Whether his coach is Larry Brown or Flip Saunders, Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups said he believes he is in a good situation.
The Pistons officially announced Thursday that Saunders, the former Minnesota coach, would replace Brown. While Billups said he learned a lot from Brown, the Denver native also had a positive experience playing for Saunders at Minnesota from 2000-02.
Billups called Saunders on Wednesday night to congratulate him and talk about the team.
“We had a good conversation,” Billups said from Detroit. “I know his system. He’s a good coach, like Larry Brown. It’s tough losing Coach Brown. We had a great run. But we get Flip, (and) you don’t take a step back.”
Brown and the Pistons reached a settlement Tuesday that paid the coach $7 million for the final three years of his contract, according to The Associated Press. He guided the Pistons to the NBA championship in 2004 and came within one victory of repeating this season.
“I learned so much from him,” Billups said. “I’m sad the player-coach relationship is over. Everything has to come to an end at some point. But when I see him, everything will be cool.
“For whatever reason, it was time for him to go.”
Brown made headlines during the playoffs by showing interest in taking an executive role with Cleveland, and later showed interest in the head coaching job for the New York Knicks, where it is rumored he will end up.
When asked if the rumors were a distraction at the NBA Finals, Billups said: “I don’t think it was. We have guys that didn’t get rattled. But it wasn’t right. The focus should have been on the Pistons vs. the Spurs. It wasn’t fair. But it didn’t affect our team.”
Under Saunders, Billups had a breakthrough season during the 2001-02 season, averaging career highs of 12.5 points and 5.5 assists. He showed signs of stardom by averaging 22 points, 5.7 assists and five rebounds in the 2002 playoffs, after which Detroit rewarded Billups with a six-year, $33.8 million contract.
“He let me (play), do what I had to do,” Billups said about Saunders. “That’s why I’m in Detroit. Flip’s a good coach.”
Jaric’s plans
Bill Duffy, the agent for Los Angeles Clippers combo guard Marko Jaric, said he is hopeful Jaric will visit the Nuggets on Tuesday. His client is visiting Cleveland on Monday. Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe would say only that a potential visit from Jaric wasn’t officially set up as of Thursday afternoon. Duffy said the 6-foot-7, 217-pound guard is also getting interest from Minnesota, Portland and Memphis.
“We think they could use some help (at guard),” Duffy said. “He can handle the ball. It’s a team in the West that he likes the direction of. He also likes coach George Karl.”
Duffy is seeking the midlevel exception, expected to be about $5 million, for his restricted free-agent client. Duffy also said the restricted status might cause him to seek a sign- and-trade deal for Jaric.
“He’s versatile, plus he plays multiple positions,” Duffy said. “Our problem is he’s restricted.”
Buckner gets offer
Vandeweghe confirmed he has offered Denver free-agent shooting guard Greg Buckner a one-year contract, but didn’t disclose the amount. Buckner’s agent, Steve Kaufmann, has previously said he would like a good portion of the midlevel exception for his client. The Nuggets’ offer isn’t believed to be close to that level.
Detroit also has interest in the 6-4, 210-pound guard, while Miami is keeping tabs on the situation.
“We know the Nuggets would like to have him; we’d love for him to stay, but the unfortunate thing is salary cap-wise things, don’t always work out,” Kaufmann said.
Said Vandeweghe: “There is going to be some competition for Buck.”
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
