Curry said he has yet to talk with Hamilton -- who has missed eight games with a groin injury -- or Iverson about a possible lineup change.

"When it's time, we'll talk about it," Curry said. "These guys understand. Y'all write about it enough and talk about it. They know that it's out there.

"But at the proper time, we'll sit down and we'll explain the decision that we make, and we'll explain why."

Hamilton and Iverson have been starters for most of their NBA careers.

"I wouldn't expect them to like it, coming off the bench," Curry said. "Both of them have been starters in their careers. I wouldn't expect them to, just like I wouldn't expect to have guys on this team that don't want to play a lot of minutes.

"But the reality is we have great guys on this team. They're all willing to do whatever it takes for this team to be successful. Whatever decisions we make, it's going to be because we think that's the best thing we need to do to get the most out of everybody on this team."

Curry added: "Regardless of whether guys like it or not, they'll be okay because their number one thing is they want to win."

Still, it will be difficult for Curry to convince either player to buy into the idea of becoming a backup after so many years as a starter.

Hamilton has been Detroit's leading scorer each of the past six seasons and ranks among the franchise's all-time best.

Iverson, who came to Detroit via a trade with Denver on Nov. 3, has scored more than 23,000 points and has a career scoring average of 27.3 points per game.

But scoring is not emphasized on a Curry-coached team.

For all the good that Detroit's "small ball" lineup with Hamilton and Iverson has done, the Pistons' defense takes a hit when the two have to play together.

"When we got two bigs and (Tayshaun Prince) at the three-spot, we're our best defensively," Curry said.

"At the end of the day, that's what's going to drive most of our decisions that we make: what group is going to be the best defensively, and how we can best utilize those other two guys at the two-spot."

Missing Pistons

Iverson, Walter Herrmann and Rodney Stuckey each had excused absences from Monday's practice. Curry said Iverson had a family matter, Herrmann had flu-like symptoms and Stuckey still was traveling back from Eastern Washington University, which retired his jersey Sunday.

Bobcats hurting

Like the Pistons, the Charlotte Bobcats have their share of injured players. Point guard D.J. Augustin (abdominal/groin strain) is out for tonight's game, guard Matt Carroll (Achilles tendon) sat out the Bobcats' game against Washington on Sunday and starting point guard Raymond Felton has a sprained ankle but is likely to play tonight.