OT: Phil Jackson and the Pistons
http://www.freep.com/article/20140210/SPORTS03/302100166/detroit-piston…
Like most everyone with a clue (except for me, ask my wife), I don't see Phil Jackson returning to coach; he has nothing left to prove, and the Pistons are not the type of team Phil usually coaches. In that they are not ready for prime time if you will, and don't have anything resembling the pieces for a triangle offense. That being said, however, I think the probability of Gores giving Jackson full front ofice control are somewhat good. How would Jackson do as a front office guy? I really have no clue, but I'd pay an awful lot of money to find out. Also, like others, I don't know a great deal about Gores, save that he and Phill have a great relationship, and he doesn't like losing. The man put a playoff mandate on a team that would have been far better served rebuilding, so his desire to win, and win now is great. Couple this with the fact that it was Gores's decision to fire Cheeks, and replacing him with a person who has little chance of winning the job next season, and you get a situation where he has clearly lost faith in Dumars. Not letting Dumars hire a legit guy like Hollins or Karl shows the writing is on the wall, and that Dumars's days are numbered.
At this point, why not Phil?
February 10th, 2014 at 10:20 PM ^
I don't see any reason not to give Phil Jackson the GM position. He certainly knows how to win. I just hope Gores doesn't tell whoever the GM is that they need to win imediatley and gives them the proper chance to rebuild.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:08 AM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 10:24 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 10:27 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 10:34 PM ^
If given full front office control, and another large payday, most analysts believe he'd take a long hard look at Detroit. You predicting what a free spirit like Phil Jackson would and wouldn't do is comical.
February 10th, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^
Come on. It doesn't take a Legilimens to know that Phil Jackson is not going to come out of retirement at 69 years old to take over a terrible team that would be at least a 3-4 year rebuilding project.
February 10th, 2014 at 11:53 PM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 6:34 AM ^
Andre Drummond actually could be a future Hall of Famer (although it's pure speculation at this point). But yeah, it's doubtful Jackson comes, anyway.
February 10th, 2014 at 10:28 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^
Drew Sharp couldn't think of something stupid to write? No way is Phil Jackson coaching the Pistons... and if Phil was consulted in our last coaching search that got us a clueless Mo Cheeks then he has lost his touch.
It's clear Gores doesn't know basketball andhas trusted Dumars whose skills as GM have been eroding. Hopefully Dumars wont make any silly deals involving our good young players to save his job, so that we can make the 8 slot in the playoffs.
February 10th, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^
What about Gruden?
February 10th, 2014 at 10:41 PM ^
Gruden makes Drummond uncomfortable with all of his comments about Andre's butt not being low enough.
February 11th, 2014 at 3:46 AM ^
I heard Tony Dungy was interested. How could he turn them down?
February 10th, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^
Pistons play with energy and crush the Spurs.
February 10th, 2014 at 10:43 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 10:57 PM ^
Best case scenario imo, Hollins is hired ASAP, they make a run and grab the 6 seed. Beat Toronto in the first round, steal a game or two from Miami in the second round before losing. Then, Dumars is let go and replaced by former Pistons exec Scott Perry.
February 10th, 2014 at 11:05 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 11:17 PM ^
Whoever the six seed is they will have a very real chance of winning the series. Hopefully it is the pistons.
February 11th, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^
They have a better point differential than CHA and BKN and the Bulls have been playing well above their means thanks to DJ Augustin suddenly being competent again. They're one more injury away from falling fast. If the Pistons do get the 6th seed, they can absolutely beat Toronto.
February 10th, 2014 at 11:12 PM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
Pistons are one of the league's top five teams in fast break efficiency, but they're only around 12th in pace. If he can shore up the defense to get them to around the middle of the pack in efficiency, I wouldn't mind him staying.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:17 AM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 9:07 AM ^
already with Dumars. Gores gave him a shot when he bought the team, but I'm pretty sure he's got his mind made up. If Dumars' contract weren't up at the end of the year, no they probably don't fire him if they make the 2nd round. However, Dumars hasn't done enough since Gores bought the team to justify a brand new deal.
February 11th, 2014 at 9:08 AM ^
you doubt they even make the playoffs?! They're tied with Charlotte right now for the 8 seed and the Pistons' roster is better at every single position than theirs.
February 10th, 2014 at 11:07 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 11:10 PM ^
February 10th, 2014 at 11:53 PM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 12:23 AM ^
Gores is a horrible owner. He's never even in Detroit, and he had to clear all the decisions Dumars has made. He doesn't know anything about building a team, and demanding a playoff birth of a team that is just going to get killed once they get there is just stupid. Get the draft pick, then hire someone who actually knows what to do with a draft pick.
February 11th, 2014 at 6:24 AM ^
Regarding the decision chain, there was a story getting passed around here yesterday that the decision to fire Cheeks had been made by Gores after the Orlando game last Wednesday, and that the delay was Dumars trying to talk him out of it. Interestingly, Dumars was not present supposedly at the press conference which introduced Loyer as the interim coach - indeed, there was no statement of any kind from Joe or Tom. If that's how it happened, it makes me wonder if Joe Dumars is close to lame duck status as it is.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:37 AM ^
Ain't happening. Like never. Ever.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:51 AM ^
...is very "Texas" of you all.
See you next week in the Doc Rivers thread followed by the Larry Brown thread. Then the Van Gundy thread.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:52 AM ^
Lionel Hollins please.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:55 AM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 2:25 AM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 7:51 AM ^
than Malik McDowell coming to Michigan.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
February 11th, 2014 at 2:24 PM ^
...too high to do the job.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
The only team Phil Jackson would consider is the Lakers. He almost came out of retirement before the Lakers decided to hire Mike D'Antoni. The whole episode was being told last fall.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/jeannie-buss-describes-…
February 11th, 2014 at 4:04 PM ^
If somehow they could dump Melo and Stoudamire and get Paul and Griffin and get James to sign.