bynum coming off the bench, although at times, three will be on the floor at the same time.

"It's going to be hard for teams (to defend against the three-guard setup)," Bynum said.

Tayshaun Prince, of course, is set at the small forward.

In the middle, Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace have at least laid claim to starting spots early with their defensive standard.

That's seven players so far.

Then you have Charlie Villanueva, expected to return soon from a hamstring injury, who can stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting.

And we haven't even gotten to big men Jason Maxiell and Chris Wilcox, both of whom could thrive in this system.

That's 10 players to consider.

Oh, and rookies Austin Daye, Jonas Jerebko and DaJuan Summers, each of whom has had a solid exhibition season.

"There's a lot of depth," Villanueva said. "We have a lot of bodies. It's going to be good."

Carolina love

Sidney Lowe , who played for and now is the coach at North Carolina State, dropped by Pistons practice Monday.

Kuester, of course, is a former player at North Carolina, and is a Tar Heel through and through.

"I've had a tremendous amount of respect for him as a player and a coach," Kuester said of Lowe, a former Pistons player and assistant. "He's had a wonderful career.

"One thing interesting about Sidney -- I went to Carolina, so I have to be careful about this -- I always wish him the best."

Feeling the Heat

Former Pistons guard Carlos Arroyo is back in the NBA.

Arroyo, who signed a one-year contract with the Heat this week, will back up Mario Chalmers .

Arroyo replaces Chris Quinn (foot) in the lineup.

Arroyo played in Israel last season, but wanted to return to the NBA. Playing in his hometown is a dream come true (he played at Florida International).

"The opportunity kind of came quick," Arroyo told the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. "Ever since I was in college, I always wanted to be a part of the Heat. I went to school here."

By the numbers

6 Players remaining from last season's roster -- Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, Will Bynum, Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown.

3 Players remaining from the 2004 NBA championship team -- Prince, Hamilton and Ben Wallace.

Key dates

Season opener: at Memphis, 8 p.m. Oct. 28

Home opener: vs. Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. Oct. 30

Top dogs

Boston: Home -- 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20; 7:30 p.m. March 2; Away -- 8 p.m. March 15

Cleveland: Home -- 8 p.m. Nov. 25; 7:30 p.m. March 16; Away -- 7 p.m. March 5; 8 p.m. March 21

Dallas: Away -- 6 p.m. Nov. 15; Away -- 8:30 p.m. Jan. 5

Denver: Home -- 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; Away -- 9 p.m. Feb. 26

L.A. Lakers: Home -- 6 p.m. Dec. 20; Away -- 10:30 p.m. Nov. 17

Miami: Home -- 8 p.m. Jan. 29; 7:30 p.m. March 31; Away -- 7:30 p.m. April 9

Orlando: Home -- 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3; 6 p.m. Jan. 31; Away -- 7 p.m. Nov. 6; 7 p.m. Feb. 17

San Antonio: Home -- 6 p.m. Feb. 21; Away -- 8:30 p.m. Jan. 6

Statistically speaking

Leaders through three exhibitions:

ted.kulfan@detnews.com (313) 223-4606