Hoops Habit
Fansided

The 10 greatest upsets in NBA playoff history

By Sravan Gannavarapu

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Ben Wallace #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the Staples Center on January 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Ben Wallace #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the Staples Center on January 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
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No. 1: Pistons silence media, heavily favored Lakers in 2004 with gentlemen’s sweep.

To the national media, it was a no-brainer. Shaq and Kobe? Karl Malone and Gary Payton? Los Angeles? There was no way the Lakers could lose. After all, Detroit didn’t have the stars, they weren’t even supposed to be in the same stratosphere. The bias in favor of Los Angeles was, in short, nauseating for the Motor City. Lakers in 4 and 5. Ben Wallace and his friends knew something had to be done.

In five games, Detroit blasted Los Angeles back to the West Coast in stunning fashion. Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, with the help of Tayshaun Prince, Wallace, and Rasheed Wallace, took over the series and validated the coaching career of Larry Brown, while helping Brown avenge the 2001 NBA Finals loss when Brown coached Allen Iverson and the 76ers.

Shaq and Kobe did what they could, but the Mamba and Diesel were no match for the team that was Detroit. Stars make headlines and put their butts in the seats, but teams win the games. For pundits, it was one of the ultimate “shut your mouth” moments.

Next. The 10 greatest NBA Playoffs performances of all time. dark

For basketball fans, it was a beautiful sight to see a heavy underdog overcome the odds and get the last laugh. The Motor City certainly feels that way.