Pistons coaching rumors: Adrian Griffin receives courtesy interview

This is a couple of days old, but for posterity's sake, let's officially add Chicago Bulls assistant Adrian Griffin to the list of coaching candidates to receive an interview the Detroit Pistons -- with a giant grain of salt. From Chris Haynes of CSN Northwest, the first to report the news, late Tuesday night:

According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the coaching search, Griffin partook in an extensive phone interview with Pistons' President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars over the weekend.

Griffin's presentation and coaching philosophy was termed "impressive," the source said.

And now, a double heaping of salt from the local beat reporters:

• "The Pistons’ interview with Griffin appears to be more of a courtesy to help a young assistant increase his profile," writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
• "... it would seem to be more a way to get Griffin's name in the league pipeline, similar to the Rooney Rule of the NFL," writes Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News.

If Griffin's name sounds familiar, it's because he's a former NBA journeyman not too far removed from his playing days: his nine-year, six-team career ended in 2008. But despite only recently trading his sneakers for a clipboard, he already has five years experience as an NBA assistant, spending two under Scott Skiles in Milwaukee and the last three in Chicago under Tom Thibadeau.

Haynes notes that Griffin also interviewed with the Suns this summer and the Trail Blazers last year. His time may come someday; perhaps he'll get another look in Detroit two years from now the next time the Pistons hire a coach.

Thanks to J Dre and TDP for the FanPost/Shots