Empty the Bench

We called for the dismissal of Pistons’ head coach Flip Saunders before his team was eliminated Saturday night from the postseason, and nothing has changed since then to make us feel otherwise. Yes, it was a “brilliant move” bringing in his secret weapon at the end of the bench, Nazr Mohammed, during the first quarter of a close-out game, but that moment of clarity notwithstanding, Saunders has coached himself out Detroit if Joe Dumars and Bill Davidson are truly zeroed in on improving this team.

The players clearly don’t respond to him at all times, and question both his offensive and defensive philosophies. Even if his team adored his every move, Saunders has proven time and time again that he is not a great playoffs coach. It’s all about postseason success in Detroit, so why keep a coach who struggles in that area? We’re aware that Davidson isn’t fond of paying out the remainder of contracts to coaches who’ve been canned, but c’mon–this guy isn’t exactly hurting for cash, so swallow the pocket change and let’s move on.

There certainly aren’t many A-lister coaches available at the moment, but at the very least, there’s some worthy candidates already sitting on the bench that could be worth a shot. Assistant coaches Terry Porter, Derek Harper, and Dave Cowens are all capable guys. At any rate, until Joe Dumars comes out and states that Saunders’ job is not in jeopardy, the rumors of his demise will fly, and rightfully so. Here’s the first one I’ve seen so far, coming from A. Sherrod Blakely’s Pistons Insider:

I’ve been covering this team since 2000, and have been at every one of their season-ending pow-wows just before the players head off to parts unknown, for the summer. But this one was unlike any I had seen before.

For starters, head coach Flip Saunders pulled out of the parking lot just a few minutes after all the players arrived. Usually coaches linger around for these things. There are plenty of plausible reasons for his early departure. He might have had a flight to catch, or some other pressing appointment. The conclusion some wanted to reach was that maybe he was fired and replaced by assistant Terry Porter. However, it appears Saunders job is safe … for now.

Speaking of Porter, he reiterated that despite some reports to the contrary, he has not pulled his name out of the running for any head coaching job. “I’m trying to put it in, not take it out,” quipped Porter this morning. He is still considered a leading candidate for the Sacramento Kings job, although an opportunity to coach the Pistons would be more appealing. The Pistons have a better team than the Kings, plus staying here would keep him closer to his family and children who are in Milwaukee.

He also goes on to say that Rip Hamilton was conspicuous in his absence from the meetings today, especially as a co-captain. This thing isn’t mandatory, so don’t read too much into it. Maybe Hamilton had something come up, is still devastated from losing to the Cavs, or has become ill after reading all the garbage floating around that LeBron James has somehow saved the NBA Finals, or at the very least made it worth watching. Please.

**UPDATE** I didn’t hear it, so I can’t verify it, and what was said may not amount to anything more than what’s cited above. Apparently, however, Chris McCoskey (The Detroit News) was just on WDFN sports radio in Detroit, and said Saunders *will* be back. Fantastic. I guess he just needs one more year in the postseason to iron out those flaws, eh?

**DOUBLE UPDATE** It looks like Saunders will indeed return as Pistons head coach.

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