- Prince is in his 11th NBA season, all of them with the Detroit Pistons. A first round draft pick out of Kentucky in 2002, Prince had the chance to play in six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals to begin his career, including two trips to the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2005 and an NBA title in 2004. But the Pistons have made the playoffs just once since 2008 and have had three straight losing seasons. He’s the lone member left from that Larry Brown-led 2004 championship, and he said part of the reason he’s still in Detroit is his goal of returning the team to prominence. “What keeps me going is my love for the game and just trying to win,” Prince said. “I had the blessing to win early in my career and, you know, each and every player who’s been there and done that, once they get to the other end of the stick they want to get back to that. So I’ve been blessed to be with the same team for 11 years now, and I just want to get out there and have fun.”
- Frank was asked if the Pistons will have the opportunity for a better start since this year is not preceded by a locked out offseason. The Pistons started last year 4-20 right out the gate before going 21-21 the rest of the way. “You’ve never arrived just because your players have been able to overcome something like last year,” Frank said. “[It] doesn’t mean you won’t have to overcome it again. You hope not. You can’t predict that happens in the future, but by having the right habits you can predict how you are going to react to the highs and lows of the season.” For more news and notes on the team follow the Minnesota Timberwolves and Mark Remme on Twitter, and join the conversation at WolvesNation.com.