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Mr. Davidson is about to be enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and deservedly so.   Mitch Albom has a great candid Q&A will Mr. D in today’s Free Press.  It’s pretty much a must read for Piston fans.  Here’s a couple of excerpts, but like I said, you need to check out the whole article.

On his falling out with Isiah Thomas:

Q: Can you say anything — and I recognize it’s been a complex relationship over the years — about the falling out you two had at the end of his playing career?

A: Well, I was very, very close to Isiah, and there were times he was almost like a son. But, because of his background, um … I told him he had to change — you know, coming from where he came from. I said, “You’ve got it made now. Don’t keep doing those things that you’ve been doing.” I won’t tell you what they are. But he couldn’t change.

On NBA officials:

Q: What do you look for during a game?

A: Well, I look for certain things, which are mainly fouls … and, unfortunately, the referees are not what they should be — although they’re getting better. So I watch the referees. I watch who they are. There are certain referees — when they come to our game — you know you’re gonna lose. And that should never be.

Q: What do you think of the whole Tim Donaghy scandal?

A: That’s the tip of the iceberg with referees.

Bill Davidson is in a position in life where he doesn’t have to worry about biting his tongue.  He’s rich, super rich, and he’s eighty-five years old.  He calls them like he sees them, and that’s what makes him such an interesting person.