The NBA's Greatest Upset: How the Detroit Pistons Used Teamwork and Unselfishness to Upset the L.A. Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals

Remember when your mom told you that, through hard work and determination, you could accomplish anything? Remember how you believed her before life beat the crap out of you? Well, it turns out she was right. At least it paid off for the ballers in Detroit, Michigan.

In 2004, the Detroit Pistons pulled off what was called the greatest upset in NBA Finals history by crushing the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the Finals. Not only did they smash the life out of the most talked about team of the year, but they did it the way a true team is supposed to. The Detroit "team" won over L.A.'s group of individual stars, even though that group contained four future Hall-of-Famers. The "team" won with a smothering defense, with all five starters scoring evenly in double figures, and with the final game at home in front of their own fans. The "team" became the first team to sweep the middle three games since the league went to the 2-3-2 game format in 1985.

The Pistons won with a team where (before the mid-season addition of Rasheed Wallace) Head Coach "drifting" Larry Brown was the most famous person on the team. They won by man-handling the Lakers so badly, that Lakers' owner Jerry Buss walked out in the third quarter of Game 5.

I should point out that I am a life-long Lakers fans. I've been with them through thick and thin since Magic Johnson became a rookie. So in an effort to stop unofficial Head Fan Jack Nicholson from revoking my Lakers fan membership, I should offer some excuses for my team. I have to point out that Shaquille O'Neal was upset over his contract, Karl Malone was playing hurt, Kobe Bryant was distracted by his criminal trial, and everybody but Kobe was getting old. Then... uh... ummm... well, that's all I can think of right now.

In the end, however, there was no excuse. The 2004 Finals were a complete and thorough butt-whipping. Motown beat L.A. so badly that the Lakers dismantled almost immediately after the final game. Players and coaches alike scurried off in different directions for good. The Pistons shattered more dreams than Halle Berry at the wedding alter, but I couldn't help feeling proud that the team that beat us deserved it the most. Sorry, Mr. Nicholson.

Anyone who watched the killer defense that stifled Kobe and kept Shaq in foul trouble while dominating the boards must admit that the blue-collar, workhorse Pistons earned the respect of basketball fans that year. It was inspirational. All over the planet, little kids were practicing passing and blocking shots instead of hogging the ball. For awhile, I wasn't the only guy hanging back on defense against the entire opposing team in street pick-up games. Basketball fans were working together to win and imitating unselfish journeymen who deserved to win for a change.

That's how it should work. That's how life should work. Excuse me; I think I have something in my eye. (Sniff Sniff)