The 2004 NBA Finals: A Tale Of Opposites

[@KennyMoe7mile]

I'm from 7 mile West side of the D. When the Pistons won it was like Christmas thru out the whole hood. Wonderful times

[@ItsLorV2]

Ken Moe imagine if the Lions win dawg...

[@zanderforever8766]

I believe you💯 zone 8 was popping off too! The whole city was absolutely off the chart that year..

[@spacemanju7]

Im from the west side too bro 7 and Southfield down the street from the citgo well changed it to a marathon now but my street is Harlow 7 mile foe life pbf

[@Ms_Charlotte_S]

+Ken Moe You right about that, bro. I'm from 8 Mile & Lahser next to Northland Skating Rink. I remember that night, no matter where you went (liquor store, gas station, or wherever) you saw total strangers laughing and chit chating with each other. Almost like Detroit had become a small southern town where everyone knew each other. 🏀🏀😎✌

[@futuregohan4837]

@@Ms_Charlotte_S Did You Juzt Reference 8 Mile The Movie That Starred Eminem

[@KZ3fps]

That Billups quote is cold blooded.

[@sonxmercilus3477]

I swear

[@detroitghost95]

And a man who should be in the hall of fame

[@Loganbub]

@@detroitghost95 it’s amazing some people don’t think, he was inches away from being a back to back finals MVP and champion vs 2 great dynasties too.

[@phoenix6381]

Mr. Bigshot.

[@denzelthegiant9685]

It's like a quote of a villain final boss in a badass superhero movie. But the villain won this time.

[@d-manhd7182]

Whenever I think of the 04 Pistons one word comes to mind and that’s “Hardwork” That team was talented and they work their asses if to win that title

[@joshuafult84]

cringe

[@ChaddeusPrime]

@@joshuafult84 cry josh cry

[@indicasmok398]

Goin to work pistons

[@unoverse2438]

@@joshuafult84 sad lakers fan

[@joshuafult84]

@@unoverse2438 I'm a Spurs fan... I smiled when an old a$$ Robert Horry destroyed you guys in 2005 LMAO

[@CommonSenseless1993]

Man I used to love those old Pistons squads back in middle school/high school in the early 2000s. Basketball in its purest form.

[@what3ver912]

Brothrr this brings tears to me byt basketball looks really good not that i dont agree th at it was the "purest form" but are we just getting old?? I feel like a old big baby but 90s baby 4 life ya hear me

[@skinsman82000]

@@what3ver912 There's nothing wrong with physical, manly defense. We are getting older, but so what? I find shooting so many 3s, no real Centers, and pussy-ass D boring. Lebron James' era is a fraud. He can just run at you and you either let him score or play D and its a foul. Yuck.

[@dominiquejones3805]

I always wonder if they got Melo if they would of had a longer run. Cause Billups knew when 2 feed Melo n Denver

[@themaskedmagic1783]

@@skinsman82000 no real centers?jokic,embiid,gobert,KAT?

[@mark_kline]

The fact that 2000’s basketball is considered old school is crazy. But I’m an old foggey. Don’t mind me

[@localneo-graphic4647]

I like the plan of 'let Shaq score, because we can't do anything about that anyways, then let Kobe's ego take over, then we win'. It's one thing to outplay a team physically, it's another to destroy them psychologically. The latter is way more demoralizing.

[@Theterminato2013]

It was complete opposite of what the Spurs and Blazers did guarding Shaq by double and triple teaming him constantly which opened up shots for Kobe , Fisher, Fox & Horry.

[@jtbukkinbronko]

And that was the end of Kobe/Shaq

[@nbassasin8092]

Pirlo, legendary football player has very famous quote that says football is played with head, feet are just tools. Same works for any sport really and that shows here

[@fredmoethewinner6890]

Ben Wallace held it down against shaq in them finals

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

@@Theterminato2013Exactly held Shaq to 26/10 on 63% shooting which is bad for Shaq who averaged 35/15 in the previous three Finals

[@deicidium1887]

From what I remembered. Rip was also killing them when he was shooting mid-range jumpers coming from off-screens like what Klay is doing today (but from 3). He just can't miss that time.

[@logicaldude3611]

Hamilton was cold coming off a screen in the mid-range. It was an artform. Always love a good mid-range player.

[@phoenix6381]

Yea Rip would come off a screen at Mach 1 raise up and shoot nothing but net. One of the best Mid range shooters of all time.

[@C999SP]

You have to give to Detroit man , it’s not easy to execute a plan that well on the big stage

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

Detroit's stars were role players, and their role players were stars. They had four bigs (the Wallaces, Elden Campbell, Okur) against Shaq, a pit bull reserve unit to force turnovers, and long guys like Sheed and Tay for versatility. A very deep T-E-A-M that could play hard all night with good IQ and great coaching.

[@savastevanovic]

You forgot to mention that Darko Miličić became the youngest NBA champion of all time.

[@AndyHoops]

my bad

[@saltinesavior8229]

Yeah wasn't this his first season? They get a lot of flak for that pick nowadays but at the time it certainly didn't hurt them all that much.

[@ojeyston]

Andy Hoops I’ve been subbed to your channel since late July 2017

[@abelsunil8418]

Saltine Savior8 the thing is that if darko wasn't ass and we picked someone else the Pistons would have won multiple instead of one

[@saltinesavior8229]

@@abelsunil8418 Yeah that pick did cost them in the long term. At least they got a ring in spite of the missed potential, for most teams that's usually an immediate death blow.

[@EGarrett01]

Chauncey Billups: "Our game plan was very calculated. We knew we were going to play Shaq straight-up. We knew there was no way we could stop Shaq straight-up. And there was also no way we could stop Kobe straight-up. But, if we’re going to play Shaq straight-up, [the Lakers’] eyes are going to get big, which means they’re going to keep throwing it down there. We’re telling Ben the whole time, “Take fouls when you need to, but don’t get yourself into foul trouble. You need to give up a layup, cool, we’re going to get what we want on the other side.” But what’s going to happen is Mr. Bryant is going to get a little discouraged with getting no touches and now the second half comes around…now he’s pressing. He’s going to start coming down and just breaking the offense. When you do that, you’re done-you’re playing right into our hands. Even if you start making those shots, you’re finished."

[@prancerjohnponce6889]

yeah kobe is the one who destroys the lakers. Shaq out of shape? no!!! no one can stop shaq. only kobe does.. people are blind.. kobe is overrated. he is just a side kick to all his championship.

[@khangtran1401]

@@prancerjohnponce6889 Even NBA legends recognize him. Only a retarded and sore loser like you thinking he was "OVERATED". Get a life son

[@acason4]

💯

[@acason4]

@@prancerjohnponce6889facts

[@ungas_systemsasmr]

Exactly what happened

[@sharilajeeeeee]

As a Laker fan, this was my first heartbreak. I remember hating on Ben and Sheed so much I cried watching game 5

[@ghostflame9211]

i hated the pistons from this point until about 08. always felt like it was their fault that the lakers blew up afterwards and essentially went into a rebuild until getting pau gasol. looking back, obviously thats not fair and i have come to respect the pistons for outplaying the lakers that year.

[@miatika]

I was a laker hater in my youth so this was the greatest thing I’d ever seen lol

[@TPTGopher]

On paper, the ‘04 Lakers were arguably the best team ever - and for the maybe ten times where they really brought their A game, they showed it...but for all the Lakers’ individual talent, those Pistons were the ultimate TEAM.

[@arnoldpalmer4176]

It’s been 14 years?! How many people in the comments actually remember watching this series?

[@arnoldpalmer4176]

I remember watching this before I even understood what was going on.

[@JoeBro915]

I was 9 months old at the time

[@arnoldpalmer4176]

I was 6 years old and all I knew at the time was we didn’t want the lakers to win (Celtics/Boston sports upbringing.)

[@soulrebel4life]

I was 7 I kinda do

[@fatfuck2384]

I was 8

[@mullboll33]

Larry Brown deserves a ton of credit. The whole city of Philadelphia was behind the Pistons because of the Larry Brown connection, and the Lakers being the team that stole our championship dreams here with him and Iverson. What an awesome teams those Pistons were!

[@KingCoopaJ]

Bad boys of the NBA, enough said.

[@saiyanballer]

Yes a video on my favorite team of all time the 03-04 Detroit Pistons!! Thank you!

[@NBAConfidential]

To me, Kobe in 2004 is just as bad as LeBron in 2011, just on the different end of an extreme. He was shooting too much while LeBron wasn't shooting enough. This is, funnily enough, a pretty great way to describe the main criticisms of each player's career. Kobe can sometimes be too aggressive while LeBron can sometimes be too passive. This is why MJ was better than both because (for the most part) he always found the right balance.

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

NBA Confidential This ×10.

[@christianjames6256]

Great perspective 💯

[@yunglaflare5621]

Also Jordan had Pippen/Rodman to back him up

[@yunan9610]

@@LaMarcGasoldridge player's legacy wise, yes. It shows how much you struggle to win and be the best

[@yunan9610]

But on team's perspective, doing too much is more of a harm than doing less. Your teammates can't even cover for you

[@loveofmangos001]

Did anyone else notice that in the NBA 2K classic teams, 2003-04 Pistons, Rasheed Wallace is not on the team? Hope this is corrected in NBA 2K19.

[@milanchacko2095]

Martin Valentine Rasheed said he didn’t want to be on it

[@milanchacko2095]

Just like Reggie miller and Charles Barkley

[@z4ng3tsu1ch1g0]

Prince also isn’t in it

[@nmbmemphisbeast3690]

Yeah I was mad since I consider him The best player there

[@spacemanju7]

And tayshaun is not in the lineup either can't forget the Prince of the palace

[@garnette396]

I remember watching this NBA finals series as a kid. Most memorable.

[@LpCruz11937]

That era of basketball frequently had scores in low 80's and low 90's. Every team had 1 player that played hero ball and took contest shots in the half court Pierce McGrady Of course Iverson

[@Jonaske99]

Wtf it's been already 14 years ago.. Where did time go... Holy shit

[@triton423]

Ben Wallace is the best defensive player so far in the 2000s, too bad he’s not yet in the hall of fame

[@markjackson6431]

i’m from the future, he is now

[@triton423]

@@markjackson6431 yep 👍😀

[@theophilusjones6024]

@@markjackson6431 😂

[@Tony-fq5bn]

@@markjackson6431 This years class was possibly the best HOF class ever, so many all timers

[@hristijandimitrovski8664]

Ben Wallace is the greatest defender of all time, not just in 2000s.

[@cosmodisc]

Pistons were amazing that year. One of the best teams up to this day i'd say

[@mattyp6908]

It was this final when I was 14 that I became a Pistons fan when I used to live in Ottawa, Canada and here we are 14 years later and I live in Vancouver and am still a Pistons fan. They are my team.

[@AkoSiBERNZ]

Same with you. Win or lose. I'm a Pistons fan.

[@brucelau2023]

Man, lots of Straight up from Chauncey

[@mduar1000]

One of the best PGs of all time imo

[@thaddeuses2279]

Straight up

[@phoenix6381]

Mr. Bigshot was a Floor General.

[@LebronJames-rp3hb]

Kobe stans love to bring up the 2011 finals but you never hear them talking about this series

[@joshuafult84]

Kobe stans are delusional they even blame Shaq for the 2004 Finals loss lol

[@kobeisgoated29]

😂😂😂😂😂​@@joshuafult84

[@a27d5]

This is a topic I don’t hear talked about a lot.Kobe rlly struggled in this series and it’s comparable to Lebron meltdown in ‘11. Great video

[@stephcurrytheg.o.a.t]

Andwele Castleberry LeBron was worse, cause he said they would win 8 straight and he was mocking Dirk during the series. Also he was a scared to touch the ball and getting locked up by ppl way smaller than him

[@stephcurrytheg.o.a.t]

kingleo of course it's better than getting outplayed by a 38 year old bench player

[@mduar1000]

@Alston Cole well said 💪

[@Mrgoodkenneth]

So let's just conclude, Kobe's 04 and Lebron's 2011 are even. Both performed bad. One is overperforming and other is underperforming. Over-Aggressive vs Very-Scared, equally big ego, which one you pick? So let's just say, they're even in their terms

[@coreytrepagnier9343]

Steph Curry The G.O.A.T facts n kobe had a shoulder injury but lebron just cracked n they had that old ass roster

[@taylorsharifzadeh6031]

This finals is what sparked love for basketball for me. I fell in love with that intensity the Pistons brought. Ben Wallace with that def, Sheed with that outside 3 and tough def, rip running through screens killing mid range, Tayshaun that stretch who can knock down 3’s and drive, and Mr big shot Bi bi bi Billups 😂. Weird cause I became a lakers fan after this.

[@DavyBoy81]

Back when defense was actually played

[@najeenixon1834]

The league changed rules to limit the physicality the same year. That made the game soft but fun for people who like more spacing and a faster tempo.

[@splashnskillz37]

Najee Nixon Mark Cuban called out the league to make that at the time

[@najeenixon1834]

@@splashnskillz37 Yes, I read about that but the league had already been trying to do it since the 90's because of MJ. Now, he was right to complain about the Bad Boys trying to hurt him but hand-checking and Bigs camping the post was never a problem. The problem was players using dirty tactics, which should've been monitored more. The 2000's Pistons showed that teams can play physical without playing dirty or fouling too much.

[@intendedexpression6609]

Defense is still played today. Its just a little less physical. Also the offenses of today are much better and much more efficient. Teams are filled with players who can score and also defend really well. Like most centers nowadays have a 3 pt shot or can atleast hit midrange. So more threes equals more points. Larger quantity of offensively skilled players in the league today = more points.

[@johnsmith-uf3ed]

NBA is rigged. 76ers a few years ago were stomping Lebron James in playoffs but the refs called foul on so much BS calls. 2004 the year allegations of NBA refs rigging league. If NBA was more legit like college we'd see more teams with no stars that win championships. NBA is entertainment like WWE

[@mymobilegames2189]

Can you also do the 2005 NBA Finals, which I think is a tale of (almost) identical. Please

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

5:53...the 2004 Finals in a nutshell. The Lakers were dominated despite allowing just 91 ppg in a five game series. Why? Because instead of exploiting the one unassailable matchup advantage they had, Kobe Bryant took it upon himself to gun for a Finals MVP. Despite still just in his prime Shaq having another vintage Finals series, Kobe managed to take more shots (113 to 84) and shot a paltry 38% vs Shaq's 63%. Literally, based on the numbers, if you flip those 29 attempts and factor on Shaq making his percentage, the Lakers scoring goes from 81.8 to 89.0. Meaning they likely win at least one more game and send it back to Los Angeles. All that said, Kobe shoulders the brunt of the blame, but he isn't alone. Gary Payton, Derek Fisher, and Devean George all shot under 40% and Fisher and Payton's struggles in the pick and roll against Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups put LA in a bind defensively.

[@marloweraffles1715]

Let's be honest Richard Hamilton the best off ball guard tired kobe out. Bad ass video

[@spacemanju7]

More like tayshaun he held him to just 12 points in one of the games the Prince of the palace shut him down

[@futuregohan4837]

They Call Richard Hamilton Rip

[@dominiquejones3805]

Rip stayed moving

[@moman36]

Ain’t nobody ever tiring Kobe out you sleep 😂

[@1waytickettopluto]

It's weird being 26 and feeling like an old man hearing someone say a game in the 70's was boring. I enjoyed defensive battles much more than the 3 point barrages in the 130's we get today.

[@eastsidereviews727]

Team of my youth!! I still remember watching that Finals live and seeing my Pistons take down the Lakers, again, was fantastic!! #DetroitBasketball

[@dezzepson4173]

U from Detroit Cuhh?

[@docdee770]

I have their entire season games recorded, including the play-offs, and finals, from 2004 to 2009. 2004 to 2005 are on tapes, and 2006 to 2009 on dvd's. I treasure them all.🏀

[@michaelayeni177]

simple things like explaining the betting scenario to those who were unaware is why this channel is the best

[@mj2kallday]

Great video 🔥 Grind don’t stop 💪🏼

[@KingCoopaJ]

Peep my channel. Player bios before they were drafted. Dropping Michael Porter Jr tonight.

[@arnoldpalmer4176]

I know this isn’t the place, but maybe you’ll have a better chance of seeing this.. but your hand checking video was amazing. Really helped me have a better understanding of how the rule change contributed to the evolution of the 3pt shot in today’s game. I know it’s not the flashiest video like Zion videos are really popular, but for dedicated basketball fans it was some of the best content we could have asked for.

[@DA-kx7gp]

MJ2KALLDAY you’re watching every nba KZbinr I watch

[@mj2kallday]

Basketball Empire Appreciate it my dude, working on something special that might be out in a month that might be similar to that

[@BinarySk8]

RIP Kobe but this was the series that made me dislike selfish, ego gameplay. Surprisingly, that’s the most admired trait in today’s game

[@MannyParadisee]

This comment is a big lie. There’s only a few players who play selfish today

[@brooke-3615]

Great stuff, Andy. I am a new NBA fan (yeah, get your shots in on me, I've been a hockey fan for eons cuz Canada) and your content has been integral for me not only to learn the modern game, but formerly, as well. Keep it up!

[@brooke-3615]

@shant I agree. Hockey is undeniably my #1 favourite and it will likely always be. Still, I have made room for a second sport haha.

[@AndyHoops]

thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@kweli05]

I loved this Pistons team, and I am not even a Detroit fan. Just the team chemistry, and fact there were really no superstars. They won as a team.

[@DEEDUBZ]

Thank you for the appreciation of a great franchise and organisation. My hard working Detroit Pistons. We WILL be back once again to shock the whole world!!!

[@vt248]

I still go back to watch the 2004 ECF between Indiana and Detroick, what a Defensive Heavyweight Bloodbath!

[@muhammadfarhan581]

Darko Milicic has a ring thanks to this team

[@spacemanju7]

Guy is like kevin durant just riding the bus

[@Shinobi6407]

I've always loved this Pistons squad. I'm glad that 2K decided to put this team in the game.

[@razkable]

but without rasheed prince james okur its not the real squad

[@detroittigers1282]

Great video! Can’t believe it’s been 14 years. I’m a Pistons fan and I gave us no chance that series, just because the NBA Finals never has any upsets like that. This was the mighty Lakers going for their 4th title in 5 years, Shaq and Kobe in their primes. I need add one thing, the Pistons also made a change hung change from Rick Carlisle to Larry Brown prior to the season. I wonder would they have won it still with Carlisle who won a title with Dallas in 2011 over Miami. The Rasheed Wallace trade was the final piece of the championship puzzle, unfortunately we were unable keep the stacked bench together beyond that season, guys like Mehmet Okur, Corliss Williamson and Mike James. The Pistons made the NBA Finals the following season, losing to the Spurs in 7, then parted ways with Larry Brown who was always looking for his next gig. Flip Saunders was brought in and a downgrade from Brown and Carlisle. In the end Lakers made the right move going with Kobe, Shaq.

[@sdmurphy20]

19 now. Yikes!

[@p.hh4454]

2003-04 Pistons BBall IQ was over 500 in this series. They straight up manipulated the shit out of the Lakers.

[@MalikIsmailAliRaymond]

Thank you for clarifying that Big Ben didn't shut down Shaq! I feel like too many folks who didn't watch the games had no idea and say the opposite (and even some who did). He was the best defender in the league that season imo, but this wasn't his most impressive defensive series. Actually, iirc it was part of Larry Brown's gameplan to force everyone else (especially Kobe) to beat them. Tayshaun Prince made his name with his defense on Kobe, though he did become a bit overrated by, say, 2007-8 on that end. Part of the drama between the Lakers also involved Kobe and Karl Malone (and Kobe's wife), but it took a backseat to the Kobe rape trial you mentioned... And the pace was just overall more slow during this time, and reached its zenith in 04. I think a lot had to do with the favoring of defense with the rules in place (obviously the last bit of handchecking was eliminated after this season) but also had to do with the dominance of Shaq, which doesn't get discussed enough. So many seven-foot bigmen on teams just to rack fouls on Shaq were in the league and made a living because of his presence, teams had to account for him. Those bigs certainly wouldnt be in the league today...The league was at its slowest pace from 96-04, which was when Shaq was smack-dab in his prime, and when zone was still banned for a significant amount of the period too... Hell even look at those Spurs teams from that period. Those Popovich teams played so differently than today...the offense was played through Duncan (and Robinson in the early years of their time together)...The Spurs, like everyone else, took a while for the league to snap out of the sluggish pace (though their transition was the most notable), but I kinda liked those ugly, gritty games. I enjoy the faster pace today (whenever I get the chance to watch, which isn't much) but the slow pace didn't bother me growing up. Maybe that's my bias... Great video, given the time frame especially!!!

[@muhammadfarhan581]

I so wish handchecking make a comeback, maybe im crazy but i prefer defensive bball match

[@MalikIsmailAliRaymond]

@@muhammadfarhan581 To be fair, handchecking still happens from time to time in the league. I'd seen highlights of Frank Ntkilina handchecking Kyrie on Knickswall, for example (iirc).... I believe the illegal defense ban that allowed zone defense has a lot more to do with the play style of today than the handchecking ban. The league started to curtail it around 94-5, and I can remember handchecking fouls being called in the 04 finals too...It's kinda the same with the defensive 3 seconds rule also "enforced" in the 04-5 season...it was there, just not enforced as much as it would be today... But yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing a 74-71 game again...The 04 Pistons actually had set a record for holding their opponents under 70 pts 5 games in a row in the regular season... they did it several other times (20+) during the season, regular season and playoffs alike...

[@AndyHoops]

Yeah I forgot to mention the Kobe and Karl Malone thing. Also Derek Fisher didn't like that he was coming off the bench behind Payton, which was also a pretty big deal at the time since he was their starting PG in the previous season. Honestly I feel like 03 and 04 were the pinnacle of "ugly, gritty" basketball, and even though it wasn't as flashy I'm glad it's over haha. The game started to become faster mainly because of the Phoenix Suns too. Teams started to realize that a PnR heavy offense with a lot of space was way more efficient than isos/post-ups.

[@MalikIsmailAliRaymond]

@@AndyHoops Yeah, I totally blanked out on the Fisher/Payton dilemma...Fisher going to Golden State afterwards was akin to D-Wade leaving for Chicago to me, in the context of feeling jaded...He came back to his home eventually... Anyway, those SSOL Suns teams did change the league, and folks didn't catch onto it until later...Kerr ruined that era with trading for Shaq b/c the league hadn't caught on yet. A shame.... Also, the Heatles and the way Lebron played the 4 at times and how he and Wade would swarm on defense (when Wade was healthy and focused on D) seemed to be a predecessor to today's small ball play, too, come to think of it! Once again, thanks! I didn't realize I wasn't subscribed to you until today! That changed :)

[@nmbmemphisbeast3690]

Not the he shut him down but he neutralized they offense enough he was strong enough to not get pushed around. ..also any college and nba fans knew what was up

[@doranmitchell1700]

To be honest, I think the Pistons were just the better overall team. Pistons starting lineup was this. Billups > Fisher Rip < Kobe Prince > Fox Sheed > Malone Ben < Shaq Also the Pistons bench was better as well.

[@NBALegendZ]

Doran Mitchell hey, hope you’re having a great day and hope everything is well with you! i post great nba content fam and i will appreciate if you could support me and subscribe! i will really appreciate your support ‼️

[@sweets.5104]

Gary Payton

[@doranmitchell1700]

Did Payton start on that team? I don't really remember but Payton was pretty much just a role player on the Lakers. He wasn't the same player as he was on the Sonics.

[@doranmitchell1700]

Thanks, I hope your doing well too & yes I've subscribed to your channel.

[@hamzaelhousseiny9553]

Doran Mitchell alright but the gap between bill ups and fisher isn’t that big put how much better is Kobe than rip and Shaq is a top 15 all time Ben prob not top 60

[@marlsluj]

Game five is one of the happiest day's of my life!!

[@grammarjew7747]

That Billups quote is my favorite ever that’s why he’s one of my favorites. Also I’m a Pistons fan but that’s beside the point

[@Nitringo_NBA]

I Love This Channel :D

[@user-jn1gk9gp2e]

Nice

[@sixtosparda]

Ahh the memories, I became more addicted to basketball after this upset, they were one of the biggest underdog teams of all time, I hated the Lakers fanbase at that time because of the bandwagoners however this showed how team work/chemistry along with some premier Defense can win Championships. In other words just as Rudy Tomjanovich Said: Never underestimate the heart of a Champion.

[@Mark-wh5ud]

So glad good guys won this series. I hope celtics can do that to warriors too

[@NBALegendZ]

Mark 2909 hey, hope you’re having a great day! i post great nba content fam and i will appreciate if you could support me and subscribe! i will really appreciate your support!

[@semkn9555]

Raptors*

[@docdee770]

Remember how their games were shown regularly on two different stations in Detroit? Channel 50, and Channel 20. Oh, and NBC on Sundays. This is an era in basketball that I'll never forget. "DEEE-TROIT BASKETBALL!"🏀

[@andraethegiant1987]

The 03-04 Pistons are one of the most underrated teams to win the Finals!

[@joshuafult84]

overreated 1 fluke championship and talked about like they were dynasty lmao

[@antoniotrivelloni8191]

@@joshuafult84 Six straight ECF appearances

[@IndieMusicMinute]

Big Ben Wallace took the challenge of guarding Shaq head-on, gotta respect him for that.

[@earvinlindain1835]

Thank you Andy! Pistons will be back! Detroit Basketball!

[@NBALegendZ]

John Earvin Lindain hey, hope you’re having a great day and hope everything is well with you! i post great nba content fam and i will appreciate if you could support me and subscribe! i will really appreciate your support! good luck

[@rayallensjumper]

Imagine if they drafted Bosh or Melo 😪

[@CalebBoyd718]

Ray Allen's Jumper I know as a pistons fan it still hurts drafting darko

[@CalebBoyd718]

That's why I'm so hesitant about luka Doncic

[@muhammadfarhan581]

If they did that, then they wont acquire sheed and without sheed i think they couldnt win that year

[@gators9570]

Or wade lmao

[@seahpo6737]

@@CalebBoyd718 Darko was unproven, Luka is literally the best player in the second best league in the world

[@brucelau2023]

we all appreciate how you find these sorts of things Andy, awesome lit videos and etc, btw i feel like this was a terrible matchup for the LA Lakers, with all their star power and everything, Kobe really struggled in this series with that underrated Pistons defense, cause mostly they would double team, sometimes triple team him

[@AndyHoops]

Yeah that Pistons defense was ridiculous, the best defensive team in the modern era IMO

[@Theterminato2013]

@@AndyHoops And Steph fanboy bots swear he’s the only player to ever get double and triple teamed, lmao.

[@danieloceans9652]

LOVE IT! Still remember it like it was yesterday I’ve been a Lakers hater for a long time

[@god_hand576]

If you look at how good defensively the pistons were it really wasnt that lopsided considering you could make a case that the pistons were a top 5 defensive team of all time at that point

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

A great understanding of what was going on behind the scenes with the Lakers. The cohesiveness of that Detroit team. The addition of Rasheed Wallace, put Detroit over the top, to win the championship over the Lakers. If you break down the Lakers it was all about Kobe's mess.... The rape charge, and the beef with Shaquille... Even Zen Master Phil Jackson couldn't fix that problem.. Great break down. Good video..

[@RageManRegg]

People say SHaq and Kobe could've won 8 rings and to that I say bullshit. They maxed out. They were to elite players, but at that time were extremely immature and had a low basketball IQ. Watch that recent sit down with them. They admit it

[@bigwoke686]

I agree. That team had done it's time. It was just too dysfunctional. It was for the best that Phil, Kobe and Shaq went their separate ways.

[@lebronblew5finalsnottop5ne22]

Rage Man Regg nah, Shaq admitted in the Kobe / Shaq interview He never took care of his body or stayed in shape because he knew he couldn't count on Kobe If Shaq out his ego to the side and pass the torch to Kobe they'd definitely would of won more Like David Robinson did Duncan But the Gary payton and Karl Malone signing was terrible It ruined floor spacing, and depth Karl Malone comes off the court and they got Luke Walton coming up next? They lost shooters brain shaw and Robert Horry and didn't replace them .

[@xiamfinal571]

The could have won more if shaq took more care of his body and they both didnt hate each other at one point

[@futuregohan4837]

Shaq Even Mentioned That Kobe Blamed Himself For It

[@melvynsngltn27]

@Not so Wealthy Gamer and ruined the Lakers ever since except for the Pau Gasol years Lakers were mediocre

[@marcusanderson933]

The Pistons also ended the Magic/Kareem dynasty in '89!

[@oneman9121]

This is the sole reason why Kobe will be kept out of 'greatest' conversation talks. He simply was too selfish. Even more so than Michael Jordan. Chauncey Billups hit it right on the head when he said Kobe played right into the Pistons defensive plan. Kobe also nearly lost the 2010 Finals in game 7 when he pulled off the same crap he did in this series. He luckily had enough help from Gasol & Metta that game. "Mamba Mentality" is a joke. Its JR Smith & Nick Young on steroids. Seriously. You don't shoot over 2 defenders when your teammates are wide open. Just stop.

[@hiphoprbloverjon9180]

''Its JR Smith & Nick Young on steroids.'' 😂😂😂

[@Kirbystare1992]

IbTusPeter lol don’t compare the two he didn’t take as much as shots as he did in 04. And don’t gimme Gasol and metta lol. They both shot 37 and 38% respectively still bad. Kobe still had 15 boards and assisted metta on that three that he apparently “saved” him with lol. They were already up three anyway had he missed they still would have won

[@dubnation6605]

JR Smith and Nick Young on steroids bruh 😂

[@lebronblew5finalsnottop5ne22]

IbTusPeter Gary Payton 4PPG 32% Karl Malone 5PPG 33% Derek Fisher 6PPG 30% Devean George 5PPG 39% Do I even need to list Luke Walton, Kareem Rush or Stanislav Okay Buddy 😂😂😂😂 That's why Jordan and TONS of former players out Kobe next to Jordan huh? Shit Shaq (Who played with lebron and Kobe ) outs Kobe ahead of lebron You you're right, you pass to Luke Walton for the open shot.. Dumbass You bring up metta but they don't mention Kobe passing him the ball for the 3? Okay buddy, just stay in your lane *Fake* basketball fan Just stop.

[@nets4life377]

Kirbystare1992 Okay well what about the series before where Ron artest caught his airball and got the game winner?

[@bigsprinter]

So many parallels with the original bad boys. Strategy, chemistry and mental toughness over sheer talent

[@Khaled-xu5wr]

Shaq was still very good at his point. Should’ve won mvp in 2005

[@HakeemTheDream616]

This is still the greatest sports moment of my lifetime!!!

[@nikkoflores920]

Great Video as always As you pointed out, Lakers was winning with star power and Pistons with Team Chemistry on their respective conferences That statement alone was already enough to prove that "what if carmelo was drafted by pistons" wont work IMO

[@futuregohan4837]

@Venom Jay LeBron Wanted To Get The Ring Detroit Might've Been His Viable Option Or The Spurs

[@kayorodgers5814]

My homie Big E!!! Real, authentic and genuine!!! NBA CHAMPION!!!

[@stormtrooper-313tk]

27 and 10 for Shaq you best believe that's great defense from Wallace. Amazing how utterly good shaq was

[@andycanoy863]

Against any other center that wasn't physically strong, Shaq's numbers would have been 35 and 16.

[@stormtrooper-313tk]

@@andycanoy863 easy too. In this 5 game series Shaq averages are good numbers and we remember it as being a good defensive series from the pistons. Prime Shaq is something else

[@lacolem1]

I hope Kobe called the Grizz front office for salvaging his reputation, because history would look on him a lot differently if not for Pau

[@bima9212]

Keep up the good work!!!

[@NBALegendZ]

Kneegurr hey, hope you’re having a great day and hope everything is well with you! i post great nba content fam and i will appreciate if you could support me and subscribe! i will really appreciate your support! Thanks!

[@mattysykes2121]

What a series! I'm still watching!

[@mattthomas1442]

That Pistons team was so underrated. Once they got Rasheed in February they were a different animal. After trading for him they went something like 25-2 with him down the stretch.(I'm not counting the couple they lost at the end of the season where they were resting guys) In the playoffs they beat the 2x defending Eastern conference champions and then a 64 win Indiana team. They had the defensive player of the year in Ben Wallace, six man of the year in Williamson, at the time of the best on the ball defending guards in Mike James, one of the most versatile big men in Okur to go along with 4 All Stars in the starting lineup. Not to mention a Hall of Fame coach. They were deep, versatile, well coached and hard working. There's a reason that team went to the game 7 of the finals the following year and started 36-4 the year after that. They were a great squad.

[@razkable]

yeah but la seemed better

[@mattthomas1442]

They seemed better because all people looked at were the stars but if you actually broke it down it was quite clear that Detroit was the better team. It was not an upset or a fluke, that Piston team would beat that lakers team in a best of seven atleast 8 times out of 10. At that time Tayshaun was probably the best perimeter defender in the league outside of maybe Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest. He matched up perfectly with Kobe. Ben Wallace was the best defender period and along with Elden Campbell(who the Pistons carried specifically for Shaq) were able to atleast contain Shaq. So right away the Lakers two best players were checked up. For the Pistons nobody had an answer for Rasheed Wallace or Chauncey Billups. Both were vastly superior to Gary Payton and Karl Malone at that time. Then Richard Hamilton was there making Kobe chase him around expending energy making Kobe even worse. Then you look at the benches and it was no comparison. Williamson was sixth man of the year, Okur was a double double on any given night, to go along with stretching the floor at the time stretch 4s weren't a thing yet. Throw in Mike James and Linsday Hunter and it wasn't even a contest who the deeper team was. Again that Piston team was on a 74 win pace after they got Rasheed Wallace and Mike James. They were straight up dominant.

[@Michael_Page]

Kobe's 2004 finals performance was waaaaay worse than Bron's choke job. He already had 3 chips, he was not going to let Shaq get a 4th FMVP.

[@dr.murder2690]

I'm a big fan of Kobe, in fact I see him as an idol for me... But I can't forget giving up studying to my finals to watch him destroying any chance the Lakers had to win the Finals that year. He was horrible but still not as bad as the choke job that LeBrick had in 2011..

[@taskfootball10]

Well . He was AS Bad 😂 all U Lakers fans try to downplay this chokejob and its insane.

[@stefanfenwick]

About time you do a video on this team do some more for us Detroit fans

[@razkable]

the pistons were robbed of the 88 title..

[@imoffthehenny]

make a vid about Muggsy Bogues career(shortest nba player of all time)

[@guccimalcs]

I remember when this happened when I was a kid. This team will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. I have a towel Chauncey used in my sports collection. It’s not from the finals, a few years later. I remember my dad went to the tunnel after a game I went to and Chauncey threw the towel on his head into the air and my dad caught it. Detroit was a madhouse when they won.

[@trentonpearson7353]

Great video! I thought Kobe was better overall player at the time. I think he passed him after 2002. But he should have ran the offense through Shaq that series, since Shaq was harder to guard. But also note, Kobe might have been a big part of the Lakers losing, but give the Pistons credit were being more cohesive and they did a excellent job shutting down the Laker role players. If you check the stats, Kobe and Shaq were the only players to average double figures in points that series.

[@BoTbBeast]

Trenton Pearson facts

[@lebronblew5finalsnottop5ne22]

Trenton Pearson Gary Payton 4PPG 32% Karl Malone 5PPG 33% Derek Fisher 6PPG 30% Devean George 5PPG 39% Do I even need to list Luke Walton, Kareem Rush or Stanislavs numbers? Lakers had no chance once they signed GP and Malone Absolutely no shooting at all, Kobe has no floor spacing or Shaq If you saw the series vs the Spurs, Kobe had to drive with 4 bugs in the paint every time. Still dropped 45 in game 1.

[@tdubcashin1121]

The pistons literally almost won back to back

[@lisapate306]

Kobe was the reason the Lakers lost!!! Shooting bricks along with other Finals he cost the Lakers.The most overrated player in History!!

[@HugoSoup57]

@@lisapate306Shaq only won 1 more championship with a prime Dwayne Wade who was the best player. Kobe won 2 championships without Shaq and he was the best player on his team. Kobe literally won more rings Shaq than Shaq did without Kobe, so the notion that Shaq carried Kobe is a myth.

[@maxpeck4154]

I wouldn't say us Detroit fans were confident that the Pistons were going to win it. Certainly we knew they were CAPABLE of winning it. The NBA would've liked nothing more than for the Lakers to sweep the series but lightning struck and the Pistons were just too good. The Lakers were a compilation of a huge amount of talent... but they weren't a TEAM in the sense that Detroit was, and Detroit was used to the same old thing: what's wrong with (insert major media market team here) that Detroit is winning? The Pistons philosophy was simple: let the media and the Lakers keep asking themselves what's wrong with LA while we play hard together as a team and systematically dismantle them. It was beautiful.

[@joshuafrancois7522]

I remember thinking after game 2 when Kobe hit that deep 3 over RIP to save the game and win in overtime that the Lakers were just gonna steamroll the pistons lol but the total opposite happened 🤦🏾‍♂️ I Love Kobe but if he wasn’t obsessed with outplaying Shaq he might’ve had an extra ring to his collection .

[@NBALegendZ]

Joshua Francois hey, hope you’re having a great day! i post great nba content fam and i will appreciate if you could support me and subscribe! i will really appreciate your support!💪🏼

[@FlyingV555]

This Pistons season should be the subject of a short documentary.

[@iainbrewin]

This was the first year I was a basketball fan...should have been an Indiana vs. Minnesota finals but this was great and the biggest upset ever.

[@NBALegendZ]

Iain Graham hey, hope you’re having a great day and hope everything is well with you! i post great nba content fam and i will appreciate if you could support me and subscribe! i will really appreciate your support

[@MrSayWhatIThink23]

If malice in the palace didn’t happen, the Pacers would’ve been champs that year

[@kid5042]

@Absolute Asian That wasn’t an upset. Cleveland had the better team

[@codywarriner2843]

You've been picking very interesting topics for videos . Spot on! Good job Andy. I like your videos better than Mike Nick and dom 2k lately

[@giovanniherrera6037]

To everyone saying this ended the shaq and kobe era / it didn’t. The nail was already in the coffin this however happened to be the burial. Kobe and shaq wanting to leave each other was inevitable

[@hduece78]

Watching the pistons 2004-2008 was the best teenage years of my life. It would of been nice to see them win more rings instead of just one during that run and i wish Joe dumars could of kept everyone together. Overall I had fun watching them and i can tell my kids about those moments.

[@kingproductions5087]

Andy hoops da best

[@mikedegracias8616]

Nice this brings back a lot of memories.. Thanks

[@andyryooable]

Love the video and I want to add that Larry Brown is one of the best basketball coaches we've ever seen.

[@AndyHoops]

didn't really work out in the 2004 olympics though haha

[@futuregohan4837]

@@AndyHoops But The Pistons Hell Yeah

[@Chris_Eatz]

2004 Pistons and the 2011 Mavericks Shocked the world

[@sam.0021]

lakers fan clicking here to cry

[@sportingminds3311]

Great Video dude; can’t believe you found that Chauncey Quote I’ve been looking everywhere for it.

[@KDuff-2015]

To imagine that this Pistons squad was one pick away from drafting LeBron James. LeBron would have been a 2 or 3 time champion in his first 5 seasons

[@nathaniellevesque2782]

Lebron to the Pistons wasn't in the cards. The Pistons got that pick through a trade with the Grizzlies and the pick was protected if it ended up being first overall. That meant that if the lottery balls had bounced differently, Memphis would have kept the Lebron pick.

[@hookedonafeeling3414]

Great video Andy! You're the greatest basketball youtuber... Unique content and many facts explained throughly... Been here since 1000 subscribers and you've been improving ever since... Thanks and keep up the good work Andy!

[@NBALegendZ]

Fattydude_123 gaming? hey, hope you’re having a great day! i post great nba content fam and i will appreciate if you could support me and subscribe! i will really appreciate your support! Hope you enjoy my vids:D

[@Sagan144]

The Pistons were never underdogs against the Lakers. This was a team with great IQ players and great defensive players

[@razkable]

true..james ans hunter locked down backcourts constantly together and prince williamson rasheed and ben were nightmares on defense...

[@chanendlerbong]

Can u make a video about 1st round series between Celtics and Bulls in 09?

[@daniyalsabri9992]

They shut down Kobe Why does no one remember that?

[@logicaldude3611]

Because people have rose-colored glasses about the first half of Kobe's career. They don't want to talk about it or are too young to remember it. This whole series was essentially this: "Okay, just dump the ball into Shaq, just give it to Shaq, feed the big man he's shooting over 60%, just feed it..." Here's Kobe again with another ill-advised 20 foot fadeaway over two defenders that misses terribly.

[@raideraaron5623]

And who was their star 🤣😂 fuck the one hit wonder pistons

[@alp21188]

@@raideraaron5623 the pistons star in the 2004 finals was Kobe

[@johnnyslokes2712]

@@raideraaron5623 You mean the pistons who went to 7 straight conference finals?

[@TheKos2Kos]

What a year 2004 was. I was a senior in high school in miami...the first graduating class of the 21st centrury that started in the 21st century. The legend of d wade was born in 2004 as well when rookie d wade schooled baron davis in the first round!

[@aaronware8880]

If people really had paid attention to the Pacer series! You would have seen how dangerous they pistons were on defense! And had 5 guys that was outstanding on defense and they had Larry brown

[@mrm8528]

I got to see them win it all in person as a kid. By far the best sport experience I've ever had.