Since the benching of Richard Hamilton, the Pistons are more competitive. Coach Kuester can at least rest easy on that front. With so many shooting guards, it was impossible to balance all the egos. Besides, basketball is a game where depth doesn't always serve as an advantage. Often, players need time to find their rhythm. Not every player can come off the bench and drill jumpers like this man. So it makes sense that opening up minutes for a smaller core of players will improve the output.
But two problems remain. The first is that the team still sorta sucks. They're competitive on most nights, but, if the team isn't shooting 50%, they're in trouble. They don't have the defensive prowess to overcome poor shooting. Having watched this Piston incarnation for close to two years, I'm not sure it's an effort issue. The players do seem to try (Kuester can feel good about that one), but the team was so poorly constructed that they can't physically match up with a solid frontcourt. The losses are piling up.
The second problem is the method in which Kuester handled the Hamilton situation. His decision to bench him makes sense. Yet, as a leader, Kuester should've taken Hamilton aside and told him face-to-face of his decision. Hamilton is a proud player, but deep down he must know that he's tanked quite a few games this year. Three ejections? That's irrefutable proof of an unfocused mind. His actions often sabotaged his play. It makes sense. The dude is unhappy and lashing out. Every other player found time on the bench this season. This was Rip's turn. Yet, Kuester did not discuss anything with Hamilton. He simply benched him.
When Kuester did eventually reach out, Kuester sent his head of security to fetch him. Hamilton was offended and turned down the invitation. Already smarting from the blow to the ego from the benching, how did Kuester expect Hamilton to respond? Sending someone else to do the dirty work was like rubbing salt in the wound. It was an unprofessional move by Kuester. And Hamilton has responded in kind -- by basically calling in sick for the past week.
With Stuckey injured, the Pistons are short one shooting guard. Against the Heat and Knicks, the Pistons could've used Rip off the bench. Instead, they opted for Dajuan Summers. In a perfect world, Rip would come off the bench, partner with Will Bynum, and drain mid-range jumpers. That, of course, would require both Kuester and Rip to swallow their pride. At this point, their fracture appears irreparable. And, for me, this is the last straw with Kuester. His in-game management is sketchy-at-best (though his final play against the Heat was great, despite not actually working). As a coach, Kuester lacks charisma. And his management of personnel (specifically with Rip) resulted in the most public display of dysfunction for an organization with a long history of dysfunction.
It's time for Kuester to go.
An easy solution would be for Dumars to name Brian Hill interim coach. Hill may not have any more success with this bunch than Kuester, but he at least drove a team to the playoffs on a number of occasions. This team needs a change, desperately. With no Hamilton trade on the horizon, the team needs some semblance of resolution. And they can actually use him with Stuckey out. Dump Kuester. Promote Hill. Coddle Rip. And see what happens.
This plan of attack basically makes Kuester the scapegoat, but that's the way of life in the NBA. The players always win.
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