Detroit Pistons Hire Maurice Cheeks as Head Coach - East Idaho News
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Detroit Pistons Hire Maurice Cheeks as Head Coach

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Getty S 061113 Maurice%20Cheeks?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1370924935800Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(NEW YORK) —  Maurice Cheeks will receive another chance to coach an NBA team.

The Detroit Pistons hired Cheeks to be the team’s next head coach on Monday, replacing Lawrence Frank.

The 56-year-old Cheeks spent the previous four seasons as an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“After spending some time with Maurice, I was very impressed not only with his basketball knowledge but his communication and leadership skills,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. “We are very excited to have someone of his experience and talent help take this franchise into the future.”

Cheeks previously coached the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trailblazers for a total of six seasons, posting a record of 284-286 with three first-round playoff exits.

The Pistons could use a boost from Cheeks, coming off a 29-53 season in which they finished 11th in the Eastern Conference standings.

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