Rodney Stuckey Benched By His Coach Again

It’s tough to envision both Stuckey and head coach John Kuester working together in Motown once this dreadful season comes to an end. The Detroit News has the latest: “Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey refused to enter the fourth quarter of Friday’s game against the Bulls, and he did not play in Sunday’s 101-90 loss to the Boston Celtics. According to a source familiar with the situation, Stuckey’s benching Sunday was discipline by coach John Kuester for refusing to enter the game Friday. ‘This is a growing process, and we’ve had a slight setback,’ Kuester said after the game of Stuckey not playing … Friday, Stuckey started the fourth quarter and was removed for Tayshaun Prince with six minutes remaining. Kuester called for Stuckey to come in two minutes later, but the guard refused to re-enter … After Sunday’s game, Stuckey repeatedly said ‘there are six games left.’ ‘That’s all I have to say,’ said Stuckey when pressed about it. ‘Six games left. That’s it. I can survive for six games.’ Stuckey, who will turn 25 in three weeks, is a restricted free agent at the end of the season, meaning the Pistons can match any offer if he chooses to sign with another club. ‘Absolutely,’ said Stuckey when asked if he wanted to return. ‘At the end of the year I have to sit down with my agent, do what we have to do. But yeah, I want to return. I’m very comfortable here. I love the community, I help out a lot around here.’ Stuckey was benched earlier in the season for ignoring Kuester during a game in Atlanta. Last month, he and Kuester got into it again before the team headed to San Antonio. Stuckey didn’t start and played 15 minutes that night.”