Saunders, Wallace patch up relationship Pistons coach 'doesn't anticipate any problems,' says 'Sheed reacts out of competitiveness, not spite. Chris McCosky / The Detroit News LAS VEGAS -- A relaxed and tanned Flip Saunders was back at work Tuesday. He spoke to his coaches and spent time with rookies Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Sammy Mejia before the Pistons' summer-league team played a controlled scrimmage against the Suns. He also talked publicly for the first time about the draft and the state of the Pistons, specifically about his at times turbulent relationship with Rasheed Wallace. Saunders admitted he felt Wallace's temper crossed the line and he became a divisive force, particularly late in the Cleveland series. Steps, however, have been taken on both sides to repair the damage. Saunders was a guest speaker recently at a Wallace camp. "The thing about Rasheed when he reacts, whether it's at me or anybody else, it's out of competitiveness. It's not out of spite," Saunders said. "As I told him, as a coach, I am going to make decisions he might not agree with. "But one thing I have never done, I have never done anything to disrespect him. The main thing is, he has to be the same way toward his teammates and to me." Against the Cavaliers, Wallace grew increasingly frustrated at Saunders' substitutions, especially when he went to a smaller lineup. Wallace also fought Saunders on defensive calls, which caused confusion, particularly at the end of Game 5 when LeBron James was able to drive to the basket twice in the final minute of regulation. "I don't anticipate any problems going forward," Saunders said. "It's his competitiveness and wanting to win, and when things don't go right for him, he has a tendency to blow up. I do think he stepped over the line, and it's something we have talked about, and I am sure it's something we will address again before training camp." Saunders also believes the emergence of Jason Maxiell and an infusion of hungry, young talent will foster a more competitive daily environment for the core. "What has happened with our starters is, they haven't felt threatened (for playing time)," Saunders said. "And when they don't feel threatened, they say,'Whatever, what's the alternative?' I think they are going to feel more threatened now, as far as playing time. Competition always brings out the best." Saunders believes the air around the Pistons will be much fresher this season. "That whole flip-the-switch mind-set, that whole culture, has been here for five or six years," he said. "It's the first thing I heard about when I got here. What you do is, you change the culture with young players. You know Maxiell is going to play hard. Amir Johnson will play hard. Nazr Mohammed always plays hard, and these kids we have brought in are competitive, and they play hard. "So what happens is, when all the other players are out there every day competing at a high level, the veteran guys have no choice but to do the same." Saunders has been impressed but not surprised by what he's seen from Stuckey and Afflalo. He was high on both before the draft. "I remember when we worked Stuckey out, I told Joe (Dumars), we better pray he's there at 15," Saunders said, referring to the draft order. "He can get to the basket better than anybody we had. What I mean is, he gets there quick, explosively. You watch him, and he can create his own shot. "The guy will run through walls for you. He's just solid, and he's going to be even better when he gets into a system-type situation. ... The way we play, he fits right in." http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/ 20070711/SPORTS0102/707110379/1127 --

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