Yesterday Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reported that Flip would be back next season.
“Saunders met briefly with Pistons president Joe Dumars on Saturday and all indications are that he was told he will be back. Understand that with the Pistons, a coach’s job security can change in an instant, but as of today, the plan is for Saunders to finish out the final year of his contract. He’s already working on next season. He will supervise a workout of draft candidates at the practice facility Wednesday.”
Today Krista Jahnke from The Free Press reports that Dumars and Saunders haven’t spoken yet.
“A person with knowledge of the situation said president Joe Dumars has not sat down with Saunders yet to discuss the past season, which ended last week to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.
Nor has Dumars met with owner Bill Davidson, who will undoubtedly have his say in Saunders’ future.
The person said a meeting between Dumars and Davidson will take place “really soon,” and after that, questions about Saunders’ future should be cleared up. The person stressed that Saunders has not yet been given any assurance he’ll be back.”
I really can’t blame Saunders on Detroit’s playoff woes this season, he did an admirable job making adjustments and using his bench better. Although if I don’t think if Joe Dumars wasn’t pulling the strings behind the scenes the bench wouldn’t have developed the way it did this season.
Last season I thought if Flip stayed Sheed would go and vise versa. Maybe that holds true this season. Sheed is in his final year of his contract, will be 34 next season, and may have worn out his welcome in Detroit. Plus if Dumars is going to get anything in return now is the time.
My gut feeling is that they both will be gone.
No matter what is reported things aren’t really certain until Saunders gets an extension or is let go.
nothing is certain especially if joe hasn’t met with bill, assuming krista’s source is right. based on the past coaches that bill wanted out of the organization, i don’t see any reason why flip would be an exception, especially without a championship to show for. so i believe he will be gone based on bill’s mandate, not joe’s.
Here’s my 2 cents! I was at the game on Saturday the 24th, and I kept watching Chauncey and Tayshaun do absolutely nothing but turnovers and missed shots. For that, I blame Flip for keeping them out there for so long. They wouldn’t have come close to Boston if it hadn’t been for Stuckey, but he kept playing them….I also don’t believe the players have much respect for Flip. Jon Barry (not a big fan of his) said on the radio that week that he’s never heard the Piston’s players say anything positive about Flip, and he’s right…they don’t mention Flip at all. So, for that, I’m ok with Flip out of there. For Rasheed, know that I am a huge fan of his, but for the 2nd year in a row, I have his meltdown in my head at the end of the season. I would love for him to stay and play up to his abilities all the time, but I don’t want to keep seeing him have these meltdowns. I know the press has a lot to do with it, but jeez, ya gotta let some things go, and prove them wrong! Oh well….I’m still bummed!