What's Next For The Detroit Pistons?

By David
Kaye

Two straight trips to the Eastern Conference finals, home court advantage, the best record in their league, but zero NBA finals appearance.

Point guard and team leader Chauncey Billups is a free agent, hometown kid Chris Webber is contemplating retirement, fiery power forward Rasheed Wallace continues to implode and head coach Flip Saunders might be on the way out.

With all that said what's next for the Detroit Pistons?

Every season they dominate the Eastern Conference, steam roll through the first two rounds of the playoffs and fall apart in the Conference finals. After taking the first two games of the series it seemed inevitable that the playoff tested Pistons would defeat the Cavaliers.

Unfortunately, LeBron James guaranteed that would not happen as he went from a superstar to one of the best players in league history. What he has done in the first four years of his career is better than what Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and other tremendous players accomplished at such a young age.

After scoring 48 points and 25 consecutive in game five at the Palace, LeBron displayed that he was ready to take his team to the promise land. Whatever barriers that were put before him would be overcome and the only thing that could stop him would be himself.

In terms of what lies ahead for the Pistons, there is increased uncertainty that Flip Saunders has lost control of the locker room and many players don't respect him. Rasheed Wallace definitely showed that during this series and it wouldn't be a surprise to see another person behind the bench next season.

Chauncey Billups has been an integral part of the Pistons' streak of success and has laid down the foundation that will make Detroit a winner for many years to come. Billups might not be around to see his team reach another Conference finals because he becomes a free agent this Summer and many teams will be knocking on his door.

With tonight's lose, the pieces that have been so critical to Detroit's success might have just begn to unravel.