Pistons Boycott Practice

In  some type of player protest, Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton and Chris Wilcox were missing from a shootaround before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers.  The team spokesman Cletus Lewis said that Rodney Stuckey and Austin Daye missed the team bus as well, but they did arrive toward the end of the media session.  Lewis said McGrady had a headache, Prince had an upset stomach and Hamilton and Wilcox missed the bus from the team hotel.  Ben Wallace also missed the shootaround. Lewis said Wallace was dealing with a family matter. Wallace has missed games and practices over the past month because of the issue.  Only Greg Monroe, Will Bynum, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Jason Maxiell and DaJuan Summers were full participants in the morning shootaround.  There are signs that the discontent is directed at Pistons coach John Kuester, who has clashed with players repeatedly this season. The organization downplayed the absences, insisting Prince and McGrady were ill.  The Pistons' organization is staying on the side of John Kuester in this disagreement.  This is a very serious matter because the Pistons' organization is on the brink of disaster.  Just a few years ago they won a championship, but now they are towards the bottom of the NBA.