Former All-Star point guard Maurice Cheeks is getting his third shot as an NBA head coach. Cheeks, an assistant in Oklahoma City for the past four seasons, on Monday formally agreed to take over as coach of the Detroit Pistons, replacing Lawrence Frank, the team announced Monday. "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." ESPN.com reported on June 2 that a third interview in Detroit, after two previous meetings with Gores, appeared to nudge him ahead of co-finalist Nate McMillan. Cheeks has posted a career mark of 284-286 in stints coaching the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, with three first-round playoff exits in his six full seasons as a head coach. Source: ESPN
