Complete Coverage On The Pistons
Lawrence Frank fired by Detroit Pistons
ESPN.com reported two weeks ago that Frank was the most likely coach in the league to be ousted, which, according to sources, had Frank himself resigned to his fate for several days.
A meeting Thursday with Pistons owner Tom Gores finally confirmed Frank’s ouster, after Gores offered very tepid public support of his coach when speaking to local reporters earlier this week. Frank was believed to be largely Gores’ choice to replace John Kuester in the summer of 2011, although NBA coaching sources maintain that Dumars preferred current Knicks coach Mike Woodson for the job.
After the Pistons’ season-ending loss in Brooklyn, Frank acknowledged that the mounting speculation about his future had taken its toll.
“Unfortunately, it’s been too long a talk for too long,” Frank told reporters Wednesday night. “It’s been going on for a while, so it’s not like this just jumped up and it’s news flash.
“Because you have to answer the question every day, it’s something you do give some thought to.”
Gores said before the season that he expected the Pistons, despite their youth, to reach the playoffs this season. Dumars is expected to survive despite Detroit’s rough season, thanks largely to the considerable salary-cap space that the Pistons are positioned to have this summer along with the promise shown by two young big men Dumars drafted: Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
Lawrence Frank fired by Detroit Pistons – ESPN.
Kobe Bryant nixed trade to Pistons in 2007, affecting possible Grant Hill return
The Pistons and Lakers agreed in principle on a deal but Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, who passed away early Monday, and Bryant, who wanted out of Los Angeles but Detroit wasn’t one of his preferred destinations, passed.
A source confirmed the Pistons and Lakers agreed on a deal, which most likely included Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and a future first-round pick for Bryant, who wound up being the 2007-08 MVP.
Another league source said former Piston Grant Hill, who was a free agent that summer as a member of the Orlando Magic, would’ve likely returned to the Pistons to fill Prince’s void at small forward.
Detroit News
Andre Drummond out 4-6 weeks with stress fracture in vertebrae
The Detroit Pistons announced this evening that Andre Drummond will be out of the line-up for approximately 4-6 weeks due to a stress fracture of the fifth lumbar vertebra. The injury was diagnosed following examinations conducted on Thursday, February 7 by team medical personnel.
Drummond has been placed in a custom brace and activity levels will be modified while the injury heals. He will be re-evaluated on a regular basis. Team doctors anticipate a full recovery with rest and rehabilitation. (CBSSports.com)
Pistons reportedly trade Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye, get Jose Calderon, deal pending
The Detroit Pistons reportedly have traded Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye in a three-team deal that brings them Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon.
The Pistons have not confirmed the deal but have made Prince and Daye inactive for tonight’s 7 p.m. game against the Indiana Pacers.
ESPN’s Mark Stein is reporting that Prince and Daye will go to the Memphis Grizzlies while the Toronto Raptors get high-scoring Rudy Gay and reserve center Hamed Haddadi from Memphis.
Toronto also will send a second-round pick, Calderon and Ed Davis to Memphis, which then moves Calderon to Detroit for Prince and Daye, according to Stein.
The move would give the Pistons even greater cap space than they already have this summer. Calderon’s $10.5 million contract expires after this season, while Prince has two more seasons on the four-year deal he signed after the lockout was settled before last season. Daye’s contract expires after this season. (MLive.com)
Pistons 105, Magic 90
Jason Maxiell, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe combined for 38 points and 28 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons pulled away to beat the undersized Orlando Magic 105-90 Tuesday night.
Brandon Knight led Detroit with 18 points, while Monroe scored 16 and Drummond and Maxiell each had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pistons also finished with a 16-6 edge in offensive rebounds against the Magic, who had their size issues magnified when Glen Davis was benched for much of the second half after taking 15 first-half shots and grabbing just three rebounds. He attempted just one shot the rest of the way and finished with 11 points. (NBA.com)
