Prince the Pistons' All-Star non-All-Star
"I don't like to lose."
Not that Prince is an egomaniac -- far from it, in fact -- but playing a key role on the best team in the league makes for a strong consolation prize to keep him from playing the "what if" game.
He came out of Kentucky as an All-American, one of the top two-way players in the country, improving in every one of his four seasons. Despite that, some scouts called him anemic, wondering if he could withstand the NBA grind despite the fact he missed only one of 136 possible college games.
Instead of going in the lottery, Prince, a lefty with a 72-inch wingspan, slipped steadily down toward the bottom of the first round. Detroit was shrewd enough to pick him up with the 23rd selection of a draft in which Nioloz Tskitisvili went fifth and Marcus Haislip rounded out the lottery. Wings Bostjan Nachbar, Ryan Humphrey and Casey Jacobsen all went before him.
Prince was barely utilized as a rookie, playing in 42 games and averaging just over three points. But with Detroit down 3-1 to Orlando, Rick Carlisle went to Prince early in Game 5 to shake things up. From that point on, he became the player we know today, hassling Tracy McGrady and scoring in the shadows. Teammates call him the silent assassin because, although so much he does goes unnoticed, his contributions are vital.
"He's not the guy that's going to lead off SportsCenter," Pistons president Joe Dumars told the Detroit Free Press. "But he's one of those guys that helps you become a very, very good team. You've got to have guys like him on your team."
Prince is the guy the Pistons counted on to shut down Kobe Bryant in the 2004 Finals. He's the one who will be counted on to defend Miami's Dwyane Wade, New Jersey's Vince Carter and San Antonio's Manu Ginobili should their paths cross this postseason. Prince has no inferiority complex. He knows his value, and he understands the reason for his inclusion on numerous ballots when this year's All-Star reserves were chosen.
"I think most of the coaches see what I bring to this team," Prince said. "The four guys that are All-Stars, they pretty much get the recognition, but some of the coaches see that what I do on the court is worthy of that.
"I don't score like those guys do because I just try to do whatever makes the team win ballgames. There might be a game where I score 20 points, there might be a game where I don't score that many. There might be a game where I have to rebound and make plays and do different things, so I think the coaches who did pick me recognize that."
Prince's play has also attracted the notice of Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo, currently heading up USA Basketball and selecting the players who will represent the country in competitions over the next three years, including the 2008 Olympics. Prince has been formally invited, but may pass out of fear that his body will wear down from playing so many games. He signed a five-year contract extension worth $48 million just before the start of the season and wants to honor it.
"He's still a young guy," coach Flip Saunders said of Prince. "He's going to be an All-Star (some day)."
It won't be this year, though, and it's likely Prince will be somewhere watching when his four Pistons teammates trot out to the All-Star stage. Perhaps Paul Pierce will be alongside them. Maybe it will be Gilbert Arenas. Vince Carter or LeBron James could remain in the game, giving the Pistons the entire spotlight as they check in.
No sweat. He'll enjoy the show and rejoin his crew when the games matter. In fact, he's kind of looking forward to a period of inactivity.
"I'm going to take some time off," Prince said, digesting his alternative. "The body needs to heal."
Good plan. The battle, after all, gets back under way Tuesday. For championships, and recognition.
