The 93-85 road win over the Magic wiped out an eight-game losing streak - the longest for a Pistons team since the 1994-95 season - but it did little to erase the concerns over where this team is headed.

With a record of 28-29, the Pistons are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Such a concept was unfathomable when this season began. The Pistons once again were mentioned as a contender for the NBA title.

They had earned that respect as a franchise priding itself on grit, determination, consistency and "Dee-troit Basket-ball."

You know, that blue-collar approach: teamwork, physical play, tough D and a camaraderie not easily found in NBA circles.

The Pistons started fast, too, winning their first three games. Then, on Nov. 3, came the trade that turned things upside down.

Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars shipped point guard and team leader Chauncey Billups to Denver in exchange for superstar guard Allen Iverson.

The logic behind the trade was understandable. By trading Chauncey now, the Pistons were able relieve themselves of Billups' hefty contract. He was in the second season of a four-year deal worth a guaranteed $46 million, including a $14 million team option in the fifth year. He also is 32 years old.

Iverson brought a $20.8 million salary but he is in his contract's final year. If things didn't work Dumars could unload the 33-year-old guard. The end result could mean freeing salary cap space to sign marquee free agents in the near future.

Looking toward the future is wise. It's one of Dumars' strengths and a reason why he's one of the top executives in the league.

But even Dumars couldn't have envisioned the rapid decline this year's Pistons are experiencing.

As we now know, Iverson isn't a good fit in what was a team-oriented Pistons playing model. He's a better me player, than a we player. He can score, that's for sure, as his 27.3 points per game average attests. But does he complement other players on his team?

Hardly.

Iverson's arrival caused a guard problem, too. He's a shooting guard as is Rip Hamilton, the team's leading scorer the past six seasons. After an attempt at a three-guard system failed, first-year coach Michael Curry sent Rip to the bench to establish a traditional lineup of two guards, two forwards and a center (even though the Pistons lack a true center).

That hasn't worked either.

This Pistons team lacks chemistry, cohesiveness and leadership. They don't have a knack for winning close games in the fourth quarter, a staple of theirs in the Chauncey-led era.

Curry has enjoyed a honeymoon pass while he adjusts to his new role, but that pass is expiring. His effectiveness is in question. Curry came in as a player's coach, but so far the players haven't played well for the new coach.

Curry moved Rip back into the starting lineup on Friday and he responded with 31 points in leading the Pistons to victory. Moreover, a distribution of scoring wealth returned. Rodney Stuckey had 22 and Tayshawn 17. The Pistons looked more like the Pistons of old.

Iverson was back home in Detroit nursing a sore back. The fact the Pistons played better without him is no surprise.

Dumars' gamble to trade Chauncey for Iverson won't get a lot of passing grades from Pistons fans right now. That's fair. It's disrupted the team and turned a contender into a pretender.

But whether or not the trade was good for the future still gives reason to hope.

One thing is clear though: Iverson's not a part of that future.

Paul Neumeyer is sports editor for The Saginaw News. You may reach him at 776-9770 or at pneumeyer@thesaginawnews.com Listen to Paul talking sports at 4:45 p.m. weekdays on Wheelz 104.5FM.