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Detroit/Miami—A Potential Classic
Every so often, there is a matchup between two teams that can have the makings of immortality. The upcoming series between the Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat just might fit the bill. This contest will attempt to answer the age-old question of which type of squad is superior; one with two great players or five good ones. Miami has both David and Goliath on the floor with Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade. That combination may be even better than Shaq’s partnership with Kobe Bryant. Larry Brown and Joe Dumars, on the other hand have developed one of the most efficient teams in recent memory in the Pistons. Anytime two strong teams meet with contrasting schemes, chances are a good series will ensue. The final ingredient in potentially making this series a classic is the disdain that the two cities have for each other. A great playoff match not only pits the two teams against each other, but it also draws from their respective cities. That’s why rivalries work so well in the playoffs. San Franciscans hate all things L.A, Bostonians despise all things New York. Detroit and Miami are cities that only have their time zone in common. They are about as different as Bette Midler and Jessica Simpson. These disparities provide the fuel for the contempt of everything the other city represents.
Detroit is a city that makes the streets of South Central Los Angeles look like Beverly Hills. Rundown buildings and vacated apartment complexes engulf the city. Detroit is one of those places that people only connect flights through; it is the layover capital of America. No one ever wants to “end up” in Detroit. Instead of the current “Welcome to Detroit” banner at Detroit Metro, most of its patrons would simply be happy with a sign that says “You Here!” Snow covers the ground in winter, and mosquitoes cover the
This would only work in Detroit.
citizens in summer. It is a place where you’ll never see a Toyota, Honda or a metrosexual. It is also a city where any man who puts in a solid 9 to 5 can afford a decent house with a backyard. There is a certain level of community within Detroit that is almost unequaled across the country. The fans are among the most passionate in the nation and they have fallen in love with the Pistons. The Pistons embody the spirit of Detroit. They play hard and get the job done without any flash or finesse. They consistently have four or more players that average double-figures, which illustrates their team philosophy. The Pistons are a group that is fundamentally sound and powerful; even their point-guard, Chauncey Billups likes to post-up and play down low. This squad is a perfect fit for Detroit.
Miami, on the other hand, is the city of hedonism. The bars stay open till at least 2am and the clubs don’t let out until 6 in the mornin’. There is an energy that one feels when in South Florida that can only be matched by that place in the middle of the Nevada desert. Miami has a scintillating mix of beauty and pretentiousness that draws people in from all parts of the world. It can be summed up best by Al Pacino’s character, Tony Montana in Scarface: “First you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the ladies”.
Bienvenidos a Miami!!!
It is the rich man’s paradise because the essence of the city is unmistakably material. It is also the “What have you done for me lately” capital of the world. Two years ago, the Heat barely drew 10,000; now they sell out every game. This year’s team also personifies the city they represent. Dwyane Wade is protypical Miami. He’s a young, handsome man with skills that would inspire Renoir. He can hit the “J” one possession, and then dunk on his opponent the next. His game has a precision that is almost unmatched in the NBA. The Heat also has one of the most dominant forces in all of the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq, who is somewhere north of 350, moves with a grace that almost defies reality. The duo of Wade and Shaquille O’Neal is indeed dynamic, and Heat fans adore them. Unfortunately, for the other players on the squad, notoriety is hard to come by. Eddie Jones and Alonzo Mourning have both had excellent careers for Miami, but you won’t see anyone at American Airlines arena donning their jerseys. Heat fans understand that the success of this team depends on the health of O’Neal and Wade. When they are both at the top of their games, there may not be a team in the league that could eliminate Miami in a best of seven series. Unfortunately for the Heat, Shaq is hurt and Wade will not be able to do nearly enough to take down the Pistons.
Detroit will win this series not because of their city, but because of their team. The Pistons make their opponents scratch and claw for every basket. Chauncey Billups will make Dwyane Wade work hard to score and will probably try to deny him the basketball. Billups will also make Wade work on defense. He can score and he will not hesitate to post Wade up. He may go to the post even more if Shaquille O’Neal is not able to help on defense. If Shaq is unavailable to the Heat, the lack of an inside presence will bury them. Ben & Rasheed Wallace will be able to roam the boards and use their size to create scoring opportunities. Shaq must play and be at 100 percent in order for the Heat to have a chance. If Shaq cannot go, Alonzo Mourning will have to carry a burden that was not designed for him to undertake. The Heat just do not have the depth at the center position to match up with Detroit if Shaq is out. With or without Shaq, Miami will need scoring from Damon Jones, Eddie Jones, and Udonis Haslem if the expect to win. If they can get these contributions, the Heat might just pull it off, and there will be yet another reason to party in South Beach; but don’t count on it.
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