Pistons 78, Heat 95 (Heat win series 4-2): Thanks to the Shaquille O'Neal's dominant performance, Jason "ex-White Chocolate" Williams' sweet shooting (10 for 12 FG's), Dwayne Wade's inspiring double-double while visibly sick, and the usual crappy defense from the overrated Rip Hamilton, the Miami Heat were able to knock out the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons straight up got abused. NBA Nation slept well last night knowing that there won't be any sort of encore to last year's painful San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons finals.
Jason Williams: "Can we get a little privacy here? Jesus!"
If the Pistons are stupid enough to fire Flip, the Warriors better jump on that like Michael Sweetney on a twinkie.
The biggest losers here (aside from the classless Detroit Pistons fans) are the LA Lakers. They broke up a team that went to the NBA Finals 4 out of 5 years in the worst possible way. If the Lakers simply traded Kobe Bryant for Dwayne Wade, Vince Carter, or even the Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant's Adonal Foyle-like contract package, they'd be contending for championships. Instead the Lakers are blowing 3-1 playoff series leads to the defenseless Phoenix Suns. Mitch Kupchak doesn't have clue... Mitch Kupchak doesn't have clue... Mitch Kupchak doesn't have clue...
Boxscore Badboy
The big fella showed why he's one of the most dominant players of all time with 28 points (on 12 for 14 shooting) and 16 Rodmans. GSoM Stat O' the Nite: Shaq = 5 blocks, Benny Wallace = 0 swats. This is the same Ben Wallace who had one of the greatest blocks of all time 2 days ago. This is going to be Shaq's 6th trip to the finals. Ugly yes, but incredibly DOMINANT!