The Detroit Pistons started the new season with a hot start, surprising many along the way. They have cooled down in recent weeks, however, losing seven of their last ten games. That losing has apparently led to some frustration among the team and head coach Stan Van Gundy brought those frustrations to light.
After losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, Van Gundy publicly called out Andre Drummond’s lack of effort in recent games (via Sportando):
I didn’t think he brought much energy to the Milwaukee game, and I didn’t think he brought much energy tonight. Why that is, I don’t know. But we need a lot more from him than we got tonight.
Van Gundy has never been one to mince words and even this season, he has ripped into his players. While he may risk alienating himself from some players, Van Gundy at least does a good job of distributing his hatsh claims so that no one is receiving more blame than others. Having said that, publicly questioning a star’s effort – especially considering how good Drummond has been this season – is certainly a risky decision. Perhaps it is the fire that needs to be lighted under the Pistons.
