Pistons Send Michael Curry Packing
Michael Curry had to deal with a lot as Pistons coach: a misbegotten trade that sent away his best player Chauncey Billups, the impossible task of mixing Allen Iverson into the offense, the aging of guys like Rasheed Wallace and the inevitable meltdown of the aforementioned Iverson who finally had to be sent home. Despite all of it, Curry managed to get Detroit into the playoffs. His reward? Walking papers.
“This was a difficult decision to make,” GM Joe Dumars explained. “I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change.”
Reports say Dumars wants to make a big splash in free agency this off-season and was worried that Curry’s reputation for clashing with veteran players would hamper these efforts. Detroit must now presumably find a coach these big free agents would want to play for. Avery Johnson has been mentioned – but didn’t he get run out of Dallas because his players didn’t like him? Retread Doug Collins has also been tapped as a potential replacement for Curry.
One guy who probably won’t be considered? Bill Laimbeer, who recently quit as coach of the Detroit WNBA franchise. Don’t know what this says about Dumars’ relationship with his old teammate Bill. I do know that, if Joe doesn’t turn things around this year, he’ll be joining Curry on the unemployment line.
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