Flip Saunders vs. Mike Brown


mikhail1973

Flip has been great so far. He was able to push Pistons to play hard (for the most part) and he made the necessary adjustments against a much tougher opposition than Cavs faced. Brown doesn't have nearly as much experience. Cavs play tough D under him, but their offense doesn't have a plan other than getting the ball to the LBJ in the half court when with their roster they'd be much better off in a fast-paced running game.

Advantage: Detroit


adpreston1988

These guys are pretty even. Flip Saunders is a solid coach, but not an outstanding coach like Larry Brown. I definitely questioned Flip Saunders last year with the Cavs and Heat series in the playoffs. This year Flip seems to have gathered himself and was impressive with the display the Pistons put on in the 2nd half of games 3 and 6 in the series. I don't know anything about Mike Brown, but he seems like a solid coach as well.

Advantage: Push


Dumars4Ever

Brown has done a decent job in his first couple of seasons, but I don't think he has much of a reputation as a strategist. I'm not sure why they dumped Paul Silas for him, as it seems like Silas probably could have done at least as well as Brown has so far. As for Flip, aside from some brief stumbles in the Bulls series, his schemes and adjustments on both sides of the ball have been extremely effective so far in the playoffs, culminating with the terrific second half of Game 6 in Chicago. I don't see the Pistons getting outcoached here.

Advantage: Detroit


linwood

I'm on the Flip bandwagon. Watch him dazzle the Cavaliers with the night of 1000 zones. Be amazed as he opens the playbook and finds many options that leave Pistons players wide open for 3!

Advantage: Detroit


bezeach

Mike Brown doesn't have the experience. He's never coached this far into the playoffs. Flip Saunders will have his players prepared for this series. Flip will have many defenses running at LeBron and he always has the zone defense ready.

Advantage: Detroit



st8ofmind

No comment...

Well OK, if you insist.

I've seen vast ineptitude from Mike Brown at times (see not fouling Arenas last year).

Flip has shown only mild ineptitude (and Just Win baby is the name of the game and he's 8-2 in the playoffs) and has the experience and amazing assistants on his side.

Look for the zone to be a big factor when Cleveland has Snow (can't shoot) and or Varrejao, and or Hughes on the floor.

Edge by default to...

Advantage: Detroit


Dlev59

Flip Saunders is doing a masterful job with his team. Yes, it`s his team now. No more LB ghosts lurking in the hallways. He has gained the respect of his players the media, and most of us in this forum.

For a coach that doesn`t care about defense, the D is looking pretty damn good about now. And it`s a zone!! Isn`t that the defense that Sheed said he didn`t want to play?

Sheed is probably the straw that is stirring the zone defense!! The focus and fire in this Piston team (other than the lapse for a game or two in the Bulls series) is the most startling achievement for Flip to date IMO. And some said he is not a motivator...

Mike Brown has done a good job with his self proclaimed milloinaire King. His team hustles and does the little things very, very well. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the league. The Cavs are not a running team but if the opportunity presents itself they will take advantage.

Brown likes the ball to be in Lebron`s hands about 90% of the time when he is on the court. Everything goes through Lebron. Sometimes I wonder does Brown have any set plays for anyone else, or does James make the decision to involve anyone else.

It just seems to me that if Lebron makes a boo boo, Brown looks lost on the bench. That what should I do know look overwhelms him....

Advantage: Detroit



Maverick

Flip has been doing an exceptional job this post season. I dont see Mike brown as being a viable coach in the NBA..

Hell, give me a team with Lebron James on it and I'll win 50 games too.

Advantage: Detroit


dba

Brown is doing pretty well with this ragtag bunch, but I like the way Flip and the staff have been working lately. And the team seems to have bought into working for them in ways they didn't last year when things turned bad.

Advantage: Detroit


BillLaimbeer

First, we have the physical match-up:

Brown: 6'3", 200 pounds
Saunders: 5'11", 175 pounds

Next, we have the coaching match-up:

I like Saunders over Brown. Flip has now coached 75 playoff games. He is 28-18 over his last 3 playoff seasons. Mike Brown is only in his 2nd year coaching. Detroit has a solid staff to assist Saunders. Big edge to Detroit.

Advantage: Detroit

I don't know about this.
Mike got 50 wins without much help for Bron.
How did he do this?
OK, it's a weak conference.