State of the Pistons Address (May 19)

Eight down, eight to go. And man, wasn't Thursday night's win a beautiful sight -- and a relief -- for Pistons fans.

Sometimes, I don't understand these guys. Up and down, up and down. It's frustrating. But that's the Pistons. I was lucky to have attended Game 3 in Chicago, when the Bulls led 44-28 at the half and the boys in blue and red decided to kick it up about seven notches and play their best ball of the year for the last 24 minutes, eventually winning 81-74.

Sitting in the ninth row, I was reminded of the team's remarkably consistent swag. Before the game, Chauncey's body movement made it seem as though he was preparing for a long nap. His face was focused, though -- ready for battle. Rasheed's practice shots looked like they were straight out of a game of competitive H-O-R-S-E. Before EVERY game, he shoots left-handed 3s -- and consistently makes them. He shoots two balls at once -- one high, one with a lower trajectory -- and they both swish. Dale Davis launches 3s, as well -- with the most disgusting form of any NBA player I've ever seen.

Through it all, the Pistons were relaxed and laughing. But were they ready? I don't know. It usually takes something more than a 2-0 lead over the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals for them to get really jacked up. On this night, it took a 16-point first half deficit for them to realize they were playing like a D-III college team. And then it was clockwork. They stole balls left and right, Sheed and Chaunce buried gigantic 3s, Dyess gobbled up every board and Tay stepped up and played like an All-Star. He was the team's MVP this series.

Games 4 and 5 were a bit surprising because I thought they'd want to close the puppy out and rest as much as possible for the Conf. Finals. But again, that motivation was hard for them to find. Enough was finally enough on Thursday in Game 6, when Sheed and Tay and Dyess played with so much emotion I wondered if they had suppressed it all series long, just to let it out in this satisfying clincher.

Cleveland is now the next victim. There's no question the Pistons are more deeply loaded with talent, but if they play at all like they did in Games 4 and 5 against Chicago -- and the first half of Game 3 -- they'll be unnecessarily prolonging the inevitable.

I'm going to say there will be fewer lapses the closer they get to the LOB (Larry O'Brien) Trophy. Pistons in 5, Spurs over the Jazz in 7 out west, and a rematch of the '05 Finals. I want revenge like Screech wanted Lisa. Let's go.