The NBA trade deadline is arriving Thursday and the Pistons are not playing well at all.
January was a disaster and February, so far, has been even worse. The Pistons are just three games above .500 - and a game under since making the trade for Allen Iverson.
The idea of not making the playoffs, which seemed remote just a month ago, could become real if the Pistons don’t turn it around quickly.
New Jersey, which would be the last team out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference as the NBA returns from the All Star break, is just four games behind the Pistons.
The Pistons’ schedule isn’t that easy, either, especially given they have lost their home court advantage. The Pistons are just a game above .500 at home this season. That might be the most disturbing aspect of all about their slide.
Joe Dumars has to do something about this, doesn’t he? The Pistons can’t remain silent at the trade deadline under these circumstances, can they? And how much of the blame falls on first-year coach Michael Curry?
It doesn’t have to be a blockbuster deal involving Amare Stoudemire, but at least some augmentation to shore up their defense.

Random Thoughts

- Brandon Inge is a lifetime .237 hitter. A key for the Tigers is that he raise that into the .260 range and provide power (around 20 home runs) near the bottom of the batting order. If that doesn’t happen, the Tigers lineup will be too top heavy.

- Stephen Threet’s transfer from Michigan was predictable. The handwriting was on the wall once Michigan landed Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier. Threet’s style was a mismatch for Rich Rodriguez’s offense. The Wolverines will have much different look offensively next season, but will it better? Opening the season with a freshman quarterback is always a precarious situation. And I doubt Nick Sheridan will win the job.