http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... s_how.html
That might help explain why the Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace will be in the ear of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard at some point tonight offering him a tip or two on how to become a better player.But don't think for a minute Wallace is giving up any information that will come back and bite him."The tips I do give him, I know the counters," Wallace said. "It's like a karate match. I'll teach the student one technique, but I know how to (counter)."
However, Howard's growth, both physically and as an NBA player, has increased exponentially to the point where the 22-year-old is the best center in the Eastern Conference. And while several factors have contributed to his success, he counts those short talks with Wallace as being part of what has helped him become one of the NBA's premier big men. Howard said a lot of NBA veterans give advice, but "I would say him (Wallace) more so than anybody else. He's just a great person. I love playing against him. He makes you play hard. He's going to talk trash, get into your head, but he's a great person."Wallace echoed similar sentiments about Howard. "I like going against the young fella," Wallace said. "He's one of the best centers in the league. He's going to be around for a while. It's always fun to matchup against him." The two may have to learn how to play with one another if Wallace is chosen by the coaches as a reserve in next month's All-Star game. The starters are chosen by the fans, who have selected Howard.
Wallace finished third in the voting among centers, but the coaches could select him as Howard's backup center due to Miami's Shaquille O'Neal being out for at least two weeks due to a left hip and leg injury. So that leaves Wallace, who admits he's not crazy about the idea of possibly being selected to his fourth All-Star game, and second with the Pistons. "I'm not trying to go down there.," said Wallace, referring to New Orleans, the site of this year's All-Star game. "I'd rather rest those four days."Pistons coach Flip Saunders understands why Wallace, as well as a number of other NBA players, aren't overly thrilled about the idea of not having All-star weekend off. However, he believes anyone chosen to participate in an All-star game, and is healthy, should be there. "All of our players get paid a lot of money to play this game," Saunders said. "You have an obligation. The reason you get paid, is because people want to see you. If you're playing at that type of level, you have an obligation that you should be able to let those people see you."
( 30 - 13 )vs 
( 27 - 17 )
Brian Cook Out indefinitely - Finger.
Tony Battie out for season - Shoulder.
Uhhhh ..... what happened to game 43. Your not looking ahead are you?
