It's ridiculous this is even an issue. On the day after the Pistons finished a fine season by getting swept in the Eastern Conference finals, questions swirled about Coach Rick Carlisle's contract status.

Enough with the games already. Carlisle, with a regular-season record of 100-64 and one year remaining on his contract, deserves an extension of at least two years. He deserves it immediately.

If Carlisle's status isn't really an issue, Pistons President Joe Dumars needs to step in before it becomes one. Dumars has to be forceful, not just because Carlisle has done the job, but because restless players will detect the slightest whiff of weakness.