Back in April I mocked the NBA playoffs, scoffing at the idea of anyone watching the early rounds. But, during the last four three games Finals, I have actually been rearranging my schedule in order to make sure that I can be in front of my television. Why? Partly because I despise the Lakers, but mostly because the Pistons have turned out to be the epitome of what a team is supposed to be -- in stark contrast to their opponent. As Doc Rivers put it on PTI tonight, "It's two stars versus a team, and so far, the team is winning."
Before the start of the series, experts were saying that the Lakers would win in a cake-walk. But, the experts weren't playing in the finals, and four games later, the Pistons find themselves on the brink of a championship with a 3-1 series lead. History is against the Lakers. No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the finals. However, as Kobe Bryant pointed out last night, history isn't entirely on the Pistons' side, either. No team has ever won all three consecutive home games in the NBA finals, either. The Pistons will need to do just that in order to avoid returning to LA in pursuit of their title. If the Pistons do indeed win tonight, Larry Brown will become the first coach to win both an NCAA title and an NBA title.
