Pistons' Hamilton voices past failures with former coach

If it's not Shaq or Dirk ragging on another teammate or coach others among the NBA's elite have to put in their 2-cents worth (actually could be much more given their $20-30 million contracts). This time personal commentary surfaces from none other than the Pistons' Rip Hamilton. After losing the Eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics this past season the jawing, smooth-shooting b-baller made it known he was unhappy with the way former coach Flip Saunders ran the team in his tenure. His admitted feelings come after Saunders was fired this year for not getting the Pistons to the NBA Finals. Okay, I understand how the veteran shooting guard is used to being a contender and on a winning team as well as his frustration with his ex-coach. However, what good will it do for him to complain about a coach's methods and preparation after he's long gone?

The time to 'rip' the coach or let him know in private that's something isn't clicking and causing too much frustration is during the time it's happening. Sorry, Hamilton finding fault with a team member, whomever it is can't help a situation when they are no longer active. That's like going around and criticizing a teammate for being injuried too long when he's one of the top scorers on the freaking team. Claiming that player is just faking it and loafing around because he doesn't want to practice to just make a statement for sake of reasoning for a team's decline is pointless. Plus making comments like that sure as hell doesn't bring a squad together. Now it's one thing if a player is always cherry picking on defense or is seen lounging around on the bench by the water cooler too often.

Looks like the nickname for Hamilton fits even better now. I'm sure Flip Saunders won't appreciate his former player's direct blame by singling him out. As I remember in the series against the Celtics it wasn't one person responsible for the team's fallout. He must have forgot about Detroit getting outplayed on the defensive end, going cold from the field in stretches which included Hamilton, and as usual Rasheed barking at the refs on almost every call while racking up the fouls. Take that into perspective and he will realize Flip wasn't the sole reason behind their defeat. The next coach who takes over duties for the Pistons better make it clear to Hamilton: things aren't always going to run smooth and be to his satisfaction as it takes a team effort giving their best to succeed. Once Hamilton looses those corn rolls and stops being self-centered maybe he'll realize that again.