Comments on: Detroit Pistons Coaching Dreams: Jeff Van Gundy

By: Sebastian

Sebastian — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:50:12 +0000

Seriously, why has no one considered Joe for the Head coaching job. Joe would make an excellent Head Coach. He knows the game, the players, and as both Coach, GM, former Pistons great, and Basketball Hall of Famer he would get instant respect from the players.

He could then complete his staff with Ric Mahorn, Rasheed, Big Ben, and Lindsey Hunter.
Heck, Joe has assembled the coaching staff under both, Curry and Kuester’s terms as Head Coach.
I am serious: Joe Dumars should be our next Head Coach, much in the same way as Gregg Popovich serves multiple positions with the Spurs. Besides, it would be a cost-saving move for Gores.

By: rob

rob — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:17:44 +0000

Is JVG really only 49? I had no idea he was that young. I thought he was in his mid 50′s at least. Thats amazing to me with all the experience he has. I dont see why he is not a candidate.

I get not looking at Adelman/Sloan because the Pistons said they wanted someone younger, who could stay long-term. But, that logic makes no sense in JVG’s case. Most of the candidates they are looking at are in their mid 50′s, with a fraction of the experience Van Gundy has, who isnt even 50 yet.

Now I’m thinking its not the age factor, as much as its the money/power factor. Gores is skimping on our coach, imo. Thats why he wants a young coach because they dont have the experience and cant command the money/power of an older experienced coach.

It makes no sense why Van Gundy isnt even a candidate, unless its a money issue. Which was acceptable when Karen was baby-sitting the franchise, but now that Gores is here, money isnt supposed to be an issue anymore.

By: neutes

neutes — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:55:20 +0000

Are Van Gundy’s teams good at defense or does his offense play so slow that the other team just never gets the ball? I can’t do it anymore. There is slow paced ball and then there is Van Gundy ball. It’s borderline unwatchable.

By: Brian P

Brian P — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:20:20 +0000

This is not so much a dream as it is a nightmare. I do not see JVG as either a teacher or a motivator, skills the next coach of the Pistons will absolutely need just to make them watchable again. The only reason not to hire Laimbeer now is to let someone else build them to respectability over the next three years, then bring him in to put them over the top. There is no denying that he did a great job with the Detroit Shock, and I believe that his success there will more than translate to the NBA. The caveat with the Shock, however, is that he had teams of very talented players that he guided/cajoled/willed to success. The current Pistons roster is nowhere near as talented.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:10:01 +0000

This would be an awesome hire in my opinion, but of course it would be highly unlikely. I agree, he seems pretty happy where he’s at, and hasn’t given much mention of wanting to coach again. Though the Pistons may not have a whole lot of Defensive players, a good Defensive minded coach can at least help these guys develop.. And if you get your players to buy into the philosophy, you can’t get much worse then we have been over the last couple years on that end of the court.

I’d love to see Dumars at least reach out to the guy, feel out his interest if nothing else. Has there been any inclination that the Pistons plan to do so, or is this just a “Dream” if you will?