The Detroit Pistons understand that they must make numerous changes in order to improve their situation.
They already have more than enough potential to begin developing something great, so the issues could be with the coaching staff.
With that in mind, they hired a former NBA veteran with extensive experience as an assistant coach.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Pistons have hired Vitaly Potapenko to join J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching staff.
Vitaly Potapenko is joining the Detroit Pistons as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Potapenko — who played for four NBA teams — has spent the past decade on coaching staffs with Memphis and Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/mpJze7cRu2
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 28, 2024
According to the article, the former player, who played for four different clubs in the league, has spent the last decade on the coaching staffs of the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers.
This is excellent news for the Pistons, as both the Grizzlies and the Cavaliers have had success developing young players, which should be of the biggest importance in Michigan right now.
Cade Cunningham has looked the part when he’s been healthy, and he may be as excellent as claimed, but he requires more assistance.
Jaden Ivey may not be a starting-caliber player, or even a star, but Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and Ron Holland might help get things back on track after so many years of failures.
The Pistons were the poorest club in the league last season, at least in terms of record, and the fact that they agreed to pay Monty Williams so much money not to coach the team any longer demonstrates their desperation and determination to turn things around once and for all.
