Despite Winning Streak, Pistons Still Have Much To Prove

After a shaky start to the season, the Pistons appear to have turned things around.

But come on, who have they played?

Philly? Washington? Milwaukee?

Milwaukee is depending on a rookie to carry them through games. It worked at first, but their overall lack of firepower has otherwise left them in the cold.

Washington is struggling to mix their big three in with Randy Foye and Mike Miller, which hasn't quite...well...worked out, not to mention the mental absence of Hibachi.

Philly is having an identity crisis.

Denver?  They haven't won at the Palace in 15 years.

Golden State?  League's worst defense.

And the loss to Chicago has been kept pretty quiet.

In other words, do the Pistons really deserve the credit they have been getting? You can argue that they have had their fair share of injuries, that they have a new mix of talent, that they (gasp) are actually better than the 10th seed that critics pinned them at during the offseason.

You can argue that the Pistons struck gold with the signings of Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins, former Pistons who are supposedly at the end of their careers, who are supposedly old and washed up, who are supposedly only good for five-15 minutes a game, and are necessary to mentor the young guys.

To their credit, they have taped many of the holes that the Pistons exposed.

They have shown that the best way to teach is by example. But how long can this last?

Tape dosen't last forever.

The truth is, they are old. Maybe Detroit really is the Fountain of Youth.

I would like to believe it, but I don't believe in fairy tales.

Even when all of their guys are healthy, the Pistons won't live up the the excitement they have generated over the last couple of weeks anytime soon.

Not without a trade, at least.

The Pistons will truly show what they are made of when they go against a title contender.

Boston. Lakers. Cavaliers. Magic.

Take your pick.

Don't misinterpret me.

The Pistons seem to be doing well.

But we are not seeing the present, but the future.

This is a clever illusion, a preview of what they are capable of.

And to tell you the truth, it looks pretty darn good.

So lets hope that Coach Q can continue to make the right decisions.

Because this team has put on an excellent magic show.