Tragic news about a long-time Detroit Bad Boy: Matt Dobek, the Pistons' longtime PR director, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday. He was only 51 years old. Working behind the scenes in the Pistons' organization for 29 years until being let go in May, Dobek will be missed by many. From Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
Hired by former Pistons executive Tom Wilson, Dobek was a confidant to many of the players during the Bad Boys era of Pistons basketball, including Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars.
He remained close through the years with former Pistons coach Chuck Daly and when Daly died in May 2009, Dobek served as the family spokesman.
Dobek was part of three championship teams with the Pistons (1989, 1990 and 2004) and also served as the communications director for the original Dream Team during the 1992 Olympics.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.