3 quick thoughts on the Pistsons

1. When the Pistons beat the Celtics, a team I despise as much, if not more so, as the University of Ohio State (God, I love Terrelle Pryor for that) and the Colorado Avalanche, all is right in the world. When the Pistons beat the Celtics in the playoffs, in whatever they call the new Boston Gah-den, all is even better in the world.

You have to admit, last night's Pistons win was once of their more entertaining playoff games in ages, especially for an Eastern conference matchup. Even as Pistons fans, we've suffered through some extremely painful to watch playoff games. You know, the sort that turned the rest of NBA fandom against the Pistons and Spurs, those first team to 70 wins defensive slugfests.

For the Pistons to win in the playoffs scoring more than 100 points, and Boston scoring more than 95, yet it still be considered a good defensive performance...well, when was the last time that happened?

I think we're in for some very entertaining hoops this holiday weekend...

2. I blasted the Pistons back in June '07 for taking Rodney Stuckey in the draft. My headline says it all.

Rodney Stuckey? His name may just as well be Rodney White...

Uh, Al....what in the HELL were you thinking?

I think I was blinded by a couple of things. I bought into the "small school player can't compete right away" stereotype. I also had been quite unhappy with Joe Dumars' recent history in draft picks. (I don't need to list them, well all know which guys were MASSIVE busts) Call it a my knee-jerk reaction to the pre-draft comparisons of Stuckey to Dwayne Wade.

Then, the next day, being your typical sports blogger, I beat a dead horse into the ground by bitching out the Pistons for drafting a pair of 1st round guards. (Don't forget, Arron Affalo was picked late in the 1st)

Good thing Joe D doesn't listen to me, as Stuckey has been as impressive as all get out for the Pistons. (Affalo has been a solid contributor this season as well, though not in the playoffs due to the shortened bench)

Stuckey has saved Flip Saunders' bacon since Chauncey Billups strained his hammy against Orlando. Last night was his best playoff performance yet, highlighted by his 4th quarter double clutching layup over the Celtics' Glen Davis. Basically, last night was Stuckey's coming out party to the rest of the nation.

I'm now feeling much better about the Pistons future. With emergence of Stuckey (along with Affalo, Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson), Dumars has options. No matter how this playoff run lasts, you still have to wonder just how long Joe D will keep this group together. The starting core aren't getting any younger. Rasheed Wallace will be in the last year of his contract, and there's nothing more valuable in the NBA than a big, expiring contract. For that matter, Rip Hamilton's contract is reasonable enough to trade. So championship or not, you have to wonder what this team will look like in 2009.

I know, I know. I'm getting way ahead of myself, but with Stuckey's recent backcourt play,the future is something to ponder.

3. As much as I want to believe the Pistons will leave Detroit next week with a 3-1 stranglehold on this series, I've also been a Pistons fan far too long to deny the the fact they could quite easily, and maybe quite likely, mail in a game. A game that sends us fans off the deep end, as in their disturbing loss to Philly in the 1st round. I went WAAAY off the deep end after that debacle.

But you couldn't blame me, as we've seen too many of those mail-ins over the years. Which is why I fully expect a dud this weekend. It's how the Pistons roll...