The 2004 Champ Pistons - and a word to Celtics on post-season defense

I admit to being enamored with the Champion 2003-04 Detroit Pistons, mostly for the fact they were massive underdogs to the Shaq/Kobe Lakers - and they played stifling defense In what has been described as the biggest upset in NBA Finals history, the Pistons not only took the Title - but they did so in five games.

Unlike the Lakers, Detroit had no big names. Their starting five consisted of Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. But in the end, defense trumped offense.

The 2023-24 version of the Boston Celtics HAS big names, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. And Al Horford, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday are far from unknowns..

But any one NBA team - on any given night - can defeat any other team no matter how powerful. When The Green work their butts off on defense, they drive opponents nuts. That is simply hard work and dedication to the task.

Offense, particularly 3-point barrages, can come and go. It can't be fully relied on to win Titles. Ask Shaquille O'Neal if you run into him.

The odds for the Lakers were -700. The Pistons were at +500. I love this present Celtics crew, but odds mean little when the contest is underway.

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