I must first say a huge congrats to the University of Michigan Softball Team for holding it down all season, and finally coming home with the World Series title last night. And a special congrats to an acquaintance of mine, Jenny Ritter, who pitched like a pro for the team all season long. Go Blue!!!
Much like education, good men, respect, etc., in every phase of society, we seem to downplay reputable qualities no matter where they exist. I contend that the Detroit Pistons are the perfect facsimile of what society should be. They are the epitome of a team. Unfortunately, we teach our children to share and we tout teamwork as a great and essential part of our world, but we tend to only glorify individuals-often undeservedly so-and not the team concept that the Pistons exemplify.
But its cool, cuz they're back! The Detroit Pistons!
So there they are, the Defending NBA Champs, still as dominant as last year when they reclaimed the title, and they get no love. After watching the Pistons steal home court advantage from the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, I was heavily frustrated as the TNT post-game coverage focused on Jamie Foxx’ movie career, and then moved onto Shaquille O’Neal’s game play, and Dwayne Wade’s pathetic performance. Little was said about how the Pistons completely dominated the game, each player working with each other as if they were pieces of a masterful jigsaw puzzle.
When the Pistons completed a “5-game sweep” of the Lakers in the finals last year, it wasn’t that the Pistons destroyed the Lakers, it was the Lakers were old, or ran out of gas, or there was too much bickering amongst the players. You never heard that the Pistons were the better team, and that’s why they won.
After the Pistons won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals this past Monday night, it made me cringe to listen as Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson tried to cram the notion of being a superstar down Rasheed Wallace’s throat. ‘Sheed mentioned how the Pistons were a complete team, and he knows that if he doesn’t show up one game, someone else will pick up the slack. Barkley and Johnson replied that when the game is on the line, it was incumbent upon the superstar (Rasheed) to step up his game, and that Rasheed did that in Game 7. ‘Sheed replied that the Pistons were a team.
You see, the league needs superstars to be in the Finals and in the spotlight. Not just the league though. Clothing lines, shoe stores, hardware stores, cereal brands, etc.; they all need superstars to market and promote so that they can further promote their product and increase sales. When there are stars attached to a team, jersey sales go up, Wheaties boxes sell, Nike shoes fly out of Footlocker, and TV viewership rises. And a “real team” just doesn’t cut the cake. Who is Nike gonna promote? Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rip Hamilton or Rasheed Wallace? None of them sticks out particularly.
In my opinion, Prince may be the best player on the Pistons’ squad. However, we all know what ‘Sheed can do. When he played for Portland, on a squad that could’ve started all 13 of its players (stacked with great players and diametrically opposite of what the Pistons are today), he was the man. Puttin’ up 27 and 9 a night wasn’t a big deal for him. He was easily in the top 5 of players in the league at his position, with a sick inside and outside game. Now that he’s on a team that doesn’t require that out of him, he has resigned himself to amalgamating with his counterparts.
And you know what? The team concept that he now plays with did something for him that all of his individual accolades could not: It has taken him to two consecutive finals, and won him a World Championship.
Indeed, I’m certain that the NBA front office would’ve preferred that the Phoenix Suns played the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals this year. Revenue would’ve been sky high, and the fervor would’ve been amazing.
I can see the headlines now, and I can imagine the theses. The saga of Shaq’s troubled relationship with Kobe birthing a championship for him back in Florida, where his pro career started. Even better, the emergence of two young star sidekicks, Amare Stoudamire and Dwayne Wade, on their road to round-ball greatness. Or better yet, the epic tail of two MVP’s, traded in the off-season, resurrecting basketball greatness in their respective cities, leading to a winner takes all battle on the hardwood in the Finals.
But nope, not this year, not in these Finals, not with the Pistons playing.
Even worse, the Pistons, who claimed the Eastern Conference Championship, will be playing the San Antonio Spurs. Now don't get too excited, cuz the sparks probably won’t fly.
Although the Spurs have two prominent guards in Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, the only superstar on the court at any given time during the series will be Spurs Center/Forward Tim Duncan. And Duncan is, well, less than exciting to watch or listen to. He’s “the Big Fundamental,” and doesn’t shout or show much emotion on the court. In press conferences, his low key demeanor is prevalent, and his speech is laced with plenty of diatonically low toned “Um’s.”
So this year’s NBA Finals is easily the league’s worst nightmare; two clubs that don’t play flashy basketball and actually work together as a team. I think it’s great for these squads to defy the norm, and prove to the world that you don’t need an egotistical, self-centered, ball-hogging player or two to lead your team to a title.
Maybe the concept will spread. The New England Patriots did it in football, the Pistons did it last year, and are set to do it again this year. Maybe this idea will permeate even Hollywood. The movie “Crash” pulled it off quite well. Maybe!
Then again, what would Hollywood be without its Brad’s, Jennifer’s, and Angelina’s? Anyhow... I digress.
And how could I finish this blog without making my prediction on the outcome of the NBA Finals? So here’s the deal, the Spurs are favored in Vegas, even though the Pistons have a decided advantage in at least 3 of the 5 positions (Center, Point Guard, Shooting Guard). And I know the Spurs Bowen is a defensive stopper, but if they put him on Rip Hamilton, who’s gonna guard Tayshaun Prince. I mean, 4 of the Pistons starting five are capable of putting up 20+ points at any given time (versus 3 for the Spurs).
On the other end of the court, only Rip is questionable on defense. The rest are defensive beast. So to me, on paper, the Pistons have the advantage. However, the Spurs have proven themselves to be flexible in many ways. They can run with the best of them (like they did with the Suns), or they can slow it down like the Pistons do. And Tim Duncan can’t be stopped; he’s just too skilled. Plus the Spurs have the homecourt (even though that hasn’t seemed to matter to the Pistons over the course of the last 3 postseasons). Also, don't forget that these teams are 1 and 2 in team defense this year.
The key for the Pistons is to stop Ginobili and Parker from getting in the paint. We all know Parker can be stopped, but can anyone prevent the Ginobili attack? The key for the Spurs is to keep the Piston’s big men in foul trouble because they can do a lot of damage against the Spurs front line. Plus Rasheed (the Pistons best frontcourt offensive threat) has a hothead, and foul trouble can really frustrate him.
It oughtta be a great series overall. I’m picking the Pistons to steal game 1 in San Antonio tonight.
Pistons in 6!
Deeeeetroit Basketbaaaaaaall!
-Maelstrom
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