--University of Kentucky guard Brandon Knight has tried to downplay his slide in the draft, but his choice of uniform number is telling. Knight, who was expected to go as high as No. 3, didn't look happy when he heard his name called at No. 8.

"I reacted that way because I'm just a serious guy," Knight said. "That's always been my nature, to always be calm and collected."

Knight felt a lot better after hearing that the Pistons looked at him as a long-term solution at point guard, as well as seeing how the area fans embraced him when he threw out the first pitch at a Detroit Tigers game. Knight, though, will use his draft-day experience as motivation. He chose No. 7, with Ben Gordon, who had the number, following through on his decision last season to switch to No. 8. Knight selected the number because seven teams passed on him.

--Joe Dumars' voice isn't the only one new owner Tom Gores is listening to regarding personnel decisions. Gores has hired former New York Knicks president Dave Checketts and his firm, Sports Capital Partners, as a consultant. Checketts' involvement was instrumental in getting former Knicks center and current Orlando assistant coach Patrick Ewing a head-coaching interview. However, Dumars doesn't appear to be looking over his shoulder.

Gores has given Dumars the authority to make the final decisions.

"When you're running a team and you have an owner sitting here saying that, you have no idea how much that helps, especially after the last couple of years," Dumars said.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"It was reflective in the picks that character was of the utmost importance to us. You win with character." -- Vice president of basketball operations Scott Perry, on drafting three players with the reputation of being hard workers and good citizens. The Pistons were plagued with disciplinary problems last season.

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