20 Years Ago: Pistons Win NBA Finals vs. Lakers | Pistons Archives

[@rlfprofessor301]

This is probably the clearest I’ve ever seen this broadcast

[@longlivecrow]

I didn't even think HD broadcasting was around in 2004 haha

[@Number-cl7yh]

@@longlivecrowit wasn’t around. It’s clear because the Pistons organizations went all in onrushing remastering this video and put everything else on the backburner for 20 years

[@reverend_wintondupree]

@@Number-cl7yh HD broadcasts from ABC have been around since 1999. All of MNF football was produced in HD during the 1999 sesason, including the Superbowl. As far as the NBA, ABC has produced the NBA Finals in HD since 2002-2003, noting that not all regular season games were in HD due to production truck availability. The 2004 season was no exception, but the NBA Finals were all in HD.

[@getfitron155]

@@longlivecrowyou must be a gen z

[@Ballinbmac]

@@longlivecrowhd became available in 2003

[@leonardreid2911]

The 04 team was the best Defensive team in NBA HISTORY! Thanks for sharing!

[@MrCleanMachine48]

Duncan with beat down the next year

[@chriswilliams1024]

The biggest underdog story in NBA history

[@EFunkRock]

@@MrCleanMachine48teams win champs, not individuals. SA is not the best defensive team in history so stay on topic.

[@revealwhatsrealministries1251]

Don’t rob them… Correction: Greatest team ever on both ends of the court… Defense sets up easier offense!!! #PistonGang

[@cediemina4528]

​@@MrCleanMachine48atleast they got it until game 7 unlike the Lakers.

[@PrettyboyAshtun]

back when the finals still had that big time feel to it.

[@MB.Archives]

Love to see NBA games from this era in HD quality. Bravo Pistons Archives

[@dannyheraty3044]

RIP Stuart Scott.

[@djgreen5219]

Detroit Basketball!!!!!!!

[@1RP3Pistons]

THIS is the style of play that works and fits in Detroit. Blue collar, grind out every possession, and fight through the end. This is what the Pistons need to emulate to get back to relevancy. The league is a lot different now, but defense is what ultimately gets you a seat at the table. 💪😤

[@freshcoastfreak7408]

I think what you’re missing is these kind of players, they don’t exist anymore. They’re too busy playing video games with each other in the back.

[@rahamanawelenje9955]

Can we be friends 😢​@freshcoastfreak7408

[@MrIgnaxius]

Hard to believe this was 20 years ago, time flies so fast.

[@i.p.0179]

The underrated, underdog, darkhorse Detroit Team. 🏆

[@PistonsTalk]

Man I’m getting old I was 12 when they won in 2004

[@kobefan009]

Same bro 😎

[@RALF0691]

I had just turned 13 on the 1st of June that year.

[@i.p.0179]

Yeah we're gettin' quite old, 😅

[@chriswilliams1024]

I was 7 years old when this happened now I'm 27

[@chrisgrissom3610]

Get over it, I was in my early 20s during this time.. You're not old 😅😅😅😅

[@firstmind4883]

Damn, I was 24 watching this game! THE ENERGY of go to work Pistons 💪🏼 Feels like it was yesterday

[@Chefdemas33]

Yeah I was 26 from Grand Rapids living in NC

[@chardeemacdennis3852]

Same.. loved this team

[@simpson81323]

I was 24 too. Good times

[@lollol-dp9ue]

U in ur middle crisis now

[@webdev217]

Me too bro. 1980

[@PLAY2SCORE88]

Huge spurs fan here but absolutely loved this Detroit piston team man my fav 2 players watching were billups and Hamilton I enjoyed seeing them winning one well deserved.

[@eric3298]

Same

[@ThaDiabolicalOne]

GSG

[@ericnalda3191]

Big Ben also

[@LemonMeringuetheDetriotR-hc5uh]

20 years ago this happened. Detroit basketball forever

[@ForzaMilan-di2zd]

A 5 game sweep basically. One of the most dominating performance in a Finals from all aspects of the game. Shame we couldn’t add the 2005 title as well

[@Mario-w1i3e]

Sheed made a mistake by doubling Ginobilli, which left Horry open for that open three in Game 5

[@packersauburneric3625]

​@@Mario-w1i3eya I wanted Detroit to win that series so bad

[@LamelKendrick]

Sheed said Stern set up San Antonio to win 05. they wanted the international storyline. Seeing the push for storylines above authentic competition still goes on now as it did back then.

[@kemalmighty2288]

@@LamelKendrick They already won in 2003,why would Stern want the same thing again?

[@RMilelli]

From Argentina!! My favorite team Detroit Pistons 2004/2005 ! AWESOME DEFENSIVE TEAM! By Larry Brown!

[@nicholaslu4069]

Were you a Carlos Delfino fan?

[@kemalmighty2288]

They generally support Spurs

[@chrisgrissom3610]

I was in my 20s when this happened. The city had so much energy.

[@DR.DisInfect]

I was in my nonies

[@tehDanielRuiz]

To me, the main difference between now (2024) and the 2000s (ignoring the inevitable and obvious evolution in talent, skill, concepts and athleticism) is how bad the defensive IQ and the defensive fundamentals are as a whole in the NBA. There art of teaching proper, defensive habits within young players is the biggest cause of high scoring games in the modern NBA, and not that evolution of offensive skill (that said, spacing and better shooting is still a MAJOR contributing factor!). When you go back and watch the Pacers-Pistons game 2 of the ECF in 2004, the defensive cohesion and unison of both sets of players on the court was bordering on perfection (almost like watching the 2015-2018 warriors, but on defense). The hedging and blitzing on pick and rolls, the primary blocks, the help defender blocks, the 1v1 defense, chasing around floppy actions/flares, the charges taken; it was all a result of an incredibly high IQ and understanding of the game, and not necessarily athleticism. The game back then already didn't have much spacing, so this really felt like an NHL playoff game with absolutely zero space and the smallest space advantage needing to be exploited. The 04 ECF and the 05 Finals were truly the last great playoff defensive matchups

[@duckheadfoot]

One of the biggest upsets in Finals history, and yet it was a dominant victory, only Bryant's buzzer-beating 3-pointer in Game 2 to force OT prevented a sweep.

[@sostdm617]

As a Celtics fan even though we are not supposed to like Detroit at all but this is one of my favorite teams of all time because of thier defensive insistently alone

[@captokyo]

As a Detroit fan they playing legendary Celtics defense

[@arizonaFIREent]

Im a Celtics fan but always respected the pistons haha

[@packersauburneric3625]

​@@arizonaFIREentsame go Celtics

[@packersauburneric3625]

​@@captokyoYa and pistons team was first non top 10 NBA player led championship team

[@andrel.2768]

It's already been 20 years? God damn.

[@CheddarChess-ft7hj]

I've been looking for this footage but have only found low quality ones. Good thing this is the official HD one! My favorite team: 2004 Pistons! Loved this team when I was still a child. Nostalgia!

[@Mario-w1i3e]

The first team to win all the middle three home games under the 2-3-2 format

[@halfblooddutchprince]

"The angular and very thin, Tayshaun Prince." 🤣🤣 Dammit man 2004 was the best year ever for me! Pistons win the champiobship, Prisoner of Azkaban came out in theaters and Halo 2 was released! 11 year old me was so happy!

[@JohnDoe_88]

Miss the palace!! That arena was great

[@jaybrick8973]

Yeah LCA doesnt have the same feel I miss the Palace as well

[@JohnDoe_88]

@jaybrick8973 Right the seats are too tight with a steep drop off down the rows and the parking sucks with no tailgating at the lca. Didn't make sense they had just upsdated new seats, sound system, jumbotron, new atrium, and concessions at the palace just to tear that all down right after to push their way last minute into an arena that was being built for hockey.. smh

[@Monaayy29]

Al Michaels once upon a time called the NBA is something I keep forgetting.

[@razkable]

He was doing football he did a little hockey and basketball at that time...I think he has done many other sports too like soccer tennis golf a fight or two and baseball...

[@B3_W3LL]

I was just watching highlights of Ben Wallace, so cool you guys uploaded this game today. One of my favorite teams to watch 💪🏽

[@isrealneal7552]

They absolutely earned it the 04 pistons went in there and got the job done congrats to Detroit Big Ben was a absolute beast and so was the rest of the team 😁😉👍👌

[@Daddieo]

He (Big Ben) was the true MVP that year

[@packersauburneric3625]

​@@Daddieoplayed Shaq straight up

[@DetroitSportsFanSince2002]

20 years ago when the Pistons won a title in my lifetime 😔

[@dejirii]

Thank you for uploading this video Detriot Pistons. I watch classic games because in today's basketball game they don't use strategy anymore. Back when it's a real man game. By the way your team is getting better they are not at the bottom anymore.

[@RJ_chaos]

Pistons/NBA: please release all regular season and playoff games from this season on streaming, Blu-ray, or DVD!

[@tabbatharenea8766]

YES!

[@RJ_chaos]

Like… we are ready to throw money at you. Just make the games available to us!!

[@projectdrive3099]

20 years ago... the year I started into basketball and the very first NBA Finals I ever watched. Still one of my favourite Finals although the Lakers lost...

[@andresbaruchvazquez8173]

My favorite old times team pistons champions!!! Thanks for share this great Game!!

[@markdwighttadina7655]

The 2004 and 2005 Finals was the last NBA Finals were defense is truly played Nowadays, 99% Offense, 1% defense.

[@greyk610]

That's BS, they were still playing great defense in the 2010 Finals.

[@eric3298]

Yes when Celtics should of won

[@beerus8056]

you mean, pure half court sets that why the game was look like amore defensive game, no screens. unlike now 3-5 screens per possession and players are now are more shooters compared before

[@Ktronprime]

Ben Wallace 6'9 held his own against big shaq while Rip guarded Kobe. Prince with them rubber band arms.. That Detroit team were straight up dawgs.

[@BlizzardAcolyte]

Since this is the Pistons channel, I doubt the video crew give that much of a shit about offending anyone, but I’m still a little surprised that the commentary at around 1:23:35 wasn’t edited out of the audio…even today, I feel like it’s a bit of a sore spot league-wide for TWO stars’ legal issues to have been aired out on national TV, on a baseline channel pretty much every TV provider had, to be recorded and preserved for all time, ESPECIALLY since one of those stars has reached legendary status in today’s league OFC, as a fully proud Lakers hater, I love that Al & Doc brought it up and that whoever spruced this vid up just didn’t touch it at all

[@freedomthefreeman487]

Come on Gores. Get your shit together. Have some pride in this great organization. Enough is enough. Let’s Go Stones! Give us a reason to care again baby!

[@jagmeetdeol9884]

I miss this basketball!!!! Been watching since 2002, basketball just isn’t the same anymore

[@brycewilson1909]

.....and it's been almost 20 years since the Pistons were worth a damn, cmon guys lets figure it out and start winning some meaningful basketball games again

[@jaybrick8973]

Pistons has taken the lions spot as the worst team in Detroit 😂

[@razkable]

​@@jaybrick8973 the pistons haven't won a playoff game since 2008...they have been to the playoffs twice since 2010 started...poverty franchise...the kings and hornets have playoff wins somehow in that span...the pistons have 3 titles...they should be above this...they aren't suppose to be close to the hornets and kings...and before this year the t wolves smdh...

[@jaybrick8973]

@@razkable yeah it's sad to see

[@kz1000ps]

@@razkable Can't forget about the Wizards!

[@timomomomo969]

Current owner is terrible

[@ASAPKING313]

🥺🥺🥺🥺 The glory days....

[@chinny18]

Doc Rivers on commentary? Man... That was a nice thing to hear as he later won the NBA title with the Celtics. Thanks for the good nostalgia. I love this '04 Pistons team. They have a shot to win another but luck was not on their side. Still, a good hell of a run with Eastern Conference Finals runs.

[@eric3298]

Amen

[@wenyiliu2078]

So many epic plays epic scene happend in this game

[@jorli1274]

Hard to believe that in about a decade later we would be seeing those ABC Sports personalities on NBC Sports covering Sunday Night Football which includes Al Michaels Michelle Tafoya and Mike Tirico who’s now the current Play by Play as they’ve been seen on the Olympics too.

[@Jbodinero]

Damn mane I was 12 remember this like yesterday time flew by😢btw I was so tired of lakers winning championships I was a piston this series 😂

[@detroitjerm]

I got to watch this live! This team had such an aura!

[@jordanjames8864]

I remember watching watching this game live, living 15 minutes away from downtown it was pretty crazy

[@packersauburneric3625]

Time flies wow nostalgic and im Celtics fan

[@JAHDCypha]

Diehard LAKERS fan here but that team y'all had with RiP ,Prince,Ben , Rasheed etc was fun to watch as a basketball fan. Detroit Organization y'all gotta do better to bring quality basketball back to Detroit 🫡

[@YvngGoat_]

Seeing Darvin Ham on the bench makes me laugh so hard lol

[@jt4009]

thanks for sharing this ❤

[@ArtsanityYT]

WOW FOR THE GRAPHICS!

[@nicholaseaster58]

Doc Rivers before he turned into a stuffed thanksgiving turkey 😂

[@packersauburneric3625]

Lmao what you mean ?

[@alfiehisola2606]

This is my first team i luv Detroit piston i watch in nba whe i was 15 since 2003 this great player Billiups Hamilton princes Wallace Rasheed n Ben ...

[@razkable]

First finals I really saw more than a few seconds of live...20 years of nba history later....

[@rmsys18]

NBA then, don't do jump shots that great, but those hook shot, lay-up and dunks are really fun to watch

[@user-sr9qw3kh3n]

Not a single 3 point shot taken during the complete 1st quarter! That's awesome basketball! I understand why i'm getting bored watching game nowadays haha

[@bronisthegoat8915]

Ahh yes not taking a shot that’s part of the game is awesome basketball lol. Dear lord don’t watch if you have such an idiotic train of thought. I guess players should just skip taking wide open 3’s and go run to the paint or take a step in for a middy every time instead. 💀

[@user-sr9qw3kh3n]

@@bronisthegoat8915 Never said any of the thing you think i said. Anyway. peace

[@packersauburneric3625]

​@@bronisthegoat8915​@TheFly212 the original dream team lol always wonder what would of happened to these pistons had they drafted Carmelo or Dwayne Wade or Chris bosh lol wasted a number 2 overall pick in one of the most loaded NBA drafts of all time lol

[@ahmadfadli7928]

Piston too strong and domination 😮

[@KtośInny-k9l]

I miss this Pistons TEAM. BAD BOYS 2.0 who actually play real clean D... Best D TEAM ever made...

[@packersauburneric3625]

Ya and pistons team was first non top 10 NBA player led championship team

[@KtośInny-k9l]

Ben is the best defender in history, and this team was a favorite of ordinary people. Lack of ego, audacity, hard play and they defeated everyone. thank you Detroit for that.

[@everyjuan143]

One of my favorite!

[@marcozambelli3642]

Say what you want but if you have Mr Big Shot Chauncey B-b-b-Billups you're safe even if the opponent is great Kobe Bryant. Love that 2004 NBA final, huge kiss from Italy 🇮🇹🇮🇹❤❤

[@juncruz6266]

my favorite champion team ever and im knicks fan

[@Cloud_Envy111]

20 years ago.?!?! Man time flies.!

[@LaniJeb96960]

This was 20 years ago? 😮😮 damn im OLD 😳

[@kenafford]

Great video a true HD

[@bksfinest9582]

Damn this was 20yrs ago? I’m old af 😒

[@javelldunn3379]

Detroit Basketball

[@irvingzeistman9828]

Damn 20 years already Sheesh I’m getting old I was 19 when this happened forgot the big Turk mehmet okur was on that squad

[@tmac29nyc]

The commissioner doesn't look too happy presenting that trophy to Detroit

[@filmfilm86]

Been a Pistons fan since then...

[@eric3298]

Darkos red shirt year lol imagine if they drafted someone else ,?

[@EddieG-x2g]

People seem to forget this about Ben Wallace. He was undrafted out of Virginia Union. So since he was undrafted he probably got a tryout for the Detroit Pistons. You probably somehow got lucky enough to get to be able to try out he probably wasn't even drafted by them. And then he became a great defender a great player and the rest is history.

[@AnthonySmith-bq2if]

Rip Stuart Scott

[@packersauburneric3625]

Amen

[@ConnorRo7871]

Look at these OGs... And think about the fact that LeBron was in the league at the time, and he is still playing today

[@lennyface8771]

i still remember when he took these same squad to seven games then beat them once rim protection from big ben was gone, good times

[@D3NNIS18]

Yeah and LeBron is still not the goat 💀

[@Grevald]

this is the series I always remember when I hear kids mention that no one could guard Kobe. RIP, BigShot and Prince made him look like a prime Lonzo Ball

[@SixerIverson04]

RIP Kobe Bryant

[@babyfaceaviator7862]

When I clicked this, I thought 20 years ago was when the Bad Boys won the NBA title. I can't be the only one.

[@Pipper423]

Pistons and Spurs made the NBA add rules to favor the offense. I know the average NBA fan thought the Pistons were boring but we loved and still love this team.

[@Lukamodric434_]

it's a pity that we didn't take the trophy in 2005! the best team that played defensively like no one before, let's hope for times like this again!

[@gpjc19]

As a laker fan this lost hurt on so many levels.

[@justsaying3176]

big BEN is a beasttt got that jersey until now

[@packersauburneric3625]

Ya and pistons team was first non top 10 NBA player led championship team

[@Lee85G]

I remember this series. I was in my senior year of high school.

[@timeflies313]

I feel bad for Medvedenko. People nowadays don’t even know him lol. And the way people talk about roleplayers like him like they are sum scrubs is just ignorant. He’s a good player.

[@eric3298]

Stephen a smith always was prick and trolled him and rasho nesterovic who they played the next year in the finals

[@TheLakers81]

Ben Wallace was the real MVP. He ran circles around Shaq!!

[@cthucthu]

3 interesting points -- justice for elden campbell who originated as a laker but got his ring in pistons; justice for rasheed wallace who missed two critical free throws four years ago in g7 of 2000 conference final against lakers; and the most interesting point is gary payton finally got his ring from the aide of shaq in 2006 miami heat team

[@HeathOverledger]

So funny and interesting how the nba universe tends to operate

[@christianmarkcrisostomo7036]

my fav. squad ever ...

[@elekShun]

nice game

[@eric3298]

🔥

[@kincamell2]

Peace to Stuart Scott and Kobe

[@cornbreadmilton5265]

Ben shoulda been in NBA 75 he was more the Anchor than Chauncey

[@superfrankielampard4568]

Bad Boys 2.0

[@googleface5]

Never actually found the 1989 Finals on tape huh?

[@andresdelportillo9917]

They need to upload the 89 and 90 finals

[@SGH_89]

In 89, the pistons ends the Lakers dynasty

[@ThePryorShow]

Overall the best team.......i put this team against any championship team...2024

[@eric3298]

Ur high c'mon and I like em

[@ThePryorShow]

@@eric3298 defense wins games they had the best defenders

[@Classicbasketballdvds]

this was embarrassing for the Lakers...The Pistons ran them off the floor. Pistons had one of the best home court advantages back then with the PA announcer Mason..."DETROIT BASKETBALL!!!!"...i used to love that lolz...end of the Shaq & Kobe era

[@lairjmjcccb]

This series is bigger upset than Dallas vs Miami in 2011. Man please bring this NBA back.

[@jomarmacanlalay9442]

Omg and they're doing this to prime Kobe and prime shaq this is unreal 😮

[@istvankaragity3564]

I’m a die hard Jazz fan, but this Pistons is one of the best team ever played on a court.

[@willp2877]

Utter dominance.

[@packersauburneric3625]

Ya and pistons team was first non top 10 NBA player led championship team

[@Changgcrystal]

I really Miss this Pistons Line Up 2004

[@jakebuchsbaum3348]

It feels weird to hear Al Michaels call an NBA Finals game

[@jonathanperry6302]

Kobe stayed on that floor after the loss for a long time. Wow.

[@AkiraSendoh007]

這個畫質，絕了

[@eMCEe131]

an amazing $ummer thanks 2 the Wallace brothers 🏀 Pistons!🏀

[@JessNikeBrLa225]

Born in 93 became a fan of the game since the movie space jam with mj but when i started understanding the concept knowing more than the superstars and minestream teams of the game was in 2003 and i wasnt amazed with the top teams and players i started liking the underdogs and yhe pistons was that team and they been my team every since but when C. Bill left it never was the same when shees left i stop fucking with them yhey looked and played different. But yhis 03 04 05 pistons will always be my fav. The style of play the players yhe vibe. Seeing them beat another team i loved and looked up too was good for me to see. I said all that bs just to say yall heard someone say he washed up when b. Wallace took that layup. Who said it and to who. I think fox was guarding prince. Fox was pass his prime and price was in his 2nd or 3rd yr 40:29