Stan Van Gundy's stint as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons has had its highs and lows, but the boiler could be hotter than ever before after the Pistons were eliminated from the playoffs for the third time in four seasons after a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Barring a quick exit in a 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, the Pistons have been stranger to the postseason during his time as head coach and president of basketball operations — with one or both of those hats potentially being removed over the summer.
Van Gundy is slated to meet with owner Tom Gores this summer to discuss the direction of the team, as well as his future — with rumors of vice chairman Arn Tellem potentially taking over control of the front office, as well as Chauncey Billups being back with the franchise as an executive.
Yet the Pistons wonder what it could have been without the inconsistencies, the trades, and the injuries — “ifs” that likely would make a little argument for Van Gundy's performance, per Ansar Khan of MLive:
“It's tough,” said shooting guard Reggie Bullock, one of the few bright spots of this season. “It was a goal of ours in September to make the playoffs. But things happen. Players left. Players got hurt. There were opportunities for other players to step up and guys that had opportunity stepped up.
“With these few games left we just got to go out and compete, play for each other, play for the team, play for the organization and just try to get better. Just have to finish the season out and build for next year.”
It won't be long until Gores starts assessing if a change needs to be made in the front office or on the sidelines, and Van Gundy will be standing front and center of either question.
Follow Us
Subscribe