Pistons' Austin Daye accepts blame

Subject: Pistons' Austin Daye accepts blame Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:21 am

Pistons' Austin Daye accepts blame for absence Friday: 'I should have been more responsible'

By Chris Iott

AUBURN HILLS -- Detroit Pistons forward Austin Daye took full responsibility Saturday night for missing the shootaround in Philadelphia.
“I was late to shootaround and made a mistake,” Daye said. “I wasn't paying attention when everyone was leaving. … I was late to shootaround. I missed the first bus, so I showed up late. That's what you get when you make a mistake.”
Daye repeatedly took the blame for his mistake and, when he was asked questions regarding the entire team and the events of Friday, he consistently made sure he was speaking for himself and not his teammates.
“It's embarrassing for myself,” he said. “I should have been more responsible as an NBA player, as a second-year player, to be on time. It was my fault that I was not there on time, and I had to pay the price for it and not play the game."
Daye started and scored 18 points against the Jazz, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
Here are brief updates on the other six players who missed the shootaround:

Richard Hamilton: Did not dress due to his groin injury. Sat behind the bench during the game. Was not in the locker room during times it was open to the media before or immediately after the game.
Tracy McGrady: Missed the game Saturday due to illness. Was not at The Palace for the game against the Jazz.
Tayshaun Prince: Dressed but did not play due to a back injury. Was not in the locker room during times it was open to the media before or immediately after the game.
Rodney Stuckey: Started at point guard. Finished with 28 points and eight assists. Was not in the locker room when it was open to the media immediately after the game. Before the game, he said, “No comment,” loudly as the media entered the locker room, then left. After the game, he took the blame for his absence. "I'll take full responsibility for it," he said. "It won't happen again."
Ben Wallace: Was not at The Palace for the game due to the death of his oldest brother earlier in the day. Will be out of the lineup indefinitely.
Chris Wilcox: Started at power forward and finished with seven points. Was not in the locker room when it was open to the media prior to the game. Came into the locker room as media members were leaving afterward.