Dallas' last chance to tune-up before the start of the season came last Thursday against Detroit. With a mostly established rotation and a head coach happy to have had some off-season time with his team, Dallas used the preseason to work new players into the system. The Pistons, last year's runner-ups and the 2004 champions, had more on their minds. There may only be one major change to their roster, but it's a big one. After a rocky breakup with coach Larry Brown, Detroit brass hired Flip Saunders as the new head coach.
Saunders' coaching philosophy (zone D, an offensive focus) differs significantly enough from Brown's to ensure that even though the lineup looks the same, the team will play far from identically to last year's squad. For some guidance in comparing the old and the new Pistons, I talked to Pistons' assistant coach Igor Kokoskov. Fully prepared for the new NBA dress code, Kokoskov spent the game sitting behind the Pistons bench in a navy blue suit and a tie, notebook close by his side. A native of Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro, Kokoskov was the first full-time non-American coach in the NBA. My first question was regarding the person sitting in front of him during games--Flip Saunders.
"We were in a situation where a coaching change was the only choice, reasons being both Brown's medical condition and some other issues. Although it is certainly still too early to say for sure, the arrival of Flip Saunders has been great. Players and the organization as a whole accepted him, his work ethic and his approach to playing basketball. Our playing, both on offense and defense, has been more organized and better defined."
As is customary following Pistons games, Kokoskov gave a brief interview to a Detroit radio station while the head coach talked to the media in front of the locker room. The interview took longer then expected so we had to resume our talk while walking towards the team bus. He commented on some of the players we came across.
"Our starting five over the last couple of years has been the same. There is no reason they should not continue to better themselves this year as well. Everything is going well this year and the only little thing we are missing is to finally start winning. Players need to start building their self-confidence."
Last Spring, while his Pistons were being pushed to seven games by Shaq and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, Larry Brown was flirting heavily with Cleveland and New York. Although Detroit ultimately beat Miami and went on to meet San Antonio in the Finals, the Pistons' inconsistent play raised questions as to whether players were frustrated with their coach. How do the players feel about Brown now?
"They really are not angry. Just two seasons ago the players won a championship and have been in two Finals in two years and while it is true that events with Coach Brown could have unfolded differently, they are not angry or bitter and have moved on. Everything is okay; it was a learning experience for them, but neither the players nor the organization as a whole have a problem with Brown. Life goes on."
After sitting at the end of the Piston's bench for two years, Darko Milicic should finally get a chance to show why he was the second pick in the strongest draft in years. Milicic had a good showing at the European Championships this summer and got a lot of minutes in the preseason, producing eight points and five rebounds per game. Thursday night in Dallas, he played two full quarters, and was active on both ends of the floor. His explosive blocks and smooth jumpers put to rest any doubts that he is ready for the season.
"There is no doubt that things will be different for Darko this year. He is in the rotation now. He knows he will be coming of the bench and he knows his role. He is a young player and should bring about change to this team. He will bring us energy. He is probably the best player we have on defense: he gives us rebounds, he gives us blocks. And finally he can relax mentally as he is now on excellent terms with the coaching staff. Since he will actually start getting playing time, I don't see why Darko would not have a breakout season."
Although Kokoskov and Milicic both came from the same country, Kokoskov was not given any special assignments regarding the seven-footer. More international NBA are from Serbia & Montenegro than any other country, so it is mainly a matter of statistics that Kokoskov would have a compatriot on the Pistons.
"Milicic is here because he has great potential and is a great basketball talent. I, too, got here for my own qualities, so I am really not at all expected to take care of Darko. Yes, we do talk the same language but Darko speaks excellent English. Of course, it is a pleasure working with Darko as well as any other player. Although there is a new coach, not much has changed for me. I do what I have always done: run some practices, prepare game plans, and work with players one-on-one."
