On Tuesday, Nov. 4, we were introduced to a new leader. After many years of getting used to the way things were run, the change rocked us to our very core. Regardless of the outcome, it was a historic and memorable occasion.

We are speaking, of course, of Allen Iverson’s introduction to the media as the new point guard for the Detroit Pistons.

(Real talk: After listening to the same talking points all year, we’re as sick of election coverage as anyone else. Less “Change We Need” and more “Need for ‘Sheed” — please.)

The arrival of the eight-time All-Star and 2000-01 NBA MVP doesn’t come without a hefty price tag. Going to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for “The Answer” is our own starting point guard, Chauncey Billups, as well as valuable reserves Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb.

Since the retirement of Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in 2006, Billups was arguably the face of the Detroit sporting scene. He was originally declared a “bust” after being selected third overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and producing very little until four years later.

However, Billups blossomed after signing a free-agent deal with the Pistons in 2002 while earning the respect, admiration and curiosity of metro Detroiters for his deft passing touch, clutch shooting and workmanlike rise to status among the NBA’s elite class of point guards.

By 2004, he had reached the pinnacle of his game in leading the Pistons to a 4-1 series victory over the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers. For his 21 points and 5.2 assists per game average in the series, he was named the 2004 NBA Finals MVP.

Since that memorable upset win, the Pistons have encountered a gauntlet of difficulties. Despite six straight appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2003 using a unit of fellow misfits including Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace, they have only reached the NBA Finals twice.

Sports media have diagnosed the fall of the “sans-superstar dynasty” as the result of everything from aging to a lack of motivation, an NBA conspiracy to a simple lack of talent.

Which brings us to Monday’s deal, apparently little more than a business move. An Iverson-for-Billups trade; from a talent standpoint is at best a lateral-moving transaction of two extremely talented, if aging, NBA icons.

However, Billups’ contract guaranteed him several million dollar for the next three seasons, whereas Iverson’s is only good for the rest of the 2008-09 season. Should the Pistons choose not to renew the 33 year-old Iverson’s contract next summer, this trade will gives them money to pursue drool-worthy free agents to be such as Cleveland’s LeBron James, Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Toronto’s Chris Bosh.

Indeed, the prospect of seeing any of those All-Stars in Pistons’ royal blue for years to come is tantalizing.  Because of the flexibility offered by Iverson’s expiring contract, the Pistons will be able to rebuild what is seen as a decayed core of talent while remaining contenders to return to the NBA Finals.

Sports folk heroes in Detroit often take a painful journey to the top. Yzerman played for years on pitiful teams before the Red Wings’ rise to success in the 1990s. The Pistons’ Joe Dumars played second fiddle to Isiah Thomas and Grant Hill for his entire playing career before coming into his own as general manager of the team. The Lions’ Barry Sanders played for, well, he played for the Lions.

For Billups’ workmanlike rise to stardom, his consistency and his talent, his departure should have been far more glorious than marking “the end of an era” in Pistons’ history. He should have retired in royal blue amongst the rest of the blue-collar “sans-superstar dynasty” that represented Detroit so well.

In the wake of this trade, Detroit sports fans are left with many questions as we try to find a new face for our sporting scene. In this instance, Iverson isn’t “The Answer.”