Confirming all the swirling rumors during the playoffs, the Pistons have decided to axe head coach Rick Carlisle rather than extend his contract which had one year remaining. After two 50 win seasons, a coach of the year honor, and a deep run into the playoffs, Joe Dumars decided to pull the plug. There have been rumors in town that the players were unhappy with Carlisle. While not totally unexpected, this is still somewhat of a shock. The Pistons were moving in a positive direction and have the #2 pick in the June draft. Word is that Larry Brown is the leading candidate to replace Carlisle, although other names mentioned are Paul Silas, Jeff Van Gundy, Tom Izzo (Michigan State), and Bill Laimbeer.
A couple of the players (Billups, Hamilton) criticized the offensive philosophy after game 4 of the Nets series. Many players questioned his lineups and insistence on over-using "veteran" players like Michael Curry and Cliff Robinson at the expense of Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Prince, and Zeljko Rebraca. Dumars was also said to be unhappy with his stubbornness on relying on aging veterans and felt Prince and Okur should've been further developed during the season. Here's a link from a rumor site that proved to be true: Carlisle on Way Out?
Carlisle has done the best coaching job in the year the last few years. When the Pistons are worse next year (even with Darko because it will take him a few years to develop), I won't be surprised.
I don't care who the Pistons get, they are now in my mind as the scumiest franchise in the league.....I'm glad Carlisle won't have much of a problem getting a job anywhere else.
I guess it seems like Joe D. saw the chance for an (apparent) upgrade and took it. Doesn't seem like his style, though. I have to say those reasons sound like a good basis for points to build on next year, not for firing a young coach. Sheesh. Thanks for the link, Ian.
The more you hear about this whole incident, the more it sounds like the order came from the top, Bill Davidson, and not from Joe Dumars. Its been said that Carlisle and Davidson hadn't talked since the beginning of the season, and he also didn't get along with Tom Wilson. I have a hard time believing that even if Carlisle was a stubborn SOB, he wouldn't get along with Joe Dumars, who is possibly the classiest person involved at any capacity in the league. It would seem that this is a move that Dumars would make, he was the one at the press conference taking all the heated questions, but David Alldridge and other analysts are saying that it wasn't him but Davidson that gave Carlisle the boot. As a Pistons fan you obviously have to question this move. Do I have total confidence in Joe Dumars? Yes, cause I have a really hard time believing that Joe could go in and fire a coach with two consecutive 50 win seasons, a coach of the year award, a conference final appearance, and number 1 in the East, without an order from the boss...
Perhaps because he didn't bend over and grab his ankles for the spoiled rich kids on the Pistons roster, like most of the other NBA coaches do. Danny Ainge should make the ex-Celtic Carlisle a Celtics assistant, then he can replace Jim O'Brien after the C's fall on their face again next season.
Mitch "Needledick" Albom's take on this: http://www.freep.com/sports/albom/mitch2_20030602.htm Drew "Mallethead" Sharp's take on this http://www.freep.com/sports/drewsharp/drew2_20030602.htm
What's the over-under on milliseconds until Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson start an official inquiry on the Pistons hiring practices?
His hair, like always. Brown signs for 5 years, $25 mil. Anyone here think Larry (Kansas, Indiana, Philly, etc., etc.) Brown will see out all 5 years of that contract?
...and what makes them (mgt) thinks Brown is the answer ? I'm not a close follower of Pistons but we (here in Philly) do know a little about larry Brown. Sometimes I am under the impression that his reputation preceedes him. He has never won any major title and his heaviest credentials remain the fact that he manages to turn around losing teams the following season(s), and make them playoff contenders. But that's about it...thus far. No doubt, Larry Brown - with the aid of Billy King - turn a capsizing Sixers franchise around in a short period of time and made them a true contender. With the luck of the lottey draw, the Sixers brought in Iverson. BUT, the team hasn't been able to transform itself to a multi-dimensional offensive team. Its defense remain solid, by god, and among the best in the NBA. So much so, he's built a team of one Iverson plus eleven George Lynchs', if you get my drift. This is where I suspect the theory of "defense creates offense" faces its waterloo, in the case of the Sixers strategy. I am very impressd with the Pistons during its playoffs run. And was equally impressed with Carlisle, so the news of his departure was a shocker to me, being that i haven't the slightest clue of what was boiling inside, behind the scences. The difference now is, Larry Brown would be taking over a Pistons team that has already proved to be a winning team with a winning formula. What he can do with such a platform, would be very interesting indeed. And yes, I'd be glad to have Rick Carlisle at the Sixers !! That would certainly make for an incredible matchup; imagine what the media can hype from this !!
My guess is that they don't think Brown is the answer. At the very least, they can't seriously believe that he is significantly better than Carlisle. But it's typical upper management - Brown is a proven commodity, and if they fail with him, then it's not their fault, it just wasn't meant to be. It's the same in any big business. It doesn't matter whether one person can do the job better than the other. Go with a proven name and and you shield yourself from blame. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Brown is a master at turning around struggling teams (UCLA, Kansas, Clippers, Pacers, Sixers) but he doesn't always see eye-to-eye with the star. We'll see how Brown handles a situation where there is already an established program It'll also be interesting how Iverson responds to the new Sixer coach (I'm thinking Mo Cheeks from Portland), whoever it is. He skipped practices, but at least he respected Brown. You think the Sixers front office will consult A.I. before making a hire?
I respect Billy King very much. So much so in fact, I wouldn't be surprised that Iverson's reaction to any potential coaching replacement would be considered. But whether or not he will be directly consulted on the matter, well, we'll see... You're right about the upper management comments. Plenty of arrogance....grrr.
I've heard Carlisle is going to Portland, and Philly is going to get Cheeks. But this is from Detroit radio.
The line around here is that Brown is great at teaching the game to young players, which bodes well for Tayshaun Prince, Mehmet Okur, and Zelijca Rebraca. Plus we have the #2 pick in the draft, probably seven-foot Serbian 17-year-old Darko Milicic. It also probably means that aging veterans like Cliff Robinson, Jon Barry, and Chucky Atkins are soon to be unemployed.