Pistons On Fire

After an injury scattered start, and still finding a way to hold it together, the Pistons seem to have put together a nice run and a nice team.

Last night the Pistons stretched their win streak to five with a 91-76 win over the New Orleans Hornets. In a game where Detroit found themselves down by 10 after the first, and down 15 in the second, they led by two at half time, and never looked back.

The Pistons have reinvented themselves as a force in the NBA East. Sure, all the hype lies with the Celtics and their new trio of weapons, or with the Stan Van Gundy charged Orlando Magic, but you have to admit, they are a threat in the East.

The best part is they're not even at full strength.

Rodney Stuckey, the highly touted guard out of Eastern Washintgon, is still injured. They're not letting him play again until they're 100% sure he's 100%. Stuckey talked about among the Pistons brass as if he was Kevin Durant. Expectations were high in pre-season play, and he appeared to handle it just fine. In fact, he played well enough that we were all disappointed when he went down.

That brings me to another young guy. Jarvis Hayes, the forward out of Georgia. Hayes is average nine points, three rebounds, and an assist in 20 minutes per game. Sure, he's had his ups and downs going game to game, but you can't deny the kid is good. Take a look at his 17 points in 17 minutes performance against the Hawks earlier this week.

The Pistons are good enough to win the Central. They're also good enough to win the East. Yes, I believe the Orlando Magic will be a tough match up, and yes I believe Orlando could take the east. Stan Van Gundy has waved his winning hands over the team, and they're buying it.

What about the Celtics?

Three really good guys make up a good team. They're in a weak division and beating teams they should beat. Am I discreditting them as a winning team? Absolutely not. I just don't think they have all the pieces to contend for a conference title. Yet.

Bottom line? I feel the Pistons will improve throughout the year. Veterans Lindsey Hunter, and, almost veteran, Jason Maxiell are having a positive influence on each game. Their energy and defense are helping to orchestrate wins, and even sometimes bail out a struggling starting five. I think the bench times will even increase and the number of players will deepen one more. A rotation of 10 guys and some team chemistry could hurl them into the NBA Finals against a salivating Phoenix Suns team.

Miles Breaking Story?

I have no idea why, but when listening to Chuck Daley on 97.1's Valenti and Foster show, they suddenly ended the conversation to talk about some "breaking news" that Les Miles had signed his contract extension. This means he's off the table for Michigan. Well duh. Didn't ESPN and Miles both mention this weekend that he's extending his contract and sticking around LSU? Sorry, Chuck, I can't believe you were interrupted for breaking olds.

Shelton Traded

Tigers' Minor League 1B Chris Shelton was traded to the Texas Rangers today for CF .... umm .... well, he only hit .167 last year, so I don't think it matters who he really was. The point is, Shelton should have been a hotter prospect, and the Tigers should have been able to get more for him. Do I blame the Tigers? No. Shelton clearly had deteriorated, and that leaves some questions to his ability to play at the MLB level. Perhaps a change of scenery will revive this once promising infielder.

Marked Man

Dallas Cowboy's CB Terence Newman has marked Kitna for a big hit. He has apparently set aside fine money so he can take out Jon Kitna this Sunday at Ford Field. NFL authorities were less than amused. The League has taken attention this with a statement. "Be advised that your comments will now compel us to carefully monitor your activities in this weekend's Cowboys-Lions game," read part of the letter signed by Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president for football operations. "As you know, flagrant fouls may subject a player not only to fines, but to suspension as well. So conduct yourself accordingly."