To whom it may concern...

To: New Jersey, Indiana and the Western Conference Playoff contenders From: The Detroit Pistons Subject: We are not the Pistons you're used to Date: 03/09/2004

To whom it may concern:

This memo is being sent out as a favor to all of you. We feel we need to warn you what is about to take place. You see, we are not the same team that you've seen so far this year. We've made some changes.

Yes, we have struggled against all of you at one point or another this season, but that was then, this is now. Be careful when you come to our house. Be even more careful if we come to yours. Sure, you've beaten us this season, but wait until you see us now.

If you'd like a general idea of what we're talking about, feel free to contact the 76ers, the Bulls, the Hawks, the Clippers, the Trailblazers, the Nuggets and the Sonics. They were the first to see what we've done. You can even ask Utah, they had a lucky five minutes where we missed shots -- they know they got lucky, and belong on that list, too.

Even with that Utah fluke, you can see the changes. We outscored those teams 93-77. All of the wins were by at least 10 points. Sure, those teams were hardly the pride of the NBA, we know that. But we also know that we played two back-to-backs, and went on a five-game western road trip. All of that in 13 days -- and we still dominated. See, we've made some changes.

The last three games of that stretch, we had to play without Rip Hamilton, our leading scorer. Finishing up a Western trip, playing another back-to-back, and all of it without you're number one scoring option. You'd think we would have struggled. Well, we beat those three teams by an average of 22 points. We still managed to score 87 points per game. During those three games, we became the first team since the shot clock hit the NBA to hold three consecutive teams to under 70 points. And we did it a man short, and on the road. Since the last time you've seen us, we've made some changes.

You all remember Ben Wallace, I'm sure. Well, he can score, now. He's number eight in the League in double-doubles this season. On top of his 13.2 rebounds per game, his 3.1 blocks per game and his 1.9 steals per game, now Ben's also dropping 10 points a night on unsuspecting victims, much like yourselves, who are underestimating his abilities. That's a big mistake.

Oh, and we've also got Ben a play-friend for down low. I almost forgot to remind you about him. Remember that Rasheed Wallace trade a lot of your were hoping we didn't make? Yeah, that's panning out great for us, so far. He needed a game or two to adjust to our style of play, but he's doing just fine now.

Over the last eight games, he and Ben have had a lot of fun. They're averaging 27 points, 21 rebounds, 5.75 blocks and 3.4 steals per game. So, all of you "big" guys -- if you want to play your normal game and just try to power over anybody that's in front of you, may want to reconsider.

The truth is, once Rip comes back, none of you will have a lot of answers for us and the changes we've made. Sure, we don't plan on beating all of you by 31 points every night, but we sure don't plan on losing.

We know you've beaten us before, but we've made some changes. The playoffs are coming... are you ready for us?

See you all real soon!