In 2004 when the Pistons shocked the world (except me who picked them to win the NBA Title) and beat the Lakers for the NBA Title, they were the epitome of a team. Not one superstar, but five very good players playing as one. The saying goes that a great team will always beat a great player.
The Pistons at its core were a team of overachievers who never took anything for granted, maximized their talents and in many ways played above them. But something happened to change all of that. When Wrong Way Larry Brown openly flirted with the New York Knicks job while coaching the Pistons to the 2005 Finals you could see that change happening. The Pistons went from a team of selfless overachievers to a team who thought they could turn it on and turn it off on demand.
The Pistons failed to realize that if you don't have a Kobe Bryant, a Lebron James or a Chris Paul to bail you out, it is more likely you are going to fail with that attitude. Flip Saunders was never the right coach for this team because he lets them do whatever they want. He treats them like superstars when in reality they are a bunch of good players who need to be coached up to their potential. In the end, it is hard to say that the six-year run is a failure because they made six conference finals, two NBA finals appearances and one championship. But, it could have been so much more.
The were lucky to win there one title
you wrong for that pic
Nope. Had nothing to do with this either, officer!
At least they won a title
Not a successful run when you don't win it all. Sure we can book their trip to the Conference Finals every year but now we know they are going to lose in the Conference Finals every year.
Ha