Detroit Pistons they're not as good as they were last year
( ( Detroit Pistons ) ( they ( ( ( 're not ) ( as good ) ) ( as ( they ( were ( last year ) ) ) ) ) ) )
(ROOT (FRAG (NP (NP (NNP Detroit) (NNP Pistons)) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP 're) (RB not) (ADJP (RB as) (JJ good)) (SBAR (IN as) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBD were) (NP (JJ last) (NN year)))))))))))
Detroit Pistons played better last year
( ( Detroit Pistons ) ( ( played better ) ( last year ) ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (NNP Detroit) (NNP Pistons)) (VP (VBD played) (ADVP (RBR better)) (NP (JJ last) (NN year)))))