Same Soul In Motown | Theo Bulzi's Blog

The Detroit Pistons. That's a name you don't hear much of anymore. 38-13. Best record in their division. Second best record in the NBA. That sounds like someone that deserves at least a mention in the news.

But they barely get attention. For a team that's one of the most consistent when it comes to the playoffs (five consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances), nobody seems to mention them among the league's elite. This is a team that just keeps rolling along.

They were the first to beat the Celtics in Boston. They've got the best point guard in the East, a man by the name of Chauncey Billups. Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Richard "Rip" Hamilton. These are not names that mean nothing. This is one of the most consistent teams in the 21st century. So how do they miss everyone else's respect?

Is it because by now, it's just more of the same? Is it because after the loss of Ben Wallace nobody thinks the Pistons have what it takes anymore? Or is it because this team has been together so long age has become a factor in everyone's mind?

Whatever it is, the Pistons are taking it in stride. They continue to rack up those W's. After making the Finals twice in a row (beating the Lakers in '04 and losing in 7 games to the Spurs in '05), they fell short twice in a row during the Eastern bouts (losing to the eventual champion Miami in '06 and losing to the Cleveland Cavs in 6 last year). Have the Pistons run their course? Or are these just speedbumps along the road?

The Pistons don't seem worried. It's a new year filled with new opportunities in their minds. Even though most of them wear that fancy little ring already, their other fingers seem empty to them. The Pistons are fired up, and even though it's only February, they're looking ahead a few months to the playoffs. This team can't wait to return. They've a lot of questions to answer, but they've got a lot of answers to provide.

It's fitting that this team is in Detroit. Because they look almost like that little Ford Probe you thought you could beat in a race any day. Until you found out about that Turbo engine under the hood. And all of a sudden you've been smoked by an engine being run off Pistons you underestimated.