The Eastern Conference standings are a bit topsy-turvy a quarter of the way through the season, with Detroit, New Jersey and Boston at the top and Philadelphia and Miami near the bottom.

Coach Paul Silas figures it's still too early to make lasting judgments on some of the teams, but he's already convinced that the Pistons are for real.

The Pistons are 14-7 after a road loss against the L.A. Clippers yesterday.

"They're really good," Silas said. "Some of these other teams like New Jersey, time will tell, but I think Detroit is legitimate. They're going to be around all year."

Silas said the addition of Clifford Robinson was the difference after the Pistons went 30-52 and failed to make the playoffs last season.

"He gives them a really good inside player to go with (Jerry) Stackhouse," Silas said. "Now, they've got an inside presence and an outside presence. And the thing is, they didn't have to give up anything to get him. Normally you have to give up something to get a player like him, but they got him basically for nothing."

? Forward George Lynch plans to have the cast on his left foot removed on Friday, and if all is well, Lynch could start practicing again next week.