HEALTH & FITNESS David and Howard Jacobson and Steve Swartz invite you to tour sports 440 Oxford Park Towers SURPRISING STAR from page A36 an Elegant Senior community located in Berkley, MI Bynum scored a franchise record 26 points in the quarter on his way to a career-best 32 points. The 104-97 victory helped the Pistons lock the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and proved the undrafted 26-year-old otherwise disappointing season. visited Israel with the Pistons' Bynum's journey toward profes- sional basketball has been any- thing but conventional. tart 4 T! ®a ONLY ' 1O one-time enrollment t.ir %are fami , ire4air yo an 20% Discount on all Cu,„ Cho.ce OTC Products with Rewards Club Card. 1 ,. ....,,.....,.. 'L ! FREE MEDICATION REVIEW I , Schedule an appointment t s 1 o lour, ao p one-on-one hne-on y Er,e review of all of your with 1 Ask our Pharmacy Expert about the Rev..ards C,' ....m —......rniii.. • , oa7 s,:, . ,,, ,r,e • =-n-er.- Vccoc,,,Ganem ,a+e ,Dec': c, :re streN, , vcro. ....., ....he a-cea. a . , ., . , .a..crea cn.ga. cants rrce0. ,Sa. ,.. ..1 . , .. . ...rm. ., ..,,.... ,., - DISCOUNT ONLY-NOT INSURANCE. This program is not an insurance policy and does not provide insurance coverage. Persons receiving prescription benef •tr. fro, ,,,ollcity funded health care program we ineligible. Discounts are available exclusively through participating Sav-Mar Pharrnaces WE HAVE DECLARED ALL OUT WAR on prescription Drug Prices!! Say-On Drugs Say-On Drugs Warren Prescriptions Orchard Lk Rd at Maple Telegraph Rd. & Maple Middlebelt Rd. & 14 Mile 248.626.3400 248.626.2525 248.855.1177 (Next to Hiller's Market) (Next to Johnny Pomodoro's Fresh Market) After 20-year-old Israeli for- through individual tryouts, Bynum went abroad. He landed in Tel Aviv, a city he had never heard of to send frequent videos of Casspi's games with Macabbi ,and was instead impressed with Bynum's in a land he had previously only heard negative things about. quickness and dogged defense. The Pistons invited him to the NBA summer league and signed Israel was skewed by the images of conflict and suffering from news broadcasts but that it didn't take him to a two-year contract. He didn't expect many minutes playing behind all-stars Hamilton long to appreciate his surround- ings. and Chauncey Billups. But when the team dealt Billups to Denver after four games and superstar Allen Iverson's adjustment was slowed by a bad back and even worse attitude about contributing out there was a lot to love." Part of it was the thrill and pressure of playing for Maccabi, from the bench, Bynum stepped up. which consistently dominates Israeli basketball and is among the averaging more than seven points and nearly three assists in barely most successful franchises in the European League. 14 minutes a game off the bench. But in the final month he played largely with the starting unit when Bynum helped the club win the Israeli national championship He finished the regular season the games were on the line and more than doubled his averages for scoring and assists. The club also consistently woos and retains top players from around the globe, like Bynum's replacement this season, former "I knew that if I had the oppor- tunity, that I'd be ready; so I tried to stay mentally ready, always pre- Piston and Puerto Rican native Carlos Arroyo. said after a recent practice. "Israel was a critical, critical expe- rience for me. Mentally, I'm much keeping NBA-level talent on the team like only a handful of European clubs do, and competing 1488120 April 30 2009 ward Omri Casspi opted out of last year's NBA draft, Pistons' President Joe Dumars asked David "They have a reputation for DRUG STORES A38 approach and lack of commitment to defense. during his two-year stint at point guard. GET A GIFT JUST FOR ASKING! • • . Hard work aside, Bynum readily admits his recent success didn't come without good fortune. Baston showed me what a beauti- ful place it was to be and I found Over 300 drugs available. Making His Luck Tech, yet every NBA team passed after scouts raised concerns over his 5'11" height, shoot-first "My teammate (former University of Michigan forward) Maceo Over 300 drugs available. At Now! Limited time offer. Can be redeemed at any participating Sav-`.tor Store. fast-food restaurants and even the cars they drive," David said. Bynum said his perception of Generics 30-Day Supply* $10 Gift Card Just for Signing Up! prized recruit for the University of Arizona, a perennial national title When he couldn't make a roster Savings on ALL of your Medications! Brand and Generic. • "I was just amazed at how Americanized the country is, from English being everywhere, to the Bynum then starred at Georgia I s The 23-year-old small forward now plays for Maccabi's cross- town rival, Hapoel Holon. contender, and played well before PRESCRIPTION TURN CLUB - s second-round draft pick Deron Washington last summer. The former Chicago Public Schools player of the year was a transferring at the end of his soph omore season. ,. sAvimoRk on) • The Pistons are among NBA franchises consistently referring American players to Israel because they'll feel like they're not that far from home, added David, who The Ride Visit us today! (248) 399-9300. 2345 Oxford Located just North of 11 Mile and East of Coolidge said George David, the Pistons director of player personnel. was quickly becoming the team's most encouraging surprise in an ••••7"1" . •.: • Featuring 1 & 2 Bedroom apartments for those aged 55+ • Beautifully landscaped grounds • Social activities and events • Utilities included with rent • Balconies with great neighborhood views against that every single day cer- tainly helped Will's development," paring like I was going to play," he more mature now, so I appreciate this opportunity. I'm ready and hungry."