FanHouse AaronAfflalo

PHOENIX -- As the arena began to fill up, Dan Majerle was working on his half-court shooting, warming up for the Haier Shooting Stars event. FanHouse NBA writer and next-door neighbor on press row Brett Pollakoff said Majerle practices knocking down the shots from halfcourt before every Suns home game, but it didn't rub off on Saturday in Phoenix.

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Sixers at Pistons game.

1. Let's Get Technical: The Sixers may be the best description of "scrappy" of any team in the playoffs. And I think we're all familiar with Rasheed Wallace and his, ahem, antics. Though Wallace has mellowed as he's matured, this has a pretty high potential to get nasty really quick. Keep an eye out to see who establishes themselves on that front and who loses their temper.

2. Youth Versus Youth And Experience: The Sixers are a very young team, led by Andre Iguodala and rookie Thaddeus Young. The Pistons, meanwhile, have a core of players stacked with veterans, but where they've made strides is in a very young bench. Aaron Affalo, Amir Johnson, and Jason Maxiell have all gotten quality minutes this season, and can play with just about anyone. The Sixers are going to have to play with both poise and energy for a full 48 to keep this thing close.

3. World, Andre Miller. Andre Miller, World: Miller's been explosive for the Sixers this year, averaging 17 points and 7 assists this season. He's got a tall order in this series against Chauncey Billups, but if he can use his speed in transition, he should be able to find some success. If the Pistons put Rip Hamilton on him, however, there could be issues.

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports that the Pistons signed Antonio McDyess to a two-year extension on Monday. The $14.46 million extension will keep McDyess, who had a year remaining on his current deal, in Detroit through 2010.

There's no doubt that McDyess has been the team's most valuable reserve in his three years with the team, but retaining him does nothing to change the public perception that the Pistons are an aging team. But even though McDyess will be 35 years old by the time the deal expires, is that perception really accurate? Maybe not.

Considering the Pistons also announced the signing of second-round pick Sammy Mejia today, this year's roster will feature four rookies: first-round picks Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Afflalo, Mejia and last year's second-round pick Cheikh Samb. Plus, 20-year-old Amir Johnson, who recently signed a three-year deal to stay in Detroit, and Jason Maxiell, 24, are also expected to factor into Detroit's rotation this year. That's six players who are all under the age of 25, including four expected to see a lot of playing time this year. And of the starters, only two are on the wrong side of thirty: Rasheed Wallace is 32, and Chauncey Billups is 30. .

It's been said that the addition of McDyess in 2004-05 was one of the reasons Darko Milicic never had a chance to develop in Detroit. Will keeping McDyess around prevent Maxiell and Johnson from breaking out? It's possible, but the lack of a true center on this roster outside of Nazr Mohammed often results in McDyess seeing time at the five. Besides, if Johnson fills out, he could end up seeing time at center, and if Maxiell keeps the 30 pounds he shed this summer off, he could see at least some time at small forward.

First, UCLA basketball star Aaron Afflalo decided to leave school early to enter the NBA draft--now he's turning his back on Bruin fans at Friday's Spring Football game.

Buried in the school's press release about how soe "weight events" have forced the football team to move its annual Spring Game this Friday from Drake Stadium to Spaulding Field, the Bruins' sports information team acknowledges, "Arron Afflalo had hoped to be available to sign autographs as his way of thanking Bruin fans for their support over the last three years. Unfortunately, Arron's agent has committed him to participate in an athlete performance facility over the next few weeks and he is unavailable."

Without Afflalo--or hope for the football team--we wonder if the move to the practice facility was more of an effort to prevent any fallout from a lower-than-expected crowd.

If there were an over-under on the question, does anyone think UCLA will be able to give away the 100 t-shirts promised?