Well, don't they have to hedge their bets (nobody knows the future with certainty, and maybe 06 and 07 playoff results were aberrations)? And it may be that Bill D. was willing to fire Flip and buy out Flip's contract with one year remaining on it (if the Pistons flopped in the playoffs in '08), but was simply unwilling as an economic matter to buy out the contract with two years remaining.

Lenz told him during his interview with him.

I think they questioned whether he would be able to make it work (was he tough enough) and had their question answered. I think Joe in all seriousness tell you Flip was a very good coach, just didn't up being the right one for this set of players.

Press conference is on live on ESPNEWS right now for anyone interested.

quick transcription anyone?

I like the hire because oftentimes the best players are not the best coaches. Curry was a serviceable player so that helps him, I think. The one thing I worry about is that the players like him TOO much. I don't want him turning into a Wayne Fontes kind of guy where there is no discipline and accountability. Curry better establish himself as the boss right off the bat.

Curry didn't strike me as a friendly-coach type. He makes me feel like if I don't play my darndest, I am going to get my heinie kicked.

I'll bet Rick Carlisle likes this hire for the Pistons.

Curry was a great player/mentor during his time in Toronto.

Hopefully, familiarity does not breed contempt in this case. Wings retired HC, Scotty Bowman, was a fantastic coach. Never cracked a smile and would ride his players (or bench them), superstar or not, until he got the desired results. Players never really liked him, as he was nobody's friend, but they'd run through a wall for him.