You're right, November 1, 2006, was indeed a date circled on the Lakers' calendar as they prepared to host the formidable Detroit Pistons. The memories of 2004 were still fresh, a stark reminder of the Pistons' suffocating defense and cohesive team play that dethroned the Lakers' star-studded lineup.
That Pistons team, built around the "Mr. Clutch" Chauncey Billups and anchored by the twin towers of the Wallaces, Ben and Rasheed, had etched their names in NBA history with their grit and determination. Their offensive machine, as you described, was a well-oiled system where everyone contributed, and defensively, they were a nightmare for any opponent. Their championship run in '04, dismantling the Lakers' F4, was a testament to their strength.
Even in the 2005-06 season, despite the lingering shadow of that Finals defeat, the Pistons remained a dominant force, boasting an impressive 64 wins and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Their defensive prowess was still their calling card, a constant headache for teams trying to score against them.
However, as the 2006-07 season unfolded, the landscape in Detroit had shifted. The formidable Big Ben Wallace had moved on to the Chicago Bulls, leaving Rasheed Wallace as the sole remaining Wallace in the Pistons' frontcourt.
Tonight's matchup at Staples Center pitted the Lakers against a Pistons team that, while different from their championship iteration, still possessed a significant threat. Their projected starting lineup of Lindsay Hunter at point guard, the versatile Chauncey Billups at shooting guard (though capable of running the point), Tayshaun Prince at small forward (not McDyess as you mentioned, McDyess played for the Nuggets at that time), the fiery Rasheed Wallace at power forward, and Dale Davis at center, showcased a blend of experience and defensive tenacity. While the "Going to Work" Pistons of 2004 had disbanded, the core principles of tough defense remained ingrained in this Detroit squad.
The pre-game chatter, as you highlighted, added an extra layer of intrigue to this contest. Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace's dismissive remarks about Lin Feng, fueled by a perceived arrogance towards a "yellow man" and a general confidence stemming from their past victory over Kobe, had undoubtedly reached the Lakers' locker room. Their casual dismissal of Lin Feng, and even a slighting of Kobe's current standing, was sure to stoke the competitive fire within the Lakers. The history between these two franchises, with the '04 Finals still a point of contention for Kobe and Lakers fans, only amplified the significance of this regular-season clash.
Inside the Staples Center locker room, as Lin Feng donned his No. 10 purple and gold jersey, the tension was palpable. Kobe, his own competitive juices undoubtedly flowing after hearing the Pistons' comments, approached his young teammate.
"Lin! Did you see the interviews Wallace and Chauncey gave to the media two days ago?" Kobe asked, his voice carrying a low intensity as he adjusted his sports protective gear.
"I saw it, what's wrong?" Lin Feng replied, mirroring Kobe's habit of wearing arm and shin guards in the Lakers' colors.
"Chauncey and Wallace didn't take us seriously. You should know how to play this game, right?" Kobe pressed, a glint in his eye.
Lin Feng's response crackled with confidence, bordering on arrogance. "Kobe, don't worry, they will shut up after the game. I like to see the real thing. If I don't beat them by more than ten points in this game, I lose!"
A hush fell over the locker room. Lin Feng's bold declaration hung in the air. Kobe had intended to motivate his teammate, but Lin Feng's challenge to himself was on another level. To not just win, but to win by a significant margin against a traditionally tough defensive team like the Pistons, was a statement in itself. Kobe, despite his own legendary confidence, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback by Lin Feng's audacity, though a part of him admired the young player's unwavering self-belief.
Phil Jackson, ever the calm presence amidst the storm, furrowed his brow. "Lin! Don't be blindly arrogant. The Pistons are not as soft as the Trail Blazers and Supersonics. You'd better play the game with your spirit. You Chinese have an old saying, 'Arrogant soldiers will be defeated.' Don't you understand this truth?" The Zen Master, with his deep appreciation for Eastern philosophy, offered a word of caution.
Lin Feng simply smiled enigmatically at his coach, offering no verbal response. His focus was already shifting to the court, where the music was pumping and the Staples Center was buzzing with anticipation. The Lakers faithful, well aware of the pre-game trash talk, were eager to see their team, and especially the dynamic duo of Kobe and Lin Feng, silence the outspoken Pistons.
As the DJ announced the starting lineups, the atmosphere reached fever pitch. The opening tip-off loomed, a symbolic start to what promised to be a highly charged encounter.
On the court, the verbal sparring had already begun. Rasheed Wallace, his eyes scanning Lin Feng with a dismissive air, couldn't resist a jab. "Is that guy A Lin who has become popular all over the league recently?" he drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "With such a short height, he looks like a dwarf. I'm curious how he became so popular in the league? Is there no one left in our league? Let an Asian dwarf be so arrogant here!"
"I heard that Kobe found him from a subordinate team," Chauncey Billups chimed in, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Has Kobe changed his career now? No longer a super scorer, but a league scout? It seems that this Mamba was defeated by us in 2004, and he has fallen!" Rasheed Wallace retorted, his trash talk aimed squarely at Kobe.
Chauncey Billups chuckled. "Who knows? In the last two years, Kobe was unhappy, and Shaq won the championship with the Heat. He must have fallen."
"Shit, in this game, we have to beat them by 20 points!" Rasheed Wallace declared, his competitive spirit kicking in amidst the trash talk. The players from both teams then converged at center court for the opening tip-off.
"That Asian dwarf loves to jump the ball, so I'm here to challenge him this time," Rasheed Wallace announced, his 6'10", 230-pound frame a stark contrast to Lin Feng.
As expected, Lin Feng positioned himself for the jump ball. The referee tossed the ball into the air. Rasheed Wallace, with his height advantage, leaped quickly, but Lin Feng's explosive athleticism allowed him to get his hand on the ball first, gently tipping it towards the Lakers' side.
"Swish!"
"Oh! God!" exclaimed Jerry Allen, one of the game's commentators. "Roaring Lord was humiliated at the start of the game! A-Lin is already invincible in the jump ball. In all these games, I have never seen A-Lin fail in the jump ball. He is recognized as the best jump ball player in the league!"
Bynum secured the tip and inexplicably decided to drive to the basket instead of passing. He went for a layup, but Rasheed Wallace, perhaps fueled by his earlier loss on the jump ball, was there to meet him with a thunderous block.
"Wait, Roaring Lord suffered at the hands of A-Lin, is he venting his anger?" Albert, the other commentator, pointed out as Rasheed swatted Bynum's shot away. "The Godly Hat from Roaring God is given to the young boy Bynum!"
Bynum's ill-advised attempt was a costly turnover, and the game began with a clear indication of the intense rivalry and the personal battles that would unfold between these two determined teams. The trash talk had set the stage, and now it was time for the action on the court to speak volumes.