I know that some coaches feel the burn of the hot seat when their team struggles, but this hypothetical situation is ridiculous. Today, I watched ESPN FirstTake, and I saw an e-mailer say "You know where Pat Riley should go coach next?" (Riley, as many of you know, retired as Heat coach for what seems like the 192nd time recently). His answer: the Detroit Pistons! He says that should light a fire under them. The question is, assuming this were possible, would it?

Riles would no doubt be stoked about coaching a legit title contender, but I wonder if the Pistons would be able to function properly with his system. With all respect to Rasheed Wallace, the one constant with Riley is that he wins with dominant, post-up centers (Kareem in L.A., Ewing in New York, Mourning and Shaq in Miami), and a post-up maven Rasheed is not. And there are no Dwayne Wades on this team; Billups and Hamilton aren't quite as athletic.

Then, consider Riles would probably want power in the organization if he were hired (something similar to what he has in Miami, and something that could be tricky with Larry Brown's expected hire in Charlotte). Would team president Joe Dumars give him carte blanche? Even as mild-mannered as Joe is, I don't think he would take it well if Riley took command. And deep down, I don't think Bill Davidson would take it, either.

So, let's assume those things did happen, and Riles coaches the Pistons. Would they regain championship form? I don't see that happening. It's been four years since they won a title, and the core (except for Tayshaun Prince), is getting older. I think that their window is closing fast, and may shut if they don't win this year. Adding Riley may make things interesting, but not for the better interesting. And even though I suggested that Flip Saunders should get canned if they lose to Philly, Riley wouldn't be the right answer.

Since I've spent a considerable amount of time this weekend to study for my French final today (Parle vous francais!), here are some random NBA thoughts from the weekend:

Cavs win at the buzzer: Once again, DeDoNothing Stevenson and Agent Zero's words come back to haunt them. When will athletes learn that they shouldn't upset the great players? LeBron didn't hit the game winner, but he made the plays when it counted, and that's the reason the Cavs are up 3-1 and likely to finish the series in 5.

Pistons win to even series: I've made two Pistons bashing blogs recently, and since I didn't watch game 4, I'll just say the Pistons needed the win, and hopefully, this will spring them to a series win. But, as always, we'll see if their motivation stays with them.

Spurs get clobbered in Phoenix: This was as ugly a game as you'll ever see from the Spurs. Everything that worked perfectly in game 3 didn't in number 4. Maybe they just took it easy knowing that nobody comes back from 3-0. Let me remind you that the Pistons did the same thing last year against the Bulls, and it may have cost them against LeBron. Let's hope S.A. finishes the deal in 5.

Lakers go for the sweep: Seems ironic that Kobe will win his first playoff series since 2004 in Colorado, where many of his problems began. The Nuggets "defense is optional" play hurt them against a team that can play both ends, and when they get swept, let the catfights (AI vs Melo, AI & Melo vs Karl) begin.

Hawks win first playoff game since 1999: To give you an idea of how long that is, consider this; they beat the Pistons that game, and the starting five was Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith, Tyrone Corbin, LaPhonso Ellis and Dikembe Mutombo. Nice to see the Hawks manage to avoid the sweep. But this may inspire the C's to start rolling again, so look out!

Houston on the brink of elimination: What a surprise. And to all you Rockets people who cried when I said in February that they wouldn't win a playoff series, I'm not the one to say... oh, never mind. This series did give us the quote of the series, when Tracy McGrady took the blame for everything (The Suns being down 3-0, people getting Budweiser instead of fancy beer), but without Yao to match up, they had no chance. And McGrady will now be 0-8 in 1st round series. What a waste.

Well, there are the thoughts. Hopefully, after today, I'll be able to watch the playoffs uninterrupted. Until then, au revior!

Every pro sports team has its peaks and valleys. Sports, like life, is cyclical. No one is immune to that. For the Detroit Pistons of recent years, their peak, of course, would be their stunning win in the 2004 Finals against a heavily favored Lakers team, destroying the Shaq-Kobe era in L.A.. That seems like so long ago, as last night might have been (or probably was) their biggest valley, as the 76ers smoked them 95-75 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Before I launch my attack, er, give my case, let's look at the game (as horrific as it was). The Sixers controlled this game almost from start to finish. The sad thing is that Detroit held Andre Igudola (2-9 shooting) in check once again. If only they had the same defense on Andre Miller (who scored over 20 points, I don't know the exact figure) and Samuel Dalembert (22 points, 16 boards and two blocks). Chuancey "Mr. No Shot" Billups and Rasheed "I Always Defer" Wallace both had dreadful games (Billups missed all of his threes and went 2-11 or something like that, and Rasheed went 1-6). And other than Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, everyone on the Pistons stunk.

What makes me scream so loud is the sheer arrogance that's always on display from these guys. Billups, one of the NBA's most overrated players (in my opinion), is the major culprit here. After the Sixers won game 1, Billups brushed off worries about the team's fire, essentially saying "We're not worried; we'll win". Then, last night, during the local broadcast (of which I recorded the replay), he said "Last game (game 2), we played Pistons basketball. The thing that really surprised was (the way we played) game 1". In other words, that wasn't Piston basketball. Or was it?

Increasingly, I'm beginning to think that games 1 & 3 really symbolize Pistons basketball. This team gets so arrogant, they think they can flip the switch anytime they want. The irony is that, after claiming they weren't like the Lakers when they won the title, they have become the Lakers. One little problem: that Lakers team had Shaq and Kobe, who could carry them out of trouble whenever they were in it (at least until 2004). The Pistons don't have a Shaq or Kobe. Rasheed may be one of the most passive good big players of all time, and I have to restrain myself whenever he lauches those terrible threes (which he misses more often than not). Billups isn't "Mr. Big Shot" on many occasions, and he would rather shoot FTs than score big FGs (that tactic was what helped Detroit avoid a season-series sweep by Boston, and I think it cheapened the victory). And no one else really registers, because Billups and Wallace are the ones they look to in the clutch.

So, now to how to fix it; I thought after last year, the Pistons might start to dismantle some of the parts that have failed so spectacularly in recent years. In particular, I thought Rasheed would be bought out or traded to begin the transition. Instead, the only player who played any meaningful minutes who left was Chris Webber (not an important piece), and the band continued to play on. This team needs changes if the Sixers spring the upset. First, you deal Rasheed; his value has never been lower for this team. Then, you find replacements for him and McDyess in the starting lineup (McDyess can stay, but he's better off the bench).

Then, you start to work on fundamentals. You hire a shooting coach for Billups to encourage him to actually connect on FGs. Then, the most important move; fire Flip Saunders! The man has proven he can take any good team and make it instantly mediocre (Kevin Garnett can certainly attest to that). Saunders was a questionable hire back in 2005, and isn't any better today. The Pistons need to hire a more fiery leader (whoever that is) and whip this team back into shape. Because I'm tired of this team making that huge BLEEPing sound in the playoffs! And the time has come for mediocrity to not be rewarded!

Yeah, I borrowed that line from Family Guy, but doesn't it seem like there's alot of BS floating around in sports? Things that just drive you insane when you see/hear them? Well, this list profiles ten such things. Ten things that make me sick when they make their presence known. Without delay, here's the BS:

10. NFL Draft-a-Palooza: I realize the NFL Draft is this weekend, but devoting two full hours to predraft coverage (ESPN) or practically the entire day (NFL Network) is overkill. We've been told so much about all the top guys, we practically are members of each one's family! I can't wait for the draft to be over so the coverage can end (and criticism of the Lions' pick can begin!).

9. The long TV timeouts in virtually every sport: It wouldn't be so bad if there was a little variety, but the same stuff (Viagra/Cialis/Levitra; Budweiser/Coors/(fill in the blank beer)/ car/truck ads) for what seems like an eternity make me change the channel, then I miss the key play when I flip back! Give me one commercial, then take us back to the frickin game, already!!!

8. All Night Poker (Saturday) on ESPN Classic: Saturday is one of the few days I have to relax on, and this is the best that Classic can offer? What's so classic about hearing an overcaffinated announcer scream "IT'S THE THREE OF CLUBS!!!!!!!"? That 'stuff' is not classic. Wait, I'm sorry. It is a classic. A classic waste of everyone's time.

7. Speaking for which, another Classic shot; Bowling and Pool aren't classic either: This selection of programming is a major reason Classic is no longer one of my favorite channels. Bowling can't (and shouldn't) have classic mentioned anywhere near it (unless followed by "Sure as hell isn't"!). And pool isn't classic either (sorry Black Widow fans, it just isn't). Hell, ESPN should create a new network: ESPN Parlor Games! Put all that 'stuff' on that channel!

6. Discounting the Spurs: Admittedly, I don't want to see the Spurs make the Finals (neither does David Stern). But if they do make it, give them their due. And look out, NBA fans; if they finish the job against Phoenix, they could have an easier road to the Finals than the Lakers. So enough with the anit-Spurs mindset (unless they lose. Then you can go full steam ahead).

5. Commentators saying "This team will win because they are so physical, tough, and can run the ball" or something to that effect: I call this the "Sean Salisbury Edict": Salisbury says this phrase often when he does NFL analysis on ESPN. Look, I know that those traits win games, but does it need to be repeated every time someone wins? Be original, or just lie if you must: "They won because they passed a lot!". Please consider this, Salisbury.

4. Seeing every golf tourney on TV: Who cares if the Sony Verizon Heritage Classic Skins and Masters Tournament is on? I don't. Show only the majors like the Masters and U.S. Open, and maybe the Ryder Cup, and leave the rest on the Golf Channel (exile). Don't preempt good shows for that 'stuff'.

3. The Chad Johnson controversy: Did anybody see the SportsCenter Special yesterday? They talked about Ocho Cinco almost ad nauseum! I'm tired of both Johnson's posturing (he created this problem himself, and now can't win) and the Bengals' posturing (they fostered the environment to create the problem). Either trade him, or shut the hell up!

2. Soccer on TV. Period: I love this one; today, ESPN2 showed a 'Champions League' soccer match. After it ended in a scoreless tie, the commentators said "Manchester got what it wanted to get". Let me get this straight; you now go into matches hoping for a 0-0 tie!?! What kind of lame BS are these guys flinging! No wonder soccer is just ahead of lawn darts on the American sports landscape. Herman Edwards couldn't coach in that league, because they don't play to win the game! What a load of BLEEP!

1. Arlen Specter's crusade against SpyGate: Specter's attempt to look into the Spygate matter is a bigger waste of time than Joey ever was! What does the senator expect to accomplish by investigating? It sound so homerish when you see he's only invetingating Super Bowl 39 (when the Patriots beat his homestate Eagles). What, the Rams and Panthers don't deserve 'justice' here? This is a blantent case of oppotunism, and will only benefit himself (and anyone else who hangs onto his coattails). And would Matt Walsh even be mentioned in the sports news if it wasn't for Specter. It's time for Spygate to go away. The Pats lost the Super Bowl recently. Let it go, Arlen!

Any sports stories/issues annoy you to the point of insanity? Have a beef with any issues I raised? Let me know! Gotta go; Specter's going to investigate whether Jim Plunkett cheated in Super Bowl 15!

I say in my brief bio that, although I support most of the teams in Detroit, I am not a homer. I not above saying whatever flaws my local teams have (or had). For example, I think the combination of 80 year old Dominik Hasek and 75 year old Chris Osgood could hurt the Red Wings. But this post is not about hockey. It's about the Pistons, and an all too common enemy of their recent teams: the lack of fire.

"Eastern Conference Contenders"

1. Celtics (Garnett, Allen and Pierce are hungry for a ring)

2. Pistons (if they overcome complacency, the biggest threat to Boston)

(Taken from NBA Award Winners & Playoff Predictions, April 1st by me)

I've made no secret that I think the Pistons' biggest enemy is their complacency. They'll get into a solid lead, then think that lead is insurmountable. Last night, in their first round series (game 1) versus the 76ers, they did it again, taking a 15 point lead, then deciding to fall asleep at the wheel. Philly roared back and stunned them 90-86 to take the game at the Palace. While this hardly means the Pistons will get bounced early, it's a troubling sign when the same flaws pop up this early on in the playoffs.

To make matters worse, the TNT people said they didn't hustle (or Philly outhustled them) throughout the second half. Magic Johnson said as much at halftime of the Celtics/Hawks game. That same trait manifested itself last year against Cleveland and the year before against an inferior (compared to 2005) Heat team. And it has cost them a chance at two more titles.

In my series about the 50 greatest NBA teams (according to me), I ranked the 2004 Pistons 31. Some people thought (or may think) that's too high. But I put them there because that team had the fire to win. They weren't more talented than the Lakers, but they were more determined than them to win. And they not only won, they smashed the Lakers in 5 when no one thought they could. Where did that teams' fire go?

And is it a coincidence that they have been bitten by the complacency bug since Flip Saunders replaced Larry Brown? While Saunders isn't the taskmaster Brown was, I thinlk it goes beyond Saunders. This team saw Brown become opportunistic when he bolted to the Knicks, and they felt "As long as we take care of ourselves, we'll be O.K.". But Saunders deserves some blame because he doesn't command respect the way Brown did; Brown had a good track record as a coach, whereas Saunders had a so-so run with Garnett in Minnesota. So that could be a factor.

Bottom line: the meaning of this loss goes deeper than the box score. The fact the Pistons have shown their colors again should give fans in Boston great hope for a (possible) conference finals matchup. If the Pistons don't wake up soon, they'll be remembered as a team that just couldn't get the job done.