The Detroit Pistons announced today that Flip Saunders will not be back as coach next season. Saunders guided the Pistons to marks of 176-70 in the regular season and 30-21 in the playoffs, but they lost in the conference finals in each of those three years.
Saunders had one year left on the deal he signed in 2005 after replacing Larry Brown. He has 587 victories in 13 seasons with the Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The hot rumor in Motown is that Saunders will be replaced by Michael Curry, one of his current assistants.
Another Pistons assistant, Terry Porter, is believed to be the top candidate to fill the vacancy in Phoenix, which is seeking a replacement for the departed Mike D'Antoni.
Some down time at his off-season home on Maui appears to have recharged the batteries of Don Nelson. The second-winningest coach in NBA history will fulfill the final season of his contract with Golden State.
The club exercised its $5 million option in March, when the team appeared on track for a second straight playoff appearance. After the team fell short of the post-season, despite winning 48 games, there had been speculation that Nellie might opt to retire.
Instead, a rejuvenated Nelson said he'll be back, but with a different focus. His goal is to assist in the development of Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli, who saw limited action as rookies last season because of Golden State's ill-fated playoff bid.
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