Talks broke down between Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and ex-Dallas coach Avery Johnson Tuesday, meaning that Dumars will probably hire an assistant with no previous head coaching experience.
Johnson was in a position of strength, since Dallas is still paying him $4 million in each of the next two seasons. He wanted a fat contract and long-term security, supposedly a four-year deal, and Dumars was unwilling to give it to him.
Johnson struck me as another Michael Curry, albeit with a proven track record. Johnson is headstrong and clashed with his players, particularly during his last year in Dallas.
Next on the list is Cleveland assistant John Kuester, who was on Larry Brown's staff when the PIstons won it all in 2004. Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau is also a possibility but Dumars has a comfort level with Kuester and doesn't know Thibodeau. As for Bill Laimbeer, that was never a true possibility even though Dumars listed him as a candidate. That was more of a way to help Laimbeer build this resume, more than anything, as he seeks out an NBA job.