It's Time.

This past season the Detroit Pistons paid tribute to their 50th year with the slogan, "50 Seasons, One Reason: It's Time." On Friday night their silver anniversary ended with the silver medal, a few feet lower on the podium and looking up to the franchise who's won gold more than anyone else. The Boston Celtics.

As the series we had waited for since last Halloween came to a close, we discovered how well the foe from Auburn Hills can disguise itself. Each spring for the past six years, the Pistons roll confidently into the conference finals. Each of the last three seasons, they run out of gas six games later. Rasheed Wallace (see my pic) seemed to epitomize the state of recent Piston fortunes in late May, with more fouls (five) than points (four). It's time, as the tag line suggests. Time to move forward.

Move forward, I say. Because simply breaking up the team isn't an option for team president Joe Dumars. Cogs and gears in the machine have atrophied, or just don't move as smoothly and cohesively as they once did. These elements must first be identified, then removed, then most importantly, upgraded. Five years ago, when Dumars said goodbye to Rick Carlisle, I decided to put my faith and trust in Joe. I figured that he must know what he's doing, and just because it made no sense to me doesn't mean I shouldn't give him the benefit of the doubt.

First, bringing in Larry Brown, who quickly toughened up the team. Second, scoring Rasheed Wallace. I was outspoken in my belief that this would blow up in Joe's face, but once again, he knew something few others did. He traded Lindsay Hunter away, only to pick him right back up off waivers. Dumars rolled the dice on journeyman after journeyman, nailing every hunch as if he has regular delivery of next week's newspaper. Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Antonio McDyess. And when Brown brought them to the brink of the title, he made sure some seven-foot stalwart was on the bench, readying himself to go one-on-one with Shaq.

So I trust in Joe to do what needs to be done to move forward. But hey, it's my blog, and as such it's my duty to make a few suggestions. Okay, predictions.

The nucleus will remain intact, because it should, because it has to. I see Rip, Chauncy and Teyshawn coming back. The backcourt works way too well for Joe to rip it apart (pardon the pun). Considering how well Rodney Stuckey played in the final few months, they may end up grooming the next generation Piston backcourt. Teyshawn is still young and despite disappearing in the final two games of the Boston series, well worth keeping at the three. Besides, it would be difficult, only four years after passing on Carmello Anthony and D-Wade in favor of Darko (now on the bench elsewhere), to have a need at that same position.

I see three components that need upgrades.

First, Rasheed Wallace. The most talented player on the team. A seven-footer who can post low and hit threes with consistency. A player with a swagger who usually backs it up. Next year is the final season of his contract, and he can still fetch a good return on investment through a trade. Imagine what Sheed could do for any one of these teams: Phoenix, LA, Portland, Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland, Orlando, Denver. Teams close but in need of cajones to help them rise up to the promised land. Joe can get quality enhancements from several of these teams, and I trust he will know the best course to take.

Second, Antonio McDyess. Not because he's a detriment, not at all. In fact, he had been one of the more consistent offensive weapons for the team, and just completed perhaps the strongest season of his career. But he's at peak efficiency, and at best will deliver similar numbers in the next couple years. The more likely scenario is that his game will drop a half-notch, then another. This is an opportunity for the Pistons to get young, strong and big down low. They can secure reserve Theo Ratliff for another year. But McDyess is a valuable commodity, and packaged with one of Detroit's young up-and-comers could be the key to landing a top-tier center. I won't even throw out names, but I have a sneaking suspicion Joe has a few people in mind, a few of whom the thought of seeing them in the Piston blue and red would blow us away.

And third, Flip Saunders. He has a great basketball mind. He's a real stand-up guy (though I've only met him once, he impressed my son as he ran the kid ragged in a youth camp). But he's not right for this team. I feared that he would take The Team That Larry Brown Built and turn them into the Detroit Timberwolves. And that is precisely what he has done. Frequently (in May!) the Pistons have turned in performances where they looked unprepared for the challenge at hand. Game 1 this year in Boston is a classic example. Game 6 in Cleveland last year is another. Game 1 against Miami in the '06 Eastern Conference Finals, yet another.

But the most telling aspect that turned the Bad Boys, well, bad, was the lack of a defensive focus. Throughout the 1980s, the Detroit Pistons forged a reputation as the league's foremost defensive force. Teams and their superstars feared a drive through the lane, because more often than not, they would pay dearly for it. And no one was exempt--Jordan, Magic, Bird, Kareem, you name it. It may not have been pretty, but it won championships. With each playoff run, the number of layups, dunks and offensive rebounds given up to the opposition increases. In Friday's game 6, it sucked the fire right out of the team and its 20,000 vocal supporters. And with each season-ending loss, they leave the court almost resigned to its inevitability. When you're working harder for your buckets than the guys on the other side, you get tired sooner.

The Pistons need to restore their defensive pride. The pride founded by Dantley and Rodman, Laimbeer and Mahorn. The pride restored by Larry Brown in the play of Big Ben and Tey Tey. This is the single most important attribute of their next coach. Larry Brown was the perfect theoretical fit, but he's been bookended by offensive-minded tacticians.

As for the reserves, I would fight to keep Jason Maxiell, Stuckey and Amir Johnson (in my opinion the second most talented player on the current roster). Among Afallo, Hayes, Juan Dixon and Walter Herrmann, there seems to be the potential for trade value.

Detroit has four tradition-laced professional teams. Only one of them has a personality, a brand if you will. And Mr. Dumars can sense that this brand is in danger of being undone. Bill Davidson trusts you, Joe. The front office trusts you. The fans trust you. I trust you. You helped build the image. You know what you need to do to sustain it.