Quote:
Originally Posted by BallDon'tLie  I look at Flip' Xs and Os and I don't see much of a problem. Strategically, I think that Flip is one of the brighter minds in the league (except coming out of time-outs). I think that Flip's strengths lye in the overall design of an offense/defense, watching film, etc.
An NBA head coach needs to be a leader of men though and Flip is seriously deficient in that area. He doesn't have the respect of his players. Most of the time, they don't appear to have confidence in him at all. They always seem to have that look of a team that is "pretending to listen" to their coach. They tune him out!
Another area of concern with Flipper is that IMO he's not a good "game coach". Adjustments, on-the-fly play design, and substitutions/rotations are major weak points with this guy. Some of the things he does (or doesn't do) during games boggles my mind and aren't indicative of an NBA level leadership.
I have high standards for Flip. The Pistons have a championship level roster and I expect championship level coaching to go along with that.
Flip Saunders would make a GREAT top-level assistant!
...Of course I root for the guy each and every game to turn over a new leaf. If he brings home the Larry O'Brien this year I'll eat my words deny ever making this post! |
Problem number one, he hates rookies / young players. He hates to play them. So what can he do if his starting unit starts a game off ignoring his wishes and never goes inside, constantly triggers fast breaks for the other team by taking ill advised long shots? Thats right. The vets playing time is sacred, for of course, the alternative is playing a young player, which would just about kill Flip. So the starting unit digs itself a hole, game after game, pretty much like Ground Hog Day. Playing the wrong way. Mind you, there have been games where the Pistons start a game off right, but it is a very rare occurrance. To be a good coach, Flip has to be willing to sit anyone not playing right, and have a bit of a talk to that player before that player reenters the game.