The lack of defense is compensated for by the clutch plays the starters make down the stretch.

The record is gaudy, but then we haven't played more than one elite team (Dallas). And when we played that elite team, they out executed our "O" and exploited our poor "D".

I'm happy for the fast start, but it is a long season and we are relying very heavily on the starters. The bench guys have been very, very inconsistent.

In a game this close, you have to wonder if we would have won with Pietrus playing and Murphy not under the effects of the flu.

Sometimes it is good to be lucky. It's always better to be good. I'm still waiting for that San Antonio game (and hoping their roster is healthy) so that we can get a true gauge of where this team is at. One thing is for sure, the rebounding worries me more than the spotty "D". Common basketball knowledge dictates that the team who wins the battle on the boards gives themselves a chance to win. If the other team is out-rebounding the Pistons, then they are also being given that chance...