[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6867-S6869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE DETROIT PISTONS ON WINNING THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL
ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 380, submitted
earlier today by myself and Senator Stabenow.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 380) honoring the Detroit Pistons on
winning the National Basketball Association Championship on
June 15, 2004.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator
Stabenow be recognized for her approximately 5-minute statement, and
that I then be recognized for my statement.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Michigan.
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I thank my friend and colleague from
Michigan.
[[Page S6868]]
Mr. President, I rise today with my friend from Michigan to offer
this resolution congratulating the Detroit Pistons for winning the
National Basketball Association Championship.
What a game, and what a win.
In a remarkable display of toughness, talent, tenacity, and old-
fashioned hard work, the Pistons made history yesterday by winning
their third consecutive home game at the Palace of Auburn Hills to
clinch their third NBA title.
It was the first time in NBA Finals history that the home team won
the third, the fourth, and the fifth game at home.
The Pistons embody all that I love about the people of Michigan. They
are a determined, hard-working team that has shown relentless
determination to achieve their goal. The Pistons are a complete team.
They sacrifice personal gains for the good of their teammates. And we
saw that over and over again last night. They dove for loose balls, and
they played great defense.
Like the people of Michigan, the Pistons do not seek the limelight
but, rather, let their performance on and off the court speak for
itself.
Off the court, the Pistons launched their Read to Achieve Program in
October 2001. I was very pleased to participate in one of their reading
events. To date, they have opened four reading and learning centers,
the most recent last Monday at the Cornerstone Elementary Linwood
Campus Library. And they have donated their time to read with over
4,500 students throughout Michigan.
On the court, the Pistons faced many hurdles to win this title.
First, they overcame a grueling regular season schedule to win 54
games. Next, they outlasted three of the toughest teams in the Eastern
Conference playoffs: the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Jersey Nets, and the
Indiana Pacers to make it to the NBA Finals.
In the end, the Pistons prevailed against the storied Los Angeles
Lakers, a franchise with 14 titles to its credit, four future Hall of
Famers, and a future Hall of Fame coach, Phil Jackson, who has coached
nine NBA championship teams.
Our Pistons beat them all and showed they are the best.
I would like to take a moment to recognize members of the Pistons
organization who made this remarkable season possible.
Congratulations, first, to Bill Davidson, the Pistons owner, a man
who has had a wonderful year. Mr. Davidson, a generous philanthropist
for the last 25 years, adds the Pistons' NBA title to the Detroit
Shock's 2003 WNBA championship.
I also congratulate the Pistons President of Basketball Operations,
Joe Dumars. As an NBA player, Joe was one of the driving forces on the
1989 and 1990 Pistons championship teams, and proved to be equally
valuable in the Pistons front office by assembling this terrific team.
Next, of course, big congratulations are in order to Larry Brown, the
first coach to win an NBA championship and an NCAA title. The much
traveled Hall of Fame coach made his nest in Detroit this year and won
this championship by asking his players to play basketball the ``right
way,'' emphasizing defense, rebounding, and team play. This kind of
old-fashioned philosophy is the kind of workman-like philosophy we
value in Michigan.
Finally, and most importantly, cheers to the guys doing the hard work
on the hardwood. The Pistons starting backcourt of Richard Hamilton and
Finals MVP Chauncey Billups provided the leadership, scoring, and
defense when the team needed it most. Each game, the tandem of Ben
Wallace and Rasheed Wallace erected a virtual wall around the Pistons
basket and blocked shots and collected rebounds that were critical to
the Pistons' success--and great fun to watch.
Joining the Wallaces in the front court was Tayshaun Prince, the
long-armed forward who made the highlight-reel block of a layup during
game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals that turned that series around
and propelled the Pistons to the NBA Finals.
Finally, the contributions of the Pistons reserves, known
collectively as the ``Alternatorz,'' proved invaluable, as they always
provided a spark whenever they were called upon.
Mr. President, I attended game 3 of the NBA Finals last Thursday
evening with my son. It was very exciting, and I can tell you that
Pistons basketball is a beautiful thing to watch. And though this
Detroit Pistons team is not known for its physical play, as the ``Bad
Boys'' teams of 1989 and 1990 were, it is known for the intimidating
presence of the Pistons center and spiritual leader, Ben Wallace.
Aside from the Pistons' victory, there was nothing more entertaining
and fun to watch than seeing the countless Detroit fans at the Palace
wearing wigs resembling Ben Wallace's hair. Looking forward to next
year, I want to pass on a message to the NBA I saw on one fan's sign:
``Fear the Fro.''
Again, congratulations to all the Pistons players, coaches, and staff
who made this championship possible. This was truly a magnificent
accomplishment for fans in Detroit and across the State of Michigan.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the names of the Pistons
players and coaches be printed in the Record following my remarks.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(See exhibit 1.)
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I might also say, I look forward to
collecting, with my colleague, on the bet that Senator Levin and I won
from our colleagues and friends from California.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
Exhibit 1
Detroit Pistons--2004 NBA World Champions
Players: Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Tremaine
Fowlkes, Darvin Ham, Richard Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Mike
James, Darko Milicic, Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Prince, Ben
Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Corliss Williamson,
Head Coach: Larry Brown
Assistant Coach: Herb Brown, Dave Hanners, Igor Kokoskov,
John Kuester, Mike Woodson
Athletic Trainer: Mike Abdenour
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, last night before 22,000 fans, a gritty
bunch of Detroit Pistons achieved one of the biggest championship
basketball upsets in history. In a league that has long emphasized the
role of its star players, the Detroit Pistons bring to mind another
famous team, the 1980 U.S. Olympic gold medal hockey team, and remind
us that teamwork, perseverance, desire, and defense win championships.
The Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars and his staff, with the full
and total support of the owner Bill Davidson, put together a team not
built around one or two superstars but on the solid play of all of its
members. In their effort to build a team that could advance through the
playoffs and win a championship, the Pistons made a midseason trade for
Rasheed Wallace, a talented and multidimensional power forward.
In a league where bold season-changing trades are rare, this move
gave the Pistons a potent front court scoring option and another
rebounding and shot blocking presence to compliment two-time defensive
player of the year Ben Wallace. Throughout the series the Pistons were
the true definition of a team, with each and every Piston contributing
in some way during their run for the championship.
NBA finals MVP Chauncey Billups, who has played for five teams in his
short career, looked at home with the Pistons and played a stellar
series on both ends of the court. For this year, at least, they could
have renamed MVP the MVT for the ``most valuable team,'' because this
was truly a team effort. It must have been extremely difficult for the
people who selected the MVP to single out just one Piston because they
truly were a unit.
In Larry Brown, the Pistons had obtained a coach who over the course
of 31 years of coaching had developed a reputation as a keen student of
the game, able to motivate players and respect his players and make
gametime adjustments with great skill. Focusing his players on his
favorite mantra--play the right way--Coach Brown was able to prove that
by sharing the ball and sharing the glory, even the star-studded Lakers
could be defeated. Over the course of the season Coach Brown became the
first coach in basketball history to win both an NBA and NCAA
championship title.
The country may have viewed the Pistons as the underdog, but thanks
to Coach Brown, his players remained hungry for a championship and
always believed in their hearts that they were up to the challenge.
[[Page S6869]]
So our heartiest congratulations to the Detroit Pistons, as the
players, coaches, staff, and fans celebrate their third NBA
championship. The effect of these finals will be felt for a long time.
As a Detroiter and proud citizen of Michigan, I know the huge
impetus, the wonderful momentum, the great feeling that pervades and
permeates my home State tonight. Since Detroit is now home to both the
WNBA and NBA champions, perhaps Detroit, long known as Hockeytown USA,
will now be recognized as Hoopstown USA as well.
I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble be agreed to
en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and
that any statements relative to the resolution be printed in the Record
without intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. COLEMAN). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 380) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 380
Whereas the Detroit Pistons finished second in the Central
Division of the Eastern Conference and won the National
Basketball Association (NBA) World Championship for the first
time since winning back to back Championships in 1989 and
1990;
Whereas the Detroit Pistons is the first Eastern Conference
team to win the Championship since 1998;
Whereas the Detroit Pistons by defeating the heavily-
favored Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 1 showed grit,
determination, discipline, and unity, thereby securing their
third National Basketball Association World Championship;
Whereas the Detroit Pistons completed an incredible season
with strong performances from many key players, including
Finals Most Valuable Player Chauncey Billups, two-time
Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace, a new head coach in
Larry Brown and savvy front office executives such as Joe
Dumars;
Whereas Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson became the
first owner to win an NBA and WNBA championship, as well as
the Stanley Cup championship, in the span of 12 months;
Whereas President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars built
a cohesive championship team through smart draft choices, key
free agent signings and bold trades, including the mid-season
acquisition of Rasheed Wallace, a vital part of the Pistons'
impenetrable frontline;
Whereas Detroit Pistons Head Coach Larry Brown, the oldest
coach to win an NBA Championship, became the first coach to
win both an NBA and NCAA championship;
Whereas each member of the Detroit Pistons roster,
including Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Tremaine Fowlkes,
Darvin Ham, Richard Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Mike James,
Darko Milicic, Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace,
Rasheed Wallace, Corliss Williamson, made meaningful
contributions to the success of the basketball team and
proved once again that the whole can be greater than the sum
of its parts;
Whereas Detroit Pistons fans made a meaningful contribution
to the success of their basketball team through their energy
and passion which was on display throughout the regular
season and playoffs at the Palace at Auburn Hills;
Whereas the Detroit Pistons became the first team in NBA
Finals history to win games 3, 4, and 5 on their home court
since the NBA returned to its current format in 1985;
Whereas in honor of the Detroit Pistons' championship, the
Palace of Auburn Hills is officially changing its address to
Four Championship Drive; and
Whereas the Detroit Pistons have demonstrated great
strength, skill, and perseverance during the 2003-2004 season
and have made the entire State of Michigan proud: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004
National Basketball Association Championship and recognizes
all the players, coaches, support staff, and fans who were
instrumental in this achievement; and
(2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an
enrolled copy of this resolution to the Detroit Pistons for
appropriate display.
Mr. LEVIN. I thank our friend from Georgia for his patience as we let
out our feelings about what happened yesterday in Detroit.
Mr. MILLER. Congratulations to the Pistons.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator from
Georgia is recognized for 8 minutes.
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