Pistons shootaround: expensive eating habits, sleepwalking and the return of Fabio

October 20, 11:14 PMDetroit Pistons ExaminerShannon McKeown

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Jason Maxiell scanning the crowd for babies

Here’s some of the latest news coming out of the Palace:

Jason Maxiell pooh-poohs contract extension

Power forward Jason Maxiell and his agent Richard Katz have decided to reject a three-year, $15 million contract extension. Evidently baby eating is expensive. Katz is looking to make his client more money after the season when Maxiell becomes a restricted free agent. Good luck.

I’ve been drinking the Maxiell Kool-Aid for years, but there is no way that he is worth more than $5 million per year. Maxiell is an offensive rebounding machine who provides a much-needed spark off the Pistons’ bench, but he is still an undersized big man who lacks a go-to move under the basket. No, thunder-dunking does not constitute as a go-to move.

Maxiell’s camp apparently believes that he is worth closer to $6 million a season. If Maxiell had his head on straight, he would find himself a new agent. The difference of $1 million per season is not worth the chance that the 25-year-old is risking this year. Instead of having the security of $15 million in his bank account, Maxiell will have to stave off injuries while putting together a career year for an extra $1 million a season. Hardly seems worth it.

Sharpe sleeps standing up with his eyes open

Walter Sharpe stays awake for an entire game

Second-round pick Walter Sharpe has apparently avoided dosing off during film sessions and is picking up coach Michael Curry’s defensive schemes in a jiffy. In a recent Detroit Free Press article, Curry gave high praise to the rookie’s defensive play against San Antonio:

"He played the second and fourth quarters and graded out at a 93, so that tells you he has picked up all the coverages and he is pretty much locked in to what we're doing," said Curry.

Sharpe is looking good this preseason and could wind up being an important part of the Pistons in a few years. He is still pretty raw and the Pistons are far too deep for Sharpe to crack the rotation this season.

Surprisingly, no nickname has surfaced yet for the narcoleptic rookie. Here’s a list of possible monikers for Sharpe: Sandman, The Flying Nightmare, O.M.S.C (One-Man Sleeping Corp), Rip Van Dunkle, Hypnos, The Sleepdunker – feel free to chime in with suggestions.

Moms love Walter Herrmann

The magical healing powers of hair

Much to the delight of my mother, Walter Herrmann (sore ribs) returned to full workouts and should see action in Wednesday’s preseason tilt against the Cavs.

At this point, it’s obvious that Herrmann’s Fabio-esque locks of awesome have some kind of mystical healing powers. The hair of Thor paired with the uncanny medical abilities of head athletic trainer Mike Abdenour should keep the Pistons healthy all season long.