@inallairness @GoldenTigerProd Part 4: Thorpe, most infamously, was traded to the Grizzlies that offseason in exchange for a conditional future 1st round draft choice. The Pistons used that future pick to select Darko Milicic in the 2003 NBA Draft.
@inallairness @GoldenTigerProd Part 3: The Pistons went from top three seed to losing home court. Atlanta eliminated them in the first round, a bitter end to what was otherwise the best Pistons season of the Grant Hill era. Thorpe nor Collins recovered. Collins was fired midway through the following season.
@inallairness @GoldenTigerProd Part 2: The rift carried on the rest of the season despite an attempt to smooth things over. There were reports that at one point, Thorpe and Collins would not talk directly during games, but only through an intermediary. The Pistons were 33-11 before the spat, 21-17 after.
@inallairness @GoldenTigerProd The gist: Midway through the 1996-97 season Thorpe was alleged to have become upset by Collins calling out his defensive effort in front of everyone during Thorpe’s 1000th game (a milestone for Otis). Collins initially refused to discuss the issue with Thorpe.
New podcast episode. @RyanVanDusen22 joins me to discuss an amazing Joe Dumars performance (1989).
Can the Pistons claim a Central Division title, win their 60th game + secure home-court edge in the playoffs?
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