You could just tell it was going to happen, and it did. Four days after losing the Eastern Conference Finals to Boston in six games, Flip Saunders is out of his job as head coach of the Detroit Pistons.
That Saunders couldn't get it done, or is not being allowed to see if he can get it done, may be surprising but not shocking. It follows somewhat the pattern which began in Minnesota. After a good run with the T-Wolves in which he led them to a conference final, the team tuned him out.
But unlike in Minnesota, where the team regressed after that, Saunders was able to keep the Pistons focused enough to compile the second best record in the league this year.
But a lot more was expected of Detroit and I think rightfully so. The Pistons have been right at the edge of the promised land for three years under Saunders and haven't gotten it done. Something had to give and predictably, in the NBA, it was the coach's job.
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Joe Dumars has gathered an incredibly talented roster with maybe the most well rounded starting five in the league. There are tough match-ups everywhere, good rebounding, great defense and a strong bench.
But you could just tell something was amiss.
The Pistons didn't have one great game in the conference finals against Boston. They played well in their two victories and almost made comebacks in two others, but never played what one could call a great game. They just never seemed driven, never seemed to have that fire they exhibited when winning in 2004.
Is coaching the only problem here?
Probably not.
Injuries to Hamilton and Billups obviously hurt and I thought would have mitigated against a Saunders' firing. Age is also starting to show a little. Rasheed's temper tantrums were as always a distraction but no more so than usual.
So, in the end it comes back to the coach. And most unfortunately for Saunders, he had to follow Larry Brown. Flip was always going to lose that comparison, unless of course he won a championship with the same bunch.
I think that Dumars is one of the brightest executives in the league and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in this case. I just hope he takes stock of the fact that the league has gotten better, and if he stands pat with this squad, he'll be looking for another new coach again real soon.
It wasn't just the coach that lost to the Celtics, it was the whole team.
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