Chris Wilcox productive for Pistons

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Published on Monday, 21 February 2011 17:47

By Chris Iott - January 15, 2011

AUBURN HILLS -- Chris Wilcox battled a back injury last season, then followed that up with
a hamstring issue in the preseason this year and a groin injury during the regular season.

Healthy Chris Wilcox now productive for Pistons

By Chris Iott

AUBURN HILLS -- Chris Wilcox battled a back injury last season, then followed that up with
a hamstring issue in the preseason this year and a groin injury during the regular season.

But right now he is feeling good and contributing for the Detroit Pistons.

Wilcox, who made his third consecutive start Saturday night when the Pistons hosted the
Sacramento Kings, averaged 5.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in his previous six games. He
scored in double-figures three times during that span and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds
Friday night in a 101-95 victory over Toronto.

Pistons coach John Kuester liked what he saw out of Wilcox in the win over the Raptors.

“He did a great job of playing above the rim,” Kuester said. “Getting 12 rebounds was huge.
We need that kind of consistency night in and night out. But, boy, he’s really done a nice
job.”

Kuester rapped his hand on the desk in his office at The Palace while talking about the
injury troubles that have limited Wilcox in his time with the Pistons.

“He’s had a couple injuries already so, knock on wood, we hope we can keep him healthy,”
Kuester said. “If we keep him healthy, we’ve got an asset.”

Practices limited
Kuester instituted a new starting lineup and rotation for the game Wednesday against
Memphis, and the players involved have had to get used to their new roles during game
action.

The Pistons currently are in a stretch of eight consecutive days without a full practice.

“I think they’re getting a feel for each other right now, so I feel good about it,” Kuester said.
“During this stretch it’s important to get rest and take care of your body, and a lot of our
guys have been conscientious about that.”

The Pistons played Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and they will play an
afternoon game Monday at home against Dallas. They have a practice scheduled for
Tuesday before a two-game road trip that will take them to Boston and New Jersey.

Cousins or Monroe?
The game Saturday night pitted rookie centers DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe against
one another. Cousins went to the Kings with the fifth pick in the draft, while Monroe went
seventh.

Pre-draft rumors said the Pistons tried to move up in an attempt to select Cousins.

“DeMarcus Cousins is going to be an outstanding player,” Kuester said. “I just feel we’re
very blessed to have Greg Monroe, somebody who continually gets better. In his career,
he’ll be a double-double guy. His ability to adapt to the game has been very impressive.”

Cousins is averaging 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Monroe averages 5.9 points
and 5.7 rebounds per game.

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2011/01/healthy_chris_wilcox_now_produ.html