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[h1]Will Bynum makes most of starting opportunity with Pistons[/h1] [h3]by A. Sherrod Blakely[/h3]
[h3]Sunday March 22, 2009, 12:06 AM[/h3]
AP File PhotoDetroit's Will Bynum shoots over Houston's Kyle Lowry during Wednesday's game.
AUBURN HILLS -- When Detroit Pistons guard Will Bynum steps on the floor, he plays with the kind of confidence you wouldn't find in a seldom-used reserve.
That confidence dates back to his days growing up in Chicago when the 6-foot guard, in high school at the time, honed his ankle-breaking, crossover dribble in the summer months against NBA players like Jamal Crawford and Shawn Marion.
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While they were in the NBA making millions, Bynum's path to the NBA wasn't nearly as direct.
He had a 15-game stint with Golden State during the 2005-2006 season, which was the same year he was named the Development League's rookie of the year. After that, he played overseas with the ultimate goal being to someday get back to the NBA.
Bynum is back, and to his credit has made the most of the opportunity.
"It was just about getting with the right team and the right fit," Bynum said.
And getting a chance to play.
Bynum moved into the playing rotation after the injuries to Allen Iverson and Richard Hamilton. Iverson has missed 12 games with a sore back, and Hamilton has missed three games because of a groin injury.
Friday, against the Los Angeles Clippers, Bynum made his first NBA start with Rodney Stuckey out because of flu-like symptoms.
Bynum made the most of his opportunity, scoring a career-high 22 points as Detroit pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 108-90 win over the Clippers. Friday's win capped off what has been the best stretch of basketball in Bynum's relatively short NBA career.
In Detroit's past four games, the second-year guard has averaged 15.8 points and 4.4 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field.
"Will's confident he can score on this level," said Pistons coach Michael Curry. "Not just play on this level, he's confident he can be a major scorer on this level. He's confident in his ability."
Curry said Bynum's background has also factored into him having a high level of confidence against NBA talent.
"Will has probably played against a lot of these guys in the summer or coming up as a young player," Curry said. "He's had some success against them. He feels this venue is no different; that he should have some success as well."
