After Kobe Bryant’s heartbreaker, Richard Hamilton gives Larry Brown a pep talk

You thought the Pistons missed the playoffs? Not at PistonPowered. We’re honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2004 NBA championship team by examining each postseason game on the corresponding 2014 date. We’ll look back at Detroit’s performances, detail our memories of that time and provide insight from the players and coaches who were Goin’ to Work every single night. So, stick with us this “offseason.” I have a hunch these Pistons will be playing into June.

47 MIN | 2-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 3 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS

It’s hard to believe Prince played 47 minutes with that line.

34 MIN | 5-14 FG | 1-2 FT | 7 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 11 PTS

Rasheed did a stellar job on Malone who had to make the most of every opportunity when Wallace hit the bench. Sheed didn’t do as much for the Pistons offensively, but this loss isn’t on him.

43 MIN | 5-11 FG | 2-8 FT | 14 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 12 PTS

Wallace did a better job on O’Neal this time around. Shaq isn’t going to get shut down but if the Pistons can hold him to 50% shooting and single digit boards, that will really help.

Unfortunately, Ben’s six missed free throws were real killers. If he makes any of those, the Pistons return home having parlayed serious underdog status into a real shot at a sweep.

7 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 0 PTS

The turnovers are ugly, but Williamson gave otherwise good per-minute production.

12 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS

LA guards shot 5-15 with Hunter on the floor, but the Lakers still won those minutes 21-15.

18 MIN | 0-2 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 1 PTS

If you want someone to blme for this loss, you’re not going to find much better than Okur. Besides amassing virtually nothing in the box score over 18 minutes, he is the reason Karl Malone had a half decent game. Malone went 2-2 with 2 free throw attempts and 4 rebounds in about 13 minutes defended by Okur compared to 1-7 with 2 free throw attempts and 5 boards in twice as long covered by Rasheed.

1 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS

9 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 2 PTS

Campbell pretty much only has a job in order to be a Shaq stopper. He did a good job in this one, holding O’Neal to 1-4 shooting and 1 rebound over 8 minutes. Although, he did concede half a dozen free throw attempts.

Larry Brown

, Head Coach That was a painful missed opportunity. When you have a six point lead with 40 seconds to go, you should win the game. But this one slipped away. Still, the Pistons have to be pretty pleased after earning a split in Staples Center and very nearly taking both.

-Tim Thielke

From the Frontlines

The Pistons were seconds from taking two games in Los Angeles, but Kobe Bryant hit an incredible 3-pointer to tie the game at the end of regulation, and the Lakers won Game 2 in overtime – a real heartbreaker for Detroit.

Afterward, then Pistons-assistant coach Dave Hanners saw Larry Brown pouting and fuming in the front seat. Then, Hanners witnessed an awesome scene unfold.

Chauncey Billups boarded and told Brown, "Coach, we’re OK." Then, Ben Wallace boarded and told Brown, "Coach, it’s going to be alright."

Brown continued to stew.

Finally, Richard Hamilton – who defended Kobe on the game’s defining shot – boarded and told Brown, "Coach, you’ve got to look better. You’ve got to be happy. We’re not coming back here. This series is over. We won a game here. We’re going to win three in Detroit, and it’s over. Don’t worry. We’re not coming back.”

Then, Hamilton walked to the back of the bus, leaving Brown’s mood changed ever so slightly.

Later, a (somewhat) calmed Brown told Hanners, “These guys really believe.”

-Dan Feldman