For a Detroit team that thrives on balance, a versatile player like forward Plenette Pierson is invaluable. She can provide a scoring punch when needed, much like she did in the season opener when she poured in a game-high 22 points. Pierson can also bring the “D,” as evidenced by her season-high four blocks against the Liberty on June 8. And she can work the glass, much like she did in the team’s last outing when she grabbed eight boards against the Sun.

“She’s like a go-to player,” said Shock teammate Katie Smith about Pierson. “She knocks down shots. She’s always hustling. She can guard a guard or a big. She’s just a good player that can honestly do it all. I love playing with her.”

Pierson, playing in her fifth WNBA season, is off to arguably the best start of her career, averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a team-best 1.8 blocks through six games while shooting 60 percent from the floor – also tops on Detroit.

This is probably a good time to mention that Pierson is racking up all these numbers while coming off the bench. After earning a regular starting role in her last season and a half with the Phoenix Mercury, Pierson has yet to get even one starting nod since joining the Shock via trade midway through the 2005 season.

But Pierson should be able play her way into a starting spot should she keep it up. Right, Coach Laimbeer?

“No.”

Well, on most teams, Pierson’s start to 2007 might have warranted a shot at a starting role. But not on the defending champion Shock, who are undefeated so far this year and feature a potent collection of talent, including Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith, Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford and Kara Braxton.

And it’s not as if Pierson isn’t getting an opportunity. She’s currently averaging just over 26 minutes per game – a similar clip to what she averaged during the days when she was a consistent starter with the Mercury from 2004-05.

On top of that, Pierson is more than comfortable with her bench-player status.

“I love my role coming off the bench,” said Pierson. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I like to bring the energy, and I think it’s best that I bring it off the bench.”

As for her improved performance, Pierson credits that to a lot of hard work while playing overseas in Israel during the offseason. She says she gained more self assurance on the court from that experience, which included helping lead Elizur Ramla to a title.

Her coach agrees.

“She came with great confidence this year,” said Laimbeer. “She won a championship last year with us. She won a championship in Israel this year as the star of the team. Her confidence was just so high.”

Laimbeer instructed Pierson to work on a variety of things during the offseason, with two specifics being her outside shot and her ball-handling. But one aspect of her game that has always been a constant is her stifling defense.

“When Bill traded for me, that’s what he told me he wanted me to do, to come out and play defense and be aggressive,” said Pierson. “That’s what I pride myself on. I love defense.”

It's clear the Shock system of emphasizing defense and physical play has allowed Pierson to begin to realize her potential, but her tenacity wasn’t always nurtured.

Pierson's career began with an inauspicious stint with Phoenix after the team made her the fourth overall pick of the 2003 draft. Sure, Pierson put up solid numbers for the Mercury, but team success eluded her. During her rookie year, Phoenix posted a dismal mark of 8-26 and followed that up with a 17-17 campaign and once again missed the playoffs. Things didn’t get much better to start off 2005, but after 12 games Detroit swooped in to acquire Pierson in a trade that sent Andrea Stinson and a second round draft pick to Phoenix.

“They were a little more passive than I was, so I kind of stuck out like a sore thumb,” said Pierson about her time in Phoenix. “Here everyone is just as aggressive around me, so I fit right in.”

There’s no doubt Pierson fits in perfectly with the Shock, even if her place isn’t in the starting lineup.