Are the Detroit Pistons Losing Their Grip on the Eastern Conference?

In the world of NBA basketball, teams tend to rise and fall almost as quickly as coaches get fired. The one thing that has remained consistent in the Eastern Conference in the past five years is the strong play of the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons have been a mainstay in the Eastern Conference finals, making it five straight years, joining only four other teams in NBA history to make the Conference Finals five straight times.

No other team in the East has been close to rivaling the Pistons consistency in the regular season. In the last five years the Pistons have had a regular season winning percentage of .671. Compare that to the next three best teams, the Pacers (.509), Nets (.508), and Heat (.505) and you will see that the Pistons have won an average of 13 more games a year than any of these franchises.

Even with the tremendous success that Detroit has experienced, one might wonder if the team has passed its peak. The last two years the Pistons have been derailed in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. Many have considered the Pistons to have the best starting five in the NBA, but their core group isn't getting any younger, with an average age of 31 years old.

The loss of Ben Wallace to Chicago last year damaged the Piston defense in the playoffs, with Lebron James making several un-accosted lay-ups in the paint at key moments. Wallace's replacement Chris Webber adds offense, but can't match his defensive intensity. At 34 Webber is the oldest member of the starting five and seemed to wear down in the play-offs.

Chauncey Billips, Rip Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince are all still in their prime. It is the aging front court of Wallace and Webber that could really slow the Pistons down in future seasons. The Pistons have not been able to rebuild their front court for the future losing Mehmet Okur to free agency, and dealing former #2 pick Darko Milicic.

Many experts look to Miami, Cleveland, and now Boston to neutralize the Pistons success. Miami is formidable team when the one-two punch of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal are healthy. Cleveland fans are hoping that Lebron can once again will his team to the Finals. Boston has thrown itself into the mix with the additions of Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, but may have trouble in the playoffs without some defensive stoppers, and a better bench.

The emergence of the other teams in the East may be the best thing for the Pistons. They have always played best in an underdog role. They use the lack of respect as fuel to drive them to success. With so much attention on other Eastern Conference teams, the Pistons could stay under the radar and once again come out as the top team in the East.