The Detroit Pistons are undoubtedly on the rise, but perhaps they're getting a bit ahead of themselves.
Having broken their seven-year playoff drought, Pistons guard Reggie Jackson is already looking ahead to the next goal.
"It was a good season," Jackson told reporters during locker cleanouts. "When you look back and have time to reflect, it was a successful season. We accomplished some of the goals that we set out for.
"Of course, we always want to achieve more than what others expect from us - we set really high goals. The goal next year: Finals."
Jackson is right to set lofty goals, but making the Finals one year after getting swept in the first round is more of a fanciful dream than anything else. The Pistons are a long way from being able to wrestle away LeBron James' vice grip on the East.
But the Pistons do have the pieces in place to improve. With a promising young six-man core under contractual control going forward, they're definitely treading the right path on the long road to the Finals.