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X-factor

E-mail | Print | Comments () Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff May 23, 2008 12:19 AM

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It's hard not to like Rodney Stuckey.

Each of Detroit's five starters scored in double-figures tonight, but so did the rookie Stuckey, who had 13 points and 3 assists off the bench for the Pistons.

"I thought Stuckey really gave us problems tonight," said Celtics forward Paul Pierce. "I think he was the X-factor tonight in this game."

Chosen to sit at the interview podium with veteran Rip Hamilton, Stuckey relished the moment. Most of the questions were directed at his teammate, but the young point guard lit up when asked if he was nervous before tonight's game.

"I'm never scared," Stuckey said as more of a revelation than a boast. "I'm not nervous. I've got Rip, Chaunce, Sheed, Tay and all these guys behind me, and Lindsey Hunter, and they keep me poised and confident every day. Just being around them and them always being poised and confident gives me the extra energy and confidence that I need as a player and as an individual."