2004 NBA Finals best photos: Detroit Pistons 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton and Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant share a hug prior to the start of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Pistons' Ben Wallace fights for the ball against Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal during the first quarter at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6, 2004.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace tries to defend Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal during the first quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives to the basket on Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince during the second quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal dunks over Pistons' Mehmet Okur and Ben Wallace during the second quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes to the basket against Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace during the third quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 6, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Detroit Pistons' Corliss Williamson dunks over Los Angeles Lakers' Karl Malone during the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton takes a charging foul against Los Angeles' Kareem Rush in the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 6, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant shoots against Pistons' Tayshaun Prince during the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 6, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Pistons won 87-75.

Pistons coach Larry Brown and Lakers' Kobe Bryant exchange words Monday, June 7, 2004 at the Staples Center during practice a day before Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton, center, is greeted during starting lineup introductions prior to the start of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace fights for the opening jump ball tipoff against Shaquille O'Neal in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Pistons' Ben Wallace misses this shot under the basket against Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace goes under the basket past the defense of Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal during the first quarter of Game 2 in the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. JULIAN H. GONZALEZ / Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons' Mehmet Okur defends Los Angeles Lakers' Karl Malone during the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 6, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Pistons' Tayshaun Prince defends Lakers' Kobe Bryant during the second quarter in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Detroit's Richard Hamilton goes under the defense of Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Pistons' Lindsey Hunter, left, and Ben Wallace fight for the ball with Lakers' Brian Cook during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

NBA Finals, Game 2: Lakers 99, Pistons 91 (OT) on June 8, 2004. Photo: Kobe Bryant launches a game-tying 3 over Richard Hamilton with 2.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter at Staples Center. Bryant scored 33 points and Shaq added 29 points to overcome 27 points and nine assists from Chauncey Billups and 26 points from Hamilton.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant celebrates his tying 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter vs. the Pistons in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Lakers won in OT, 99-91.

Pistons' Rasheed Wallace stops this drive by Lakers' Kobe Bryant in OT in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Detroit Pistons fans cheer during pregame introductions prior to the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals vs. the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Left to right: Rick Mahorn, Isiah Thomas, Vinnie Johnson and John Salley await Game 3 of the NBA finals between the Pistons and Lakers on June 10, 2004 at the Palace.

Anita Baker sings the national anthem prior to the start of action between the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace plays defense against Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal during the first quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons coach Larry Brown and Rasheed Wallace show their displeasure during the first quarter vs. the Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton drives past Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton plays defense on Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant during the second quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton tries to move the ball past Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher during the second quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Los Angeles Lakers' Luke Walton drives around Detroit Pistons' Elden Campbell during the second quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace battles under the boards with Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal during the second quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Los Angeles Lakers' Karl Malone hears taunts and insults from Detroit Pistons fans courtside during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, June 10, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups goes up for the basket over Los Angeles Lakers' Karl Malone during the third quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups celebrates his basket with Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince during the third quarter in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace celebrates during the closing minutes of Game 3 of the NBA Finals vs. the Lakers, Thursday, June 10, 2004 at the Palace. The Pistons won, 88-68.

Phyllis Johnson, 43, wearing the Detroit Pistons jersey, and her sister Mary Yancy, 36, wearing a Lakers' Kobe Bryant jersey, cheer for their respective teams as they warm up prior to the start of Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons' Rasheed Wallace goes up for a basket past Lakers' Karl Malone, left, during the first quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups drives with the ball against Los Angeles Lakers' Rick Fox during the first quarter in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace pulls in a rebound during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills,.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton shoots over Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant during the first quarter in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Gary Payton, center, and forward Rick Fox battle for the rebound during the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Palace, June 13, 2004.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant tries to get by the defense of Detroit Pistons' Darvin Ham during the second quarter in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives past Pistons' Tayshaun Prince during the second quarter in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace and Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal battle under the basket during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Lakers head coach Phil Jackson reacts during the second quarter vs. the Pistons in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince battles for position with Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups drives past the defense of Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant during the third quarter in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince goes up for the shot over Lakers' Kobe Bryant during the third quarter in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant is given a technical foul during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons of Game 4 in the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons' Tayshaun Prince defends Lakers' Kobe Bryant in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace, right, and Ben Wallace, left, react with teammates on the bench after the 88-80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal leaves the court after losing to the Pistons, 88-80, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince cancels out the number 2 on the games remaining to win the NBA championship, after the Pistons defeated the Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Palace, June 13, 2004.

Pistons guard Chauncey Billups smiles after practice for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers, Monday, June 14, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant sat alone in the seats before the start of practice for Game 5 of the NBA Finals vs. the Pistons, Monday, June 14, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Aretha Franklin sings the national anthem prior to the start of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives against Pistons' Corliss Williamson in the first quarter in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons' Tayshaun Prince fights the defense of Lakers' Kobe Bryant during the second quarter in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons' Lindsey Hunter fights for the ball with Lakers' Kobe Bryant as Shaquille O'Neal, left, watches during the second quarter in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons' Tayshaun Prince gets up over Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal in the third quarter in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal sits on the bench with four fouls during the first half against the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant is triple teamed by Pistons' Richard Hamilton, left, Lindsey Hunter, center, and Corliss Williamson, right, in the second quarter in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Darko Miličić during the fourth quarter vs. the Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton points to his mask at the end of the 100-87 series-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Confetti flies after the Detroit Pistons' 100-87 series-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 between of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

A Detroit Pistons fan holds up a special edition of the Detroit Free Press, after the Pistons defeated the Lakers, 100-87, to win the NBA championship in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace holds the Larry O'Brien trophy after the 100-87, title-clinching victory over the Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace holds up the Larry O'Brien trophy as ABC's Mike Tirico interviews team owner Bill Davidson, after the Pistons beat the Lakers, 100-87, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004,at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace kisses the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Pistons defeated the Lakers, 100-87, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Detroit Pistons celebrate and take a picture after winning the championship in Game 5 of the NBA Finals over the Lakers, Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars, with a cigar in mouth, heads to the locker room after the Pistons' 100-87 victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals vs. the Lakers on Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons' Chauncey Billups leaves the court with his Finals MVP trophy, after the Pistons defeated the Lakers, 100-87, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Front page of the Detroit Free Press on June 16, 2004, after the Pistons finish the Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton rides along the victory parade route Thursday, June 17, 2004, in Detroit, two days after the Pistons knocked off the Lakers in five games in the NBA Finals.

Pistons' Ben Wallace lifts the Larry O'Brien trophy during a rally at Hart Plaza, Thursday, June 17, 2004 during the Pistons' championship parade and celebration.