The Pistons intend to interview TNT analyst Kenny Smith for their head coaching job, report Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). According to Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link), the Pistons spoke to Smith prior to the combine about the role, so today’s report “could be a signal of intensifying conversation.”
Smith, who was a player in the NBA from 1987 to 1997 and has now been with Turner Sports for two decades, doesn’t have any NBA coaching experience. However, this is the second time this spring that a team has expressed interest in interviewing him. Smith also met with the Knicks about their head coaching vacancy before they hired David Fizdale.
In addition to seeking out a new head coach, the Pistons are also in the market for a new head of basketball operations, and there’s a belief that the team will attempt to fill the latter role before deciding on a coach.
Still, veteran executive Ed Stefanski is serving as a special advisor in both searches, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported today (via Twitter) that former NBA head coaches Bernie Bickerstaff and Jim Lynam will consult with Stefanski in the coaching search, and sit in on interviews with candidates. As such, there are already plenty of voices involved in the search for a new head coach, even without a GM in place.
Dwane Casey has also been cited as a possible candidate for the Pistons, and Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald tweeted today that it wouldn’t be a surprise if Detroit brings in Heat assistant Juwan Howard for an interview.
PLEASE HIRE HIM. I can’t even watch Shaqtin’ a Fool anymore due to him and 93% of what he says.
Get rid of the entire tnt panel and just have Shaq with daily/weekly guests. Even for playoff games this would be better than the 3 nobodies Shaq has to sit next to.