Comments on: Ben Wallace on Richard Hamilton: ‘It’s personal. Nah, he not going to play. You’re going to have to trade him now’

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:39:22 +0000

Nate, how should Dumars admit his mistakes? Should he hold a press conference every time he messes up?

Dumars admits his mistakes by fixing them. Mateen Cleaves, Rodney White and Darko were all poor draft choices. Dumars didn't waste time trying to turn them into players they couldn't become he traded them. He hired Michael Curry, a poor coach. He didn't waste time hoping Curry would turn around make him look good. He fired him.

He takes responsibilities for his decisions because that's his job. Should he pass the buck to someone else?

Laimbeer's name has been linked to the Pistons' openings because he's an obvious candidate. Could you have identified Rick Carlisle as a coaching candidate when Dumars hired him? Everyone knows Laimbeer's name. That's why he keeps getting mentioned. Just because fans want Laimbeer doesn't make him a good choice. That's not a qualification.

Personality-wise, Dumars and Thomas are extremely different. Someone needs to lead the franchise, and that's Dumars. But that doesn't mean he doesn't value the input of others.

By: nate r

nate r — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:24:58 +0000

Dan, Well looking at the history of Joe D and the majority of his decisions, (he doesn’t ever acknowledge his mistakes, in regard to drafting, trades, coaches, etc.), which just shows terrible character quality, and also reinforces the fact that HE is in charge and no one else can tell him what to do. HE is the boss, HE makes all the decisions (which has worked great for him since the Davidson’s gave him all power), HE will take the time to re-analyze poor decisions (which he never does), which leads to my point/opinion earlier, HE will not let anyone else tell him who to hire as a coach. The overall consensus from Pistons fans, and thru out the league is that the Pistons should hire Laimbeer (his name as been linked to the team caching spot for a few years now). But has Dumars ever even mentioned that he was looking at Laimbeer, no (at least not very publicly). Its Dumars attitude/ego, (similar to his buddy and our old friend Mr. Isaiah Thomas). These guys are the same, they feel like they have to make all the decisions, just so they can sleep better. They would never let anyone tell them that they should do something and actually do it for fear that when/if it works, it was not their idea. It may sound like a stretch, but I guarantee you that you personally know someone like this, it is a common character trait and unfortunately in this situation it is holding him back from making a proper and potentially genius decision.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:53:17 +0000

Rick, Ben Wallace clashed with Rick Carlisle at the end, enough to the point where I think that was a major reason he got fired.

The Pistons reached the Finals in Brown's second year. If that's stale, sign me up.

I don't think Wallace cared for Saunders' style, but the Bulls offered him $12 million more than the Pistons did. That's the No. 1 reason he left.

Completely agree that a good team will fill The Palace more than anything else will. Hamilton isn't helping the team. It's completely reasonable that benching him will make the Pistons better.

The Hornets comparison doesn't make much sense. They have Chris Paul. That's why they're good. They also went 18-64 the season before drafting him. I don't blame the Pistons for trying to avoid that route.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:43:58 +0000

Nate, what evidence do you have that ego is keeping Dumars from hiring Laimbeer?

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:43:07 +0000

Blaze, Patrick covered Laimbeer this summer. I see little reason to believe he'd keep veterans in line more than a random head-coaching candidate.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:41:23 +0000

Ryan, not a chance.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:41:04 +0000

Jason, I think a team's coach is a very minor factor for most free agents. Money and role play a much bigger part in most decisions. Besides, which "respected" coach could the Pistons get?

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:36:47 +0000

Stephen, I think Wallace meant after how things went against the Nets.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:36:02 +0000

Jacob, several players have publicly bad-mouthed him, but they haven’t quit on him on the court. They’re playing hard for him. The team has improved dramatically from the beginning of the season. Of course, that could unravel quickly. But it hasn’t yet. For now, Kuester deserves some credit.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:33:15 +0000

PCB, there’s no doubt Prince plays hard every night. I’m not convinced he plays his best, though. Plenty of times this year, he’s looked for his shot or concentrated on on-ball defense at the expense of help defense. He tries his hardest at those things, but those aren’t necessarily the ways he can help the team most.