Van Gundy is gone
Coach not returning to the Detroit Pistons as team decides to make a change
Stan Van Gundy will not return to the Detroit Pistons as coach or president of basketball operations.
The Pistons announced Van Gundy’s departure Monday, with owner Tom Gores saying it was a difficult decision. He said Van Gundy wanted to return for a fifth season with the team.
“I am grateful to Stan for everything he’s done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit,” Gore said. “He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community.
“But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum,” Gores said.
The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years under Van Gundy. They’ve made the post-season just once in the past nine seasons, and even a blockbuster trade for Blake Griffin wasn’t enough to salvage 2017-18.
A decade ago, the Pistons were one of the game’s most respected organizations after reaching the Eastern Conference finals six straight years and winning the NBA title in 2004. They sank quickly into irrelevance after that. Detroit missed the playoffs the final five seasons of Joe Dumars’ tenure as team president, and Gores - who took over as owner in 2011 - eventually brought Van Gundy in, giving him authority in the front office in addition to his coaching duties. Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy argues a call against the Milwaukee Bucks during an NBA game in Detroit on Feb. 28.
The Pistons made the playoffs will make sure this is a seamless in Van Gundy’s second season transition, and someone I hope at the helm, but they couldn’t will be a friend and adviser to me build on that breakthrough. This long after this transition is compast season was particularly displeted.” appointing because it may have The Pistons went 152-176 over been the most productive of centhe past four seasons under Van tre Andre Drummond’s career. Gundy, and his personnel deci
With Drummond leading the sions have come under more way, Detroit started 19-14 and criticism than his coaching. Dewon on the road against the likes troit hasn’t been able to make the of Golden State, Oklahoma City most of its draft position, spendand Boston. Then an ankle injury ing first-round picks on Stanley to point guard Reggie Jackson deJohnson, Henry Ellenson and railed the season, and not even Luke Kennard. This past season, the trade for Griffin in late JanuKennard shot over 40 per cent ary was enough to push the Pisfrom 3-point range, but he was tons to the playoffs in their first taken one spot ahead of Donseason at downtown Detroit’s ovan Mitchell in last year’s draft. new Little Caesars Arena. Mitchell blossomed into a Rookie
“Stan is a competitor and he of the Year candidate. wanted to finish the job,” Gores The trade for Griffin was a bold said. “He retooled a roster that one for the Pistons and gives them we think can be very competilimited flexibility going forward. tive in the East. I know he’s disNot only did the team take on appointed, and that he cares Griffin’s big contract, but Detroit deeply about his players, his also sent a protected first-round staff, this organization and this draft pick to the Los Angeles Clipcity. He’s also a professional who pers in the deal.