Saunders fired by Pistons

[faba]

Flip Saunders fired by Pistons

By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer 24 minutes ago

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Flip Saunders was fired as Detroit Pistons coach Tuesday, four days after his team was eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

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resident of basketball operations Joe Dumars said it's "time for a new voice to lead our team." Saunders had a year left on a four-year deal he signed in 2005. The decision comes three years after Saunders took over for Larry Brown, who led the Pistons to two straight NBA finals.

"Decisions like this are difficult to make, especially with the success we have had throughout the last three regular seasons," Dumars said in a statement. "However, at this time, I feel it is necessary to make a change."

A message left for Saunders was not immediately returned. Dumars was to speak Tuesday at the team's practice facility.

Assistant coach Michael Curry appears to be the leading candidate to replace Saunders. Other possible candidates include Detroit assistant coach Terry Porter and former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.

In Saunders' three seasons, the Pistons were 176-70 in the regular season and 30-21 in the postseason, but they lost in the Eastern Conference finals each year.

The Pistons have appeared in six straight conference finals, the first franchise to do so since the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. But they also are the second team in league history to lose in the round before the NBA finals three years in a row, joining the Celtics from 1953-55.

Dumars decided a year ago to bring back key players who have been together since the 2004 championship season, as well as Saunders, while infusing energy with rookies and young reserves. But after the loss in Game 6 of the East finals to Boston on Friday, the likelihood of change grew.

Before coming to Detroit, Saunders was 411-326 with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1995-05. He led them to eight straight postseason appearances

[rillo]

Honestly, this was the worst hire for them. I said it as soon as they hired him. He isn't a good coach IMO. The first year he took over, you can see they weren't the same team that Brown coached.

[Ghost]

Honestly, this was the worst hire for them. I said it as soon as they hired him. He isn't a good coach IMO. The first year he took over, you can see they weren't the same team that Brown coached.

Larry Brown is a much better coach than Flip.

I think they should go after Avery Johnson.

[rillo]

Larry Brown is a much better coach than Flip.

I think they should go after Avery Johnson.

Of course, but to go from Brown to Flip was crazy IMO. There were better coaches for them @ the time.

[Ghost]

Of course, but to go from Brown to Flip was crazy IMO. There were better coaches for them @ the time.

I don't remember who was available, but Flip's knowledge of the game is very high. He knows the game inside out and maybe that's why they gave him the job. I don't like his resume tho, he only reached the Western Finals once and I don't find that a good thing.

[Thai Jet]

Larry Brown is a much better coach than Flip.

I think they should go after Avery Johnson.

Avery Johnson WILL land a job this off season. He deserves it.

[Achilles]

I'm sure Flip is a nice guy but he seems to lack that fire on the court. He's not suited for a team like Detroit even though he had tremendous success with them. He will be hired shortly by some other team.