Who won the 2004 NBA Finals?
The Detroit Pistons won the 2004 NBA Finals, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one. Detroit dominated each of their four wins, with the Lakers barely managing to win Game 2 in overtime.
Questions about 2004 NBA Finals
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why were the Detroit Pistons considered underdogs in the 2004 NBA Finals?
The Los Angeles Lakers roster included four future Hall of Famers: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. Detroit had no comparable individual star, and the series was widely described as a David vs. Goliath matchup.
What record did the Lakers set in Game 3 of the 2004 NBA Finals?
The Lakers scored only 68 points in Game 3, setting a franchise record for the lowest point total in a playoff game. Kobe Bryant was held scoreless in the first half and finished with 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Who was named MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals?
Chauncey Billups won the Finals MVP award. He averaged 21.0 points per game across the five games and contributed 22 points, four assists, and three steals in the opening Game 1 victory.
What happened to the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2004 NBA Finals?
Phil Jackson resigned immediately after the series, Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, Gary Payton was dealt to the Boston Celtics, and Karl Malone retired without re-signing. The 2004-05 Lakers won only 34 games and missed the playoffs.
What made William Davidson's 2004 championship historically significant?
Pistons owner William Davidson became the first owner in American sports history to win two professional championships in one calendar year. His Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup Finals eight days before Detroit closed out the Lakers on the 15th of June 2004.