Playoff Dreams: Pistons and Red Wings

The Playoffs are coming and I'm smiling. The Pistons are red hot in the NBA, and the Red Wings look like they got a shot at the cup. Call me an optimist, but I think it is possible that Detroit could be boasting about two championchips this year.

A match was lit under the collective asses of the Pistons, which has fueled them all season. No doubt, San Antonio frusturated Detroit into throwing in the towel last year. The focus was lacking, certainly not the drive. Perhaps Larry Brown wasn't engaged as should have been. Perhaps it was the illusion that it would be easy. Perhaps they were in awe of b-ball skills of Balki Bartokomous. We'll never know. One thing is certain, the Pistons were not dominating the way that they could.

Make no mistake Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince,Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, and the others are haunted by that humiliating game seven defeat. It has changed them dramatically. It has altered their psyche. They will steam roll their way through the playoffs. They won't stop until they are hoisting the trophy. To think that Dumars built his empire on a bunch of NBA rejects who became stars when they played as a team.

Critics will claim that the Red Wings had it easy. With the division company of Columbus, Chicago, Saint Louis, it is hard not to imagine that Wings would make the playoffs. The Wings, however decided to play and proved that they were the best in the West.

Records determine nothing in hockey. The Wings had a stellar season their last time out, only to suffer a second round exit to the Flames. The Refree calls were a factor, but the real problem was that the Wings skated like grandpas. Once Yzerman got hit in the eye by a runaway puck, we knew they were finished. I turned off game six with 5 minutes left. It was too painful.

The Wings will play harder this time around, but will it be enough? We'll just have to wait and see. Although they have a good record, I would still consider them playoff underdogs, however even underdogs get a shot at the big prize.

The Wings faceoff against the Edmonton Oilers in the first round.

Regular Seson Series: Detroit v.s. Edmonton
Nov. 3, at Detroit, L 4-3 (OT):
Nov. 11, at Edmonton, L 6-5 (OT)
Mar. 18, at Edmonton, W 4-3 (SO)
Apr. 11, at Detroit, W 2-0

Tags:
* comedy * humor * funny * silly * entertainment * pop culture * basketball * NBA * hockey * NHL
* Red Wings * Pistons * Detroit * Yzerman * Chauncey Billups * Ben Wallace * Tayshaun Prince
* Rip Hamilton * Eastern Conference * Western Conference * sports * Stanley Cup * playoffs * Joe Dumars
* Motown * Hockey Town * Oilers * Edmonton * San Antonio * Spurs