Pistons Axe Saunders

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the Detroit Pistons have fired their head coach Flip Saunders after losing to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Saunders had just completed the third year of a four year deal, all three seasons with Flip at the helm the Pistons had been eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals, to three different teams. Saunders predecessor Larry Brown had led the team to a NBA Championship and two consecutive trips to the Finals.

Detroit’s President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars said he made the change because it was time for a new voice to lead the team. Saunders was certainly not the problem with the Pistons, but apparently he was not the solution either. There can be no denying that Saunders is an excellent coach during the regular season. However he has never had similar success in the Post Season whether with Detroit, or in his first stop as coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. As we have seen in the past, sometimes a coach can take a team to the edge of the mountain top, but for what ever the reason can not hit the peak. A perfect example is the Chicago Bulls, who needed to switch to Phil Jackson from Doug Collins before they won their first ring.  There is no doubt Saunders will be employed again as a coach in the NBA, his record is too good for him to be out for long. Reports say that Pistons assistant Michael Curry appears to be the leading candidate to replace Saunders.

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