Saunders deserves credit for Pistons' success - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

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I disagree with the ball movement statement, and feel that the success of the Flex offense is more predicated on player movement, which facilitates movement of the ball.

The Pistons and their mannequin offense don't seem to get this, and I give Saunders credit for not hammering this home.

So the credit part I agree with.

Nope, sorry. Can't do it.

Seriously though, I think the Pistons succeed in spite of Flip, not because of him.

My theory is that the defenses get tougher and scout you better. Rip sometimes would curl into a trap or a big would show hard on CB and he couldn't penetrate so you burn up some clock then its under 10, what are you going to run. opposing teams will counter screen, bump, trap and try to take you off what you want to do. They'll make it so your best shot is a 20 footer and you beat them with jumpers while they attack and draw fouls or grab offensive boards.

That's not letting players off the hook because the bottom line is that you have to execute against adversity.

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key phrase there is "what you want to do". Flex isn't a "what you want to do offense", its an opportunity offense. These guys get so caught up in what they want to do they flat out refuse to pass to certain teammates and explore new options.
First off, the guy who initiates the offense shouldn't be calling his own number without making a single pass. Guys shouldn't be standing still weak side. They should be sealing, screening, and making hard cuts to different spots on the floor.

The key is to make a guy have to actually guard you, chase you, and keep him from being able to double team the post so quickly without leaving someone wide open from 10-15 feet out, not 30 feet out.

These guys either don't grasp it or don't want to. And that is on Flip as far as I'm concerned. Flip or Joe. The first year I may blame the players, even the second; however, once the inaction of management becomes prevalent I have to look at them.

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"You know how I be, last year Joe D couldn't do without me" - LB4LB

Good article, especially:

Under Saunders, the Pistons have been fourth and sixth (two times) in the NBA in offensive efficiency while retaining their edge on the other end of the floor, ranking fifth, seventh, and fourth over the past three years in defensive efficiency.

Those midrange jumpers are the direct result of some deadly comebacks whereas:

1. RIP gets free off of multiple screens and isolations.
2. Tay gets to back down his side with isolations.
3. Dyess finds some freedom with his 15 ft shots.
4. Billups continues to drive (as long as he gets fouled)
5. Sheed backs down his man for a 15 ft. shot.
6. JMax opens the paint by hitting 15 ft. shots.
7. Stuckey hits the mid ranges and should stay away (this year) from getting to the rim where he can't finish or get fouled.

All-in-all, when the Pistons stay the mid-range game, they are accurate, have bodies near the rebounding area, contest the free rebounds (which makes the wings play honest defense) and slows the flow of the opposing team when they would rather run after long and uncontested rebounds.

If the p's get to the NBA finals, let's talk. Till then, he's got nothing coming from this poster.

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!

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"People have their opinions about me -- yeah, I'm a jackass ... and this and that. So that's fine. Everybody has their opinion." - #36

Great observation sir.


And seconded to Darth Tater too.

If LB was still here the Pistons would be 8-0 in this years playoffs and getting ready for their 5th straight title.