Pistons Solution? Fire Flip

In the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, the Atlanta Hawks (37-45) opposed the Boston Celtics (66-16). The Hawks surrendered zero home contests. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Detroit Pistons (59-23) opposed the Celtics. The Pistons squandered two home contests. Obviously, someone was responsible.

On Tuesday, the Pistons fired Coach Flip Saunders. According to General Manager Joe Dumars, the alteration was necessary. “There are no sacred cows here,” Dumars said. “You lose that sacred-cow status when you lose three straight years.”

During his career, Saunders has amassed a 634-447 record. In Minnesota (780 games), Saunders racked a 428-356 record. In Detroit (297 games), he registered a 206-91 record. Despite eleven playoff appearances, Saunders has never won a conference title. He has been fired twice.

Despite six conference finals, Detroit has accrued only one championship. Their lone title was a titanic upset. In 2004, they stunned the Lakers 4-1. In 2005, the San Antonio Spurs defeated them 4-3. In their first conference final, the New Jersey Nets swept them 4-0. In their fourth, the Miami Heat broke them 4-2. In their fifth, the Cleveland Cavaliers embarrassed them 4-2. On Friday, the Celtics silenced them 4-2.

Since 2002-2003, the Pistons have logged a 334-158 ledger. Yet, they have fired Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown, and Saunders. Dumars’ rational is simple. “There are 25, 26 teams that would love to be where we are, but good has not been good enough,” he said. “I appreciate everything that Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown and Flip Saunders have done, but I also know they were handed some great teams. It's not like they had to take bad teams and make them good. The next coach is going to inherit a good team.”