Several Detroit Pistons players skipped the team’s shootaround on Friday to protest the job coach John Kuester has done this season.
Rip Hamilton Declined Trade Attempt, Berated John Kuester, According To Report
Wojnarowski added that several of the team’s younger players complained about Hamilton’s actions, and confrontation with Kuester, but were afraid to stand up to the veteran. Hamilton has gotten into it with Kuester at least twice this season, and reportedly tried to organize a boycott of Friday’s shootaround in protest of the coach.
Stay tuned to our StoryStream for the latest as the Pistons deal with the turmoil surrounding Kuester and the feud between the head coach and Hamilton.
Read Article >John Kuester Could Be Fired After Pistons Players’ Protest, According To Report
John Kuester, the head coach of a Detroit Pistons team in shambles, could be fired as early as next week, reports ESPN.com’s Marc Stein. Kuester benched five players for Friday’s loss in Philadelphia, including Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton, who participated in a protest Friday morning by skipping shoot-around. Kuester was ejected from the game against the 76ers, drawing laughter -- apparently in response to the ejection -- from T-Mac.
Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace were the other two Pistons reportedly involved in the protest. Wallace, Prince and Hamilton won a championship in Detroit in 2004 under Larry Brown. The veterans are reportedly upset with Kuester’s treatment of Hamilton, who has been chained to the bench in all but rare occasions since the New Year.
Read Article >John Kuester Benches Pistons Players That Skipped Practice, Gets Ejected In 110-94 Loss
Kuester himself wasn’t long for the game either, earning two technicals in the second quarter as he was ejected for arguing a call. Tracy McGrady was seen laughing at the ejection as he sat on the bench in warmups. Friday’s drama comes as Piston players voiced criticism about Kuester, both actively and passively protesting the head coach.
For more on the Pistons, check out SB Nation’s Detroit Bad Boys.
Read Article >Detroit Pistons Players Protest Practice By Skipping Shootaround, According To Report
It’s unclear whether the protest was staged in response to a specific moment or simply an ongoing frustration with the job Kuester has done this season. The Pistons are 21-38 this season after going 27-55 last season in Kuester’s first on the job.
A Pistons team spokesperson said all the players had various ailments that prevented them from attending.
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