People wonder why Doug Collins is potentially the Pistons’ next coach. His first stint here didn’t exactly end well.
Here’s why he is being considered:
- He emphasizes defense and his teams have performed very well defensively.
- There has been an immediate improvement in record where he’s been before.
- It’s sometimes forgotten he was the late Will Robinson’s best player at Illinois State, and just how respected Robinson was in the Pistons’ organization.
Here’s why he shouldn’t be:
- Collins has been terrible at developing younger players, often ignoring them. Aren’t the Pistons trying to develop young players?
- His offense is slow-paced and boring. The Pistons won some games when Collins was here before, but they were decidedly dull and fans stayed away in droves.
- He just kind of loses it in sometimes in these bizarre ways that don’t make much sense, and subsequently he wears out his welcome quickly.

Random Thoughts

- Armando Galarraga flirted with disaster last night in Oakland. On the surface, it appeared to be a good outing. Not sure if it was a good sign. His lack of command is alarming. Not much separation in the velocity between his fastball and breaking ball, either. Does he ever throw a straight change? He needs one.

- The more I watch Adam Everett, the more I realize why he is considered a top-flight shortstop defensively. He is very good - especially at starting the double play. He is one of those players you have to see every day to appreciate.

- Yes. I do believe Joe Dumars comments about "never getting the benefit of the doubt" were odd. Granted he’s earned it with a pretty good track record and for the most part being a standup guy, but no front office executive in this town has ever been treated better by fans, or with more kid gloves by the media, than Dumars. You have people, a lot of them, who to this day still defend the Darko pick.

My Column in Wednesday's Oakland Press about how Dumars shortcomings lately: http://tinyurl.com/lkwm69