Tag: Detroit Pistons

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Detroit Pistons: the draft

Embed from Getty Images With no wiggle room for free agents. The Detroit Pistons, needed to look to the 2018 NBA draft for depth and roster help. Not having a first round draft pick. Detroit, did well.

When the Detroit Pistons traded for Blake Griffin, back in January they gave their first round draft pick in the deal. So basically the drafted Griffin.  Now new Pistons head coach Dwane Casey, has two new tools to use.

Detroit, traded two future second round picks and used one to draft Khyri Thomas from the university of Creighton. Both an offensive and defensive force. The 6′ 3″ Thomas is exactly what the Pistons, both were looking for and needed.

While at Creighton, he averaged 15.1 points while shooting a very good 53.8 success rate. He is very good off the dribble and very quick. He has a reputation of being an above average two way player. It seems the Pistons may have stolen this pick.

Detroit, then used their pick at number 42 to draft Miami Hurricanes two guard Bruce Brown. It is a pick that is somewhat risky as Brown, was injured and missed half the season.

The assumption must be the Detroit Pistons, were good with the medical reports. At 6′ 5″ Bruce Brown adds both depth and a 15.0 average off the bench. Defense he is extremely solid. It could be Detroit, plans on sending Brown to the G league and let him play himself back into shape.

Then allowing coach Casey to do what he does best and is known for. Developing young players and maximizing their talents.

Detroit Pistons, fans should like what the team has done in the draft. Getting a steal in Thomas and getting future guard help in Bruce.

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Detroit Pistons: head coach before new general manager?

Embed from Getty Images In the good old days owner brought in a new general manager and allowed them to hire the coach they wanted. Tom Gores owner of the Detroit Pistons, does not seem to want that approach.

It seems as if the Pistons have narrowed the head coaching position to Dwane Casey, (formerly of the Toronto Raptor) and Ime Udoka, (assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.)

Dwane Casey, has been called a very good communicator with players. While Ime Udoka, is an up and coming coach from the great Gregg Popovich tree. It seems both would be solid choices.

There is one small detail not really being talked about. The Detroit Pistons, still need a general manager. That is usually how it works. Almost never is a head coach hired before the general manager.

There could be a few reasons Gores, has not hired one as of yet.  Perhaps he simply has not found his guy. Or perhaps he is waiting for a member of the Cleveland Cavilers or Golden State Warriors to speak with after the 2018 NBA Finals.

The general manager, is the person who brings in his guy. That way it is all on his shoulders in wins and in losses. Both Casey and Udoka are hot names this off season.

It is possible that Tom Gores, thought one of the coaches would be snatched up and he would like to secure one of them. That would mean the person brought in as general manager would have to agree to the coach they had no part of hiring.

It should be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming days and possibly weeks. I would think there will be a new person calling the shots before the 2018 NBA draft.

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Detroit Pistons: next step is huge

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Pistons, brought in senior adviser Ed Stefanski  last week. He is being tasked to bring in the teams next general manger. This is a critical next step Detroit must get right.

Weeks after Detroit Pistons, owner Tom Gores fired head coach, team president and general manager Stan Van Gundy. He reached out to other NBA owner to find a person who would oversee the hiring of important front office personal. Ed Stefansky was the overwhelming name that Gores contiuned to hear.

Stefansky, has helped the Lakers, 76ers and L.A. Clippers, rebuild their front offices in recent year. He has the reputation of knowing the dynamics need to run a team. He has a knack for finding general managers who few people have heard of and let them grow into the position.

Tom Gores, has point blank to Ed Stefansky, to bring in a general manager first. Names like Shane Battier and Jerry Stackhouse are being tossed out for the position. I am sure there will be other names as well.

This is a HUGE must get right moment for the franchise. The general manager will bring in his head coach. It is very possible Stefansky will have a say in who that coach is given his sparkling resume on turning teams around.

Detroit Pistons fans, can be somewhat happy in the fact that Gores is actulayy seeking help for his team. Not only help. But proven help. It will be interesting to see where Ed Stefansky leads the Detroit Pistons. It is a safe bet it will be in a better place.

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Detroit Pistons: Van Gundy era must close

Embed from Getty Images Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, reportedly wants Stan Van Gundy back as his head coach. But Gores, also wants wholesale changes made to the front office and Van Gundy’s coaching staff. Stan Van Gundy, is refusing.

It is more clear now then when the curtain closed on the 2017-18 Detroit Pistons season. Stan Van Gundy, and the Pistons must separate. Soon.

When any owner and coach disagree on strategies and personal decisions the end is near. Van Gundy, has one year left on his contract. So it would be no harm is letting him go.

It is clear the team needs a fresh direction. From front office employees to general manager as well as head coach. Things get a bit tricky as the Detroit Pistons, do not have a first round draft pick due to trading for Blake Griffin.

This is a time for Tom Gores, to step up as a leader and usher in a new era for the Pistons. If Van Gundy, is willing to let his pride be his downfall then Gores should oblige.

Detroit Pistons fans deserve more than a coach who’s thinking is out of touch with today’s game. It will also help to bring new fans to the team. In short the Detroit Pistons need a do-over.

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Detroit Pistons further proof

Embed from Getty Images I have given my feelings on the need for a bench leader for the Detroit Pistons. To me this is the nail in the coffin. Simply put excuses bring everyone down.

 

Excuses, excuses if there is one thing I absolutely can not stand it is excuses! A couple of days ago Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy said the Detroit season would have been totally different if Reggie Jackson was healthy the whole season.

 

I have to admit I was fuming at this statement. Exactly why would the leader of a team say if a player did not have an injury or two the season would have been different? To me he was trying to get out of doing a good job by this remark.

 

Why would Van Gundy not say what every quality head coach has ever said “injuries are part of the game. We need other guys to step up?” Anything other than blaming one players injury to dooming the entire team.

 

To me this is yet another reason Stan must go. If he were truly a good coach he would have come up with solutions and not excuses. Every team has injuries. Yet the Pistons coach tells the media this was the dagger in the entire season.

 

It wares fans down. I can not help but think it wares Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores down as well.

 

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Detroit Pistons: where to go

Embed from Getty Images The high expectations heading into the 2017-18 NBA season has given way to a sub .500 season. What’s next? All eyes will be on ownership.

When Los Angeles based billionaire Tom Gores (a Michigan native) purchased the Detroit Pistons fans thought here is a guy who  deliver the next great chapter in Pistons history.
He brought in high profile head coach Stan Van Gundy and fans were over the top with excitement. That’s where it ends. As Van Gundy has tasted NBA success.
Van Gundy simply has not worked in Detroit. The Pistons are poised to miss the NBA post season yet again. Tom Gores is building a house in the Detroit area and moving permanently back to Detroit.
This is a good sign. I have always thought Gores is the right kind of owner. Build the team. Develop younger players then enjoy success.
Unfortunately, Stan Van Gundy is not and never has been a fan or interested in developing young talent. Instead he has a win now philosophy that is out of date in not only today’s NBA, but in all sports.
It is my opinion Tom Gores will relieve Stan of his coaching duties after the season. I am also of the opinion Mr. Gores will find his man. There is talent and the right man is needed to bring it out.
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Detroit Pistons Chauncey Billups general manager?

 

Embed from Getty Images Depends if you believe and who you believe. The New York Times ran an article that said Detroit Pistons ownership (Tom Gores) expressed interest in bringing  former Pistons fan favorite Chauncey Billups in as general manager.

Mr. Gores has stated he will sit down with current Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy after the season to discuss the direction of the team.
Meanwhile, Billups was rumored to be close last NBA off season to being named general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. That never materialized.
Billups refuted the Times article. But, time will tell. It would be a bold move. Given the fact Chauncey Billups has no front office experience.
There is no real way to know if he could scout unless he was named to the position. Not to mention how he would handle day to day tasks general managers take on.
If the Detroit Pistons do in fact make a move it would be interesting to see who he would tab to be his head coach.
I’m sure there are a select few who know what Tom Gores is going to do. I for one am looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Something has to break the Pistons out of inconsistent play.
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Detroit Pistons Stan Van Gundy’s last stand

Embed from Getty Images When the Detroit Pistons hires Stan Van Gundy, he was said to be the guy who would return the Detroit Pistons to the playoffs while leading the charge of more consistent play.

Yet, that has not been the case. Sure the Pistons have made the playoffs under Van Gundy’s  watch. But they simply have not taken the next step. They have even looked lost at times.
I feel the Pistons owner Tom Gores, needs to assess the state of the team. I’m not suggesting replace Van Gundy. It could be something else needs to change. Or a free agent or two need to be added.
Assistant coaches, player personnel, scouting department. Something is not working. Yes. Mr. Gores should look at Stan. After all he’s the guy who was brought in with the high hopes of returning  the Pistons to the NBA post season and positioning them to perhaps something greater. It simply has not happened.
The Detroit Pistons have some soul searching to do. No knee jerk reaction will fix the deeper issues of the franchise. Begin the process and systematically go down a check list. Then make corrections. That process should start sooner than later.
There is talent on the roster. They need to find a consistent balance and go forward. I realize that is easier said than done. But, a billionaire owner should have the resources needed to push forward.