A great 12 hours for the Detroit sports community, although this latest news to drop may be seen a good news by many. The Red Wings lose a chance to lift the Stanley Cup with 34 seconds remaining in regulation and then lose on a 3 OT goal, the Tigers blow it again in the bottom of the 9th, and now this morning Flip Saunders has been fired by Joe Dumars.
“Decisions like this are difficult to make, especially with the success we have had throughout the last three regular-seasons. However, at this time, I feel it is necessary to make a change. I thank Flip for his hard work and dedication, but it is time for a new voice to lead our team.”Not a shocking move, but considering his 176-70 regular season record and three trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in each of his seasons with Detroit, he's hardly a poor coach. But coaches are not paid to lose in the conference finals.
This decision by Dumars also signals what I expect will be some dramatic changes to the Pistons lineup.
A. Sherrod Blakely of MLive.com has already suggested assistant coach Michael Curry will be named the Pistons new head coach. Considering Dumars denied the Bulls request to interview Curry, that shouldn't be too big of a surprise. (Spartans fans will take a big sigh of relief, as well. My initial response to the Saunders firing was to lament the upcoming weeks of Tom Izzo rumors.)
If not Michael Curry, who else?
Lastly, is it possible for one sports city to have two more contrasting GM's than Joe Dumars and Matt Millen?
If not Michael Curry, who else?
Lastly, is it possible for one sports city to have two more contrasting GM's than Joe Dumars and Matt Millen?
Flip Saunders fired [Freep] (if you have some time to kill, check out the intelligent blather in the comments at this link. Special stuff.)
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