I’ll admit it. I was a huge Indiana Pacer fan back in the day. Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, Austin Croshere, Jalen Rose, Sam Perkins, Antonio Davis, and Dale Davis and the rest of the 2000 Eastern Conference Champs were one of my favorite NBA teams. Although the Isiah Era was disgusting, by the end of the 2004 season, I still identified myself as a Pacer fan, although my interest in the NBA had waned a good bit by then. Then came the Malice at the Palace , and the Pacers (who had lost a close series to the Pistons the year before) and were putting the finishing touches on a road beatdown) were never the same. And ever since that day, as well as the 2005 Playoffs, I’ve never been a fan of the Detroit Pistons. With their “if it ain’t rough, it ain’t right” motto, Rasheed Wallace, and their godawful PA Announcer, they, along with the Spurs, are a team that many love to hate.
After tonight’s snowjob in Game 2, it bears repeating. Yes, I know that 3 was only worth 3 and it would have made the score 97-93 if you look at it like that. However, people will forget that it was a 2-point Piston lead late. Had the 3 not been counted (which would have been the correct call), the Magic would have had a 93-92 lead and almost certainly would not have had to take a quick 2 that rimmed out. So, with that in mind, go Magic, Celtics, Cavs, Lakers, Jazz, or Hornets.
(You just know this will be a Pistons-Spurs Finals, don’t you?)
