One court to another: Van Gundy begins break on jury duty

Auburn Hills – While most of the Pistons will be traveling back home to relax and recharge their batteries at the start of the eight-day All-Star break on Friday, coach Stan Van Gundy will be making his way to court.

And it’s not a basketball court.

After the team’s morning shoot-around prior to Thursday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, Van Gundy revealed he has been summoned for jury duty at Oakland County Circuit Court.

Van Gundy had been asked if he would be watching Andre Drummond in the slam dunk contest on Saturday.

“There’s a good chance I’ll miss (the dunk contest),” he said. “Actually, one of my daughters' birthdays is Friday, so if I’m finished with jury duty and make it to Florida Saturday night, we’re having a party for her.”

Van Gundy said he told court officials he was the Pistons’ coach, but it wasn't enough to get him off the hook.

“I got called in training camp and tried to put it off until  the end of the year,” Van Gundy said. “They looked at our schedule and said, ‘February 11.’”

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

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