The Death Of The Pistons

Notes I scribbled during Game 6 of The Eastern Conference Finals:

Filming the shootaround – the shootaround is dope – watching the players and how they shoot and warm up for the game.

Just found out my great-grandfather was a bootlegger.  Ran liquor from Chicago to Detroit, with Battle Creek as a middle place.  And my great aunt owned a bar called the U-Bar, she was Serbian and tried to say “Your bar”, but came out “You bar”, and shortend to U-Bar.  She apparently also had many lovers.

They (TNT) just gave a shot of the two coaches giving pep-talks to the teams.  I thought Doc Rivers was the sweeter coach – or at least had a better pep talk.

I have felt all day that Boston will win tonight.  I hope I’m wrong.

Mason, the Pistons announcer, is the shit.  He is legendary.  He created the new art of NBA announcing.

TNT did a feature on Sheed’s circle dancing before games, so for tonight’s game he purpously did a short, half-assed dance for the cameras.  Fuck ‘em, right Sheed?

This game will only be legendary if the Pistons win.

In Game 1, players slapped open hands and half-hugged.  Now it’s just no-eye contact fist hits.

The game has started.  The Pistons are underwater.  They are close to death.  Will they become enlightened?  Will it result in a win or a loss?

I’m drinking my beer right from the bottle.  I usually drink from a glass, but right now it tastes better from a bottle.  I’m drinking Sam Adams Summer Ale, yellow label.

Just off the phone with Gerard.  He said he enjoyed the pre-game show and watching Mason.  He said people don’t give a shit about the Pistons in Boulder.

Stuckey looks like 50 Cent.

Oh thank you Jesus.  I lost my signal for almost 10 minutes because of the thunderstorm.  The thunderstorm is very pleasant.  This is the first one I’ve been awake for this year.

Flip Sanuders has a stupid tie on.  He should take it off.

Halftime.  This could be the last half we see of the Pistons as we know them.

Still drowning, suffering, fighting for air.  I want to title this, “Death of The Pistons”, but I can’t bring myself to do it. 

Can’t decide if I want to get another beer.

The Pistons are dying.  I can feel it.  They are ghosts.

I feel like I’m watching something that’s already happened.  The Celtics winning is history already made.

If I change my thinking, will they come back?  Let me try – it’s 52-48 Boston with 7:04 left in the third.

Alright – I believe!  Let it happen.  When the Pistons were dead, they arose to victory.  C’mon Detroit.  54-48 now, 6:40.

Basketball is a game of runs.  Pistons need a run.

BILLUPS FOR THREE!!! CROWD GOING WILD! PISTONS BREATHE! 54-53 Boston.

Take it now Pistons and don’t look back.  Game over.

Doubt creeps in at the commercial.  I fight my doubt.  There needs to a run.  Pistons have to be up 10 by start of fourth.

Pistons up 4.  Feels like after a close call break up with a girlfriend right now – you know it’s coming but you get back together one last time, for good times sake, to see if it can work.  When things are good, they’re so, so good, and when it’s gone, it’s gone, it’s gone.

Just lost my satellite signal again.

They’re up 8 at the end of the third.  Not bad.

See, the Pistons are capable of brilliance, but they need to have that killer instinct.  NOW, go for the win and don’t give up.

They’re up 10 at start of the fourth.  70-60 with 10:14 left.  Should be game.

I’m relaxed now.  So are the Pistons.  Are the Celtics buying into a loss?  Are they accepting it?

Sheed’s awesome.  Goes to the bench after his 5th foul and tells the cameraman,  ”get that camera out my fucking face,” and throws his towel over it as they cut out – how great.

70-69 Detroit.  9-0 Boston run.  Why don’t we just give up?  I’m tired.  Why?  Cause we just don’t care anymore.  We’re tired.

Starting to wake up but totally in a fight, like the blood and fatigue and confusion makes it hard to see.

Maxiell!

At this point, 74-74, whoever wants it more will win.

suffocation.  panic.  disbelief.

Wake up!  3 minutes left.  Urgnency.  Need a win.  Not out.

C’mon!  C’mon Pistons!

81-75.  Celts score here it’s over.  Rondo hits.  Up 7.  2:32 left.

I’ll write my title now.

Should I believe?  Can they?

It’s not going to happen.  They’re going to lose. 85-79 with 1:03 left.  Boston ball.

That’s it.  Should I watch the dagger?

Boston smells it.  Pistons dying, close now.  36 seconds left.  Only a miracle will help.

No miracle.

I want to turn off the TV.

I turned it off.  That’s it.

Pistons dead.

I turn it back on and watch the last seconds.