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!