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August 11, 2005

Flip Saunders Chat Transcript

Phil "Flip" Saunders was announced as the Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons on July 21, 2005. He arrived in Detroit after a 10-year tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Saunders, 50, brings a basketball resume that includes 16-plus years of coaching at the professional level. With 411 NBA coaching victories, Saunders ranks 33rd among all-time NBA head coaches and ninth among active NBA head coaches. He spent the last 10 years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, guiding the club to eight consecutive playoff appearances and a franchise-best 58-24 record in 2003-04 - the top record in the Western Conference.

Detroit's new head coach chatted online with Pistons fans on Thursday, August 11.


Flip Saunders: Thanks for coming online for the chat today. It's great to be in Detroit. Looking forward to having a lot of fun.

Jerry (Kokomo): What Detroit team will we see next year? Will they be more offensively minded? And if so, how do you plan to keep up the defensive intensity that Detroit has become known for?

Flip Saunders: Well, defensively, the team always takes the personality of their players. The players we have here in Detroit are very defensive oriented. The strength of this team from a defensive aspect - how hard they play and how aggressively they play won't change. What will change is the changing defenses we'll use, being able to change the tempo of the game will full-court pressure, half-court traps and defenses. Offensively, like our defense, we will always stay aggressive. I always want my teams to attack, and so we will look to push the ball more and score more out of our fast break.

Beth (Denver): Coach, Can you compare Chauncey in Minnesota to Chauncey in Detroit? How has he grown as a player and a leader?

Flip Saunders: Chauncey has grown every year that he has been in the league. Before we had him in Minnesota, he'd been with five different teams in three years. His last year in Minnesota, he played extremely well. He averaged over 23 points per game in the series against Dallas. He has continued to improve as a player both offensively and defensively. His biggest improvement has come with his maturity level and leadership qualities. We were extremely disappointed when we were not able to keep him in Minnesota.

Anwar (Detroit): Do you plan on using some of your inside out techniques with Rasheed that you used with KG?

Flip Saunders: We are going to continue to use many of the same offensive sets that I used in Minnesota. Offensively, my teams have always been a team that relied on player movement, ball movement and unselfish play. We use both inside out in post up situations and many pick-and-roll opportunities.

Ed (Dearborn Heights): What changes do you see in how the offense is run? Do you see a change in roles for any players?

Flip Saunders: We really won't know how player's roles will change until we actually get into training camp and start working with players, see how they react to different situations that they are put into.

Jacques (Rochester Hills): What do you think about our rookies?

Flip Saunders: All the rookies and first-year players have shown a lot of potential. Now it comes down to them being able to take what they learn in practice and carry it over into game situations. As many young players confidence determines their success many times. One thing they all have in common is that they're extremely skilled in one area.

Tom (Shelby Twp.): With Miami strengthening their team, the Spurs defending their title, and the team adjusting to you (and vice versa); how do you see our chances of winning the title back this year?

Flip Saunders: The most intriguing thing about this opportunity in Detroit was the success that this team is capable of not only this year, but over the next four or five years; and we have one goal and that's to win a championship.

Matt (Tampa): What's the biggest asset in having Joe Dumars as the Director of Basketball Operations?

Flip Saunders: Joe has a great pulse on the league, and more importantly on his own team. He believes that chemistry is extremely important when putting a team together. The personality of this team is extremely strong. Players that come into this situation have to share the same personalities or their chance of success will be minimal.

Greg: Detroit : Hey Coach Saunders welcome to the Detroit Pistons, I wish you a lot luck heading into season. What does Jason Maxiell bring to this ball club and what do think about his game? Oh by the way where can I get those cool suits you wear.

Flip Saunders: Jason fits the personality of the Pistons. He is an extremely aggressive player both offensively and defensively, and competes at a high level. As for the suits, I'll let you know later.

Bob (Novi): With Detroit having no true superstar, will you try to evolve a player into one or continue the teamwork mentality?

Flip Saunders: In Minnesota, even though we had a great player in Garnett, the team was built on team play. I look for this team to continue that. This team will move the basketball, become a high-assist, low-turnover team playing a very aggressive style.

Phil (Detroit): What have you been doing since you were hired? Talking to players, looking at free agency and trades, getting to know the area?

Flip Saunders: You hit every nail on the head. But most importantly, was getting in contact with current players, talking to them about the upcoming season and getting acclimated to the Detroit area. The people have been extremely friendly, and the adjustment at this point has been very easy. In many NBA cities, the fans like their teams. There is no question here in Detroit that the fans love their team.

Bobby (Novi): Will you expect Chauncey to continue to be a "true" point guard, or will he be given the opportunity to shoot?

Flip Saunders: Chauncey is never going to turn down too many shots. I want my players to play team basketball, but maintain individual aggressiveness.

Harvey: Will you double-team Shaq?

Flip Saunders: You must be a Miami fan.

Kevin: Detroit : Coach how are you sir. What's the single biggest thing that you look for in a player? Is it talent, work ethic, love for the game, intelligence?

Flip Saunders: I've always said in this league that there are many teams that have the talent to win games. But a few teams have the character to win championships. At this level, everybody has talent. It's all of the intangibles that separate the great ones from the others.

Jim (Dearborn, MI): Will Darko be part of the rotation?

Flip Saunders: In developing young players, I've always had the philosophy that you give players enough responsibility that they keep on improving. When they stop improving, you take some of that responsibility away. Darko's number one thing he has to do is to consistently play hard, and gain his confidence. Preseason and exhibition games are going to be very important for him to gain confidence and also gain trust from his teammates. Everybody has to remember he is still only 20 years old, and young, big men and foreign players have a tendency to develop a little bit later.

Flip Saunders: Training camp is about seven weeks away, and I am looking forward to, as the team is, getting back to work.