Bon Voyage Mr. Curry

"Allen, I just want you to know that no matter what happens...I will always love you. One day we can just get away from it all, away from Joe, away from Rip....and we can just be...one day."

The Pistons have fired Michael Curry after only one season. Apparently going 39-43, losing the respect of your players, and getting embarassed in the playoffs by a team you hate does not earn you job security in the eyes of the ruthless Joe Dumars. Obviously I completely agree that the Pistons don't have time to develop a young coach and young players at the same time, but I still am surprised. It was only two months ago (after the Cleveland sweep) that Joe said Curry's job was safe, presumably he was willing at the time to let Curry have one more year of experience. What changed since then? My guess is that Joe already has a coach lined up, something like when he fired Rick Carlile after he coached two 50 win seasons in the D only because he had Larry Brown lined up. As for who that coach is? I'm not really sure...I'm nervous that it's Bill Lambier and that's the reason Bill left the shock earlier this month. I'm frightened of it being Marc Jackons of Jeff Vangundy. And I'm hopeful that its Doug Collins. In any case I hope the replacement is already ready to go and that the announcement comes quickly (much like Chuck C, BAM!). Tomorrow marks the beginning of free agency and the stones are supposed to set the tone (having the most cap and all), one figures it to be kinda hard to lure a free agent without a coach. Nice timing.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."