Stan Van Gundy (File photo)
The Detroit Pistons play in a new arena, but deal with the same old problems: They can't seem to win enough.
That means uncertainty for Coach Stan Van Gundy, who is never shy telling reporters after losses how poorly his team has played. The Pistons are 30-36 and in the ninth spot in the standings, one out from the last playoff spot.
Detroit News sports columnist Bob Wojnowski writes:
Tom Gores has a big decision to make. Apparently, so might Stan Van Gundy.
That was the logical conclusion from the owner’s rare public comments at Little Caesars Arena Friday night. If you sift through the ambiguity, Gores is considering a change after the season, as the Pistons meander to the finish.
With a polite — and purposeful — non-committal on Van Gundy’s future, Gores might have begun the process of parting ways. With the Pistons likely to miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, it’s not a surprise.
Would Gores outright fire Van Gundy? I’m not sure it’ll come to that. When the two meet, my guess is, it’ll be amicable, and might end up being mutual. Gores could remove one of Van Gundy’s dual roles — president of basketball operations — and perhaps give him the last season of his contract solely to coach. At 58, Van Gundy might prefer to walk away than accept a new arrangement.
