[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATIONS TO 2004 DETROIT PISTONS ON ITS NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2004

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to our 2004 Detroit Pistons 
who brought Detroit its first NBA championship title in 14 years. It 
has been a long hard climb back up the championship ladder from our two 
Championships in 1989-90, but the Pistons have finally reached the top 
again and can proudly call themselves world champions.

       Whereas on June 15, 2004, the 2-time champion Detroit 
     Pistons won the 2004 National Basketball Association 
     championship, defeating the 9-time champion Los Angeles 
     Lakers;
       Whereas the Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4 games to 
     1 in the first round of the playoffs;
       Whereas the Pistons defeated the Defending Eastern 
     Conference Champion New Jersey Nets 4 games to 3 in the hard 
     fought Conference Semifinals;
       Whereas the Pistons defeated the regular season Eastern 
     Conference Champion Indiana Pacers 4 games to 2 in the 
     Conference Finals;
       Whereas in the finals against the Lakers, the Pistons won 4 
     games to 1, giving them their 1st NBA Championship since 
     1990, and making them the first team from the Eastern 
     Conference to win the title in 5 years;
       Whereas the Pistons are the first team to win the three 
     middle games of the finals since the 2-3-2 format went into 
     effect in 1985.
       Whereas the Pistons' gritty offense was lead by Rip 
     Hamilton, who averaged more than 21.5 points and 4.2 assists 
     per game through-out the post-season;
       Whereas Rasheed Wallace overcame foot injury to provide 26 
     points and 13 rebounds in the crucial game 4 victory;
       Whereas Ben Wallace, two-time NBA defensive player and 
     three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, lead the Pistons 
     stifling defense and has brought a working-class mind-set 
     that symbolizes the lunch-pail anonymity which has become the 
     face of the team;
       Whereas Tayshaun Prince was tenacious on the ball defense 
     and mitigated the Los Angeles Lakers talented back court;
       Whereas Chauncey Billups was voted Most Valuable Player, in 
     acknowledgment of his outstanding offensive and defensive 
     performance throughout the post-season, averaging 21 points a 
     game and 5.2 assists versus 2.6 turnovers in the finals.
       Whereas Coach Larry Brown has done an outstanding job 
     preparing his Pistons to take on an exceptional Lakers team, 
     giving him the unique distinction of being the first coach to 
     win both the NBA and NCAA championships;
       Whereas former Piston and current President of Basketball 
     Operations Joe Dumars, Coach Brown, and his staff John 
     Kuester, Mike Woodson, Dave Hanners, Herb Brown and Igor 
     Stefan Kokoskov have provided strong leadership and solid 
     coaching, resulting in a basketball team in which teamwork 
     and hard work are the rules and not the exceptions;
       Whereas the Pistons fans have shown undying support for 
     their team, leading the league in attendance in a year where 
     attendance records were shattered all over the NBA.
       Whereas the Pistons exemplify what can be achieved by a 
     talented group of players working together in concert for a 
     common goal, overcoming a championship proven Lakers' team 
     comprised of NBA all-stars.
       Whereas the Pistons have shown that basketball remains a 
     team sport and have reminded us fans that the game is still a 
     team game with fundamentals at its heart and soul;
       Whereas, as sports writer Eric Neel so cleverly put it 
     ``Once upon a time, there was a shared ball on offense and a 
     shared responsibility on defense. In their Game 5 victory, as 
     in the previous four games, it was that time all over again. 
     We've got retro jerseys and throwback sneaks, now we've got a 
     world champion from back in the day, to go with them.''
       Whereas the Pistons's success resulted from contributions 
     from the entire roster of players, including Chauncey 
     Billups, Elden Campbell, Darvin Ham, Richard Hamilton, 
     Lindsey Hunter, Mike James, Darko Milicic, Mehmet Okur, 
     Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Corliss 
     Williamson;
       Whereas the Pistons have displayed great strength, ability, 
     and perseverance this season, which are all reflective of the 
     hardworking people of the metropolitan Detroit region and the 
     great State of Michigan, which furthermore is reflected in 
     the team slogan ``Going to work. Every night.'':
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) Congratulates the Detroit Pistons for winning the 2004 
     World championship and for their outstanding performance 
     during the entire 2004 season, and congratulates all of the 
     16 NBA teams who made it into the post-season;
       (2) Salutes the achievements of all of the players, 
     coaches, and staff of the Pistons, who worked hard and who 
     were instrumental in bringing the City of Detroit its third 
     NBA championship;
       (3) Commends the Los Angeles Lakers for a valiant 
     performance during the playoff finals and for displaying 
     their strength and skill as a team;
       (4) Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Pistons 
     players, Head Coach Larry Brown, General Manager Joe Dumars 
     and President and team owner William Davidson.

                          ____________________