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By Dr. Steven Taylor @ 6:30 am

Pistons 96, Spurs 79 Given that I predicted the Spurs in 6, this is no surprise, but I did think/was hoping that they were going to play bette [...]

care to change your prediction based on the outcome of tonight’s game. The Pistons were unable to handle the Spurs in the fourth period.

Say what you will about the vaunted Pistons defense, but their offense is basically non-existent compared to the spurs, who can score 120 with the Suns and turn right around and hold them under 100 the next night.

I’m also amazed that you’re going to go against the best pure center the game has going right now in Tim Duncan (I hardly consider Shaq a pure center in the line of Russell, Chamberlain and Jabbar).

The spurs right now remind me a lot of the Rockets the two years they won the championship. Olajuwon was also a pure center who made those around him better, and he had great point guard play from Kenny Smith and E.T., and – again – the x-factor: Robert Horry.

Neither team’s players care who the star is on any given night and can get the ball to the hot hand, well.

For the Spurs, that hasn’t proven true as far as getting the ball to the hot hand. They’ve ALL had the hot hand. And that’s what makes them especially difficult. Say what you will about Rip Hamilton and Chauncy Billups and the anorexic Tayshawn Prince, but they don’t match up to Parker, Ginobli and Bowen.

Neither team’s players care who the star is on any given night and can get the ball to the hot hand, well. Add to that, these are the two best defensive teams in the league and you have the makings of a great series.

It’s tough to pick, but I will take Detroit. They are the champs, until someone says they are not.

PS. I am a Laker fan from the days of Wilt, Jerry, Happy, and Elgin. The Magic and Kareem era was great too, as was the Shaq/Kobe. But unless Kobe grows up, they will not win anything until he is gone. Kobe wants to a Jordan, but until he realizes that Michael made all of his teammates better, he will be just another Allen Iverson, a ball hog.

So, I’m thinking six, but I’m hoping 5 for the Spurs. I’d have much preferred a Spurs-Heat series, since at least there would have been some excitement. I anticipate paint drying in this series unless Popovich decides to let Ginobli and Parker run the floor.