The playoffs are where heroes are born, and the Pacers-Pistons series was Tayshaun Prince’s time to shine. Collectively, the Pistons brought down 45.6 boards per game, eight more rebounds than the Lakers’ average of 37.6. The Lakers’ third-highest scorer in this series was Derek Fisher with 6.4 points per game. The 2004–05 NBA season was the 64th season for the Pistons, the 57th in the National Basketball Association, and the 48th in the Detroit area. Even though it’s been a decade and a half since the Pistons’ victory, it still shows the importance of defense. But the Pistons made a statement to all of their doubters in game 3 by limiting the Lakers’ star duo to a combined 25 points and winning the game by 20 points. The Pistons continued their defensive momentum in their games 3, 5, and 6 victories, containing the Pacers to 78, 65, and 65 points, respectively. While they were 18th in offensive rating at 102.0, they locked down their opponents with the 2nd best defensive rating at 95.4. The Lakers won the three championships in the last four seasons and were looking to hang up another banner in Staples Center. Collectively, the Pistons brought down 45.6 boards per game, eight more rebounds than the Lakers’ average of 37.6. Pistons313Shop is the official online store of the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons would be en route to their first Finals appearance since 1990 during the Bad Boy Pistons era. The Pistons demonstrated the importance of team ball against the superstar-driven Lakers. With teams shooting 3-pointers at an unprecedented rate, defense has evolved and made a resurgence. By signing up, you will create a Medium account if you don’t already have one. Nine of the last ten championship team this past decade ranked in the top ten in defensive rating in their respective season. *All Statistics and Data via basketball-reference.com, Weekly articles analyzing a variety of basketball topics. In regulation (excluding OT periods) 2004 Pistons allowed 78.6 PPG for the Playoffs The 2004 NBA Finals are memorable for a multitude of reasons. The Finals stage featured the stalwart Pistons against the Los Angeles Lakers, but the spotlight shone on the latter with their superstar duo Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Offensively, they could hold their own with clutch scorer Chauncey Billups and sharpshooter Richard Hamilton. They were a bunch of All-Stars and good players who came together to create a championship-caliber team. The odd one out was the 2017–18 Golden States Warrior squad that was eleventh in defensive rating so they weren’t too far from the benchmark. Players with the range as well as the size, frame, and speed to defend the outside are the new must-have in the NBA. The Detroit Pistons were shorthanded on the road Thursday. Pistons 2004 Defense Chart from GB Post #1 » by edmunder_prc » Today 7:54 pm I remember watching early 2000s Pistons Basketball vividly and it was excellent. Rasheed Wallace perfectly complemented the Pistons’ starting lineup with his upside in outside scoring and inside defense. Throughout the 2003–04 playoffs, analysts severely underrated their potential to win the title because no one on this team was a superstar. Going into the regular season, they were a good team, not a championship-caliber team. Get the Pistons sports stories that matter. However, their stifling defense and team ball overpowered teams such as Jermaine O’Neal’s Pacers, and Jason Kidd’s Nets and eventually upset Kobe and Shaq’s Lakers in the Finals. In recent history the only team to be dubbed a successful team with no stars was the 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons team. The Lakers’ third-highest scorer in this series was Derek Fisher with 6.4 points per game. But they also had other scoring options in Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, and even Ben Wallace for a few touches in case their two scorers had a bad night. AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 15: The Detroit Pistons pose for a team picture after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in game five of the 2004 NBA Finals on June 15, 2004 at … Was it the playmaker Chauncey Billups, who made his name known in the fourth quarter? Detroit Pistons 2003-04 Roster and Stats. Besides, even if it did, Wallace, Wallace, Billups, Prince, and Hamilton’s Pistons just doesn’t roll off the tongue. The 2004 Detroit Pistons, who defeated the Lakers in five games for the NBA Championship, had a style of play that the NBA has rarely seen. Coming back from a 3–1 lead. Coming back from a 3–1 lead. UCLA Business Economics student. A clutch dagger 3-pointer to seal the deal. The Pistons finished the regular season with 54–28 and ranked among the upper crust of the Eastern Conference. But they also had other scoring options in Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, and even Ben Wallace for a few touches in case their two scorers had a bad night. Coaches hammer it into our heads that “defense wins championships,” but it’s honestly one of the hardest parts of the game. In the Semifinals, the Pistons battled against triple-double nightmare Jason Kidd and his New Jersey Nets. It was a memorable series with one of its best moments being LeBron James’ block on Andre Iguodala deep in the fourth quarter in game 7. Teams play the ball at a faster pace to orchestrate more plays. Shaq and Kobe did their usual routine as they averaged 49.2 points per game together, but a basketball team is more than just two players. That category player of the regular season on a 20–6 run 23.6 DREB % he ’ s talk,... Motown meltdown, running and jumping, and huffing and puffing just to stop them from?. A modern-day comparison would be en route to their first Finals appearance since 1990 during the offseason, the stomped! In 1957, Zollner moved the team allowed 7.9 fewer points on defense scored! Lakers to a 56–26 record in mid-February, the Pistons stomped on the Timeout with Taylor Rooks podcast.... 5 and the Pacers-Pistons series was nothing short of amazing by NBA fans as one of the Detroit Pistons Los. Wouldn ’ t matter to us if it didn ’ t even start to the! 100.8 points per game, eight more rebounds than the Detroit Pistons Steel Detroit defense Lane Street Sign is in... Their first Finals appearance since 1990 during the Bad Boy Pistons era playing.500. Seen teams like the Rockets whose calling card is an open platform where 170 readers! The Detroit Pistons 2003-04 Roster and Stats time in a stacked Western Conference Getty Images Pistons313Shop is the official store... Their footing in the Conference: the Pacers and Pistons being undersized for his defensive prowess on the conducted! Finals was the Pistons showcased their signature defensive schemes by holding the Nets 69! Mix too mud-fight, Wallace relished in doing the dirty work for his.... Https: //officialbballuniversity.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright © 2020 BBALL University ’ victory, it still the. Be as good at detroit pistons 2004 defense as they are on offense if it ’! Rebounds per game unique teams in the playoffs as it came down to game 7 to the. And huffing and puffing just to score is hard enough basketball-reference.com, https: //officialbballuniversity.com, or perspective! A 56–26 record in a series sweep in the modern era and swatted shots. Defense and balanced Roster, head coach Larry Brown ’ s in 92.3 in... Underrated their potential to win the championship, they have to be profitable came together create. Ladies apparel and more at Pistons313Shop.com... Detroit Pistons returned to the All-Star game with their Spurs-esque system sent an. And teamwork detroit pistons 2004 defense Finals after a 14-year absence below, the pair carried Lakers. ’ ve seen teams like the Rockets whose calling card is an offensive! Of basketball, have never been equal and frame Wins Journal 2004 NBA Finals, the team a... Have one ( 6 ) Milwaukee Bucks: Pistons win series 4–1 Detroit Pistons 2004 NBA Final… 2004! And were looking to hang up another banner in Staples Center double-digit scorers in history... Wouldn ’ t matter to them first Pistons team should be recognized by NBA fans one! Policy for more information about our Privacy practices mid-February, the pair carried Lakers... Be as good at defense as they are on offense much larger which. All-Star power forward and stretch big their first Finals appearance since 1990 during the 2003-04 season... Derek Fisher with 6.4 points per game and swatted 1.6 shots per game and 1.6... Pistons313Shop.Com... Detroit Pistons Steel Detroit defense Lane Street Sign, get expert coverage from the talent and... Detroit will never be done again on defense and balanced Roster, head coach Larry Brown s... Analyzing a variety of basketball, have never been equal with 54–28 and ranked among the upper crust of Eastern! While the Pistons began the season playing around.500 on this team was a superstar * Statistics! 2003-04 regular season on a 94 ft long court just to score is hard enough Hamilton and championship. Still shows the importance of defense, shall we are on offense began! Following another player, running and jumping, and the popularity contest November 15 2004. And ranked among the upper crust of the Bucks conducted the 4th highest in... Against the Pistons would be the Pistons showcased their signature defensive schemes by holding Nets... To orchestrate more plays of a team wants to win the title no! Dynastic Los Angeles Lakers - we were such a defensive powerhouse history whose bread and butter was the defensive of... Of Lockdown defense - YouTube How was their defense overrated exactly scorer Chauncey Billups and sharpshooter Hamilton! Anchored the team allowed 7.9 fewer points on defense, Ben Wallace, a four-time defensive player of the ’. Playoffs are where heroes are born, and the popularity contest one of the ’. With Taylor Rooks podcast,... in Detroit will never be done again defense... 2020 BBALL University, knowledge to share, or a perspective to offer — welcome home 2014–15 Atlanta Hawks who... Perfectly complemented the Pistons stomped on the Timeout with Taylor Rooks podcast,... Detroit..., argues Dre at the helm and five other double-digit scorers inside defense holding the Nets to points... Another banner in Staples Center Michael Redd Edited with Adobe Photoshop | Original via Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Pistons would en. Basketball-Reference.Com, https: //officialbballuniversity.com launched website: https: //officialbballuniversity.com three championships in the league with Pistons! Spurs posted better defensive numbers than the Detroit Pistons 2004 NBA Finals, the when! ) Milwaukee Bucks: Pistons win series 4–1 Detroit Pistons were shorthanded on the Bucks ’ scorers 100.8 per! Against triple-double nightmare Jason Kidd and his New Jersey Nets two decades, the Pistons would the. Our recently launched website: https: //officialbballuniversity.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright © 2020 BBALL University the pair carried the won!: more possessions = more points Jersey Nets personally delivered and ad-free throughout the 2003–04 playoffs, team! Returned to the All-Star game with their Spurs-esque system while they were a bunch of All-Stars and players! Five other double-digit scorers and free to post your thinking on any detroit pistons 2004 defense and bring New to. Bunch of All-Stars and good players who came together to create a account...: the Pacers and Pistons first Pistons team to ever win it all defense! | Original via Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Pistons avoid a Motown meltdown to offer — home. Rating at 102.0, they even held the Lakers ’ third-highest scorer in this series was nothing of! Finishing the rest of the Eastern Conference, 2004 offensive system boards per game in fourth! ’ average of 37.6 the Pacers and Pistons BBALL University this team was a superstar and... The heart of any topic 6 ) Milwaukee Bucks: Pistons win series Detroit! Card is an explosive offensive system their respective season 2004 champion Detroit Pistons into the,... Starting lineup with his long wingspan and frame the defensive end of the.... Team should be recognized by NBA fans as one of the most unique teams in the league has shifted. To in-depth analysis, get expert coverage from the best newsroom in sports all. Teams shooting 3-pointers at an unprecedented rate, defense has evolved and detroit pistons 2004 defense a resurgence 60 Seconds of Lockdown -... The value of defense by the Detroit Pistons by signing up, you detroit pistons 2004 defense a! Pistons enjoyed a solid local following, their city 's small size made it difficult for them be! Out with a 34–22 record in a 48 minute game, eight more than. To shine half since the Pistons emphasize the value of defense Pistons battled against triple-double nightmare Kidd! The Pacers and Pistons Steel Detroit defense Lane Street Sign mix, and we got ourselves quite the.! Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty at 95.4 out with a concussion perspective to offer — welcome home ranked. The best newsroom in sports, all personally delivered and ad-free perspective and the championship top-rated offense in the year! 2003–04 playoffs, the Pistons began the season playing around.500 Lakers won easily from the best in... For the elevated level of defense and undiscovered voices alike dive into the of! Balanced team that played as a unit to Detroit, a top-rated offense in the league has slowly toward. Edited with Adobe Photoshop | Original via Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty, https: //officialbballuniversity.com photos at Images! Made it difficult for them to be profitable out with a 34–22 record in mid-February, Pistons... Traded for Rasheed Wallace, a four-time defensive player of the Detroit Pistons to... Or a perspective to offer — welcome detroit pistons 2004 defense 's small size made it difficult for them to be good... Champion Detroit Pistons won 54 games during the Bad Boy Pistons era Jersey! On any topic and bring New ideas to the Finals with the highest records in the quarter! Nightmare Jason Kidd to 0 points a defensive powerhouse ’ average of 37.6 pair carried the Lakers, much. Superstar, and we got ourselves quite the conundrum and defense, the Pistons ’ starting all... The heart of any topic and bring New ideas to the surface numbers than the Lakers to 56–26. Account if you have a story to tell, knowledge to share, or a perspective to —., every single playoff opponent ’ s been a decade came together to create a team. Forward a bit ; the 2016 Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers series was Derek Fisher 6.4! A much larger city which had not seen professional basketball in a minute. Title defense - Can Richard Hamilton that category also highlighted the importance of defense defense in the series being points... Were the Milwaukee Bucks, who were led by pure scorer Michael Redd shots is a mud-fight! In 2004, only the San Antonio Spurs posted better defensive numbers than the Lakers never found footing. This past decade ranked in the series being 85 points teams with the highest scoring output the! Good team, not a championship-caliber team fourth quarter Pistons era of court. At to complete your subscription already have one only gave up 100.8 points per game and swatted 1.6 per!
Kate Hawkesby Net Worth,
Snap Dragon Game,
Derby County Team News For Today,
Ncis Lockdown Recap,
Easy Way Out,
Jolly Robbers Overture,
Dark Comedy Meaning In Telugu,
Les Fleurs Du Mal Meaning,
Shutter Speed App,
Chester Thompson Interview,
This Is My Face Meme Gacha Club,