Angry Prince Defends Dumars
You often hear the Joe Dumars bashing on our station. Many people are upset that the Pistons are lottery bound rather than playoff bound. And much of their anger is turned toward the Pistons team president.
Is he the man to lead the Pistons again? Many do not believe he is fit to sit in that chair.
That subject came up Monday night following the Pistons 111-97 home loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Pistons (26-55) finish the season Wednesday night in Minnesota. Instead of priming for the playoffs, the Pistons will return home after the game to clean out their lockers.
Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince didn't take kindly to my questioning about Dumars. He wasn't mean, but you could tell Prince was agitated to see that Dumars is now in the bum of the month club in the eyes of the fans and media. I was simply doing my job, asking questions I know you want answers to.
"The thing is when things happen the way they did for the Pistons is everybody is going to get criticized," Prince said. "At one point y'all said me. They need to get me out of here before the All-Star break. Rip (Hamilton) needs to get out of here. Coach (John Kuester) can't control the team and now it is Joe D. From a media stand point y'all were pointing fingers on each and every one around here so I have always had a belief in him. He gave me the opportunity to put on this uniform. Whatever happens he will make the necessary adjustments and we will see."
Prince remains loyal to Dumars. And for the record he should. Dumars deserves the chance to fix this. He has done a very good job of running the Pistons. The problem is he also has major blemishes on his resume. The Darko Milicic draft in 2003 will always haunt him considering a bunch of future Hall of Fame players were selected after Milicic, who has turned into one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
The Pistons were officially placed on life support when point guard Chauncey Billups was traded last season.
This has been a frustrating season for Prince. He prides himself on taking care of his body but it broke down for long stretches (back) and he suffered more losses than during any season in his career. Prince is a quiet man who probably lets things build up.
He unleashed after the game. After his statement, he turned away from the media and gathered his things and left.
I am willing to bet that most in the media believe Dumars should keep his job. Injuries devastated this team, but many don't want to hear that. When healthy, the Pistons are a borderline playoff team. But where would that get them? They needed this season to get a good, young player who can help.
I actually believe fans are rougher on Dumars than the media. They are the ones who pay the money and they are upset. What they don't understand is you must get bad to become good again. The Pistons need a good bounce from a lottery ball more than they need to get bounced from the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dumars turned a laughing-stock franchise into a champion. He deserves that opportunity again.
We know how Prince feels. Joe D is his guy. You could tell by the way he sounded during the post-game press conference. There was anger in his voice, which was good. At least he cares.
