Flip > D'Antoni

[Scrub Sura]

I've been saying this for a couple of years now.

Despite all the criticism he has recieved since being named coach. things could be a heck of a lot worse around here.

[bstein14]

Flip's two Pistons teams have lost to lesser teams in the playoffs.

We will find out this year. There will be no question.

If we don't either make it to the NBA finals or lose a closely contested game 7 on the road to Boston than Flip needs to go.

[Hunter]

Could we do worse? Yes. But that doesn't mean Flip is a championship caliber coach, which is what we need. As bstein said, if we fall to an inferior team once again or get crushed by the Celts it'll definitely be time for a change.

[GJense4181]

Firing Flip would still raise the question of whom we would replace him with.
I can't think of anybody off the top of my head.
Larry Brown? No.
Rick Carlisle? Obviously not.
Jeff Van Gundy?
Bill Laimbeer?
Tom Izzo?
Mike Fratello?

[Hunter]

Firing Flip would still raise the question of whom we would replace him with.
I can't think of anybody off the top of my head.
Larry Brown? No.
Rick Carlisle? Obviously not.
Jeff Van Gundy?
Bill Laimbeer?
Tom Izzo?
Mike Fratello?

Here is my thinking; once you *know* Flip is not the guy it's better to take a chance on an unknown than continue to bash your head against the wall. Is Laimbeer or Izzo the solution? Maybe not. But there is at least a slim chance they are, which is better than no chance.

I'm not necessarily saying either of those guys is the way to go, maybe it'd be an assistant coach somewhere or some other name we're forgetting. I really dunno. But IF we lose to an inferior team (again) or get blown out by the Celts the one thing I will know is that Flip is not the answer. And that is reason enough for me to move in another direction.

[GJense4181]

^I suppose that's true. We'd just be treading water if we kept Flip around.
Perhaps an unknown (Laimbeer, Izzo, miscellaneous assistant coach) would be the way to go, then. There's no need to bring in a never-was coach that couldn't hack it in the professional ranks (Fratello and the like).
If we get blown out by the Celtics it might be time to blow up the core, as well.

[Muzzleshot]

The Pistons lost to a lesser team last year, but I'd strongly argue against the idea that they lost to a lesser team in 2006.

I'm of the belief that without Wade's rip injury they don't get past them in 2005. Their 64 wins were the product of being motivated to prove that they could win without LB. Riley and the Heat weren't focused on the regular season, but a long playoff run. I thought they were as good, if not better than the Pistons and they certainly were more hungrier than the Pistons after losing to them the year before.

[legacyinthemakin89c]

Izzo wouldn't be a good NBA coach, hes a great college coach, but I just don't think he would translate well in the NBA.

If we had to get a new coach right now, I would vote for Van Gundy or Carlisle.

Van Gundy brings winning experience and doesn't hurt anything we already do. He hates running teams and we don't run, he loves defense and thats what we pride ourselves on. Carlisle never got a chance here. He started this whole run and was unfairly fired. HE deserves another shot and was definitely the undeserving fall guy in Indiana.

[Scrub Sura]

I meant this in a direct comparison with D'Antoni...but oh well

Flip's two Pistons teams have lost to lesser teams in the playoffs.

We will find out this year. There will be no question.

If we don't either make it to the NBA finals or lose a closely contested game 7 on the road to Boston than Flip needs to go.

I'll agree with Cleveland but disagree with Miami. Though, it's hard to solely blame Flip for the Lebron debacle in game 5.

From what I've noticed, Flip has continued to make strides this season(whether pushed by Dumars or not) and the guys seem to be taking more of the blame for the past two seasons. Even though I believe Flip was an issue, it seems everyone is on the same page.

I can see Flip getting the axe if we gag in the 1st or 2nd round. But if we reach the ECF and lose a close series, I can see him sticking around and Dumars more apt to tinkering further with the starting five.

Now, in regards to D'Antoni, if Phoenix doesn't make the Finals, I think he's a goner.

[crackjack]

After taking a big risk on O'Neal, Kerr is going to need a scape goat.

Firing D'Antoni would be as easy as giving a quick speech about needing to find a coach who has more of a halfcourt style.

[LanierFan]

If D'Antoni gets axed, Sam Mitchell better have a good playoff run in Toronto.

[Hunter]

If D'Antoni gets axed, Sam Mitchell better have a good playoff run in Toronto.

I actually like Sam Mitchell a lot. I have no clue if he can actually coach, like in terms of X's and O's, but every time I hear him speak I come away impressed. I've seen a couple of his post-game conferances, most notably after some Pistons blow outs his message and attitude were exactly what I would have wanted to hear from my coach if my team were in that position.

And I think he's done a pretty decent job with that team. It's not his fault they wasted a draft pick on Bargnani and needed another big so badly they traded for Brezec. And it's pretty unfortunate TJ is hurt again.

But I like I said, I haven't exactly paid real close attention to his rotations and play calling so for all I know he's a complete doofus when it comes to that sorta stuff.