Pistons’ Hamilton has priorities in right order

He’s a father and team leader who will set another franchise record tonight.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Richard Hamilton’s postseason is going like his past five in a lot of ways, scoring 20 points on most nights and helping the Detroit Pistons reach the Eastern Conference finals.

In one major way, it’s unlike any other.

Deuce has done it.

Hamilton became a father last Halloween and Richard Hamilton II, or Deuce as he’s known, has treated the All-Star shooting guard to a new way of life.

“It’s the best. It puts everything in perspective,” Hamilton said Sunday. “Stuff that you used to think was important, isn’t important when you have a little man. It slows you down a whole lot. You grow up real fast. You put on your seat belt every time you get in the car. You’re always home. You don’t hang out as much.

“You just do everything possible to try to raise your child right.”

Rip has been right on the court for the Pistons since they acquired him from the Washington Wizards for Jerry Stackhouse six years ago.

Hamilton, who has 2,348 career points in the playoffs, broke Isiah Thomas’ franchise record for postseason scoring this year. He scored a game-high 26 points in Boston’s 94-80 win in Game 3 and matched a team record by making all 16 of his free throws.

He’ll break another franchise mark in Game 4 tonight when he and the Pistons try to even the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.

Hamilton is set to play in his 114th playoff game, surpassing Bill Laimbeer’s team record.

“Since we’ve been here, Rip has been our No. 1 option,” said All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups, who signed as a free agent two months before Detroit traded for Hamilton in 2002. “He delivers every night.”

Some stats back that up.

Hamilton has scored 20-plus points in 70 of his 113 playoff games since 2003, trailing only one player’s ability to reach that mark during the same span. San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan had 72 20-point postseason games since 2003 entering Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

Duncan and Hamilton top the list of 20-point scorers over the past five-plus postseasons ahead of players such as Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki (56) and Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant (52).

Since 1992, only Shaquille O’Neal (96), Duncan (80) and Bryant (75) had more 20-point games than Hamilton in their first 113 postseason games.