PistonsNationBlog.com - Detroit Pistons News & Views

(Just let me start by saying I’m not in any way pushing for the Pistons to go out and scoop these two guys up, that would make absolutely no sense.  I’m just informing you the reader of the day’s news.)

The Chicago Bulls have waived Lindsey Hunter but it’s being reported that he’ll stay with the organization in an unspecified position.  Lindsey joined the Bulls as a free agent in November of 2008.

At 39 Lindsey Hunter is the league’s eldest statesman.  Lindsey was originally a lottery pick (10th overall) of the Pistons back in 1993. Hunter was selected by Detroit in hopes of him eventually becoming Isiah Thomas’ successor at point guard.

Linds’ is currently 3rd all-time in Pistons’ steals (behind Isiah & Joe), 3rd in 3-pointers made (behind Joe & Chauncey), and 5th all-time in games played with 705.

Lindsey’s first go ’round with Detroit lasted until 2000 when was traded to Milwaukee for Billy Owens.  Hunter was reaquired from Toronto in 2003 in a trade for Michael Curry.  Lindsey was then part of the blockbuster 2004 3-team deal that brought Rasheed Wallace to Detroit.  Lindsey was sent to Boston, but was later waived by the Celtics and quickly snatched back by Joe Dumars for the ‘04 postseason run.

Another part of that 2004 trade, Mike James, was bought out by the Wizards.

James and Hunter became to be known as the “Pitbulls”.  Coach Larry Brown would deploy those two together off the Pistons’ bench and they’d harass the other team’s backcourt like nothing I’ve ever seen before or since.  You almost felt bad for the other guys.  It was truly something special.

Depsite being a damn good guard Mike James has been with 38  different teams (7 actually) after winning it all with the Pistons in 2004.

James has been in a mere four games (46 minutes) this season in Washington.

(HT: Full Court Press)

Lindsey Hunter in a Chicago Bulls jersey?  Does that look weird considering most of us thought that Lindsey would finish up his career here?  Or with all that gone on recently in Pistons Nation is it just what ever?

Hunter’s played 3 games since signing with the Bulls.  He’s averaging 9 minutes a game and not much in the stat category but stats aren’t really why the Bulls brought Hunter aboard.

Lindsey is wear jersey #11.  I wonder if it has anything to do with Zeke because I seem to remember when Lindsey was coming into the league he listed Isiah Thomas as his idol and he wore #11 at Jackson State University in honor of him.

Photo: getty

Well here’s your “what’s up with Lindsey Hunter” update:

Lindsey Hunter, a 15-year veteran, signed a contract with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Contract terms were not disclosed by the team, but a source told ESPN.com that Hunter agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. His salary will be a pro-rated share of the veteran’s minimum of about $1.3 million for players with at least 10 years’ experience.

Hunter is expected to be in uniform Thursday night when the Bulls play host to the Dallas Mavericks. -espn

The Bulls needed a guard with both Kirk Hinrich and Larry Hughes being out with injuries.  How’s the real estate market in Illinois?

• Detroit Free Press: Bulls ready to sign ex-Piston Lindsey Hunter
• Detroit News: Lindsey Hunter has signed a pro-rated, one-year contract with the guard-strapped

Ok, so where did this come from? I thought it was a forgone conclusion that Linds was just eventually retire and stay with the Pistons in some other capacity?

“We worked him out and he looked great,” Clippers coach and general manager Mike Dunleavy said. “He’s in great shape, and a good veteran guy.”Now that the Clippers have official word that Davis should only be out another week and doesn’t need surgery, it’s unlikely they’d sign Hunter, who won NBA championships with the Lakers in 2001-02 and Detroit in 2003-04. – LA Daily News

Lindsey (and apparently Rip Hamilton) are saying what many fans have been saying about all the “love” between Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett during these Eastern Conference Finals. We love Sheed, but there’s a time and place for that stuff.

Some funny stuff from Chris McCosky’s newest blog entry. Looking at the their builds I’d have to say the smart money would be on Lindsey every time.

With the cameras rolling, Lindsey Hunter and Juan Dixon engaged in a little, good-natured grappling session in the locker room before the game Sunday. Apparently, a challenge was issued — not sure who the instigator was, but the smart money is on Hunter — and the two have been going at it verbally about who is stronger or whatever.

Well, Hunter walked over to Dixon, put a bear hug on him, lifted him off the ground and then dumped him on the ground — right at my feet. Dixon complained that Hunter caught him off guard, but apparently, the two went at it again in the trainer’s room, with the same result — Hunter pinning Dixon.

“That’s what I do!” Hunter told Dixon. “That’s what I do.” Dixon countered with: “I ain’t never going to quit.” To which Hunter said, “My cousin never quit either, but that doesn’t mean he ever won.”

Pretty funny stuff. Actually, the funniest part was, right in the middle of it, security chief Jerry Hendon ran out of the room saying, “I’m going to call security.”

Looks as if Lindsey “The Hunter” will finally be trading in his suit for his familiar #10 red, white, and blue get-up. Chris McCosky is reporting that the Pistons are going to activate Lindsey on Wednesday in time for the showdown in Cleveland.

“It’s something he worked out with Joe,” Saunders said. “We will try to wean him in there. He’ll have (four) weeks to get back into the fold.”

Sounds like Linds and Joe D are pretty tight. Lindsey hasn’t been practicing but I have a feeling he keeps himself in shape and since we’ve been at home a lot recently he probably hasn’t had too many opportunities to throw down at the Cheesecake Factory. Even if he did though there’s always his wife’s diet pills…just kidding, just kidding.

When Lindsey is in full playoff ball-hawking mode does that mean our guy Afflalo is the odd man out since Juan Dixon has come into the fold?