Okay Pistons fans, I know it was tough to watch. I was there watching from the opening tip hoping for a more aggressive and passionate effort too. “There’s no way they will not bring it tonight” I thought. It’s the playoffs right?

Well again the game started off with more disjointed play and lack of passion. Rodney Stuckey seemingly was the only player interested in driving to the basket as everyone else settled for jumpers. The defense did nothing but allow Lebron to pad his stats for his MVP campaign.

With the Cavs now leading 2-0, what can we take from the current circumstance? I’d say that we should expect an entertaining game 3 as the series shifts to the “D” on Friday night.

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Here’s what I think: as you all saw, the Cavs lead early in the fourth quarter 79-50 as they began resting their starters. The Pistons went with their bench players and suddenly like lightening the young and scrappy unit climbed back into contention cutting the once robust lead to seven, once the starters were reinstated the Cavs regained control.

So with the revelation that the starters, for whatever reason, can’t seem to compete for long stretches with these guys perhaps the second unit can provide the hustle and intensity needed to stay with this team?

It’s a bit obvious that the Cavs kinda put it on cruise in the fourth and I wonder if that is something that can be exploited.

Photo/Getty Images

Remember the 2006 series? Detroit was the league leading number one seed against the underdog Cavs. The Pistons won game one rather handily but, in game two Detroit lead by as much as 20 in the second half and the Cavs made a game of it. The Piston would hang on but the Cleveland team gained confidence and later went on to win the next three games before losing in seven.

It’s the playoffs and anything can happen. I’m just saying.

As the 2009 playoffs get underway, it seems as if no one is giving the Pistons any chance of competing with the mighty (at least record wise) Cleveland Cavaliers. Whether the series plays out to be as predicted, or if the boys from the “D” pull off the monumental upset, we need to show passionate support.

The one thing that I’ve enjoyed as a sports fan is proudly proclaiming that I am Pistons Fan. No matter how great the team has performed or how terrible, being a Pistons fan has been a joy and privilege for the last 25 years and counting.

It’s more than just being a fan of the team, for me it’s being a fan of the HOME team. Growing up in the inner city of Detroit, a place that has never had a great reputation for as long as I was there, team championships helped put us on the map. When the Pistons made their first finals appearance in 1988, the city felt electric. I neglect to mention, that years earlier that the Tigers won the ’84 World Series, but this was different—at least for me. The summer of ’88 felt like uncharted waters, with a team that had never been to the mountaintop. Seeing CBS Sports trucks and nationwide coverage in our city was exciting. Winning the title in 1989 and again in 1990 made me feel proud to not just be a fan of the red, white, and blue; but also a proud Detroiter. I also learned that sports could unite a community a lot better than tragedy.

Even through the lean years, the erosion of the post- bad boy era, the dreaded Sean Elliot 62-loss season, and the mediocre “horse-head teal” days, I held my head up high despite what seemed like everyone else jumped ship to root for the Bulls (I’m still bitter about that) I was proud to have MY team.

My point is that although the team posted its worse season in eight years, I’m not jumping ship. Even if the series goes as predicted, I’ll still be here with my Pistons jersey rooting for the good guys. I’ll still be hardcore with mine because that’s what we do!

I’ve read message boards sites (and I hate reading message boards) of opposing fans that are extremely joyful about this Pistons season, even some of our so-called fans who’d rather complain than rally. I know it’s not what we’re used to but come on gang!

It’s the playoffs! Let’s get behind these guys for support! If not to beat Cleveland, than to celebrate eight straight playoff appearances or that they are one of only two teams in American professional sports to win at least one title in each of the last three decades — bet you didn’t realize that huh? Well that’s why I’m here.

Let’s go Pistons Nation! I implore you join me in showing the world we can be the best fans under any circumstance!

In JOE D. WE SHOULD TRUST
By Rashid S. Umar
Pistonfan1@yahoo.com

Piston fans are angry, and most importantly Joe Dumars is angry and that’s a good thing. After another half-hearted performance which, led to another premature exit in the Eastern Conference Finals, the “prez” has decided he’d seen enough.

After announcing that the team had relieved Flip Saunders of his coaching duties, Joe D. made it clear that he was open to making more then a few tweaks going into next season. And after losing conference finals for the third straight year who could blame him, he should look rid the team of any elements detrimental to the “Hardwork” mantra that is was once famous for.

But giving some of his past transactions (drafting Darko, hiring Flip Saunders and now Michael Curry as coach) there are those that question whether or not he can do what he once expected of this team, and that is “get it done.”

And by “getting it done” the “prez” means only expected one thing… a championship, and with that the way the season has concluded recently it is apparent that this group is not longer up to the task. The recent years of disappointment has demonstrated action of a team that is aging, constantly losing focus too much contentment for big game situations so perhaps it’s better to shift gears now.

The favor pariah of Piston fans has been the much maligned Rasheed Wallace, and after his lackluster performance that led to end of another disappointing season, most would consider him the first to go. But Joe let is be known that no one is untouchable and by that I would interpret: any of the starting five, i.e. (Wallace, Billups, Rip, Tayshaun, or McDyess)

I honestly believe in Joe and Pistons’ fans should too. One thing that is certain, when changes need to be made Joe D. isn’t afraid to pull the trigger. If you look at his track record of hiring and firing coaches, missed draft picks, and free agent signings and only can point out what wasn’t done then you are missing the point completely.

The fact that Joe has been the architect behind the franchise’s most successful decades (minus one championship) and while staying championship competitive isn’t by accident. He gave Rick Carlisle his first head coaching job; jumped at the chance to hire Larry Brown; found Flip Saunders, who had one hell of a three year run (at least for him); and now has tabbed former teammate Michael Curry, a disciplinarian type to pace the sidelines.

Now I’m not professing that Joe D. hasn’t had any misses, but they are far outweighed by the hits. I mean for every Darko, Rodney White, and Mateen Cleaves drafts there were Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Price, and Rodney Stuckey. You much also look at free agent signing such as: Chauncey Billups, ‘Dyess, and Ben Wallace (who agreed to sign with Detroit as a free agent before being signed and traded for Grant Hill).

Bottom-line; expect the Pistons to look different next season with an injection of youth, athleticism, and most importantly unselfish players who are hungry to win a championship. As long as Joe D. is in charge the organization will be run “The Piston Way.”