Brief Pistons' preview (written after the first game)

I know. I know I'm cheating by doing this after the Pistons' first game - a surprising loss at home to those scary Bucks - but I had a Coach K clinic to catch. Maybe Flip should have attended.

I know. I'm being hard on the Pistons, especially on head coach Flip Saunders. After all, he did lead 'em to the best record in the league last year and the conference finals.

But Detroit's rather sad loss to eventual champion Miami in the Eastern Finals exposed problems with Flip's offense-first system that simply did not exist during Larry Brown's up-and-down (and short) tenure with the team.

To put it concretely, if you have an offense-first system and only a decent defense, if your offense goes in the tank - as the Pistons' did the final two rounds of the playoffs - you're screwed.

Unless your playing the Hawks, Bobcats or Trailblazers. Even the Knicks will beat you.

If you have a great defense, however, you're never out of a game. Your D keeps you in the game until your shooters start hitting.

I hate to carp after one game, but the fact that the Pistons gave up 105 games to the Bucks, a team with virtually one offensive weapon (quick-release gunner Michael Redd), doesn't send out the best signals.

Remember a couple years back when the Pistons went a ridiculous number of games without giving up 80 points? That was fun to watch.

Now, with Ben Wallace sporting his 'fro and 'rows in Chicago, the Pistons, all of a sudden, aren't so intimidating. Sure, Chauncy Billups and Rip Hamilton can shoot the lights out and 'Sheed might hit some big shots too.

But the game is played on both ends of the floor. And opponents are no longer scared of attacking the basket.

Nazr Mohammed? Please. He was more intimidating as a Wildcat.

To get to the prediction, the Pistons are still going to be one of the East's best, maybe even THE BEST... during the regular season. They still have the best starting lineup in the league - as long as 'Sheed doesn't get kicked out of too many games, which definitely could happen with the new no-bickering-to-the-refs rule.

Their bench is improved from last year as long as Lindsey Hunter and Antonio McDyess stay healthy. Flip Murray and Carlos Delfino are capable of putting points on the board.

As for a defensive presence, however (besides Hunter, of course), 6-5 newbie Jason Maxiell is about the best the Pistons got. He blocked three shots in 12 minutes against Milwaukee, but, I'm sorry, if the Pistons have to rely on Jason Maxiell in the playoffs... well, pencil in another loss in the conference finals (or sooner).

As for my team outlook, with young teams in Cleveland and Chicago quickly closing the gap between themselves and the Pistons/Heat, a loss in the second round wouldn't be surprising.

The Pistons will win the division, and finish first in the East, but lose to the Cavs in six games in the Eastern Semis (what nearly happened last year).

And they'll realize how much they miss Ben and the defense-first approach.