Small businesses continued turning to the U.S. Small Business Administration for commercial credit in record numbers through the first three quarters of FY 2005, reflecting their confidence in the U.S. economy and the stability of the SBAloan program that backs their loans.

Small businesses secured SBA backing under the agency's flagship 7(a) program for 71,131 loans through the first nine months of the fiscal year, a 21 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 49 percent increase over the same period two years ago.

The loans made so far this year amount to $11.1 billion, 19.5 percent more than in the same period last year, and on a clear pace for a record-setting year for the program.

The NBA title still goes right through The Palace.

Oh, and this, too: These Pistons are better than last year's champs. Their offense is better. Tayshaun Prince is much better. And newcomer Carlos Arroyo makes them suddenly quicker.

"In our heads, yeah, we're the favorites," Rasheed Wallace said after the Pistons won for the 10th time in 11 games, belting the Knicks. "There's no media attention coming our way, but that's all right.

"Outside of Michigan, they all got somebody else winning. It's like we ain't even doing (nothing). No problem. No pressure on us." Pistons Tickets He started rolling, so I had no intention of stopping him. With the playful edge that has turned him into a huge fan favorite here, Wallace said what we've been waiting to hear.

"We'll see," he said. "When it comes down to it, we'll smack 'em in the mouth with the trophy again."

The Pistons are back, potentially better, growing louder. Being better doesn't guarantee a repeat, but by adding offense to their lock-down defense, the chances are rising, again. Miami will be tough if Shaquille O'Neal is healthy and the Heat (40-15) lands the No. 1 seed, which is why the Pistons (33-19) have plenty of incentive the final 30 games. But sorry, San Antonio is the only scary team in the West.

Joe Dumars doesn't need to make a grand move at today's trade deadline because, well, he already made it. Last year, he landed the star with attitude, Wallace. This year, he stole passing whiz Arroyo on Jan. 21 from Utah for Elden Campbell and a No. 1 pick.

We can only assume the Jazz and cranky coach Jerry Sloan felt bad the Pistons weren't getting enough acclaim, and offered to help. Arroyo is good and quick. With him, the Pistons found the bench spark they were missing. With everything else -- has Charles Barkley gone longer than a day-and-a-half without poking at the Pistons? - they've found their missing hunger.

Somehow, the Pistons keep adding elements without disrupting their chemistry. Somehow, they keep finding fuel in the slights. Ben Wallace was the champs' only All-Star? OK, fine. Bring it on.

Arroyo was unhappy in Utah, demoted because he didn't fit anymore? OK, fine. Bring him on.

"The way we run the floor, helping each other, being unselfish, these are the qualities of a championship team," Arroyo said. "I love it here. These guys are amazing. Their style of play matches mine. I'm a point guard, and I have such great talent around me, it makes my job easier."

The Pistons are making everything look effortless. Even Larry Brown, the artful prodder, has had little reason to fret. The assist totals have rocketed, and the Pistons' last 10 victories have been by an average margin of 17.7. Goodness, they look like Illinois plowing through the Big Ten.

"We had a record year for this loan program a year ago, and we're going to set another record in 2005," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "It tells us that the critics are wrong, that small businesses are confident enough to invest in the future of the American economy, and that this program is here to help them do it. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of the self-funded footing on which the President has placed the loan program, and the confidence that lenders have in its stability. I am very pleased with this performance so far this year."

The gains are also reflected in the SBA's Certified Development Company, or 504, loan program. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, the 504 program had issued 6,434 loans worth $3.44 billion, more than 6 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, when the program had produced 6,058 loans for $2.88 billion.

The budget for the current year makes more than $21 billion available to small businesses through the two loan programs, including $16 billion in small business lending under the 7(a) program and $5 billion under the 504 program.

For information on applying for an SBA loan, visit the SBA's extensive Web site