This has officially become serious

So much for being calm and confident, eh? Even after losing Game 3 to the Cavaliers on Monday, the prevailing sentiment seemed to be that the Pistons were still firmly in control of this series and would win in six games.

At approximately 9:45 pm last night, the collective sphincter of Pistons fans everywhere tightened severely. It was probably already closing at tip-off, and progressively puckered throughout a game in which the Pistons could never assert themselves over an opponent virtually everyone believes (and probably still believes) is inferior in almost every way.

What the hell is going on here?

Three losses in a row is uncharted territory for the 2005-06 Detroit Pistons. And this is an unfortunate time to see how it works out for them.

"I'm still not concerned," Chauncey Billups said after the game. "I know what we're capable of."

Well, how about showing it then, guys? Is it safe to say the time for concern is right #@$%ing now?

How is it that the Cavaliers were playing with confidence last night, while the Pistons were flailing around like the team afraid to lose? This is what happens when you show the other team that they don't need to be afraid of you.

"It's just basketball," LeBronBronBron said in his post-game remarks. "They're not the Big, Bad Wolf. And we're not the Three Little Pigs."

Wait a minute. Who's supposed to be fearful, and who's supposed to be dismissive? Is this what it's come to? When did this NBA post-season become the Bizarro World for the Pistons and their fans? Who were those guys turning the ball over, getting their shots blocked, fumbling balls out of bounds, and fouling out? And who were those guys diving to the floor for loose balls?

Yet the Pistons would have you believe they're still cool like Fonzie. If there was any shock in the Detroit locker room last night, there was no awe to go along with it.

"We have been in this situation before," said Tayshaun Prince. "We know what to do. We feel like we can make it happen."

And if you had any questions about that, Detroit Bad Boys supports Tayshaun's point with hard evidence. These guys apparently like it on the edge. But the Pistons are starting to look like a team that believes its credentials entitle a free pass to the NBA Finals.

Their season is hardly over - and this series could be far off in the rear-view mirror if Detroit is playing for another championship in three weeks - but did you expect to feel any doubt before the Eastern Conference Finals? Are you beginning to wonder if this team peaked too early, if coasting through the majority of the regular season caused a red-white-and-blue haze that might not be shaken off until it's too late?

Maybe I shouldn't be, but I am. (So is Drew Sharp, who already has his scapegoat lined up.) Yet right now, I'm looking at a pair of tickets on my desk to Sunday's Tigers-Reds game at Comerica Park, and thinking I should see if I can sell them to a buddy. Or maybe I'll just leave around the 7th inning or so. Because I think we'll have a Game 7 on Sunday, and I want to be in front of my TV for it.

"We've done enough talking. We may have done a little too much talking," said Ben Wallace. "It's time to play."

Now would be a fine time for that, Ben. Oh, and work on your free throws.

(Photo by Robin Buckson/ Detroit News)