Category: Detroit Pistons Blog

Marc Stein of ESPN reports:

Former Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer interviewed for the Pistons’ coaching vacancy Wednesday, according to NBA coaching sources.

Laimbeer is the fourth known candidate to be interviewed for the post, but his chances of landing the job appear to be remote given that the Pistons, according to sources, are determined to hire a former NBA head coach to replace the fired John Kuester.

If that determination holds, former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson and ex-New Jersey Nets coach Lawrence Frank are ahead of Laimbeer in Detroit’s pecking order, with sources maintaining that Woodson — who has already coached in Detroit as an assistant under Larry Brown — began the search process as the favorite.

The Pistons, though, also like Milwaukee Bucks assistant Kelvin Sampson, despite the fact that Sampson’s head coaching experience is restricted to the college ranks.

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that John Kuester will not return next season as the team’s head coach.  The decision was made following a meeting between ownership and the head coach.

“Decisions like this are difficult to make,” said Dumars. “I want to thank John for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the last two years, however, at this time we have decided to make a change.”

Kuester, who was named head coach on July 9, 2009, tallied a regular-season record of 57-107 in two season’s with the Pistons.  He served one season in Detroit as an assistant coach under Larry Brown in 2003-04, helping the Pistons win the NBA Championship that year.

Dumars: “As our organization moves forward and prepares for the future, the search for our club’s new head coach is a priority and will begin immediately.  However, at this time, we do not have a timetable for hiring a successor.  We’ll conduct our due diligence privately and announce a decision when we’ve identified that individual.”

The AP reports: Kuester was hired in 2009 after two seasons as an assistant with Cleveland. He was also a member of Larry Brown’s championship-winning staff in 2004 with the Pistons, but his familiarity with at least some of the players was of little help as the team began to look increasingly dysfunctional late in his tenure. Kuester and Richard Hamilton had a falling out that sent the veteran to the bench for most of a seven-week stretch. The two appeared to be on better terms toward the end, but there was plenty of other drama.

More from the AP: Every healthy player started at least one game this season, and all except Ben Gordon received at least one DNP-Coach’s Decision. Kuester benched point guard Rodney Stuckey barely a week into the season and benched him again with just over a week to go when there was friction between the two. The low point was probably Feb. 25 in Philadelphia. Seven players missed at least part of a team shootaround, and Kuester played only the remaining six that night in a blowout loss to the 76ers.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

The sale of Palace Sports and Entertainment (PS&E) and the Detroit Pistons to Tom Gores and his investment firm, Platinum Equity, was formally completed today, following unanimous approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors. With the transfer of ownership Mr. Gores becomes the fourth owner in Detroit Pistons’ franchise history.

“I am very excited at the opportunity to lead this great franchise into the future,” Mr. Gores said. “The passion and commitment of Pistons fans is legendary, and our goal is to meet every one of their expectations. That starts with the hard work and values necessary to compete for championships. It also includes being a real partner in the community, and we intend to do that as well. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure that this organization deserves the passion of our fans. We can’t wait to make a difference in Detroit.”

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced on Tuesday that the NBA Board of Governors had unanimously approved the change of ownership.

“It’s very important to us, because we think Tom will bring renewed vigor and energy to that great franchise,” Mr. Stern said at a news conference prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals. “He’s really very anxious to get going…and that’s a very good development for the Detroit Pistons and the good fans of Detroit.”

The Detroit Pistons are one of only seven teams in NBA history to win three or more championships and have made 40 playoff appearances in franchise history (fourth-most in the NBA). Since the 2000-01 season, Detroit has compiled a record of 512-390 (.568), won six Central Division titles, made six consecutive trips to the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals from 2003 to 2008, won two Eastern Conference Championships (2004, 2005) and made consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, including an NBA Championship in 2004.

On the entertainment side, PS&E’s Michigan venues average 300 events and 3.5 million guests annually. The Palace has been voted Arena of the Year eight times by Performance magazine, twice by Pollstar magazine and is listed annually among North America’s top-grossing arenas. Voted “Best Outdoor Concert Venue” in Pollstar’s 2000 Readers’ Poll, DTE Energy Music Theatre has been listed as the nation’s most attended amphitheater by Amusement Business/Billboard each of the 20 years of PS&E ownership. Meadowbrook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University hosted a record-tying six sold out shows in 2010 and achieved its second highest attendance average under PS&E’s 17 years of management.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Davidson family and what has been built here. Palace Sports and Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons have enjoyed a great tradition of success and have been committed to being a positive influence in the community,” Mr. Gores added. “Our mission is to continue that legacy and do it the right way.”

Karen Davidson transfers control of the company to Tom Gores after nearly 37 years of Davidson family ownership. William Davidson became the club’s majority owner in 1974.

“Throughout this process, my goal was to find the right owner to lead Palace Sports and Entertainment into the future and I am certain that Tom Gores is that person,” said Davidson. “He is an astute businessman, works hard and will bring a passion to this organization – that same passion that Bill had for so many years.”

Goldman Sachs and SCP Worldwide advised Platinum Equity on the acquisition.

The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the Detroit Pistons to Tom Gores and his investment firm, Platinum Equity.  The transaction is expected to close shortly.

“We are delighted that the NBA’s Board of Governors approved Tom Gores’ purchase of majority ownership of the Pistons,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “We look forward to the Pistons’ continued growth, both on and off the court, under his leadership.”