Every team in the NBA would love to have Carmelo Anthony on their roster if they had the opportunity, right?  It seems logical after seeing what he was able to accomplish with the Denver Nuggets in his debut season, going head to head with the already well-publicised Lebron James all season which for Carmelo extended into the playoffs, rare territory for the Nuggets in recent times.

It all sounds great, but Detroit News writer Rob Parker isn't buying it.  The Pistons passed on Anthony and took Darko Milicic with the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft only to see Milicic rot away on the Pistons bench, but still Parker claims that not only do the Pistons not want Anthony, they do not need him either.

The factor behind these strong comments has been the stellar play once again of Tayshaun Prince.  The Pistons? second year forward, drafted 23rd overall in the 2002 NBA Draft, has come up huge for the second year in a row, slowly blossoming into the star player that Detroit believes he can become with his well rounded game.

The Pistons still believe that Milicic will grow into a star, but the reason that Anthony is not in Detroit is because of Prince.  He has heard all the talk about Anthony and to his credit he has never let it faze him.

?It didn?t bother me at all,? Prince said. ?The reason why I say that is because my general manager, Joe Dumars, and everybody in the front office had confidence in what I could do.

?They?ve been patient with me all along. By them being patient, it?s paying off for me.?

And for the Pistons.  Prince, who many considered to be the MVP of the Piston?s first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, dominated New Jersey?s Richard Jefferson in Game 1 as the Pistons jumped to a one game to none advantage.  

?He?s had terrific playoff games in all areas ? rebounding, defending, giving the ball up, making open shots,? said Larry Brown, Prince?s coach.  ?He?s just been tremendous.?

?To see how Tayshaun has raised his level of play, how calm he is under pressure and all the things he brings to this team and this game, speaks for itself,? Lindsey Hunter said.