When former Pistons coach John Kuester returns to Detroit tonight as an assistant with the Lakers, he won’t be encountered with blank stares and the cold shoulder from former players.

Time changes feelings and perspective.

“Everybody wishes they would’ve done something differently,” said Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince, one of Kuester’s critics during his tumultuous two-year tenure as coach.

Still, Kuester doesn’t seem to hold ill will toward anyone in Detroit. Shortly after Tom Gores bought the franchise, Kuester was fired with a year remaining on his contract.

“I have no complaints,” Kuester said. “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.”

“But I am very appreciative to the fact that I got an opportunity. The people of Detroit were great.”

via Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News