Goodbye, Daddy Rich

Chuck Daly, former head coach of the Detroit Pistons, died earlier Saturday morning from pancreatic cancer in Jupiter, FL, with his family by his side.

Daly was 78 years of age.

Two months ago, the Pistons' organization announced Daly had pancreatic cancer; so, given the seriousness of pancreatic cancer, I assumed Coach Daly's time was running out. Yet, reading this morning's Detroit's newspapers, the news of his death was still a shock.

I've been a fan of the Detroit Pistons for more than 20 years; and Daly was the head coach of the Pistons during the early part of my fandom.

"Daddy Rich" helped lead the "Bad Boys" to two NBA titles and three straight trips to the NBA Finals.

He was a players' coach without a doubt. Daly described the NBA as a players' league; and, at a one point, Daly said he believed players will eventually tune out their head coach regardless of how much success the players and coach shared together.

Daly was head coach of the legendary "Dream Team" in 1992 which won Olympic gold and helped transform NBA basketball into a global phenomenon.

Daly loved basketball; but, though he hated losing, he never allowed basketball to consume his life.

Daly's impact on basketball and the NBA is so profound, before the 2009 NBA playoffs started, the NBA coaches announced they would dedicate the '09 Playoffs to Daly. The coaches (and television game announcers as well) wear a lapel pin with the initials "CD" as a show of support for Daly.

It's been a tough year plus for the Pistons' organization and Pistons' fans.

Team owner Bill Davidson died earlier this year; and, Will Robinson, longtime scout, passed away last year.

Those three great men are in a better place.

Rest in peace, Gentlemen.