Phil Jackson remains the most successful coach in modern NBA history with nine championships and appearances in the NBA Finals in seven of his last eight seasons. But few expect Jackson’s Lakers to keep up that pace this season.
Flip Saunders never went to the Finals in 10 seasons coaching the Timberwolves and his teams lost 30 of their 47 playoff games. Not reaching the NBA Finals with the Pistons this season probably will be viewed as a failure.
A coach’s life just isn’t fair.
“A lot of things have to fall into place [to win] in this league,” Saunders said. “But I look at this more as an opportunity. In 10 years I’ve won a lot of games, but this game is not about winning games but winning championships.
“There are not many better situations than this.”
Saunders, whose team opens its exhibition season Tuesday night against the Bulls in Grand Rapids, Mich., is beginning an unprecedented season as Pistons coach. Never has a coach won a championship and lost in seven games in the NBA Finals the next season and then left the team–until Larry Brown, who’s now coaching the Knicks.
Failure by the Pistons to return to the Finals will be another notch on Brown’s coaching belt.
Conversely, no one in the NBA will be under more scrutiny than Saunders, who was fired after 51 games last season, less than a year after the Timberwolves had their most successful season and went to the Western Conference finals.
The Pistons, perhaps just another Robert Horry prayer shot away from a second straight title in June, return the same team. The only significant change is Saunders.
Should the Pistons falter, who do you suppose will be blamed?
Saunders knows that, but he also could be coaching the Raptors, Hawks, Hornets or Timberwolves. Sure, he has Rasheed Wallace and a team filled with strong-willed, successful individuals. But, heck, he had Michael Olowokandi, Latrell Sprewell and Troy Hudson. Probably better to have those who have won.
“Anytime you take over a winning team, a veteran team, the tendency is for them to pick up things quickly,” Saunders said. “The impressive thing is this team is extraordinarily receptive to coaching.”
There have been many theories about this season’s Pistons, including that without Brown it will be as if the substitute teacher is in and ducking the coaching version of spitballs and paper airplanes.
The notion is Wallace kept it together due to the common North Carolina association with Brown, that Chauncey Billups will be too shooting-oriented without Brown and the defense will relax under Saunders, known more an as offensive coach with an easygoing, non-confrontational style.
But Saunders isn’t backing off.
Asked about Miami’s addition of high-scoring former All-Stars Antoine Walker and Gary Payton , Saunders said: “They’re just trying to beat us.”
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The Pistons remain the team to beat in the East.
In addition to Miami, Ron Artest’s return in Indiana, the healthy pairing of Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson in New Jersey and the Cavs’ additions could provide challenges. But the Pistons return their rugged defense (second to the Spurs in points allowed), and a starting five that has been together through two championship runs. The top reserves–Antonio McDyess, Carlos Arroyo and currently injured Lindsey Hunter–are back as well, with veteran Dale Davis added for playoff insurance.
“Teams that have made consistent runs in this league, they have all had their teams together,” Saunders said. “You look back at the old Chicago teams, the old Lakers teams, the old Celtics, they all had their core group together. The key thing is stability.”
Saunders will be asked to play 2003 No. 2 overall pick Darko Milicic, whom Brown relegated to the bench. Saunders has been positive about Milicic, 20. Brown demanded the 7-footer play inside, but Saunders is likening the big kid to a Toni Kukoc-like 7-footer with versatility.
The Pistons have been strictly man-to-man on defense, but Saunders will introduce more zone and more offensive variety. He’ll try to model Wallace’s game after Kevin Garnett’s, and those proud Pistons aren’t about to have everyone say their success was the result of Brown’s coaching.
Saunders has the East’s best. There are only two destinations on his new elevator: The top and down.
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