Isiah Thomas Remembers Helping the 2004 Pistons Prepare for Kobe and Shaquille's Lakers in the finals.

[{"selector":"#anim-ad8146d9-216c-44c5-b880-5a8068366cd2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(7.798136614888101%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-865d6da5-87e2-4f0a-9884-f024a0700bdd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In the 2004 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons put an end to the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal era for the Los Angeles Lakers.

[{"selector":"#anim-027e52bb-843e-4f84-96d3-0813b106157e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(14.590062053661608%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-638043da-d679-4600-865e-d4c30a6d05c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Pistons obviously needed some motivation to hold off two of the league's finest players at the time.

[{"selector":"#anim-d9691562-0b7d-4ede-b27f-98e2859a3472 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(21.381987492435123%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b95b736f-746a-496c-a528-b49caa973ead","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Fortunately, they received much-needed motivation from their franchise great Isiah Thomas

[{"selector":"#anim-e9cd9ed7-b70f-453f-b34e-8267ffe562de [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-12.99689435814684%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0abd47db-6490-4b42-940d-f5201a5e9065","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 20 years after winning the NBA Championship, Tayshaun Prince, a Pistons player at the time, emphasized Thomas' significance in the team's title hopes.

[{"selector":"#anim-b68970f1-795c-42b6-973a-bef2d980be63 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(6.45652171340198%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de1f47bd-06f1-4675-9c05-7017313c7e84","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] During an appearance on The Knuckleheads podcast, Prince remembers Thomas telling them that Game one was a lock.

[{"selector":"#anim-4c4be119-368b-4be8-9721-2b9d1d6c32a9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(7.391304324523514%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4377de1b-b266-427e-985f-09e20ff8eb0f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] IT was sure that the Lakers would be overwhelmed by the Pistons in the first game as they had never encountered a team like them

[{"selector":"#anim-79f2d42a-164e-40c8-a83b-9628553a42ab [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(13.164596220832607%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c16adf2-5eb8-4a29-a454-d02c130f6535","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] He saw their physical defense and overall tenacity easily edging out the loaded Lakers roster.

[{"selector":"#anim-6c5f05f4-2909-4786-a3a0-a9ee468ee3bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(19.95652165960611%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8968efa3-ce87-48a0-9b42-11b5569a08b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Prince was stunned by his proclamation. He couldn’t believe Zeke was so confident about their chances for the game t hat would set the tone for the rest of the series.

[{"selector":"#anim-17d4257f-1cd1-47b3-9d2a-70f710d5fc0d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-13.83540367157567%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71f26f83-2fa2-433a-b6cd-bd739e4148f7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Isiah Thomas took to his Instagram stories and shared Prince’s revelation.

For more web stories

[{"selector":"#anim-88d72ba2-9598-44f7-bb2c-9baaaa3ff594 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Isiah Thomas Remembers Helping the 2004 Pistons Prepare for Kobe and Shaquille's Lakers in the finals.

For more web stories

Simple Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe: Quick and Delicious