NBA: Detroit Pistons name Maurice Cheeks as coach

Maurice Cheeks, pictured here in 2008, during his time as Coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. (Getty Images)

Maurice Cheeks, a former point guard who helped the Philadelphia 76ers win an NBA title in 1983, was named coach of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons on Monday.

Cheeks, who spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has previously served as a coach in Philadelphia and Portland.

The 56-year-old Cheeks, who signed a multi-year deal with the Pistons, compiled a 284-286 record from 2001-2005 with Portland and 2005-2009 with Philadelphia, but only made the playoffs three times in eight seasons and never made it past the first round.

“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.

“We are very excited to have someone of his experience and talent help take this franchise into the future.”

The Pistons, who fired coach Lawrence Frank in April after going 29-53 this past season, have missed the playoffs for four seasons in a row and won no more than 30 of 82 games in any of those campaigns.

Cheeks was named to the NBA All-Defensive team five times in a 15-year career as a player and served as an assistant coach in the 76ers’ run to the 2001 NBA Finals.

“The leadership and player development qualities he brings as a former player and coach blends nicely with the roster we are building for the future,” Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said.