From Detroit came a clear and definite notice to the NBA?The Pistons are still the defending champions.

With all the talk centered elsewhere, the Pistons have taken total control of their first round series with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Just like last season at this time, the Pistons have transformed themselves into a playoff machine and somehow this team is better than last year?s edition.

Rasheed Wallace is healthy.

Antonio McDyess is healthy and does more for Larry Brown than Mehmet Okur ever could.

Chauncey Billups has his Finals MVP form already.

Rip Hamilton is as automatic as ever from 20 feet.

Ben Wallace is playing his world-class defense.

And Tayshaun Prince has become the Pistons? most important player.

His block on Allen Iverson on Tuesday sparked a 3rd quarter Detroit run, which has squashed any hopes the Sixers had of making a series out of their first round meeting.

If Ben Wallace is the foundation of the Pistons? defense, Prince has become their axis.  Either Prince or Wallace would win the Defensive Player of the Year Award if they weren't on the same team splitting votes.

He is always responsible for guarding the opposing team?s most dangerous perimeter scorer, so in the Eastern Conference Finals, which is already set in ink, Prince will guard Dwyane Wade.

Wade makes his living slashing and hitting the mid-range jumper, which is where Prince defends best.  Neutralizing Wade with no need for a double-team will allow Detroit?s other defenders to sag and help on Shaq.  

This scenario has virtually happened already, with Kobe Bryant playing the Wade character in last year?s Finals and the outcome was very one-sided.

Prince has also improved the offensive elements of his game.  He has become the 2nd best player from the 2002 Draft behind Amare Stoudemire.  In just three short years he has become one of the best late round steals in the league and has made Joe Dumars decision to draft Darko instead of Carmelo not look as bad.

With Prince playing the best basketball of his career, there is no real reason to believe the Pistons won?t return to the Finals.

The Heat will have home court advantage, but Miami doesn?t really have one of the NBA?s most hostile crowds.  Expect a six-game series, with Detroit returning to the Finals to quietly defend their title.