AUBURN HILLS -- There were nights last season when Jason Maxiell would play really well. Other nights, not so much.
And then there were times he didn't play at all. Even now, with a new coach, playing time for the 6-foot-7 forward still is a crapshoot. This preseason, which begins Monday against the Miami Heat, will help determine how much Maxiell will play.
"If it's more minutes, that'd be great," Maxiell said. "If it's less, I'll still have myself mentally prepared no matter what."
Although Maxiell is entering his fifth NBA season, he is coming off a year in which his numbers fell in just about every major statistical category.
He averaged career-highs in scoring (7.9 points), rebounds (5.3), assists (0.56), blocks (1.15) and minutes per game (21.5) while appearing in all 82 regular-season games in 2007-08.
Naturally, expectations were high for last season.
But, like most of what Detroit did last season, things didn't go as well as Maxiell thought they would. His numbers were down as Detroit finished with a disappointing 39-43 record and was bounced from the playoffs by Cleveland in the first round, the team's earliest playoff exit since 2002.
That led to several changes in the offseason, including the firing of first-year coach Michael Curry.
Maxiell came into training camp this season as confident as ever, but not because of Curry's dismissal. With former Detroit veterans Rasheed Wallace now in Boston and Antonio McDyess with San Antonio, an opportunity to play more could become available.
Aware of this, Maxiell said he spent much of the summer working on improving his post game as well as becoming a better face-to-the-basket player.
"(I'm) trying to take on the role of the four-man (power forward) that can knock down the 15-footer like Dice can and also be a guy that can bang down low," Maxiell said.
Maxiell said he wants to have a more prominent, consistent role this season, but still is doing what he can to help the younger Pistons players who are going through the ups and downs that come with a player's first NBA training camp.
"In practice, I speak more to them and let them know, this isn't college anymore," said Maxiell, who is known for his low-key, quiet demeanor. "I'm trying to take on the role of being a guy that speaks up more this year."
Pistons coach John Kuester has been pleased with Maxiell.
"He's an energy player," Kuester said. "Once he absorbs what you're trying to accomplish, he's a very effective Basketball player."
