I think he should be fired, and trade Rasheed Wallace and maybe Rip Hamilton. He just doesn't look right playing in Detroit(Hamilton).
He's always been a loser/choker/underachiever (unless you take the CBA seriously). Very fitting that he coached KG most of his career since those two are perfect for each other.
I'm not saying that they don't need to be broken up. They do. Blame the coach all you want, and then credit Curry all you want. You saw where that got Detroit in 2005-06, when the Pistons couldn't stop talking about how much better life was without Larry Brown, only to give up on Flip's offense in the Miami series, breaking plays all over the place. This lot can not be "inspired." Anyone thinking that is fooling themselves. The only reason they won in 2004 was because Karl Malone was injured, because a Laker team with a healthy Malone took down the Spurs, and because a Laker team with Malone took down the better Timberwolves once Cassell became injured and Darrick Martin had to play point guard. The Pistons legacy is obscured because of the ring and the Game 7 in 2005. They wouldn't have gotten to that Game 7 had SAS not taken games 3 and 4 off, or if Shaq/Wade had been healthy in Game 7 of the ECF. Had the 2004 Pistons played a healthy Spurs, Lakers, Timberwolves, or probably even Kings squad, they wouldn't have standed a chance. The most overrated Conference dynasty, ever. Only dominating with the East its lowest ebb, and losing to inferior teams in 2006, 2007, and (arguably) 2008.
I agree with you completely about the domino effect that led to their championship in 04. If Sam had been completely healthy, I thought the T-Wolves would have won it all (ironically with Flip as coach). In 05, any objective mind would agree the Heat would have beaten the Pistons if Wade hadn't got injured. According to rumors this morning from Detroit, Flip is staying. I guess that means the focus will be on roster change. I wonder if they will offer an extension or have him coach next season as a lame duck.
I don't know who could coach these guys and re-instill fire in them. They're all mostly complacent. They're good, they know they're good, they carry a sense that they do the winning and the coach is just a figurehead (not far off the mark). I don't know who you could bring in that they'd actual respect and sacrifice/play harder for. Avery would be a BAD choice. It took him less than two years to wear out his welcome with Dallas, thanks to his Napoleon complex. Breaking them up...I dunno. If they could get hungry and care again, they could at least get back to the Finals. Add one more piece and they could win it all. Again, if they were re-infused with a dose of desire. Break them up and it will take a lot of time to get back to things. Look at the Nets - and they only swapped Martin for Carter to end their run. Still, most everyone there has probably peaked in value. Billups, Rip, Prince, Sheed....if you move one, may as well move them all. Too bad about them - they really could have been a perennial contender. I'd argue that this team is not "The most overrated Conference dynasty, ever. Only dominating with the East its lowest ebb, and losing to inferior teams." I'd say the Nets run with Kidd was a lot more overrated and benefactors of a weaker East than today. Evan
So in other words, you're telling everybody a Shaq/Kobe lead team (3 titles)couldn't beat the Pistons who they were supposed to 4 and out for their 4th NBA crown. But lost in 5 games, were lucky to win one. This only proves MJ is a greater player than Kobe. The Pistons did play the Spurs the very the next season and it came all the way to game 7 in the last minutes of the game. The Pistons did something only one other team did...beat the Shaq/Kobe Lakers, during their title runs. Remember, that is something the Kings, Wolves, or Mavs never did. Detroit you have to admit were pretty good, the season without Larry Brown, they managed to win 67 games and they were 42-3 at one point in the season. They were beating Western Conference powerhouses and probably should've one the title that year, they seemed uninspired and just tired in that Miami series. I think they would've put the smackdown on the Mavs.
Flip should get a pass until we see what he does with a retooled roster. I love Rasheed Wallace as a player but they really need to trade him and get guys like Maxiell and Amir Johnson some minutes.
Detroit would be stupid to trade Rip. He's the only that came to play every game in the playoffs this year.
I think he should stay and Rasheed should be traded, but I think the opposite will happen. Rasheed seems to be the main player pointed to when they talk about the Pistons taking nights off, and not being as hungry as they were in 2004. It is possible though that Larry Brown and Ben Wallace just made all the difference for them.
