Detroit Pistons Q&A: John Lucas III

John Lucas III has appeared in nine games for the Pistons this season.

(AP File Photo)

When the Detroit Pistons needed bodies after an injury to Brandon Jennings and two trades that saw them send four players packing but get only two in return, Stan Van Gundy looked overseas and to the NBA D-League to fill out roster.

The Pistons head coach and team president plucked John Lucas III out of the Chinese Basketball Association while also signing Quincy Miller, who has spent much of the past couple of seasons in the D-League.

Lucas helped fill the void created when Jennings was lost for the season with a torn Achilles and played well enough on a pair of 10-day contracts that the Pistons signed him for the rest of the season.

Van Gundy, who has coached three NBA teams in nine seasons, said he's always found players like Lucas and Miller to be more appreciative of their situation once they've climbed back to the top of the pro basketball world.

"No question," Van Gundy said. "I think that they understand really what a privilege it is to play in the league. They've got no air of entitlement at all. They're just happy to be back here or here for the first time. They have a really different mind set.

"We've got all good guys to coach. Most guys are good to coach. But they do have a different approach and different attitude and certainly very few complaints from those guys."

Lucas has played for five teams in seven NBA seasons but had to go to China to try and resurrect his career after spending 42 games with the Utah Jazz last season.

Undrafted out of college, he also played in Spain, Italy and the D-League during a three-season stretch when he couldn't land a job in the NBA.

During his second stint in China this season, Lucas played 26 games for the Fujian Sturgeons and averaged 26.6 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 43 minutes.

When the call from the Pistons came offering him a 10-day deal, Lucas was at practice the next day after flying 15 hours from China with a short layover in Houston to see his wife.

The toughest part about going back to China was mental.

"It was an adjustment because I had been in the (NBA) the past five years," Lucas said. "Going over there, that was the adjustment, just getting mentally there, saying, "OK, I'm here. Let me work on some of stuff I need to work on. Let me get back to where I ultimately want to be," which was the NBA."

Lucas has appeared in nine games for the Pistons but Miller has yet to hit the court.

The Pistons sent Miller to the D-League for a two-game stint with their affiliate in Grand Rapids before signing him to a second 10-day contract, which expires next week. Van Gundy has no idea what the future holds for Miller, who has been hobbled by an ankle injury.

"He didn't do anything (Thursday) but he did go in our last practice," Van Gundy said "He'll probably get some work on Monday and then that will be the last thing we'll do on his 10 day."

Is there a chance Miller will be signed for the remainder of the season?

"I have no idea," Van Gundy said. "We didn't talk about that."

PISTONS NOTES

Smith a good fit with Rockets: Houston's Josh Smith hasn't done much in two games against his former club, scoring seven points Jan. 31 in a 114-101 road loss before getting eight to go with seven rebounds and two assists in Friday's 103-93 win at home. But Van Gundy thinks Smith has been a good fit with the Rockets. "I think when they moved him to the bench, he's played very well in that role for them. Coming off the bench, helping them rebounding the ball, his shooting percentage has gone up, he's been more efficient. He's given them a boost off the bench. It's been a good pickup for them and he's helped them."

Martin helps spark late rally: Cartier Martin had one of his best performances with the Pistons during the loss to the Rockets. He made his only two shots -- both 3-pointers -- had two rebounds and one steal in six minutes to help spark a rally that trimmed Houston's 22-point lead to 99-91 with 79 seconds left, forcing the Rockets to reinsert their starters. "He made a couple of shots," Van Gundy said. "We'll see what he can do. There was obviously no pressure on him at that point. But it was good to see him out there. We certainly have to try to find better offensive production so we have to look somewhere."

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