Sixers Notes: A Pistons players' revolt?

This wasn't John Kuester's day - or night, for that matter.

Kuester's Detroit Pistons entered Friday's game against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center with the coach answering questions about a potential mutiny. His team left with a 110-94 loss, using only six players in the process.

Four missed the bus to the morning shootaround: Chris Wilcox, Coatesville's Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, and Austin Daye.

Stuckey and Daye arrived just as the Pistons finished their workout. When asked after the game for a comment, Stuckey declined.

Others not at the shootaround were Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince, and Ben Wallace. Team spokesman Cletus Lewis said McGrady had a headache and Prince was bothered by an upset stomach, while Wallace was dealing with a family matter.

Hamilton, who has not played since Feb. 5 because of a groin injury, was inactive, but he took part in pregame warm-ups. Prince wasn't in uniform but attended the game.

Kuester, a former Sixers assistant, was asked about reports that some of the players missed the shootaround in protest over his coaching. He danced around the subject.

"We have a number of guys who one time, whether they were sick or missed the bus, were not at shootaround and there was some perception," Kuester said before the game. "As far as we know, we will have a game tonight and the players will be there."

Sixers coach Doug Collins empathized with his counterpart.

"Q is a really nice guy, a great guy, and a gentleman, and I hope whatever it is, they can get it worked out tomorrow," Collins said.

Things didn't get much better for Kuester in the game. He was ejected after receiving two technical fouls with three minutes to go in the first half.

"Of all the games I've ever been a head coach, this is the one that I did not want to get kicked out of," Kuester said.

Assistant Brian Hill took over as Detroit fell to 21-39.

Sixers rookie Evan Turner will spend time this summer working with one of the nation's foremost shooting authorities, Philadelphia University coach Herb Magee

.

The two have never met, but Turner knows about Magee's reputation.

"He's a very well-respected shot doctor," Turner said.

The Sixers are 8-3 in February, ensuring their third consecutive winning month. It's the first time the Sixers have had three straight winning months since the 2000-2001 season, when they reached the NBA Finals.

- Marc Narducci
and Ashley Fox