Tom Gores Thursday during his first press conference as owner of the Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment “gave a clear vision of what he expects” of the team, according to Vince Ellis of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Gores said, “I’m willing to be whatever the franchise and the organization needs.” He “praised” the Palace of Auburn Hills, but “did not close the door to moving the team downtown one day.” Gores also said that Joe Dumars “would remain as president of basketball operations and the fate of coach John Kuester would be decided soon after he meets with the Pistons’ staff” Friday. Ellis noted at the beginning of the press conference a “video montage introduced Gores with folks extolling his virtues.” Additionally, “rock music played" and the stage featured the Pistons’ championship banners (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/3). Gores said that “reasonably quick decisions are required to turn around basketball in Detroit -- and to reclaim the legacy” of late Pistons Owner Bill Davidson. He added that “despite the six months it took to consummate the deal,” he and former Owner Karen Davidson “scrambled to move the closing date up from June 30 to begin to attend to some of the basketball decisions that must be made, including the draft” (DETROIT NEWS, 6/3). Dumars Thursday said that the “drawn-out sale, which stretched back before the season, had affected the organization’s ability to make changes.” Dumars: “The transition didn't just begin six months ago. This transition was going on for about a year and a half. It makes it tough. There was a definite moratorium on doing anything. It was just, hold tight until the transition takes place” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/3).
ASSESSING GORES: In Detroit, Bob Wojnowski writes, "This franchise doesn't need a caretaker. It needs a difference-maker. Gores has tangible talent, no doubt. The caution is, business sense is not the same as basketball sense, and financial investment is not the same as emotional investment." Bill Davidson "steadfastly declined to hand out maximum contracts, or go over the league's luxury-tax threshold," and "in that sense, Gores might not be a lot different, based only on what he's emphasizing right now." Wojnowski adds, "If you're expecting a Mark Cuban-type maverick, well, that's not exactly how he got to be a multi-billionaire" (DETROIT NEWS, 6/3). Also in Detroit, Drew Sharp writes Gores "could neither say nor do any wrong during his official introduction as the fourth owner in the 54-year history of the Detroit Pistons." Gores said that NBA Commissioner David Stern "scolded him for meeting with his new basketball people before the purchase was finalized." Sharp: "He's excited, an enthusiasm reserved for those sharing their success with their hometown" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/3).
EXAMINING THE ENTIRE PALACE: Gores Thursday said that he "thinks he gained an edge in the race to land Palace Sports & Entertainment by properly appraising the company's entertainment assets." Gores: "This is a whole organization. I think I was probably fortunate enough to be in this position because (other potential buyers) didn't put the value in it. I ended up realizing there's a lot of value there." Gores "dismissed speculation that he would sell off PS&E's concert properties." He said that PS&E holdings such as DTE Energy Music Theatre, the nation's "busiest summer amphitheater," were "more crucial to his decision than many have realized." (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/3).
