PISTONS CENTRE FEELS HOCKEY PLAYERS PAIN: Detroit Pistons centre Cliff Robinson agrees that the 82-game NBA regular-season, followed by four rounds of playoffs, can be a real grind. But Robinson does not think basketball players have the worst deal among pro athletes.

"You think an 82-game season is too long for basketball?" Robinson said. "I just think about what it must be like for hockey. Eighty-two games for those guys? Now, their season is too long."