"But one thing about it is, it's just business. I understand that and I've been a part of that for a long time. When you lose, somebody's going to take the blame. And most of the time, the captain or the best player, you are going to take a lot of that blame so you got to take the good with the bad."

McDyess said he didn't blame Dumars for feeling the way he did. Heck, he felt it himself after the loss to Boston.

"It left a bitter taste in everyone's mouth knowing we were right there on the edge of getting back to the finals—a game or two away from not making it," McDyess said. "The things that Joe said were true."

NEW LOOK: Hamilton sported a new look. His beard has grown to biblical proportions over the summer, and he was joking around about it.

"I call it my Brad Pitt," Hamilton said, jokingly. "When you see Brad Pitt on the street when he ain't doing movies he got this real scrunchy look."

Alas, Pistons fans probably won't get a chance to see it at the Palace. Hamilton said he was going to cut it before training camp starts today.

NOTEBOOK: With the signing of free-agent guard Alex Acker , it appears likely that Lindsey Hunter will not return to the Pistons this season. The backcourt defensive specialist would have been entering his 16th season. Acker's deal is for two years for the league minimum of around $700,000 with only a portion of the first year guaranteed. ... Maxiell, a power forward, said he was only concentrating on training camp and not his contract negotiations. If the Pistons and Maxiell can't agree to terms on a new deal by Oct. 31, then Maxiell will become a restricted free agent after this season.

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