But Hamilton didn't expect it to be this bad.
Hamilton missed 21 straight games because of a severely sprained right ankle, played twice, then missed five with a pulled right hamstring, returning to the lineup Sunday at Toronto.
In the past three games, he shot 13-for-54 (24.1%) from the field -- including a 2-for-13 outing against the Bulls on Thursday, which extended the Pistons' losing streak to nine games.
But since he was warned, he isn't completely taken aback.
"Q told me before I even came back, he said: 'Rip don't expect to be what you was before you got hurt' because it's going to take time," Hamilton said. "You gotta get your legs back and things like that."
Kuester expressed confidence that Hamilton's shooting stroke would return shortly.
"He will shoot well," Kuester said. "You know Rip. He's going to get his legs back."
With the team slowly sinking toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference and a two-game trip to Texas against heavyweights Dallas and San Antonio looming, the Pistons need Hamilton's shot back.
"We're trying our best to turn it on and sometimes it just don't turn on like you want it to," Hamilton said. "It's tough, but as long as we stick together we'll get through it."
NOTEBOOK: The team was off Friday to celebrate the holiday. ... Will Bynum isn't expected to play Tuesday against the Mavericks.
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