(以上未节录) I would expect Dumars to mull this over, then sit down with Saunders. So we won't know anything for at least a few days. But the decision is crucial to the Pistons' 2009 championship hopes. And, yes, they do have 2009 championship hopes. I know, I know: The core is getting older, not better. But the core is about to change. The key to the 2009 season -- and, really, the 10 seasons after that -- is Rodney Stuckey. I don't think people fully understand how good he can be, and how soon. "The sky is the limit for that kid," Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter said. "Once he gets his feet planted fully, there's not many people who can do what this kid can do. He has such incredible upside. Physically, you look at Deron Williams and those types of guys, and he possesses some things that those guys don't possess." Utah's Williams, of course, is one of the best point guards in the NBA. He and New Orleans star Chris Paul are expected to define the lead-guard play for the next 10 years. University of Memphis star Derrick Rose should be that kind of player, too. Several people in the Piston organization, from the front office to the players, think Stuckey can be in that group. Do you understand what this means? In his second year, Williams was dominating playoff games. In his second year, Paul was an elite player. Stuckey can be the best player on the team -- next year. He can be an All-Star -- next year. I expect Stuckey to get starter's minutes next year. He is too good to sit on the bench. The Pistons must find out whether they're right about Stuckey, and the only way to do that is to give him the ball. Stuckey is listed at 6-feet-5 but has the ballhandling skills of a point guard. He needs to improve his shooting stroke, but when he does that, he will be the best offensive force on the team. And as Stuckey showed in the playoffs, nothing intimidates him. "He has some intangibles that a lot of people in this league don't have," Hunter said. Friday night, after Chauncey Billups was done talking to the media, I asked him about Stuckey's potential. Now, keep a few things in mind: the Pistons had just suffered a devastating defeat; Billups already had talked to reporters and easily could have told me he was done answering the questions for the night; and I was asking about the player who will push Billups for playing time. Billups answered my questions, which says a lot about him. It also says a lot about how much respect Stuckey has garnered. "He's got a chance to be a star," Billups said. As good as Williams or Paul? "Them guys are already superstars," Billups said. "But I think he can be an All-Star, I really do. He's got an unbelievable combination of speed and strength. That's hard to come by. And there is nothing that he really can't do. He is going to be an All-Star, for sure." Does Stuckey remind you of anybody? Billups thought for a moment. "Damn, it's tough, man," Billups said. "I don't know. He's going to be his own. He's going to be that guy, the first, that they compare other guys to." How about Chris Paul? "He's too little," Billups said of the 6-foot Paul. "This guy is almost 6-5 and strong like me. He's one of the top probably two or three biggest point guards in the league -- 6-4 1/2 , strong as an ox. "He's fast like them little dudes, though. That's the key. And poised. And tough as nails." Stuckey knows how good he can be but doesn't want to sound like he is bragging. I asked him about Williams and Paul, and this is what he said: "That's my goal to be at next year. And that all starts with being in the gym and being committed every day. That's what I'm going to do all summer is just work out. ... "I've got goals in life. I want to become a great player in this league." Can he be a star next year? "I know I can be there. If I believe in myself, I'll be fine. That's where I'm gonna be next year, man. I'm gonna be." Stuckey caught himself. "Gonna be" could seem like trash talk. "I want my name to be well-known in the NBA," he said. --

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