Pistons, Lakers to renew rivalry?

By M. Edward Guest Sports Central Columnist

Four teams remain in the NBA Playoffs, and there is little doubt as to which contest this author would like to see in the final round: Lakers vs. Pistons.

At the time of this writing, Detroit is tied with Indiana (1-1) and L.A. has just broken a series deadlock with a win in Game 3 (2-1). I have, of course, nothing against either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Indiana Pacers, but for 2004, I would prefer to see an old rivalry renewed.

In the last two years of the 1980s, the Lakers and the Pistons squared off for the NBA title; each team winning once, with Detroit losing a tough seven-game series in '88 and sweeping the heretofore 11-0 '89 Lakers to end Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career. Those games showcased a remarkable contrast: the team defense of the Pistons versus the explosive offensive firepower of Magic Johnson's Lakers.

The '04 Pistons, evident in their Game 2 victory in Indianapolis, have the defensive capabilities of their predecessors -- in fact, they're stronger, quicker, longer, and better. The '04 Lakers, searching for their fourth ring in five seasons, are not a reprisal of the Showtime era -- except in star power, as they boast four future Hall-of-Fame players, perhaps two of the best ever.

L.A. knocked off the defending champions in six due to smothering defense and clutch shooting, much as the second installment of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls used to finish off teams (1996-1998) -- and there is every reason to make them a prohibitive favorite to walk away with their 14th NBA championship, a stretch dating back to Minneapolis. Yet, the Pistons loom...

Detroit has struggled in recent years, beginning with their memorable exit from the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, the disappointing tenure of Grant Hill, some gnarly uniform changes (since discarded), and a pair of humiliating playoff defeats to Atlanta (who were promptly swept by New York in the second-round) and New Jersey (2003) -- but this may prove to be the year, provided the 'Stones can defeat the Pacers three more times.

In truth, to win the NBA championship, the Pistons will have had to win eight games without having one of the two best players on the court; we know about the Shaquille O'Neal/Kobe Bryant tandem, but the Pistons do not have anyone on par with Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, as well. Though, based on the early returns from the Eastern Finals, one could be forgiven for forgetting that. Yet, experience may prove to be their downfall.

Richard Hamilton, former UCOonn All-American and national champion, is the Pistons' most clutch performer -- but he has never been on this stage before, and should Detroit advance, he'll have to lead a team of deep but playoff-unproven talent past the veteran laden Lakers, who've seen one of their member play for the NBA title six of the last eight seasons, dating back to Gary Payton's appearance in 1996. That is obviously no easy chore.

Both the Lakers and the Pistons face much uncertainty in the coming months, everything from free agents to judicial proceedings threaten to send either of these teams down the standings.

L.A. is playing for history, trying to become the first NBA team to win four out of five since the '69 Celtics, as Bill Russell somewhat ironically closed his career at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood. Karl Malone and Payton are former All-NBA stars searching for their first taste, as Phil Jackson looks to close another run with his 10th NBA title -- that would pass Red Auerbach for the most in league history.

Should the series come to fruition, that is, should the Pacers once again come up short in the Eastern Conference Finals (1-4, losing thrice in Game 7) and should Kevin Garnett fail to carry his team to the month of June -- look for potentially the most appealing Finals matchup since 1993, with two divergent teams sharing the same objective:

To win the 2004 NBA championship.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.