State of the Pistons Address (May 2)

The Pistons have only played four games this postseason, and I'm already overjoyed. It's not because of the way they're playing -- which, quite frankly, isn't exemplary. Nor is it because they're up 3-1 in their series with the Bucks. It's quite simple, really. It's because I can watch them. Every second of every game.

Last spring, as I basked in the countless joys of a two-month study abroad experience in Madrid, Spain, I had myself a ball. But I had little basketball. The Pistons rarely came on TV across the pond. When they did, rest assured my buddies and I were enchanted in front of the tube in a crowded, rowdy bar in downtown Madrid, donned in red and blue, high-fiving with every exciting dunk and jumper and dime. Still, I saw less than 30 percent of their games.

So when the regular season started up again in November, I may have been more excited than most Pistons fans; I hadn't had a consistent dosage of them in months. Too long. Now, as their Playoff run is in its first steps, I seem to have forgotten how hard it is to win an NBA championship. The Bucks are better than I've given them credit for. They proved it Monday by pushing the Pistons to the wire, losing 109-99, and they most certainly proved it Saturday in their 124-104 romp.

While I picked the Pistons to sweep Milwaukee (and sweep Miami and San Antonio in later series), I regret that now. My predictions were clouded with memories solely of a dominant regular season, not of difficult Playoff journeys past. Remember, last spring, the Pistons beat Philly in five, Indiana in six, and Miami in seven before losing to San Antonio in the Finals in seven. (That still makes me want to yell obscenities until I lose my voice.)

In these Eastern Conference quarters, the Pistons are better than the Bucks, but still, the purple and green (perhaps the ugliest color tandem possible, I must say) are worthy of their Playoff appearance and are good enough to make the Pistons work. I wouldn't be surprised to see them extract some heroics from Chaunce or 'Sheed at the end of a barnburner Wednesday in Game Five. But I don't expect them to win.

The Pistons will win in five, but it's still important to critique their play. Round Two will only bring on a tougher opponent and force them to step up their games.

Right now, there are several concerns. Big Ben has been a non-factor. Rip has shot poorly and is committing too many turnovers. The defense is anything other than stifling. And before last game, Tayshaun looked like a rookie.

Meanwhile, Chaunce has been rock solid. For three games, 'Sheed carried the team offensively. And the bench has contributed more than expected. So in Game Five, and in the practices before the Eastern semis commence, the concerns must be addressed.

Ben needs to stay out of foul trouble early and try to ignite fast breaks via monstrous boards and quick outlets like he did in Game One. Rip needs to find his stride and shoot in rhythm while relinquishing the ball a little more on fast breaks and becoming more of a receiver than a facilitator. The defense should feed off of a hungry Ben, but if he fails to assert himself, Tay and 'Sheed will need to rally the troops. And if Tay stays aggressive to the hoop like he was in Game Four, all will be well.

Wednesday night prediction: Pistons 98 Bucks 90 ... 30 for Chaunce, 20 for Rip, and 17 boards for a rejuvenated Ben.