Human Victory Cigar

The Coaches

 

From a series of fan previews and matchup analysis from the members at Pistonsforum.com

Max

Flip has the experience and had his more talented team playing the best he has ever had them playing. Has the Pistons playing like a finely tuned machine. Plus Flip has been able to develop crucial bench pieces that he did not have last season. What the Pistons have been able to accomplish on the road and in crunch time speaks miles.

Skiles has been able to accomplish great things this season. But he is inexperienced in the post-season and his team has trouble winning on the road. His team is subject to lapses that he seems unable to control. Overall great coaching job but no enough to matchup with Flip. Draft pick Tyrus Thomas continues to rot on the bench.

I would definitely take Skiles in a fist fight but not coaching from the sidelines in the playoffs.

Advantage: Detroit

 

TaShawn

In my gut, I feel like Skiles is a better motivator and Saunders is better at the technical aspects.

If the teams take on the personality of their coaches, then I’m afraid we’ll get swept. However, I think Detroit’s players are such a unit that the coach is just a guy in a suit in a lot of ways.

Flip’s strength and weakness is that he has been here before multiple times.

Until Skiles proves something, I can’t give him the advantage.

Advantage: Push

 

Jammertime

Both coaches have their teams playing their best ball at the most important time of the year. Both teams are coming off of sweeps but Chicago’s is MUCH more impressive and important from a confidence stand point than ours.

Neither coach is known for their playoff success, but this series means a lot more to Flip than it does to Skiles from a job security standpoint.

I’ll call this one a deadlock.

Advantage: Push

 

Dlev59

Flip Saunders is doing a good job so far this post season. One almost wonders is this the same Flip form last year, or even earlier this year. He is trusting his bench, making adjustments, and should I say, getting his players to respond to him? Saunders wants this series, not only to continue in the playoffs, but to thumb his nose at his Buddy Ben Wallace.

We all know about Flip’s massive offensive playbook, but what a wonderful time to unleash some D against Ben and the Bulls. The Pistons zone defense has been successful at times, not to mention the Pistons were one of the top shot blocking teams in the league this year.

Scott Skiles will have a conniption if his team is being out hustled. You must admit, he is a warrior and knows how to get the most out of the talent he has. He preaches defense, and expects a full effort from everyone.

This will be Skiles shining moment as a coach. Will he be able to make the proper adjustments against a playoff, battle tested Detroit Piston team to advance to the ECF?

Advantage: Detroit

 

Linwood

This promises to be an incredible matchup. Flip Saunders twitching neck vs. Scott Skiles throbbing forehead vain. Flip twitches and struts, hikes his pants, adjusts his tie, and pulls on his collar while Scott yells and screams, turns red, and runs up and down the sidelines while flapping his arms up and down.

Play better D vs. Make More Shots. In the playoffs, defense wins.

Advantage: Chicago

 

Cloudwalker

I believe that both coaches will come up with effective strategies to disrupt the others gameplan. I don’t really believe it comes down to coaching and change making as much as it comes down to players imposing their will upon each other once you get to a series like this one.

Both coaches have implemented winning strategies. This has been proven. It’s up to the players to go out on the floor and execute.

Advantage: Push

 

Dumars4Ever

This one’s about even. Flip Sr. seems to have the starters playing well together at the right time, and Skiles has obviously inspired his team to play with confidence, in addition to ruthlessly exploiting the numerous match-up problems that they gave Miami. Neither of these guys has ever been to the finals, so I think it’s a push between two solid, if not great, coaches who are doing a good job getting their teams to gel at the key time of the season.

Advantage: Push

 

BillLaimbeer

In Game #1, Saunders will be coaching his 70th playoff game while Skiles will be coaching his 30th game. Saunders has made strides this year in several areas. Skiles has his guys playing with a passion and grit that resembled his own playing days. Having former NBA head coaches on the sideline in Dave Cowens and Terry Porter gives a slight advantage to the Pistons.

Advantage: Detroit

 

Himat

Has Flip learned from his mistakes? We will see. I give the advantage to Flip because he has 2 other great assistants behind him. Skiles just runs simple pick and rolls. Hopefully the Pistons find a way to stop those plays and show who is boss.

Advantage: Detroit

 

Dba

Short versus tall. The pout versus the twitch. As long as Flip stays out of that ugly tan pinstripe suit he ought to do all right. Seriously though, that is an ugly suit.

Push on the heads, but the Pistons have a better staff so get a small edge.

Advantage: Detroit

 

The Low

This is a good match up and can only be decided by which coach displays the better ability to manage in-game situations. With all the energy and history behind these two teams, past and present, there will be several swings during the course of the game. The coach that does a better job of managing those swings will come out on top.

Skiles does a good job of managing his talent and keeping them focused. Early in the year this team would get off its game plan and stop running their sets. As the year progressed and the playoffs began, this team has been doing a much better job of staying on task. Skiles doesn’t have a ton of playoff experience, however, he does have a steady mind and determination.

Saunders does a good job of managing his players’ confidence and allowing them to do what they need to do. The problem lies in that earlier this season, this team would do just enough to get by, which can be deadly in the playoffs. As the playoffs began, this team has done a better job of maintaining its intensity level and bench players have picked up the slack instead of contributing to any struggles the starters experienced in spurts. Saunders, although experienced, has shown a tendency to respond to struggles after a game instead of during, but has the personnel to get the job done if manipulated effectively.

The coach that recognizes and responds to the flow of the game quicker, will have a good series to put on their resume.

Advantage: Push

 

Mercury

Skiles is the intense disciplinarian/motivator. Flip is more into offensive execution and gimmick zone defenses.
The zones often don’t provide good boxout responsibilities which gives up extra O-boards.
Look for the Flip to take the slow methodical route… running only when they can create turnovers. They will try to isolate individual player’s that provide post up opportunities (Sheed, Rip, Chauncey, Dice)… they will rely heavily on multiple screens and player movement off the ball. They will pass late into the shot clock until they find the open look. They will also try to pull the Bulls shot blockers out of the paint with Sheed & Cwebb’s perimeter game… this will help to open the driving lanes.

Skiles will look to create the up-tempo game and work their speed advantage… they will try to get into an open court transition game. They also are willing to work the extra pass (unless Gordon is in one of his zones). Look for them to go into a half court motion game knowing the Pistons are not fleet of foot… They rely heavily on the pick & roll or pick and pop play with multiple options. The Pistons will counter with various zones.
Skiles teams like to crash the glass on missed shots.
Skiles typically uses 9 or 10 players… this allows him to keep a high paced game for 48 minutes….while Flip will rely on 8-9 players and fewer minutes from the reserves. The extra playoff TV timeouts favors the Pistons.
Skiles has improved as a tactician and Flip has improved on defensive strategies.

Advantage: Push