Pistons, Kuester Make Peace with Past John Kuester's two seasons coaching the Detroit Pistons were not happy or successful ones, ending with his firing last June. But it seems that time, and his new job as an assistant with the Lakers, has healed the deep rifts between Kuester and his former players. The Lakers play at Detroit Tuesday night, marking Kuester's first trip back to The Palace of Auburn Hills since his turbulent tenure ended. Kuester's stint with the Pistons was nothing short of a soap opera, with team mutinies, running on-court arguments with players, and continual sniping and griping from many unhappy players. Just do a Google search for the terms "Tayshaun Prince and buffoonery" for a taste. Behind the scenes, the Pistons were changing owners, from Karen Davidson to Tom Gores, adding more instability to the mix. In the end, as it is with most coaches, the dismal, losing seasons sealed Kuester's fate. The Pistons were 57-107 during his tenure. Kuester understands his firing and being replaced by Lawrence Frank. Kuester declined to speak with the media during Tuesday's morning shoot-around, according to the Detroit Free Press, but talked to ESPN on Monday about his Detroit days. "I have no complaints, no complaints at all," Kuester told ESPN.com. I wish we had won more games. I wish some things could have been different. But you're dealt a certain hand, and now we go ahead and move on. The bottom line, this is a game where you've got to win, and if things don't work out the way you want them to, then obviously they make changes. But I am very appreciative to the fact that I got an opportunity. The people of Detroit were great. I wish them nothing but the best. The same attitude of introspection and forgiveness extends to the Pistons players. Veteran forward Prince, who clashed most colorfully with Kuester, wishes things had been different. "It doesn't matter, you can blame it on everybody," Prince told the Detroit News. When things are going upside down, everybody throws their pieces into it. To blame it on one person is wrong. Pistons center Ben Wallace also disagreed with Kuester, but said they still forged a bond that transcends their challenging coach-player relationship. Coaches come and go. Most friendships last a lifetime. A lot of players come and go. Friendships last a lifetime," Wallace told the Detroit Free Press. Even in this business, you can't be friends when things are going well and not like a guy when things are going bad. I might not like you as a coach, but as a person you never change. Kuester said he is looking forward to seeing his former players tonight. He believes everything has worked out for the best for all parties. "I have a lot of dear friends there and I look forward to seeing those people," Kuester told ESPN. You've got two ways of looking at it. Are you going to work on the negative or are you going to work on the positive? I've always tried to learn from my experiences. There were great moments and there were enough trying moments that you can look at them and say, "Wow." "