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link The Detroit Pistons just pink-slipped a coach who, in the last three years, was just one win shy of Gregg Popovich (177-59, with San Antonio) for having the best regular-season record in the NBA. General manager Joe Dumars just cut loose the only coach in the past five years to have coached in both the Western Conference finals (Minnesota, 2004) and the Eastern Conference finals (Detroit, 2007 and '08). And yet you are not surprised. Saunders, 53, has been fired twice in the past half-decade. Watching Saunders coach a game from the comfort of your den, you are likely left uninspired by his in-game comportment. Scrutinizing Saunders, a former college star at the University of Minnesota, you are reminded of that constantly overmatched Twin Cities used-car salesman from Fargo, Jerry Lundegaard. Dumars: "We're going to have to let you go, Flip." Saunders: "The heck ya' mean!?" It isn't fair, of course. Saunders has taken three of his last five teams to the conference finals. He set franchise single-season victory total records with both the Timberwolves (58-24 in '04) and the Pistons (64-18 in '06). He must have done something right. Right? "Flip is a rock-solid coach," says Fox Sports North NBA analyst Mike McCollow, who was a Saunders assistant when he led the La Crosse (Wis.) Catbirds to a pair of CBA championships in the early Nineties. You know who also won a CBA championship before landing an NBA job? Phil Jackson. Why did Detroit flip on Saunders, then? He likely fell victim to the most prevalent occupational hazard facing NBA coaches not named Jerry Sloan: being tuned out by veterans. Saunders, a brilliant offensive mind, is slow to reprimand recalcitrant players, particularly those whose jerseys are top-sellers. In Minnesota he was viewed as being too soft on Stephon Marbury, and in Michigan it was an open secret that Rasheed Wallace barked back at him more than once. In a veteran-heavy locker room such as Detroit's, the battle for respect is a long and arduous road. Ask Larry Brown. Or George Karl, currently dealing with two of the league's top scorers but inconsistent personalities in Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. Even Jackson, who is on the cusp of becoming the league's all-time leader in championships won as a coach, was engaged a year ago at this time in a struggle for the soul of his team with Kobe Bryant. It's all about respect, and too few NBA superstars see the purpose in paying it to the guy in the tie at the end of the bench. Saunders, who along with Kevin McHale helped lead the Golden Gophers to a 24-3 record as a senior point guard at Minnesota, never played in the NBA. He, like Lawrence Frank or Jeff Van Gundy, had to travel further to initially earn his superstars' respect. Unlike Van Gundy, though, Saunders' demeanor wants for intensity. While he has a keen understanding of the game, especially from a half-court offensive perspective, he seemed almost too placid on the bench. Only players such as Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace truly know who was running the show once they started keeping score at the Palace. Saunders, whose wife and four children remained back in the Twin Cities area while he coached the Pistons, had a year remaining on his contract. Whether or not he coaches next season is anyone's guess. Suddenly, though, the Chicago Bulls vacancy becomes more intriguing — don't be surprised if Doug Collins stops shuffling his feet and pronto. Saunders excels with point guards (those who listen, that is) and would probably relish the opportunity to help mold a teenage Derrick Rose. It was Bobby Knight, the in-game antithesis of Saunders, who once mocked a reporter who inquired about his team's "game face". One thing is for certain, though. Saunders might want to work on his before his next job. Outside of taking a team to the NBA Finals, he has accomplished as much as any coach in the league the past half-decade. It would not hurt him to start carrying himself that way.

It has to be a pretty bad storm to have that effect. Mine has been off three times in the last two years due to weather. My regular cable was off more than that. It might have been that I just had a crappy cable company though.

I got DTV a few years ago. It blows away cable in my opinion. There's not even a comparison. I get the same hawks games that I got before, but there are times you can also listen to the other teams announcers to get a feel for how they feel about your team.

that sounds very positive. Usually Sekou can give all sides, but in this case there are no negatives. I'll be very interested in reading the Sunday article.

Quote: Quote: I'm tracking with you on the everything and agree Miller suits the team more than bibby, but I would be a little worried about our lack of outside shooting. However, if we bring in Anderson, that would take care of that. I also feel Acie will develope an decent mid range jumper and not be afraid to pull the trigger. Just to clarify. That's Mike Miller, not Andre Miller. Moreover, I would only trade Bibby if I reasoned that we couldn't resign him for a cheaper contract (non-extension) next year. Ah-- My bad. I guess that would take care of the outside shooting then

Wow! You could save the ASG some money by multitasking as not only the GM, but as the head of the marketing dept too. I bet they wish they knew that before they hired Sund. I'm tracking with you on the everything and agree Miller suits the team more than bibby, but I would be a little worried about our lack of outside shooting. However, if we bring in Anderson, that would take care of that. I also feel Acie will develope an decent mid range jumper and not be afraid to pull the trigger.

Quote: He is vastly underrated as a defender as well. People forget that he was known as a defender coming out of college. He would be as good defensively at SG as JJ is and JJ would be as good as Marvin at SF. The key will be to remain solid offensively at PG but improve there defensively. I would think Joe would be a defensive upgrade over Marvin as well. It's been said quite a few times that Joe is our best on ball defender. Joe has the size to guard a three with no problem and probably a little more quickness to boot.

I wonder how good this guy is with the media. BK was awful. I wonder if his media presence played a part of the hiring as well.

790 or 680 doesn't know anything until they read it on ajc.com or espn.com. Get Real. These guys have never broken a story.

I would agree with all of that. I don't think Salim has gotten a consistant chance from Woody. He gets a few games here and a few games there. I believe he could be a more than a solid bench player if given the chance. I remember Van Gundy saying that he could be a great asset for a team while watching the playoffs this year. If I remember correctly he said that Salim would be one of the best shooters in the league if given steady mins.

I'm have gut feeling...... Jerry West.

He's chopped it before. I've seen him almost clean shaven. He'll have it back by the time the season starts

I can't stand 680 in the morning. That Perry guys gets on my nerves so bad it gets my blood pressure up. He is an absolute idiot. The other guys brings nothing to the table sports related. I turned them off about a year ago, but do listen sometimes to see if they hired someone else. In the afternoon, I can take it or leave it. Sometimes it's ok, but they know nothing about basketball but try to make out like they do. Just keep your mouth shut if you don't know what your talking about. The only guy I like is Colin Cowheard at lunch time. That guys is funny.

agreed. I see him as a Gasol clone......

This is about two years old, but it's a good showing by DA. He has more of a low post presence than I thought he would, but this is against softer competition. Sorry if this has been posted before.

I would go with AI as well. He plays with his heart on his sleave much the same way that Horford does. That really excited a lot of the fans that don't really follow the Hawks as much. From how hard he plays, I doubt there are a lot players that want to win more than AI.

I'd have to say that's an open and shut case there. AI at least acts like he wants to play a little D....

I would address the offense .....by actually installing an offense. Sorry, I do believe Woody runs a typical flex offense that quite a few teams run, but the players don't understand or are too uncoachable for the system to work. I agree that maybe we need a 'teacher' type of coach to help Woody out.

I think Acie will be fine. This season he reminded me a bit of Deron Williams' first part of his rookie year. He was a lot like Acie. No confidence in his jumper and such. The difference is that DW got a LOT more playing time and had a great coach/teacher helping him (Slone/Stockton).

Quote: Quote: If the owners choose Woody over Smith... then that's seriously [censored] up. What I'm afraid of with Smoove is the fact that he can't be coached....by Woody or otherwise. I think that the problem is that Smoove has great potential and should be here longer than Marvin. Even on a practical level, I think that you resign Smoove and see how it works out before trading him. However, if it is proven that Smoove don't get it, we got to trade him. That's my thinking as well. We really need someone who can gain the respect of Josh to see if he is coachable. He has no respect for Woody and I highly doubt that ever changes. It's hard to change your opinion about someone after so many years.

I actually like the first trade. I think Iverson is a decent defender. He's certainly not worse than Bibby. Plus, he plays with a lot of heart and emotion. It would be good for the younger players on the team. They would feed off of that. I like the second deal as well, but I'm not sure Portand would go for that either, but if they did I wouldn't hesitate.

If Arenas opts out do you think Washington would do a Bibby/Marvin trade for him? I think he would be a great addition to the team. What do you guys think?

I think you guys are over rating Magic. He was great on the offensive end, but he couldn't guard the quicker point guards... I would go... Magic, Isiah, Stockton, Chris Paul, Kidd, Kevin Johnson, Parker and Price Isiah, Stockton, Paul, Magic, Johnson, Parker, Kidd, Price

Please find your way into a weight room this off season. I'm tired of watching you get rag-dolled everytime you take it to the hole. Guys barley touch you and you act like you've been hit by a truck. Lift heavy weights and work on your balance. Do some foot work drills as well, but for the love of god man, find a weight room.

I really think with more time Acie will become a better overall point guard. Do you guys think anyone would be willing to take on his salary?