by SJ: June 15, 2004
SHOCKWAVES
The Pistons ran past LA and won in a rout
The Lakers were built to win now. The Pistons were just supposed to be the team that they ran over. That was the plan. That was the thinking. That�s why the little respected Detroit Pistons, who used a style of play about as exciting a snail race, were 5-1 underdogs. They were hopeless, helpless, and one win would be something. Now flip the script. And tell that to the Pistons now, the defensive minded, team-oriented, superstar less, Pistons who sent shockwaves through the NBA. The least is finally the beast and the Pistons can crown themselves king of the universe. Detroit was awesome! They sparkled, they dazzled, and finally they were king of the prom, king of the dance, king of the basketball universe. In a game so often taken over by superstar aura, the Pistons were a well-oiled machine, and as their name suggests they were hitting on all cylinders. They weren�t some product of money. Instead they were the end result of hard -work, slick maneuvering, smooth transitioning, and silky smooth team chemistry. And when you can put together a core that can all score and a group of 12 guys who never bickered, never argued, never moaned and groaned, never used the word �I�in a sentence. And there was Larry Brown, who took over for Rick Carlisle in move that confused almost everyone, and gave all an opinion. Rick had led these Pistons to 50 wins in 2 straight years and back to back division titles, and no one could understand the decision. Why many asked? Here�s why, Brown was one notch better, one teacher with one more trick up his sleeve, and one coach who was simply a winner. But it was Joe Dumars, former BadBoy of Detroit�s old championship teams back in the late 80's and early 90's. He boldly traded Jerry Stackhouse for up and coming star Richard Hamilton. He signed Chauncey Billups, he traded for the short-tempered Rasheed Wallace, and he put the Pistons among the NBA�s elite. He built a team with boys among men, not too young not too old. Just perfect. And the Detroit Pistons didn�t disappoint as they rolled into the post season and came into the Finals with a quiet confidence, and while there mouths were on mute, they simply came in with more swagger than LA had. It was that kind of swagger that was invincible. The kind where no one believed except themselves. And look at the boys from MoTown now. Take a good look, they�re champs. The team that drafted Darko over Melo-Man is the team that reigned supreme when midnight struck. Someone forgot to tell them that the res slipper was stuck. Only, it was also a perfect fit. A tight knit group the Detroit Pistons exemplified how teamwork can beat superstars. Detroit�s D was flat out incredible. The Lakers constantly had to take bad shots, and open looks were a few. Detroit slowly developed the heart of a champion and you could hear it beat as their fans buzzed, an all out euphoria, but it was the prettiest of beats. All in unison all so equal, all coordinated to the sound of a orchestra. Once again the little kid beats the bully. The Marlins beat the Yanks and the Pats beat the Rams a few years back. The Pistons given virtually no hope, were supposed to be the 6th Eastern Conference victim to fall to the mighty west. They were supposed to be. The Lakers though, forgot a plan B, as Plan A failed and it failed brutally.
as well as the unthinkable miracle..................in Motown.
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