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Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:30 pm EDT

Flip Saunders will return to the Pistons. Yay, smart people

By Kelly Dwyer

It appears as if sanity has prevailed in Detroit. In relative terms, of course.

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News — a man who fully expects both Skeets and I to be in our pajamas at this exact moment (joke's on Chris, he's only half right!) — is reporting that after a meeting with Pistons president Joe Dumars on Saturday, Flip Saunders will be retained as Piston coach.

Most expected Saunders to get the axe after a third-straight Conference finals flameout for the Pistons, but as cooler heads are prevailing, it still behooves us to mention that it wasn't Saunders who decided to needlessly foul Paul Pierce with 90 seconds left in Game 6 on Friday night, and it's not Flip's fault that Rasheed Wallace is a team-killing nutter.

We'll leave it to McCosky to break down the list Rasheed's recent misdeeds:

• Left Robert Horry open for a winning, series-altering 3-pointer in Game 5 of the 2005 NBA Finals.

• Injured his ankle in Game 2 of the Eastern conference semifinals against Cleveland in 2006; neither he nor the Pistons were the same after that.

• Defied the coach's defensive plans against LeBron James in Game 5 of the conference finals in 2007 -- the confusion from which contributed to James scoring 25 straight points -- and then got ejected from Game 6.

• Spewed a profanity-laced tirade at the officials after Game 5 of the conference finals this season, earning a $25,000 fine, then showed up late to the team's shoot-around before a must-win Game 6, a game in which he managed just four points on 2-for-12 shooting.

In general, his playoff performances haven't matched his regular-season production. In 2004, he only shot 41 percent (24 percent from 3-point range) and averaged just three more points a game than Ben Wallace.

But, by all means, continue to blame Saunders for bringing the Pistons down. It's not as if the Pistons were lucky in any way to get past an injured (and infighting) Laker team in 2004 (or never to have faced that year's Timberwolves, Spurs, or Kings teams in the Finals), or an injured-in-Game 7 Heat team in the 2005 Conference finals. Sure, the ankle thing wasn't Rasheed's fault, but I've a feeling (and the cynic in me has a hope) that history will treat this Pistons team a little differently than the modern mainstream media.

Much of how I feel about Saunders' turn as Minnesota and Detroit coach was relayed in this piece from a few weeks ago, but it almost goes without saying that I was hoping the guy would sort of work towards encouraging a parting of the ways, and take to coaching a team that deserves his talents.

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41 Comments

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  1. Rickish
    1. Posted by Rickish Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    Not sure how I feel about this. All I know is changes must be made...
  2. picpicoldi
    2. Posted by picpicoldi Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:11 pm EDT

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    is J oneil available?
  3. mark
    3. Posted by mark Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:08 pm EDT

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    I used to simply rip him as a bad coach but let's just get specific.
    Flip cannot coach a team that lives and dies by its defensive sensibilities. He, like Mike D'Antoni, just doesn't have the head for defense. And like D'Antoni, Flip needs at least one bona-fide First Team All-Star type player with a couple of "B+" sidekicks to succeed and he hasn't had that in his career except ONE year (2004 with KG, Spree and Cassell.) What he has in Detroit is a gritty team full of nothing BUT "B+" players and those kind of teams need a more galvanizing leader. Flip ain't it. Flip needs to coach a roster like Boston, L.A., Denver, or Dallas or fuggedabowdit.
  4. Joe
    4. Posted by Joe Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT

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    Leaving a guy open for a jump shot in 2005 is a "recent misdeed"? Tough crowd.
  5. Ryan
    5. Posted by Ryan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    Couldn't disagree more. Flip needs to go. Hey, if JVG is so critical of the Pistons, give him a shot and let's see what he does. What's happened to Mr. Big Shot the past 3 post-seasons? Not so big. I say trade him and his bloated contract to the Bulls, plus some other scrub, for their #1 pick -- Derrick Rose. Keep Rip, Dice, and Sheed. And speaking of (lack of) big shots, why is Tayshaun Prince given a free pass for every game he disappears from because he makes a stellar defensive play every post-season? 'Sheed may have the highest basketball IQ in the league, and what's more, he has BALLS. Way to mail in this post ... "Rasheed Wallace as 'The Fall Guy'." Gee, groundbreaking stuff here.
  6. Aaron R
    6. Posted by Aaron R Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    why do people not give credit to great teams such as the pistons? there can only be ONE team to win a championship every year. The pistons are right in the thick of things every year, and like my suns, have made a few bonehead plays that have kept them from advancing certain years. But, and its a big but, success cannot always be defined by number of rings. Injuries and suspect trades, like "gasol for kwame", will almost always maintain a certain level of parody in the NBA. Oh, and David Stern gets to decide who wins.
  7. Lee
    7. Posted by Lee Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:32 pm EDT

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    Keeping Flip Saunders will be a very big mistake. You are going to get the same result as this year Joe. Please do not keep him because he is not a championship coach. He cannot stump his leg on the floor when his players faulta. Let him go. Find a constant defensive coach if you want Pistons to make it to the finals next year. Keep all the players .
  8. martin_bau1012
    8. Posted by martin_bau1012 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:09 pm EDT

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    The Pistons were never the same after Big Ben got his paycheck. I think personally, if he would have stuck behind and took a lesser paycheck (hard to do though hehe) the Pistons MIGHT have been a championship contender rather than just a perennial best in the East.
  9. Eric
    9. Posted by Eric Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    Regardless of the circumstances (injured D-Wade, etc.), the Pistons have had so much sustained success that we can't really discount them as one of the elite teams. However, 2 things seem obvious: 1. they need a coach that can properly motivate them/command their respect, and 2. Sheed's attitudinal fluctuations are more a distraction than anyone wants to admit.
    1. Brown yes, Saunders no. Despite his reputation for offensive acumen--something which I'd say is questionable at this point--Saunders never seemed to "have" the Pistons in any meaningful way. He clearly can't motivate them. It doesn't mean he's a bad coach, but it does probably mean that he's not a great fit for these guys. I'm not sure who IS a good fit. I think anyone would be a better fit once #2 is addressed...
    2. Sheed's gotta go. When he's on, he's a unique threat--a talent on par with Dirk. However, I've always valued reliable, day-in day-out contributors more than these mercurial types. When he's on, they win, but no one knows if he'll be on or not, and his inability to control his emotions is horsesh%t. The question is, who do you get to replace him? There's a paucity of mobile big men out there... Add to that McDyess's age and I think what you've got is lots of minutes for my boy J-Max.
  10. Older_than_Moses_Shaq
    10. Posted by Older_than_Moses_Shaq Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Again he gets a contract to remain one of the worst NBA playoff coaches in history.
  11. TK
    11. Posted by TK Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

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    How about we get someone named Elton Brand or a Baron Davis to Detroit?
  12. J-head
    12. Posted by J-head Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    #16 said it -- Saunders can't motivate his players, and Rasheed's fluctuations are a distraction -- but s/he didn't say that those two things are related. I think Rasheed more than anyone else on the Pistons personifies the "it's cool to not listen to coach b/c I know more than he does" attitude. Over the years, Sheed has built an easy out for not showing up to games -- "it's all the referees fault." Between ignoring his coach and insulting the referees, you'd think he was a would-be Dirk Nowitzki or KG. He's neither -- just a low scoring power forward who prefers not to post up and who likes to chuck up 3s. I don't know if the Pistons will be back in the conference finals without Sheed, but they definitely won't be back with both him and Flip in the mix, so now that Joe has decided to rehire Saunders he should definitely dump Sheed for anyone at this point. Even the Human Cigar looks good at this point -- at least we won't have to deal with Sheed's antics and poor sportsmanship that are such an embarrassment to Detroit fans.
  13. Tracker
    13. Posted by Tracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

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    I cannot believe that Joe D hasn't learned yet that Flip is playoff poison. The team does not respect him, he has no skill with coaching a defensive team, and he plays scardy-cat ball (lob 3 pointers, no contact, sure cannot risk an injury!) every season as he gets close to the post season. The players have developed bigger egos than ability and they all have more excuses for their poor play than Carter has little pills.
    Flip should have been gone last year, along with Sheed (way to much baggage). This year nothing has convinced me to change that arguement except that Prince and very possibly Billups should spend the off season looking for new living arrangements...it is a buyers market you know.
  14. Jim
    14. Posted by Jim Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    Don't blame a loss to just a single player, remember its a team effort that wins or losses a game... They should treat this loss as a lesson for them to be a contender again in the next season... I suggest bring Ben Wallace back in the Pistons line-up....that would really be great..."the prodical son"!!!
  15. Richard
    15. Posted by Richard Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:54 pm EDT

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    what's up with the cheapshot at their 2004 title- if i remember right, the Lakers dominated everyone else and then lost when they ran up against a team mentality that hustled.
  16. joji
    16. Posted by joji Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    an ankle injury from 2k6 listed under recent misdeeds ,got to be kidding.
  17. Mister Sparkle
    17. Posted by Mister Sparkle Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    This team needs a makeover.
    Rip, Billups, and Prince are amazing players but they need a premier big man to compete for a championship.
    Sheed is a bonehead. They need Brand. GET BRAND!
  18. Master T
    18. Posted by Master T Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    Should Dumars fire Flip, he will be good in CHICAGO.
  19. goodeats
    19. Posted by goodeats Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    Piston got lucky when they won it all The Lakers were injured and couldn’t rebound or defend. Doesn’t matter who the coach is Larry Brown, Flip or who ever when you don’t have the horses to go all the way. To be Champion, you must be a complete team .
    1st must have a good coaching staff
    2 must have the players
    3 must be able to rebound and play defense
    4. must be able to run your offense productively
    You must be a more complete team then your opponent. Than on top of that you must have a healthy team.
    The pistons just don’t have the players to win it every year Period!
  20. goodeats
    20. Posted by goodeats Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    Piston got lucky when they won it all The Lakers were injured and couldn’t rebound or defend. Doesn’t matter who the coach is Larry Brown, Flip or who ever when you don’t have the horses to go all the way. To be Champion, you must be a complete team .
    1st must have a good coaching staff
    2 must have the players
    3 must be able to rebound and play defense
    4. must be able to run your offense productively
    You must be a more complete team then your opponent. Than on top of that you must have a healthy team.
    The pistons just don’t have the players to win it every year Period!
  21. JaYJaY
    21. Posted by JaYJaY Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    True the Pistons do need a good big man somone who can lead the team defensivley. But the pistons side consists of great A class players that aren't hog like Kobe or Dwyane Wade, just look at DWade last in the entrire leauge. Sharing the ball is just how they play. It's not like their ego's that inflated beyond measue so just leave em alone if you don't know what your talking about.
  22. Older_than_Moses_Shaq
    22. Posted by Older_than_Moses_Shaq Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    More Sheed. Sheed happens. The heart and sole(no, I didn't mispell it) of The Pistons. Just cut your losses, fool. Get rid of the guy. He hurts you more than he helps.
  23. TGB
    23. Posted by TGB Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    For all you guys who believe that Saunders should not coach the Pistons again next year, who else would you hire? Avery Johnson?
  24. Eightball
    24. Posted by Eightball Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    Flip is a piss poor coach. Nice call on playing Theo! All he did was foul and let everyone drive or pull up for an easy jumper. Flip should go, he's garbage. I would trade flip for a half eaten cold bagel. But he’s not the only one that needs to go. Sheed is my favorite player but he has been playing like trash in the playoffs and doesn't play hard when it counts. Prince needs to walk his 7'2 wingspan a$$ to the closest McDonalds and apply. He's a one play wonder. Lastly McDysse that old tired looking foul machine needs to take his bad knees and go play in the Euro leagues. I would trade him for darko if I could. Detroit needs a lot of help. With that being said we still are in better shape than half of the Eastern Conference. (How sad is that for the other Eastern Teams?)
  25. TJ
    25. Posted by TJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

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    I was a piston fan when larry brown was still the coach, but now will saunders on board..it must really suck to be a pistons fan..poor pistons..replace this MuthaF8ckin coach now!

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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