Thursday, November 25, 2004

Pistons Reeling

The big brawl has hid the fact the Detroit Pistons are playing lousy basketball. Last night, the World Champs got their lunch money taken from them, again. This time it was LeBron James and the Cavaliers making the Pistons look bad. Here's the Fox Sports story.

Seeing King James drop 43 on the Pistons isn't disturbing, losing the way they are is. Since the day Rick Carlisle arrived, which seems like an eternity ago, the Pistons played with an intensity that no other NBA squad did. Night in, night out. Regular season or post-season, the Pistons, as the marketing campaign suggested, were "Going To Work". Right now, Detroit plays like they are looking for another line of employment.

The tenacity that brought them the NBA title is long gone and it's not just because of the fight or Ben Wallace's suspension. They've not exhibited the type of defense that has defined this team since, well, Game Five of the NBA Finals. I'm not sure if having the target on their back has been too much to carry? Maybe they have a championship hangover? Maybe all the new faces coming off the bench just have fit in? Whatever the reason, the Pistons are not playing Piston Basketball this year.

This could all change quickly. Clearly, they are a much better unit with Wallace in the lineup. However, you can officially label me as concerned.

No comments: