Former Pistons great Joe Dumars began his career off the basketball court when he was named Detroit's vice president of player personnel in 1999. He was promoted last season to president of basketball operations.

Although he wasn't able to sign Chris Webber, who was the jewel of the free-agent class last summer, Dumars made some good moves in his attempt to get the team back to respectability.

Before this season, Dumars traded journeymen Jud Buechler and John Wallace to the Phoenix Suns for Cliff Robinson. He also signed free agents Zeljko Rebraca, who was regarded by some as one of the best players in Europe, and Ratko Varda.

Once considered the best at defending Michael Jordan, Dumars' honors include being selected to the NBA all-defensive first-team four times, winning MVP honors in the 1989 Finals and making the All-Star team six times.

The collective bargaining agreement encourages free agents to re-sign with their current teams. Do you think the agreement is fair? From a team's standpoint, yes. It allows you leverage and some flexibility. Even though we didn't get Webber, we didn't go into the summer looking at getting him as an all-or-nothing scenario.

Do you ever want to coach? Never. I'm not cut out for it. I've been out there on that bench and seen what coaches have to go through.