(WXYZ) -- New Orleans Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy was asked during his pregame press conference Sunday to reflect on his time as head coach of the Detroit Pistons.
"We loved Detroit, loved the time living here," Van Gundy said. "Great, great people, great place to live, especially in the summer."
Van Gundy maintains strong ties to southeast Michigan, as his kids still live in the area. He says he roots for the city of Detroit's continued comeback.
Van Gundy was fired by the Pistons in 2018 after four seasons, and says he still regrets not being more successful during his time in Detroit.
"We didn't win enough games and we didn't get the job done that we were hired to do," said Van Gundy. "You feel bad about that because not only loving the area, but I had great respect for our ownership group...and I love the fans in Detroit. I realize most of them don't like me, but I love the fans in Detroit, and I wanted to do everything I could for them."
Van Gundy, a former Tigers season ticket holder, had the team on his mind upon his return to Detroit Sunday.
"My hotel room looked out on the field (at Comerica Park) today, and I said 'yeah, a little cold for baseball still.'"
