Saunders counts his New Year's blessings
If he hadn't been fired by Timberwolves, he wouldn't have been able to take job with Pistons.
Joanne C. Gerstner

It's a new year, and a chance for Pistons coach Flip Saunders to reflect on the highs and lows of 2005.

He has come out on the high side of an interesting journey: not too many coaches have gone from being fired by one of their friends to being on top of the NBA a few months later.

"I think it's funny how things work out," Saunders said. "A lot of times I said almost a year ago when I was let go that things always happen for a reason. You never know at that time what the reason is, but there is one.