ESPN dismisses the Pistons...

[Kstat]

Detroit's Run Officially Ends

Chris Broussard, ESPN The Magazine: I know it doesn't make me Nostradamus to say the East will come down to Boston and Cleveland. But if there's a third team that can disrupt the expected Eastern Conference final, I say it's Orlando, not Detroit. The nice little run the Pistons had is officially over. Not only will they fail to reach the conference finals for the first time in seven years, but they will be ousted from the playoffs in the first round -- by Atlanta!

The Hawks have the athleticism, mental toughness and clutch play to beat the still-complacent, up-and-down Pistons. Detroit's early exit will lead to wholesale changes, although first-year coach Michael Curry will be safe (as he should be).

The very fruitful Rasheed Wallace era will end as the Pistons let him walk away in free agency or maybe through a sign-and-trade. I wouldn't be surprised to see Wallace sign in Philly or Boston. He'd be a great addition to either squad.

The short-lived Allen Iverson era also will end, with Iverson leaving via free agency. I can't call a landing spot for him at this point. The Iverson-Chauncey Billups trade still won't go down as a failure because: a) The Pistons weren't going to win the East with Billups, and b) the trade will give them major cap room for 2009 or 2010. And you better believe president Joe Dumars will make the most of the Pistons' flexibility, rebuilding them into a conference contender within a few years.

[Glenn]

It's not really "ESPN" dismissing the Pistons, it's just Broussard's opinion, it's what he is paid to do.

That doesn't mean he's not right.

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

That's typical Chris Broussard. He was a former beat writer for the Cavaliers, and has ALWAYS had a sour view on the Pistons.

If you ever get a chance to listen to AM 850 WKNR (ESPN Cleveland), he's ALWAYS a guest caller on their shows and worships LeBron & Mike Brown.

So this is just keeping up his trend...

LOL @ the Orlando praise. That's unwarranted.

[BubblesTheLion]

I have a hard time seeing Atlanta beating Detroit in a 7 game series.
They may be athletic, but they can't defend our strongest points.

As for Orlando, they are our personal bitches as long as we have Rasheed. It is also the only time Smallball makes a damn bit of sense.

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Yeah, I`m just not impressed with Orlando.

I wasn`t last year, and I`m not this year.

Jameer Nelson has had a cute little season and all, but I just can`t buy into it as being legitimate. They have so many other issues (no SG, pathetic bench, soft forwards (Shard & Hedo), questionable coaching) that would lead me to believe they just aren`t ready for the next step.

Plus, I challenge anybody to find me a player who has gotten more attention and love, despite having such a limited game than Dwight Howard.

He still has no post up moves, no mid-range jumper, lousy FT% and when anybody is even remotely physical with him, he has the uncanny ability to disappear.

I`m sorry...but he`s a product of having nobody else on that team being able to contribute anywhere but the 3 pt line rather than being a dominant interior force.

[Glenn]

Orlando = Chuckers

[WTFchris]

I see us in the same position as the last few years. One of the top 3 teams in the east with a shot to win it all (if playing at a very high level).

Boston would be favored, but the Pistons are on par with the Cavs (who probably still haven't beat anybody yet).

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Boston would be favored, but the Pistons are on par with the Cavs (who probably still haven't beat anybody yet).

I'd agree with that.

Cleveland is certainly better than they were in any of the last 3 years, IMO, but not to the point that it makes them unbeatable.

Boston is on it's own level. The types of problems they give the Pistons seem to be something they haven't dealt with since the Nets during the Carlisle era.

[Tahoe]

Did Zekyl come back as Wil, cuz I'm seeing a lot of Clevelend knowledge coming from Wil/Zek in this thread.

[Vinny]

Maybe it's Rekyl.