Detroit Pistons

By noreply@blogger.com (Greg Eno) On Chuck Daly: Big Al: "Chuck Daly, in a way, ruined the NBA…he caused rules changes." Eno: "Daly had all the credentials to be a Pistons coach in 1983, which were none!" Eno: "He was the first NBA coach who really put it out there that this is a player’s league." Big Al: "He wasn’t a great Xs and Os guy, like Larry Brown, but he could manage people." Eno: "I remember when Chuck replaced Bill Laimbeer in the 1990 Finals with William Bedford for a few minutes in Game Three. I thought, ‘Wow, what a message.’" Big Al: "His death hit me hard." On the Red Wings-Ducks: Eno: "Brian Rafalski hasn’t played a minute in this series, and Kris Draper hasn’t played a minute in the playoffs, yet here they are, on the verge of going back to the conference finals."   [read the full post]

According to reports, Saunders did not have the full respect of his players, and his offensive-minded approach perhaps did not suit a team built on defense. Detroit assistant coach Michael Curry and former Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson are considered the front runners.

By billfer Matt Sosnick, the agent for Dontrelle Willis, indicated that Willis is “incredibly excited” and that while the 2 sides hadn’t talked about a contract yet “He’s [Willis] hoping to stay in Detroit for as long as The Tigers will have him. He’s good friends with Jacque Jones, and is a big Piston...

The Pistons beat the Chicago Bulls 9585 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday night, clinching a series that turned tense after Detroit won the first three games.

Download Postgame Audio - Listen to Pat Riley, Flip Saunders, Dwyane Wade, Gary Payton and Chauncey Billups answer questions about game 1