The Block
Rasheed Wallace’s words may have rung hollow if not for Tayshaun Prince.
The chase down block has become something basketball fans expect to see on a near-nightly basis. In 2020, superior athletes reign supreme on a court that arguably isn’t wide enough.
Mention a legendary chase down block and people probably immediately think back to LeBron James’ championship-saving event in the 2016 Finals.
For Pistons fans, “The Block” will always be the turning point of the 2004 Playoffs.
It was a time when a guard with nothing but open court in front of him was expected to convert without any trouble.
In Game 2 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, Reggie Miller found himself in that exact situation.
Miller had just made four straight free throws to close the gap on a Pistons’ lead that had looked secure, especially in a series where offense was hard to come by.
After guaranteeing a win, Rasheed Wallace missed two consecutive shots with a lead that was rapidly evaporating.
Now up two with 30 seconds remaining, Detroit’s leader Chauncey Billups turned the ball over. After a quick pass to Miller striding the other way, an easy layup looked like all but a certainty.
Enter Tayshaun Prince.