Flip Saunders fired

<TABLE class=tborder id=post1231466 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 id=td_post_1231466 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #2b295e 1px solid">By KRISTA JAHNKE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • June 3, 2008

The Pistons announced this morning that they would not bring Pistons coach Flip Saunders back for the fourth and final season of his contract.


“Decisions like this are difficult to make, especially with the success we have had throughout the last three regular-seasons,” president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement. “However, at this time, I feel it is necessary to make a change. I thank Flip for his hard work and dedication, but it is time for a new voice to lead our team.”

Saunders coached the team for three seasons, leading them to a record of 176-70 in the regular season. His playoff record was 30-21 with the team losing in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals each of the three seasons.


No successor has been announced, but the front-runner is thought to be assistant coach Michael Curry, a former Piston who has never been a head coach.


Dumars will hold his traditional end-of-the-season briefing this afternoon in Auburn Hills.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
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I think Pistons may not find a better coach for that core of players they have. But then again if they are going to move some players this off season a new coach may make the better fit.

Seeking new voice in coach, Pistons fire Saunders

Flip Saunders Out As Pistons Coach

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Flip Saunders was fired as Detroit Pistons coach Tuesday, four days after his team was eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

President of basketball operations Joe Dumars said it's "time for a new voice to lead our team." Saunders had a year left on a four-year deal he signed in 2005. The decision comes three years after Saunders took over for Larry Brown, who led the Pistons to two straight NBA Finals.

"Decisions like this are difficult to make, especially with the success we have had throughout the last three regular seasons," Dumars said in a statement. "However, at this time, I feel it is necessary to make a change."

The Pistons will hold a 2 p.m. ET news conference. A message left for Saunders on Tuesday was not immediately returned.

Saunders could be replaced by assistants Michael Curry or Terry Porter, or former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson might be an option.

In Saunders' three seasons, the Pistons were 176-70 in the regular season and 30-21 in the postseason, but they lost in the Eastern Conference finals each year.

The Pistons have appeared in six straight conference finals, the first franchise to do so since the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. But they also are the second team in league history to lose in the round before the NBA Finals three years in a row, joining the Celtics from 1953-55.

Dumars decided a year ago to bring back key players who have been together since the 2004 championship season, as well as Saunders, while infusing energy with rookies and young reserves. But after the loss in Game 6 of the East finals to Boston on Friday, the likelihood of change grew.

Before coming to Detroit, Saunders was 411-326 with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1995-05. He led them to eight straight postseason appearances -- seven first-round exits and an appearance in the 2004 conference finals. After leading Minnesota to a franchise-high 58 wins, he was fired with a 25-26 mark in the 2004-05 season.

not surprised but who CAN coach that group?

i think michael curry, the assistant would be a good fit. he's a former player and the players like him.

flip is a good regular season coach but you can't go anywhere with him in the playoffs. in minnesota we were known as the 1 and done's with flip.

Could you imagine the backlash if Dumars brought in his old partner Isiah Thomas.

bookie said:

Could you imagine the backlash if Dumars brought in his old partner Isiah Thomas.

Click to expand...

All hell would break lose in Detroit.

avery johnson.

Betting Food Stamps said:

avery johnson.

Click to expand...

I can't think of a better hire. :toast:

get billy elbows away from the ladies team .......there is a crowd favorite !

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is reporting that Pistons assistant coach Michael Curry will replace fired head coach Flip Saunders in Detroit.
Curry has long been thought to be the next coach of the Pistons and has been groomed for the position. The team could possibly talk to Terry Porter, along with a few others, but Curry appears to be in line for the job at this point.

-Rotoworld

Seems to me the players call the shots in Detroit. I don't believe this was Dumars decision rather than Sheed and the boys about Curry.

FLIP..did a nice job..but he wore on the players..after awhile he lost the players and Curry became the man..sometimes you make a change not because the coach isnt capable, but because someone else is more capable..this group is a clubhouse..RASHWEED seems to run the show..The guy at times steps up, but he doesnt control games like others do..Mgt. feels like FLIP took them only so far, they need a new spark..CURRY new guy, but lots of teams wont give franchise to untested coaches..see..KNICKS..MAVS..and the experiment the BOBCATS finished..now going to clubhouse and fraternity leader BROWN..