Michael Curry Taking Joe Dumars' Heat

A championship can buy anyone in professional sports some job security, and Joe Dumars is living in that safe haven as we speak. Architect of the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, Dumars masterfully crafted his team. He traded icon Grant Hill in a package that garnered a little known defensive specialist big man. His name was Ben Wallace. He then signed point guard Chauncey Billups, who prior to his arrival, was a part of five different franchises. He traded another star, Jerry Stackhouse, to Washington for Rip Hamilton and drafted Tayshaun Prince from Kentucky. Lastly, during a championship run that included a preseason coaching change—Larry Brown was brought in to replace Rick Carlisle—Dumars finished his masterpiece. He brought in power forward Rasheed Wallace in a February deal to create a defensive monster with enough offensive ability to win it all. But, professional sports is a 'What can you do for me now?' kind of business, and Dumars has been swimming upstream lately. ... (link)