Detroit Bad Boys - DBB’s Stan Van Gundy firing coverageA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2018-05-10T17:57:14-04:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/170998112018-05-10T17:57:14-04:002018-05-10T17:57:14-04:00The most important criteria for the Pistons coaching search: Style
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<img alt="Memphis Grizzlies v Atlanta Hawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ytb7xdo34MaKrHORGAY-eoP8PBk=/0x0:2287x1525/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59697121/859557694.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="FQ48pu">The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> are back on their first coaching search since 2014. It’s been a little while since they’ve made a new hire, but we still have the opportunity to look back through failed candidates and learn from previous mistakes.</p>
<p id="2BniSE">As we discuss candidates, let’s stroll through the most important aspects to keep in mind.</p>
<h3 id="v6Tuvs">Well fitting suit</h3>
<p id="2nLhdm">This has been an issue with Pistons coaching searches since the departure of <span>Larry Brown</span>. Brown set the standard in this regard, clearly showing how a properly tailored suit is the key to a successful coaching tenure.</p>
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<img alt="12th Annual ESPY Awards - Show" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wpeCSWz7rjYTvNQbguSDEzaIoc8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817563/51071259.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="CdaIpJ">Look at that. Now that’s what you look for in a coaching candidate. Check out those shoulders, that timeless cut that still works even a decade later, just the right amount of collar and cuff exposed. And for a guy whose career spanned across four decades, he shows the adaptability and ability to keep things both modern yet timeless in a really impressive way. He’d come a long way from this:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Larry Brown racked up eight technical fouls in 1976 for squirting referees in the face with his giant clown bow tie. <a href="https://t.co/yTdsQVwaK0">pic.twitter.com/yTdsQVwaK0</a></p>— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/Super70sSports/status/820833420754288640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2017</a>
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<p id="CNxu7k">Perhaps the greatest failure of the <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> Era was Tim Hardaway’s suits. </p>
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<cite><em>Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com</em></cite>
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<p id="voPJkB">How can you expect to win like that? </p>
<p id="Clru4P">The leadership from the top was actually pretty good. Stan Van Gundy kept his suits well fitting, modern, and his choice to typically forego a tie was usually a good one. Far better than some of those looks he trotted out in Florida. But Hardaway’s recklessness was clearly an undermining factor in the regime. </p>
<p id="tybkiB">We had the opportunity to learn from the disaster of an interim tenure with <span>John Loyer</span>.</p>
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<p id="1ZkbYM">Good lawd. So much bad stuff going on here. The sleeves are way too short. The pants are way too long. How does that even happen? Where is this tiny armed, extra long-legged person that this clearly-off-the-rack suit was designed for hanging out? And at least he’s consistent, with his lapels way too wide and his tie at least a full inch too short. </p>
<p id="PWA8RN">Your tie’s length should be right in the middle of the belt fellas. This is amateur stuff. And a nice segway into our next key feature.</p>
<h3 id="JlaDjZ">Nicely knotted tie</h3>
<p id="QHo3KA">If you’re going to wear a tie, tie it right. </p>
<p id="Q9Ojzm">This was the key failure of <span>Rick Carlisle</span>’s time in Detroit, and always has been the biggest weakness in Carlisle’s otherwise sterling career.</p>
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<img alt="Dallas Mavericks v Denver Nuggets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dHMz2FLYqeMN0pAuW6bxiAkP4DA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817693/905821292.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="qLDlBm">Look at that. There’s just no reason for it. The suit fits well, colors compliment each other nicely, and he gets the width of the tie right. The planning is solid, but execution is off. </p>
<p id="8Mn1Zz">It’s a sign of poor decision-making under pressure. The tie’s the last thing to finish up before getting ready. Are you going to panic and just go with the four-in-hand or show the poise to take the time to properly execute a nice half-windsor before clipping it up, tossing on the jacket, and getting out the door? </p>
<p id="5Syg2Z">Meanwhile, take a look at Steve Kerr.</p>
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<img alt="Portland Trail Blazers v Golden State Warriors" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KfycqcFsOpwk5ax2tw23gYzX0Nc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817759/519284656.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="tfMs2F">Now that’s a guy who even Michael Jordan is passing off to for the championship winning three point shot, knowing he’s going to knock it down.</p>
<p id="Upp5Ul">The clock’s winding down. Do you panic and rush it? Nah. A perfect knot, perfectly straight, perfect length. Swoosh.</p>
<h3 id="B2dFHz">Strong accessory game</h3>
<p id="XGiwyB">You surely noticed clipping it up, right? It’s one of the biggest issues in coaching today. These coaches out there just letting their ties do whatever. What a mess.</p>
<p id="iio2Ur"><span>Lawrence Frank</span> could have made things work in Detroit. But if you remember back, he set something of an ultimatum with Joe Dumars in 2013 - either give him an extension so that he wasn’t a lame duck, or fire him. Dumars went with the latter. And Frank has no one to blame but himself.</p>
<p id="gnWYIB">Check this out:</p>
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<img alt="Indiana Pacers v New Jersey Nets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QXUYjKGPz-R0EtHvYlnwvUiEWLI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817837/57405676.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="M7l9eb">That’s what happens. That lack of a tie clip left him doomed. </p>
<p id="dXWzd0">Despite doing quite a bit right, a suit cut so that it didn’t over-empathize is comparatively short stature, some good colors going on there, unleashing the Will Bynum-Andre Drummond pick and roll machine, it wasn’t going to be enough when you’re letting easy opportunities like a tie clip pass by.</p>
<p id="Ofv4Eg">(Though, this one is a generous example. By and large, Frank’s wardrobe decisions while coaching the Pistons were a mess. Wide lapels, wide ties, tying his tie so that it nearly went to his knees, nearly everything he could do to remind you that he was relatively short.)</p>
<p id="1guUnl">Back to the tie thing though, it’s been a consistent for every coach let go this offseason.</p>
<p id="p8N9Nt"><span>David Fizdale</span>: No tie clip.</p>
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<img alt="Memphis Grizzlies v Indiana Pacers" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZHUOT2tCaJ2svsN2ufeyB6AlhYo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817875/645102458.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="LIyQcf"><span>Mike Budenholzer</span>: No tie clip.</p>
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<img alt="Dallas Mavericks v Atlanta Hawks" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qdz6cNXr66AX11jHRZ9ZQBpqwCM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817889/860717944.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="corWOW"><span>Steve Clifford</span>: No tie clip.</p>
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<img alt="Milwaukee Bucks v Charlotte Hornets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4IlGPevSgHhreThl7-qejgfUo2I=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817893/869172702.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="HakAnl"><span>Jeff Hornacek</span>: No tie clip.</p>
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Golden State Warriors" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sXS8CuS9ueY1AafcJKfXuXBf6qA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817901/909485200.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="Kouzuv"><span>Frank Vogel</span>: No tie clip.</p>
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<img alt="Indiana Pacers v Miami Heat" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ftCBj1-XEe3wcm_wheoUEZFR794=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817917/503410986.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="Uf7Jg9">And that’s what happens when you don’t wear a tie clip. You’re tie just flops around out of place. How do teams expect players to respect their coach when they don’t even respect their ties enough to keep them in place with a crisp, neat clip?</p>
<p id="3kvJPj">The problem is that I couldn’t find a picture of a single coach in the NBA including a tie clip in their wardrobe. The madness!</p>
<p id="Zr6UwL">If the Pistons can pull off a hire who can commit to regularly donning a tie clip, they’ll have a Coach of the Year candidate on their hands.</p>
<p id="hUPcPH">But accessories don’t stop there. Part of what made Larry Brown great were those tortoiseshell glasses that were ahead of his time. So impressive. Or Erik Spoelstra’s ability to spot a subtle but sharp belt. </p>
<h3 id="L8erYK">Leadership and coaching abilities</h3>
<p id="sRSoN5">Blah, blah, blah. Worth considering, but far less important than the previously mentioned items.</p>
<h3 id="izPNq8">Candidates</h3>
<p id="kdmPGf">So how do our candidates size up? </p>
<p id="SloGPu"><strong>Mike Budenholzer</strong></p>
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<img alt="Atlanta Hawks v Denver Nuggets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8xIWMMf4HIq65Q9W8o9Sy885wbc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10817929/630481672.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="cDILeR">Surprisingly good! Unassuming, but solid. </p>
<p id="bbPVii"><span><strong>Jerry Stackhouse</strong></span></p>
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<cite>Carlos Osorio, AP</cite>
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<p id="nPflHc">That’s a NBA ready coach. </p>
<p id="JzxClh"><strong>Jay Wright</strong></p>
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<cite>Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="ftwAPT">Wright is in a league of his own. Even rocking the tie clip, thankyouverymuch. But for the Pistons? He’s too good.</p>
<p id="m6hQSs">Pistons: hey</p>
<p id="PVGOWT">Jay: lol dream on</p>
<p id="d8VptQ"><strong>Frank Vogel</strong></p>
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<img alt="Orlando Magic v Charlotte Hornets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VkKwQEUr8qdyRN9rmGsdVePOO98=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10818027/651900850.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="M2pVY0">His suits are consistently too big, his knots are usually undersized and off center. That’s a bad combination. </p>
<h3 id="QYl3nI">Becky Hammon</h3>
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<img alt="NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BwX9yR9hWoO-l9uRRmFa_B8Q4g4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10818073/usa_today_10804855.jpg">
<cite>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="LaHWLS">I don’t know anything about women’s coaching style, but she definitely seems like she knows what she’s doing. Solid.</p>
<p id="Kg5j8V"><span><strong>Stephen Silas</strong></span></p>
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<img alt="NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jkdC4wARCHT0HkP22CRhkIY30lM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10818085/usa_today_10545449.jpg">
<cite>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="fXRKnc">Silas is in a bit of a tough spot. He’s super skinny, so mistakes are going to hit particularly hard. An oversized suit or wide tie are going to make him look like he’s swimming in his clothes. But when he’s on, he’s on. </p>
<p id="hdHOen"><span><strong>Monty Williams</strong></span></p>
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<img alt="New Orleans Hornets v Washington Wizards" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WDAuSw7jrsk7CM6H_TX3N74oxu0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10818105/163780623.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="Cvm4rl">Williams tends to find himself <a href="https://www.gq.com/gallery/the-nbas-best-and-worst-dressed-coaches">on worst dressed coaches lists</a>, but it’s unfortunate. He clearly has his fundamentals down at times, but just makes some lousy decisions when he steps out of the box. Mock turtlenecks, three buttons, tan on tan on tan, extra baggy pants, just no. Too risky of a candidate. </p>
<h3 id="L4YNDs"><span>Ime Udoka</span></h3>
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<cite>Paul Sancya/Associated Press</cite>
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<p id="XvWiD7">Rock solid credentials. </p>
<h3 id="rvCfxx">Tom Izzo</h3>
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<cite>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="Vxrw24">As the guys said on the DBB podcast, Izzo’s style works for college but there’s just no way it translates to the league. Hard pass.</p>
<p id="OQgSOb">By and large, there are some really solid candidates up there? Who gets your vote? Jerry Stackhouse, with his boundary pushing? Bud’s boring but solid look? Udoka’s refined approach? Any other under the radar stylish assistants out there? </p>
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https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/10/17341310/the-most-important-criteria-for-the-pistons-coaching-search-styleSteve Hinson2018-05-09T11:00:11-04:002018-05-09T11:00:11-04:00DBB on 3: So long, farewell...
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<img alt="NBA: Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L0SJn8QyzyundB9xZ9T_kDv8zcA=/0x0:5255x3503/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59678363/usa_today_10603979.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Stan Van Gundy is gone, where to now?</p> <p id="gAKewR">Just when signs were pointing to <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> staying on in some capacity word came down that he is actually returning in exactly no capacity at all. Anyone who frequents the comments thread knows the opinions of SVG ranged far and wide and that won’t ever really change. It’s safe to say he didn’t stink up the joint but didn’t exactly leave a sweet smelling perfectly pruned garden of roses either. </p>
<p id="26KRZ2">But time marches on, the coaching carousel never really stops spinning so we won’t dwell too much on SVG here but rather move on to where things might look in the coming months. </p>
<p id="81vWFl">So long SVG. We’ll always have our FAFW.</p>
<h3 id="DUtGgP"><em><strong>1. What was the first thing that went through your head when you heard Stan was gone?</strong></em></h3>
<p id="qdVbmN"><strong>Ben Gulker: </strong>Complete surprise. </p>
<p id="pEDfpF"><strong>Sean Wheeler: </strong>Pretty surprised. Looks like SVG wasn’t willing to let go of his control of the FO.</p>
<p id="D9MZYe"><strong>Ryan Pravato: </strong> Is my car radio playing tricks on me? That’s when I first heard the news right after work. I hadn’t checked my phone or the interwebz the whole afternoon. Oopsies.</p>
<p id="2Gu1fQ"><strong>Justin Lambregtse: </strong>My first thought was “why did Gores wait so long to fire him?”</p>
<p id="CYRzO8"><strong>Jamie Delaney: </strong>I’ve been catching up on Handmaids Tale season 2 so my first thought was “Praise Be.”</p>
<p id="t1zfKP"><strong>Jordan Bellant: </strong>I think it was the right move. Both for Stan and for our franchise. I really like Stan and given the instructions he was given from ownership, he did a pretty good job for us. He didn’t have much margin for error and some bad luck and injuries hurt this team from getting back to the playoffs. A lot of people will hang ‘Kennard over Mitchell’ around his neck, but beyond that, it wasn’t that bad. </p>
<p id="LJrNtz"><strong>David Fernandez</strong>: I was upset, I wanted to see to see SVG at least coach out the final year of his contract (while being stripped of PoBo title). When the <span>Blake Griffin</span> trade was made, I thought that guaranteed him one last year of making a run at it, and with all of the circumstances to why Detroit eventually under-delivered, was out of SVG’s control. </p>
<p id="DBNIka"><strong>Steve Hinson: </strong>That Stan and Tom Gores’ inability to see eye to eye on SVG’s role moving forward cost him his job. Definitely a surprise, but with the reports out about SVG’s resistance to what Gores wanted moving forward, not a huge surprise.</p>
<h3 id="L5nPax"><em><strong>2. What’s your gut feeling on where Gores wants to take this next season: A. One last go with this basic roster and a new coach and front office B. Time to tear it down and start fresh C. Somewhere in between.</strong></em></h3>
<p id="pYkjpg"><strong>Ben Gulker: </strong> I think Gores is all in on <span>Blake Griffin</span>. Everything else is up for grabs. </p>
<p id="PEYwOH"><strong>Sean Wheeler: </strong>It’s “C.” Gores probably knows the roster is good enough to make noise in the playoffs next year, but thinks the floor could be higher in case of injury.</p>
<p id="7PGn0f"><strong>Ryan Pravato: </strong>The problem is Gores, so there’s a good chance that his thinking is flawed (read: clueless). </p>
<p id="6dh6PU"><strong>Justin Lambregtse: </strong>Gores is going to go with one last go with this roster. The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> only played 4 games with <span>Reggie Jackson</span>, <span>Andre Drummond</span>, and Blake Griffin. I would be disappointed if they didn’t give it another go.</p>
<p id="CoPf6s"><strong>Jamie Delaney: </strong>Feels like A is the most logical, Gores-ian option considering how he handled bringing SVG into the fold. Think he’s too busy counting money in Malibu to think beyond that. I DO think the new FO will have an interesting challenge on their hands when it comes to this roster and finances (sigh).</p>
<p id="geRzfT"><strong>Jordan Bellant: </strong>A. I think he wants to see what we have, and then make tougher decisions in the Summer of 2019. That also gives a new front office one full year to evaluate the roster. I would much rather see that, instead of having a new front office and coaching staff tear this down before they’ve properly evaluated the personnel. </p>
<p id="t15y3s"><strong>David Fernandez</strong>: Gores is not a man who seems like he can stomach a tank. His team has made the playoffs one time since he purchased the Pistons back in 2011. He just moved the team to downtown Detroit, and he wants success now. His hires will reflect that win-now mentality.</p>
<p id="ZhfBBP"><strong>Steve Hinson: </strong>A, which I still think is weird. Gores said in the press release that they thought they had a roster that could be competitive in the East. So it’s strange that they want to bring in someone new to execute someone else’s vision. But ok. </p>
<h3 id="YOkQSx"><em><strong>3. If you were the owner who’d be your top choice for coach and for front office and what would your plan be from options A-C?</strong></em></h3>
<p id="Wnki6r"><strong>Ben Gulker: </strong>Budenholzer would be a perfect fit. For more, listen to the DBB podcast!</p>
<p id="lqptWg"><strong>Sean Wheeler: </strong>Budenholzer might have to apologize to Andre for all the hacking, but clearly knows how to get the most out of a roster with less than superstar talent. As for the FO, Chauncey is a wildcard, so there is nothing close to a comfortable choice out there.</p>
<p id="qbjrYB"><strong>Ryan Pravato: </strong>Stackhouse for new head coach? Who knows -- it’s just going to be a helluva task with this mess of a situation. God help him (or her).</p>
<p id="h3sUC1"><strong>Justin Lambregtse: </strong>I do not know a ton about GM candidates, so I will go with David Griffin. I would hire <span>Mike Budenholzer</span> as head coach. He is the best offensive coach on the market and that is what this team needs.</p>
<p id="jPccoP"><strong>Jamie Delaney: </strong>I think Budenholzer is an obvious favorite. People forget how stupid good Atlanta looked 3-4 years ago, their offense was, dare I say, <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>-esque at their peak. My gut tells me Stackhouse is a close second because he might be cheaper, and he will sell tickets coming back to Detroit. Front office-wise, I like the idea of David Griffin running the show with a Chauncey/<span>Brent Barry</span> supporting member to learn the ropes.</p>
<p id="AdBWkM"><strong>Jordan Bellant: </strong>I’ve made my feelings on this pretty well known. I want Arn Tellem as President of Basketball Operations, Chauncey Billups as General Manager and bring back Ken Catanella in some role within the front office. Then, I want <span>Jerry Stackhouse</span> as Head Coach. I’d like to see a former NBA Head Coach on the bench. Maybe Steve Clifford or <span>Larry Drew</span>? Also, Stack has played with guys like <span>Adrian Griffin</span> and <span>Juwan Howard</span> - I’d like to see someone like that come on to help coach the big men. Also, let’s take a year to see what we have before blowing it up. </p>
<p id="tz1rd2"><strong>David Fernandez</strong>: I’m all in on Mike Budenholzer as coach. For the front office, the guy who’s made my ears perk up more than any other candidate is Mike Zarren (Assistant GM of the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a>).</p>
<p id="7mqhO6"><strong>Steve Hinson: </strong>Coach: Jerry Stackhouse. I tend to be more of a believer in G-League results, and I really like what he did with <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> 905. Best defense in the league for two years in a row, league finals two years in a row while winning one of those. As Gulks said, give the podcast a listen - Laz did a great job of making Stackhouse’s case.</p>
<p id="Yu3AoP">Front office: Well, <span>Jeff Bower</span> hasn’t actually been fired yet. I don’t really think he should be. I get why Gores fired SVG - they had different ideas on the organization’s structure. Ok. But Gores is happy with the roster that’s been built. That’s on Bower. So why fire him? Simply for the sake of starting fresh? That seems a poor reason to me...</p>
<p id="Nbtws9">My plan from A-C? Probably C. I’d want the new coach to get a sense of some of the players and their personalities, then provide their honest feedback on how confident they were that they could work with them.</p>
<p id="JgOopf">——————--——--——-</p>
<p id="h0D2Vk">So that’s where we’re at...what about you all? Copy/paste the questions and share your thoughts and answers in the comments below:</p>
<p id="OVRhfT"><em><strong>1. What was the first thing that went through your head when you heard Stan was gone?</strong></em></p>
<p id="GPwfUG"><em><strong>2. What’s your gut feeling on where Gores wants to take this next season: A. One last go with this basic roster and a new coach and front office B. Time to tear it down and start fresh C. Somewhere in between </strong></em></p>
<p id="t4b8e3"><em><strong>3. If you were the owner who’d be your top choice for coach and for front office and what would your plan be from options A-C?</strong></em></p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/9/17332874/dbb-on-3-so-long-farewellChristopher Daniels2018-05-08T08:00:07-04:002018-05-08T08:00:07-04:00Stan Van Gundy had a long-term plan for the Pistons except for all the times he needed something right now
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was free agency, not the draft, health or the Blake Griffin trade that sealed Van Gundy’s fate in Detroit</p> <p id="2LLy8U">Don’t ever let it be said that <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> didn’t have a long-term plan. There are plenty of <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> post-mortems floating around the internet right now in the wake of the dismissal of Stan Van Gundy as both president and head coach. </p>
<p id="VzdbnQ">You’ll read a lot about his attempt to “save his job” by trading for <span>Blake Griffin</span> and his mega contract. You’ll also read a lot about Van Gundy’s free agency failures — particularly around the time the latest <span>Donovan Mitchell</span> viral highlight is spreading around Twitter. You’ll read about a “win now” attitude that goes with handing executive powers to a head coach. </p>
<p id="ogcS2y">It’s not really true, though. At least, it doesn’t get at the true failures of Van Gundy’s tenure — a lack of a check and balance to him trying to solve all his team’s problems on July 1 every season. </p>
<p id="Lp0VZX">What is true is that the dual roles of executive and head coach should be good and buried. Kill it with fire. In this past calendar year you’ve seen three high-profile instances of those arrangements ending -- <span>Doc Rivers</span> in L.A., <span>Mike Budenholzer</span> in Atlanta and now Van Gundy in Detroit. Watch your back, <span>Tom Thibodeau</span>.</p>
<p id="4REuTW">Van Gundy made some profound errors in Detroit but not having a long-term strategy was not really one of them. First, we have to remember that Van Gundy inherited a pile of junk. He had no first round pick and his three most high profile players all should have been playing center or not playing at all (<span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Greg Monroe</span> and Josh Smith). </p>
<p id="XqCuE7">Second, for a coach who supposedly suffered from a constant win-now mentality, Van Gundy made several team-altering trades during the season. He was never afraid of sacrificing immediate results for possible long-term gain.</p>
<p id="R6n3LI">First he traded an effective DJ Augustin, his only healthy, effective point guard, and <span>Kyle Singler</span> for <span>Reggie Jackson</span>. He knew that he needed a long-term solution running point and, for better or worse, targeted Jackson. Detroit promptly lost 10 of the first 11 games Jackson played.</p>
<p id="RtebiA">The next season, Van Gundy, always mindful of overall talent upgrades, stole <span>Tobias Harris</span> away from the <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> in exchange for <span>Brandon Jennings</span> and Ersan Ilyasova. <span>Harris</span> fit in seamlessly and Detroit won 44 games and went to the playoffs. </p>
<p id="IbVXJO">Then, of course, Detroit scuffled this year once <span>Reggie Jackson</span> went down. Instead of a marginal upgrade at the point, however, Detroit went for the home run and major talent upgrade in flipping Harris, <span>Avery Bradley</span> and a pick for <span>Blake Griffin</span> and all the money that came with him. </p>
<p id="kZq5mB">No, Van Gundy’s big issue was never a win-now mentality during the season. He made small, prudent investments in year one. He won just about every trade he took part in prior to the big Griffin gamble. His draft picks might be a combination of bad lack and bad evaluation, but you can’t reasonably argue that they are due to misplaced priorities. He also couldn’t be accused of overvaluing his own assets. He paid <span>Andre Drummond</span>, sure, but he also set a hard line on his two other quality young assets — <span>Greg Monroe</span> and <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> — and let them walk instead of overpaying them. </p>
<p id="VMYKyQ">Van Gundy’s biggest failing every year was the same — July 1, the start of free agency. And July 1 is the real reason why the executive-coach model is destined to fail. </p>
<p id="xIJ3Gs">NBA head coaches by their nature, and this certainly applies to Van Gundy, knows everything their roster can’t do. Van Gundy knew all the flaws, all the limitations that prevented him from doing what he really wanted to do on both ends of the floor. </p>
<p id="RvLdpF">Van Gundy knew what Josh Smith couldn’t do and instead of trading him for other useless NBA players stretched his contract. He knew what Monroe couldn’t do on defense and his limited range on offense. Bye bye, Greg. </p>
<p id="bpkXe9">July 1, though, is magic. Is your team struggling from the perimeter? Sign Jodie Meeks! Have a center that can’t shoot free throws? Sign Aron Baynes! Looking for a change-of-pace point guard? Here is <span>Ish Smith</span>, just don’t pay attention to his 42 percent field goal percentage. Did your team get completely abused by <span>Kevin Love</span> playing small-ball center in the playoffs? <span>Jon Leuer</span> can be yours for four years!</p>
<p id="WVVge1">Worst than his impulse to play roster wack-a-mole using his free agency dollars was that due to the institutional structure there was no proper check on his impulses. Van Gundy was in charge of everyone, including general manager <span>Jeff Bower</span>. </p>
<p id="OxXBLK">Bower could work in the background with his scouts and assess NBA rosters and probe for trade opportunities. Free agency, though, is more immediate. The clock strikes midnight and players start coming off the board immediately. The most Bower could do is identify talent and negotiate terms. Eventually it comes time to tell the boss what it will take to sign the player RIGHT NOW. A quality president knows when to say no and that it is better to lose out on a targeted player than it is to overpay guys. </p>
<p id="SU4lbG">Every bit of extra value allows your team to be more flexible, allows your assets to be that much more valuable in future trades, allows you to make additional moves. The Pistons never had that.</p>
<p id="4npJfY">They had a roster of properly paid and overpaid guys. </p>
<p id="WTmocU">And it is Van Gundy’s call when it is time to pull the trigger. The Pistons never had a roster of garbage players. But they sure as hell have a roster of overpaid players. <span>Ish Smith</span> works great as a reserve but he is making $6 million per season and because of his offensive limitations can’t reasonably step into a starting role. </p>
<p id="gSlTP3"><span>Jon Leuer</span> makes $10 million per year because he was a versatile power forward/center with some range. The Pistons knew they needed someone who fit that bill and weren’t willing to be patient and see if they could have Leuer for the $6 million per year he’s probably worth. <span>Langston Galloway</span> was a guard who could hit at a 40 percent clip from deep and Van Gundy was so desperate to fix a moribund offense that he didn’t want to wait for the tepid market to sort itself out and instead gave LG $21 million over three years. </p>
<p id="GFwyCM">It didn’t matter that Ish can’t start, Leuer’s range doesn’t actually stretch to the 3-point line or that Galloway can’t initiate an offense. Van Gundy wanted them and he was willing to pay a few extra million here or there to get “his guys.” </p>
<p id="B0bnu4">But that few million adds up quickly — and when you’ve got roughly $75 million tied up in Griffin, Drummond and Jackson next year it adds up real quick. Now the Pistons are in a mess. </p>
<p id="jXAEGc">They turned a roster of junk into quality pieces — Drummond, Griffin, Jackson, Smith, <span>Reggie Bullock</span>, <span>Anthony Tolliver</span>, James Ennis. There is talent there. But it doesn’t all fit together perfectly and they have few ways to make additional moves. </p>
<p id="z8hwva">And it’s because Van Gundy always believed they were just one July 1 away from solving all their problems and finally making the roster work. now it will be someone else’s mess to clean up and it will have to be someone who realizes that free agency is almost never the solution. </p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/8/17329776/detroit-pistons-stan-van-gundy-fired-free-agency-blundersSean Corp2018-05-08T07:00:03-04:002018-05-08T07:00:03-04:00Detroit Bad Boys Podcast: EMERGENCY STAN VAN GUNDY FIRING POD
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<p>Stan Van Gundy is out as President of Basketball Operations of the Pistons</p> <p id="PUG9Rb">Hey everyone. This is <a href="https://twitter.com/lazchance">Laz Jackson</a> of <a href="http://detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Bad Boys</a>, and this is our “<span>Stan Van Gundy</span> is Out” emergency podcast.<a href="https://twitter.com/brgulker"> Ben Gulker</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/shamshammgod/">Shameek Mohile</a>, and I go through the usual suspects of replacements in the front office and on the bench coaching, and we also take a short stroll through Stan Van Gundy’s accomplishments and deficiencies as a <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Piston</a>.</p>
<p id="kdl5kn">As always, we appreciate your continued support of the podcast, and the best way to do that is to share, like, leave comments - please leave comments on this post, it’s the best way for us to build the podcast according to what the fans want.</p>
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https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/8/17330004/detroit-bad-boys-podcast-emergency-stan-van-gundy-fired-podLazarus Jackson2018-05-07T16:06:52-04:002018-05-07T16:06:52-04:00Stan Van Gundy fired: Read full Detroit Pistons statement
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<figcaption>Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Tom Gores lavishes former coach with praise but says the team must move on</p> <p id="WvnvC8">The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> released a statement announcing the major shakeup removing <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> as head coach and president of basketball operations. In the statement, which you can read below, Tom Gores is not bashful in his praise and admiration for Van Gundy as a person and his performance rebuilding the culture of the team.</p>
<p id="ZyeAox">It will be interesting to see what, if anything, Stan Van Gundy says in the near future about his dismissal. </p>
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<p id="gZ4bvf">DETROIT PISTONS ANNOUNCE CHANGES IN BASKETBALL OPERATION</p>
<p id="O8IP9l"><strong>Stan Van Gundy to Be Replaced as Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations</strong></p>
<p id="Vdeu5r">DETROIT, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today that Stan Van Gundy will not return as the team’s President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach. The search process for new basketball leadership, including a new head of Basketball Operations and a new Head Coach, will start immediately.</p>
<p id="syJmut"> “We have decided that this change is necessary to take our basketball organization to the next level,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “This was a very difficult decision and we did not come to it lightly. I am grateful to Stan for everything he’s done for the Pistons and for the City of Detroit. He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from day one to positively impact this franchise and this community.</p>
<p id="uNy1H4">“But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum,” Mr. Gores said, emphasizing that Mr. Van Gundy, who has a year remaining on his contract, wanted to return.</p>
<p id="hX2Ars">“Stan is a competitor and he wanted to finish the job,” Mr. Gores said. “He retooled a roster that we think can be very competitive in the East. I know he’s disappointed, and that he cares deeply about his players, his staff, this organization and this city. He’s also a professional who will make sure this is a seamless transition, and someone I hope will be a friend and adviser to me long after this transition is completed.</p>
<p id="b98zIC">“I have nothing but respect and love for Stan. I think he is a great coach and a great man, and his presence and leadership helped move this franchise forward,” Mr. Gores said. “Although we did not get the success both of us wanted, his efforts and leadership have put the franchise in better shape today than when he came on board.”</p>
<p id="gASCGU">Mr. Van Gundy, who was named president of basketball operations and head coach on May 14, 2014, tallied a regular-season record of 152-176 (.463) in four seasons with the Pistons. He posted a 44-38 (.536) regular-season record in 2015-16 and led the club to its first postseason appearance since the 2008-09 season. As president of basketball operations, Van Gundy and general manager <span>Jeff Bower</span> initiated the re-signing of <span>Andre Drummond</span>, selected first round draft picks <span>Stanley Johnson</span>, <span>Henry Ellenson</span> and <span>Luke Kennard</span> and made notable trade acquisitions for <span>Blake Griffin</span>, <span>Reggie Jackson</span>, <span>Marcus Morris</span>, <span>Tobias Harris</span> and <span>Avery Bradley</span>.</p>
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https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/7/17328072/detroit-pistons-stan-van-gundy-fired-read-full-detroit-pistons-statementSean Corp2018-05-07T16:06:49-04:002018-05-07T16:06:49-04:00Here’s what Stan Van Gundy’s firing means for the Pistons’ future
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<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="cd7EBJ">Your Monday afternoon got a lot more interesting with the latest #Wojbomb. And whether you wanted to see <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> finish out the final year of his contract or a fresh start this summer, it’s a relief to all of us to have the final answer on the situation.</p>
<p id="gGRGYM">The Stan Van Gundy Era is over. </p>
<p id="swXZGG">Four years and plenty of “what ifs.” SVG was the longest-tenured coach for the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> since Chuck Daly left in 1992. His tenure was also littered with shocking moments - most notably waiving Josh Smith and the <span>Blake Griffin</span> trade - so it’s rather appropriate that his departure comes as a pretty surprising Wojbomb. </p>
<p id="JpI5RB">So time to start looking forward. </p>
<h3 id="7ZymCe">Coaching and front office search</h3>
<p id="5O3Le9">DBB will have a more comprehensive list of current candidates to come, so I’ll avoid that for now. If you need to whet your appetite, check out Jamie Delancey’s <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/4/10/17213960/detroit-pistons-stan-van-gundy-coaching-candidates">post from last month</a>, though there’s now a few more candidates out there. </p>
<p id="h2KjuH">Significantly though, Tom Gores isn’t going to go the same route as with SVG, returning to the more traditional structure with the coach reporting to the front office.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Van Gundy met with Pistons officials within the hour and now team moves onto a search for a new President of Basketball Operations and coach. Those jobs will be separated now.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/993540652838326275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2018</a>
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<p id="OjZdkL">So that may change the landscape on available candidates. Big name coaches are probably off the table if that’s a non-negotiable. Though there aren’t really a ton of big name coaches currently available out there.</p>
<p id="rtukex">The press release coming out to portray the move as a firing rather than a resignation is also noteworthy. Even though they aren’t calling it a firing...yeah, it’s a firing. While the franchise isn’t in the same spot as it was in it’s coach-killing days, it’s still noteworthy that coaches don’t tend to finish out their contracts in Detroit.</p>
<p id="cRqkLO">Lastly, their leverage is further reduced because the predecessor is going to have to like this roster. Because it’s probably not going to be particularly easy to break up. </p>
<p id="G1FMHe">The other available jobs out there include the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>, <a href="https://www.atthehive.com/">Charlotte Hornets</a>, and <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>. The Bucks job is obviously the most appealing, being a playoff team with a legitimate superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo. But is Detroit’s opening any more exciting than any of the others? </p>
<p id="IbQx7M">So this coaching search may need to focus on lesser known, under the radar candidates. This is fine, as often times going with candidates with head coaching experience can also be called going with a retread. </p>
<p id="RBQdc4">Still, the Pistons generally haven’t had a ton of luck with first time head coaches. And whoever comes next will have their work cut out for them.</p>
<p id="dTM64I">The biggest area that a coaching change could make a legitimate difference is on the offensive side of the ball. The Pistons finished in the bottom five in the league every year of the Stan Van Gundy Era. <a href="https://twitter.com/Vincent_Ellis56/status/836284629137125378">SVG is well-known</a> for not harping on shot selection, so players are used to having a loose hand. A coach without a big reputation who starts riding players for something something they’re not used to...well, that could be a tough line to walk.</p>
<p id="fTQtyr">But that’s the biggest area where a new coach can make an improvement. Any coach being considered, first thing to look for is the team true shooting percentage for any sidelines they’ve strolled. Don’t pay any attention to the fluff pieces about how they’re the right person for the job because of this or that. Look at their teams’ TS. </p>
<p id="rMSyfA">If that looks good, cool. If not, be worried.</p>
<p id="zs5jcR">Let’s practice with Mike Budenholzer. They were a top 10 TS team in his first three years with Atlanta, 20th the past two with a gutted roster. That seems acceptable. </p>
<h3 id="BQHbpk">Roster changes</h3>
<p id="6uZqOh">As I mentioned, it’s going to be tough to overhaul too dramatically. And in all likelihood, the reason SVG was fired probably has more to do with underperforming with the current group of guys rather than the roster that’s been assembled. </p>
<p id="7zpIUk">But with such a big change and a new perspective from the leadership, those new eyes might not see the current roster in the same rosy way. </p>
<p id="d3HEco">So what would those changes look like? Are we talking about changes with a scalpel or a chainsaw? </p>
<p id="6tyNUG">A great question on Twitter:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You get hired as GM of the Pistons, whats the first move you try to make? This is what the roster and cap situation looks like for the next 3 years. <a href="https://t.co/4lWUWsLXjN">pic.twitter.com/4lWUWsLXjN</a></p>— Adam Davis (@daadvaims) <a href="https://twitter.com/daadvaims/status/993551042351714304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2018</a>
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<p id="qhCVfs">What say you DBB? </p>
<p id="vUhXuR">The general manager search may tell us quite a bit about what to expect. </p>
<div id="L6hiLP">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It is unlikely that a potential Detroit-Barry partnership would be for the role of President of Basketball Operations, league sources tell ESPN. Tom Gores and Arn Tellem are expected to pursue an experienced front office executive to run basketball operations. <a href="https://t.co/PO1z2jhYIN">https://t.co/PO1z2jhYIN</a></p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/993553958143778816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2018</a>
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<p id="3trFTZ">So...that rules out Chauncey Billups too, right? </p>
<p id="BPau4J">How closely tied to the Arn Tellem or Tom Gores camp could signal a desire to mostly stand pat. A full outsider though, all bets are off.</p>
<h3 id="skmded">The actual, you know, coaching stuff</h3>
<p id="R5V2m7">There’s no doubt that SVG had some flops on the coaching front. Much of it was understandable, but flops just the same.</p>
<p id="ZhasS1">The next coach needs to get <span>Blake Griffin</span> some help. Yes he’s talented, yes he’s good at creating for himself, but he will be better if he doesn’t exclusively have to create for himself. </p>
<p id="Km7479">The next coach needs to be able to survive if a starter gets hurt. </p>
<p id="KSmllw">The next coach needs to figure out what a successful <span>Stanley Johnson</span> looks like. </p>
<p id="DNyzr3">The next coach needs to put the squash on this <span>Andre Drummond</span> shooting jumpers nonsense. </p>
<p id="wFBEPk">On the side of something SVG did right, the next coach needs to figure out how to keep a team full of below average defenders as an above average defense. </p>
<p id="eVElut">And as already noted, the next coach needs to get this team to an above average TS. Know the last time the Pistons have had an above average TS? 2002-03. They just cleared the 51.9 percent league average with 52.3 percent, good for 14th in the league. </p>
<h3 id="f8u6OJ">Replacement’s tenure</h3>
<p id="GqMijH">Whoever is the next man or woman up for the coaching job, the franchise needs to commit to them. It’s way too easy to fall into the same old pattern of the coaching carousel. </p>
<p id="Eelps6">They need to get a four or five year contract and they need to be given the breathing room to finish that contract. If we get a year or two into this thing and they’re already on the hot seat, they’re not the problem. Even if it’s a legitimately bad hire, they’re still not the problem. </p>
<p id="Yv4Kx0">This will be coaching hire number four for Tom Gores, if you include <span>John Loyer</span> for the interim job. <span>Maurice Cheeks</span> and Loyer were both disasters. SVG was ultimately a failure. If this one is a failure too, the problem is institutional. </p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/7/17327656/heres-what-stan-van-gundys-firing-means-for-the-pistons-futureSteve Hinson2018-05-07T14:30:22-04:002018-05-07T14:30:22-04:00Brent Barry could be target of Detroit Pistons revamped front office, according to ESPN report
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<img alt="NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-G_83S7z1Zw3gby0HCMMoJApafc=/0x0:5192x3461/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59654579/usa_today_10535486.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="WvfPQ6"><span>Stan Van Gundy</span> is out in Detroit as both the head coach and president of basketball operations. The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> organization now is in the positon of playing catch-upon filling two gigantic holes in their organization. </p>
<p id="4rnf93">One name to keep an eye on is former player and current TNT analyst <span>Brent Barry</span>, according to ESPN. Barry has been floated as a candidate to move into a front office role for the past few months.</p>
<p id="fQlVdo">The <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> even got so far as attempting to hire Barry as a scout last summer but couldn’t work out a deal given his contractual obligations as a TV analyst. </p>
<p id="prVAK9">Adrian Wojnarowski indicates any interest in Barry is not to fill the highest level executive positions — president of basketball operations or general manager. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It is unlikely that a potential Detroit-Barry partnership would be for the role of President of Basketball Operations, league sources tell ESPN. Tom Gores and Arn Tellem are expected to pursue an experienced front office executive to run basketball operations. <a href="https://t.co/PO1z2jhYIN">https://t.co/PO1z2jhYIN</a></p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/993553958143778816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2018</a>
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<p id="t1WaRv">We will have more as this story develops. </p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/7/17328022/detroit-pistons-fire-svg-brent-barrySean Corp2018-05-07T14:14:27-04:002018-05-07T14:14:27-04:00Who could replace Stan Van Gundy in Detroit?
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<img alt="Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6Qo7EoyCp-KQrnJRGCGu7bLp2aM=/0x0:2677x1785/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59323137/usa_today_10776798.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A look at possible head coaching candidates to fill the major void in Detroit</p> <p id="9c9LzZ"><em><strong>Note:</strong></em><em> This story was originally published April 10, 2018. It has been edited to reflect the fact that Stan Van Gundy </em><a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/5/7/17327648/breaking-stan-van-gundy-president-of-basketball-ops-no-longer-with-detroit-pistons-fired-tom-gores"><em>has been fired by the Detroit Pistons</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p id="s2IAMX">Last week, the 2017-18 <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> sealed their fate with a loss to the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a>, officially, and finally, eliminating them from the playoffs. </p>
<p id="bVQX0q">For 99 percent of you reading this, this was no surprise given the basketball we Pistons fans have been subjected to and forced ourselves to watch the past few months. To put it simply, it has been a maddening season — an unimaginable level of frustration since October. </p>
<p id="SdNCOi">From the highs of beating teams like Golden State and Boston. ON. THEIR. HOME. FLOORS. To getting blown out by the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>, <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> and Memphis. Even when the team was riding win streaks, it never felt real. And that lack of stability and comfort made way for frustration. </p>
<aside id="yBrj3j"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"DBB on 3: What now?","url":"https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/4/9/17201756/detroit-pistons-stan-van-gundy-dbb-on-3-what-now"}]}'></div></aside><p id="TgsNsG">Maddening is also a good way to describe how the fan base feels about Stan Van Gundy, whose voice in the locker room seems to be falling on deaf ears no matter the octave. That gravelly voice might not be around forever — heck, it might be gone two games from now. </p>
<p id="hUAzHs">It’s now one playoff appearance in four seasons for Van Gundy, a cold fact that stands in the way of even his biggest supporters, and one that is hard to argue against. Sure, he has had some bad luck, suffering significant injuries to Reggie Jackson two years in a row, a guy he only moved for after <span>Brandon Jennings</span> tore his Achilles. Also losing <span>Jon Leuer</span> most of this year didn’t help, especially problematic after trading away <span>Marcus Morris</span>. But head coach Van Gundy really only has president Van Gundy to blame for not having bodies to replace those that went down to injury (<span>Ish Smith</span> can only take one so far). </p>
<p id="JN6W4A">So, IF (mind you, very big IF, since he only has one year left on his contract) the Pistons do decide (or Stan decides) that it is time to move on, then the question becomes who do you bring in to replace him as a head coach. Who makes sense. Thankfully I’ve got loads of time to research NBA coaching candidates instead of watching tape on college college players ... you know, since Van Gundy traded away that first-round draft pick. </p>
<p id="4l3XBD">Here are my top 5 picks that make the most sense for Detroit.</p>
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<img alt="Adidas Eurocamp 2015 - Day Three" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yxEFr6vxqykeoxG3XDO30vQZQyg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10616785/476520910.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Roberto Serra/Iguana Press/Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="Pciznz">
<span>Jerry Stackhouse</span>, <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> 905 G-League Coach</h2>
<p id="SbavM2">It almost feels like cheating to put Stack first on this list. His work with the Raptors G-League team has been impressive, leading them to the championship in 2016-17 and a coach of the year award. What’s made his coaching skills look even better is seeing guys from that same G-League team make up the very fun and impressive 2017-18 Toronto Raptors bench, guys like <span>Jakob Poeltl</span>, <span>Pascal Siakam</span>, and of course Fred Van Vleet. Also doesn’t hurt that Stack is a notable Piston alum, making two All-Star appearances with Detroit and routinely averaging over 20 points a game while playing in Motown. It would certainly be a feel-good story to see him start his NBA head coaching career in Detroit, but with teams like the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> and <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> already circling him, it’ll be interesting to see if Detroit has a shot.</p>
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<img alt="Memphis Grizzlies v Denver Nuggets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Upq6Z27jGLOvCUf0NZ_pbfbs-qA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10616799/645653948.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="001ZwL">David Fizdale, former <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> Head Coach</h2>
<p id="Rn2IuS"><strong>UPDATE:</strong> Hired by the New York Knicks</p>
<p id="UTuT35">To me, Fiz is a perfect combo of a players coach and someone who knows how to work a team with two superior big men. He did good work in Memphis figuring out how to utilize Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Not to mention he also spent significant time in Miami working with <span>Erik Spoelstra</span> and the “Heatles” using LeBron and Bosh simultaneously. Hopefully he could do the same with <span>Blake Griffin</span> and Andre Drummond. Also, the “take that data” content would be great for Pistons Twitter.</p>
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Charlotte Hornets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cOhBbz8FDI-7KSgUbIpPYMmYt6s=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10616805/895111386.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="sbyJEN">Stephen Silas, <a href="https://www.atthehive.com/">Charlotte Hornets</a> Assistant Coach</h2>
<p id="EAFnOv">Silas is a young guy with an NBA pedigree: his dad Paul is a three-time champion that coached in the NBA for nine years. He also got a test drive on the sideline this year when he stepped in as interim head coach for Charlotte for six weeks. While those six weeks really didn’t result in anything eye-catching, the real reason I have him at number two is for two guys: LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Silas was an assistant in Cleveland from 2003-05, right when LeBron entered the league and then was with the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> from 2006-2010, right when Steph entered the league. He worked extensively with both players, and both of them have sung his praises whenever his name is brought up. After the tough-love of SVG the past few years, a more player-driven approach might be the change the Pistons locker room needs.</p>
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<img alt="USA Basketball Showcase Practice Sessions" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cJJeOzdN9KFI9UQ1II1TOjF3cuQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10616823/578135188.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="LsVeBz">
<span>Monty Williams</span>, OKC <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> Assistant 2015-16</h2>
<p id="uT2hTp">I’ve been on the Monty Williams candidate train for a solid two months now because, similar to Silas, this is a coach who has worked closely with young superstars like Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis and left a lasting impact on them. The Pistons locker room is still relatively young, and I feel like Monty is a guy that commands universal respect because of those player relationships. I’ve always thought he got unfairly fired in New Orleans after catching the Warriors juggernaut in the first round of the playoffs, right when they were starting to hit the national scene. I’d love to see what he could do wit our roster in Detroit. </p>
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball Tournament - First Round - Charlotte" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l9reIVgbvKiogsl04NeqchaplXU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10616831/932942558.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="e0HbL4">Tony Bennett, Virginia Head Coach</h2>
<p id="naOC7M">I honestly didn’t even consider this as a possibility until the loss to UMBC. I know it’s a long shot, but if there’s anytime for this guy to figure “fuck it” and make the jump to the NBA, now has to be it right? It is certainly not a bad idea to change scenery after suffering the most historic <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/march-madness-2018-ncaa-tournament">NCAA tournament</a> loss ever. Bennett gets a fresh start, builds on the Pistons already great defense wit his own superior defensive knowledge, and gets to start his NBA head coaching career. We can probably get him on the cheap too. Win win?</p>
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<p id="zzReeb">Look I don’t want to be that hometown blogger rooting for someone to lose their job, it’s not a good look. But the fact remains that this franchise is sitting in a somewhat dangerous spot, sporting a roster that is locked in financially for a minimum of 3 years before receiving any type of flexibility. Rather than waste another year of development, why not bring in a new voice sooner than later. Stan Van Gundy has already said he’s going to retire if his contract isn’t extended, and realistically what would it take for an extension: the second round of the playoffs? That’s it? </p>
<p id="c34TQA">Given the record SVG has produced, questioning his replacement doesn’t seem excessive or unnecessary, it seems realistic. </p>
<p id="RwVFld">He has improved this roster from what it was, there’s little ways to argue against that. But his coaching style is polarizing, and his fringe signings have created mini-anchors that hurt this team more than necessary. If the Pistons decide it’s time to move on, it is because a new voice is needed.</p>
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https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2018/4/10/17213960/detroit-pistons-stan-van-gundy-coaching-candidatesJamie_Delancey