HoopWatch

Some good things never last. The Detroit Pistons domination of the East, the team which starred in five straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances, including an NBA Championship Trophy in 2004, may now come to an end.

Why? All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups has opted out of his contract, leaving the Pistons with no starting fury from its back court. Billups catapulted Detroit to success in this decade. He was the Finals MVP in 2004 against a mighty Los Angeles Lakers team which featured future Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal, Gary Payton, Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant.

For now, Lindsey Hunter would have to replace Billups. And that is not a good omen of things to come. Hunter is a good defender and a veteran, but he lacks the savvy, guts and size (which created mismatches) that Chauncey had. There will be struggles from the Piston camp this season unless they find an All-Star point guard within Billups caliber.

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