Daly Says Pistons Heard Enough : Pro basketball: After nine seasons, he steps down as coach, saying they need another voice.

Chuck Daly knew it was time.

He stepped down as coach of the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday after nine playoff appearances in as many years and two NBA titles.

“It’s kind of an evolution,” Daly, 61, said. “You just know when it’s time. They need to hear another voice. Maybe they needed it two years ago. It’s just time. That’s all I can say.”

Daly’s decision came as no surprise. Many thought he would move on two years ago, after the Pistons won their second consecutive NBA title.

At that time, NBC offered a two-year contract starting at $400,000, and the TNT cable network offered him a four-year, $1.5 million contract.

He turned to his friend Billy Cunningham for advice. Cunningham, one of the owners of the Miami Heat, told Daly he had to be selfish this time. He had to do what he really wanted to do.

Daly, calling himself a basketball “lifer,” stayed. There were no more titles, as the Chicago Bulls assumed the spot the Pistons had held.

“What we’ve accomplished, it’ll be a long, long time before any team does what we’ve done,” Daly said. “But I’m confident it’ll happen again here with this organization.”

Daly, who said he has no immediate job offers, will coach the U.S. team in the Barcelona Olympics.

Speculation on a replacement centers around former Piston assistant Ron Rothstein. He was hired by general manager Jack McCloskey as a broadcaster this season after being fired as coach of the Miami Heat.

“It’s going to be difficult,” McCloskey said. “It’s going to be hard for that individual, whoever it is, because we’ve been so successful.”

McCloskey said he has a list of candidates and hopes to name a coach before the NBA draft on June 24.

Daly denied that friction with McCloskey was responsible for his departure.

“Jack and I basically got along fine,” Daly said. “I respect Jack. Jack’s a good basketball man.”

Daly’s news conference was held at a restaurant he owns and was attended by players.

“He was the best coach I ever played for,” former Piston Vinnie Johnson said. “A lot of guys can coach, but not many can relate to people like Chuck.”

Joe Dumars, who teamed with Isiah Thomas in the backcourt in the title years, said it would be strange without Daly.

“Chuck gave us experience,” Dumars said. “He was calm. He gave us that stability.”

Many felt Daly grew disenchanted with the players. It was no secret that some of the Pistons were unhappy with his emphasis on defense. The players wanted to put more emphasis on offense.

Daly wouldn’t get into that.

“I’ve got John Salley on the floor, whom I dearly love, but I keep hollering at him all the time,” Daly said. “How long can these guys keep listening to that?

“We’ve averaged eight months a year,” Daly said. “That’s six years of their lives. Guys like Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, we’ve been together every single day.”

Daly, who had a record of 469-274, said he has no plans beyond the Olympic team.

“I have no job opportunities,” Daly said. “I have no idea what I’m going to do. I don’t have a plan. I have nothing in mind.

“If worse comes to worse, I’ll be cooking here on Monday nights.”