It was refreshing, as it always is, to sit and chat with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. It was a chance to talk to him about all things basketball. The conversation centered on many different parts of the NBA and the growing trend of players congregating on specific teams. In Cuban's eyes, players don't make very good general managers and he doesn't have a problem with the current movement.
When Toronto was introduced into the conversation, Cuban discussed the magic elixir that cures all and that's winning. He made comparisons to the team he inherited in Dallas. His team had a reputation of being perennial losers but managed to stay the course of rebuilding and have now become a "destination" team in NBA circles. Cuban is a big fan of the city of Toront oand was high on a number of elements of the Raptors rebuilding effort including President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo and the young talent on the roster.
You can listen to the entire interview here
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If you haven't been following what's going on in Detroit, it's a pure unadulterated mess. It started in December when head coach John Kuester put former all-star Richard Hamilton so deep on the depth chart that he needed a breathing apparatus. Hamilton, although healthy was dropped from the rotation.
In general, there seemed to be a sense of mutiny brewing as players always rally to the aid of a fallen colleague. When I asked a few Pistons players about it, all I received in response was a shake of the head as many declined to comment on the situation. That December evening against the Raptors only served to exacerbate the situation as the Pistons allowed Toronto to mount the largest comeback in franchise history and steal a win from them.
It was at that point where I figured Kuester was done. After all, with the resignation of Jerry Sloan as Deron Williams showed in recent days, it's a player's league.
Then last Friday, a number of Pistons "missed" the morning shoot and although a team spokesman gave a plausible explanation for the player absences, many outsiders were not buying it. Kuester responded by benching players and after the game said it was an internal matter.
What's the old adage, if you have to show your in control, you may not be?
But maybe Kuester still has control of the ship because it looks like he is trying to mend his relationship with Hamilton and General Manager Joe Dumars has come out and made a public statement
supporting his coach.
In truth, Dumars' vote of confidence, if it is indeed sincere, should have come long ago. The true test will come at the end of the season and we'll see if Kuester has the ultimate support and keeps his job.
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Mike Bibby is the latest vet who sees an opportunity to sign with the Heat as a chance to fulfil the dream of potentially obtaining a championship ring. Bibby reached a buyoutagreement with the Washington Wizards and could be headed to Miami to fill the void at point guard.
