Hamilton starts in place of Iverson - 籃球

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3940942

*********************************************************************

Hamilton starts in place of Iverson

Updated: February 27, 2009, 9:13 PM ET

*********************************************************************

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Falling fast in the Eastern Conference standings, the
Detroit Pistons decided to mix things up again.

Shooting guard Richard Hamilton replaced Allen Iverson in the starting lineup
against the Orlando Magic on Friday night, two days after Hamilton insisted
he should start.

Pistons coach Michael Curry said the move was made before Iverson traveled
back to Detroit to see a specialist for his stiff back. An MRI earlier in the
day came back negative.

Curry was hoping a new lineup would jump-start his Pistons, who began Friday
mired in an eight-game losing streak and on the verge of falling out of the
playoff picture.

"This change is more than about Allen and Rip," Curry said. "We hope that
with this change, more guys will play better. That's what we are seeking.
Hopefully this will allow us to execute better, get us back in sync and
rejuvenate us."

Hamilton had been critical of Curry's decision to make him the first man off
the bench.

The Pistons are 4-12 since Hamilton was taken out of the starting lineup.
After Detroit's 90-87 loss at New Orleans on Wednesday night, the shooting
guard insisted he was trying to do what was best for the team but said coming
off the bench wasn't the answer.

"We wasn't winning," Hamilton said before Friday's game. "It was time for a
change."

Curry said he spoke with Iverson about the move Thursday night. Iverson
wasn't happy with the decision, but the coach expected him to handle it like
a professional. Iverson is not expected to play Sunday at Boston, Curry said.

"He didn't react any different than Rip did when I talked to him about coming
off the bench earlier," Curry said. "Neither guy wants to come off the bench,
but this is the hand we've been dealt."

The Pistons entered the season expecting to contend for the Eastern
Conference title with a lineup featuring All-Stars and up-and-coming players.
But things suddenly changed when team leader and point guard Chauncey Billups
was traded to Denver for Iverson.

Detroit began Friday 23-29 since Iverson joined the team and holding on to
the seventh playoff spot in the East by a mere game over Milwaukee. That's
unfamiliar ground for a team that has advanced to the conference finals six
straight seasons.

Hamilton said he's hoping that returning to the starting lineup will help
snap the Pistons out of their slump.

"I've been doing it my whole career," Hamilton said. "And I've been doing it
with a lot of these guys."

*********************************************************************

--
Only the strong survive- Iverson ⊕ ═█┘
⊕ ●╱ 　　　 Ｗ
● ●︵ ● ●)) ３╯
<３\ /３⊕ ／３﹚ ３ \\
/>⊕ >/ ⊕ ╲> >>
========= http://www.wretch.cc/blog/AWEI3 =========

--