Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton and Chris Wilcox missed the team’s shoot around Friday morning before their game against the Sixers in Philadelphia.
Team sources told multiple media outlets that the players were staging a protest against second-year coach John Kuester, who has clashed with several players, most recently Rip Hamilton.
Rip has been the benefactor of several DNPCD’s (Did not play, coaches decision) this season and was rumored to be on the trading block. Obviously the trade deadline has passed but, Rip and the $20 million he’s owed for the next two seasons is still on the roster.
Kuester benched Hamilton on Jan. 12, and didn’t play him again until the Feb. 5 game at Milwaukee. Hamilton has missed every game since then. The team has said he has a groin injury.
A few games back from the 8th seed in the East and an owner that is working hard on trying to sell the team, these aren’t the type of problems the Pistons need. The question is, whose departing this off season? Clearly someone has to go. A lot easier to cut ties with a coach than the entire team.
