You want to talk about history? You want to talk about the recent successes of the Pistons? About the back-to-back 50-victory seasons and Central Division titles? About getting to the Eastern Co.ference finals last season?

OK, Larry Brown doesn't mind talking history.

"I admire the heck out of what Rick Carlisle did here," said Brown, who replaced Carlisle as coach last spring. "But they lost 4-0 to New Jersey. Any way you look at it, they got swept out of the conference finals in the East and New Jersey got Alonzo Mourning this summer."

With that, you get an idea about the sense of purpose Brown will bring to the table today as he opens his 27th professional training camp (34th overall) and first with the Pistons.

Much has been made of the fact the Pistons represent the first time Brown has ever taken over a team with a winning record. But all Brown sees is a team that, though pretty good, has yet to reach its potential.

"I look at this team and two starters are gone (Cliff Robinson and Michael Curry). Jon Barry, a key sub off the bench, is gone. I see some young guys and I see some veterans who weren't here last year (Elden Campbell, Bob Sura)," Brown said. "The fact that they won before doesn't mean a thing. This team is not the same."