AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Dave Cowens is an assistant coach for the Pistons, and it's been 28 years since he wore a Celtics uniform. But - bless him - he's still Dave Cowens.
So he was able to quickly shed his disappointment after Detroit fell to the Celts in the Eastern Conference finals last year. The seven-time All-Star and former MVP was firmly on the side of his old club during The Finals. ``Oh, sure,'' Cowens said. ``Especially when they're playing the Fakers.'' The big man also very much appreciated the way the Celtics played - and still play.
``I thought they deserved it from start to finish,'' Cowens said before the Celts proved his point with an 88-76 win last night. ``They were the ones who set the pace for the whole league. And pretty much they've come out of the blocks trying to play the same way. ``They bully people, they play really physical . . . and I like it. I think that's the way you should do it.''
That is, of course, the way Cowens DID do it. And he was impressed, in particular, by the C's defense."I watched a lot of tape on them all year long,'' he said, ``and I just thought defensively we were good but they were just a little more consistent in terms of executing defensively what they wanted.''
Back to Detroit
The Celtics still plan to make a move on Antonio McDyess when he clears waivers, but it's probably a longshot. Sources indicate McDyess, dealt by the Pistons in the Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups transaction, will be returning to Detroit. Other sources noted, however, that nothing is certain and that some around the Pistons are concerned another suitor could catch McDyess' eye. But others are saying there was an understanding when the trade was made that he would be back. In that such arrangements are illegal - though not uncommon - the Celtics hope to at least be able to make their pitch.
Good Answer?
The Celtics believe the Pistons will be better down the line after their big trade, but, said Kevin Garnett, ``The harmony didn't look the same with this team. I'm not taking away from AI. Great player, and you put him in here. But when a team's cohesive, man, and they are joined as one, it's different. It's very different.'' Said coach Doc Rivers: ``I think they'll be a much better team later. You get a new player - especially a new player that's going to have the ball in his hands - it probably takes away 75 percent of their offensive stuff.
``We had training camp and (Pistons coach) Michael (Curry) does not. That's tough. I don't know what I would have done if they'd made that trade in the middle of last year with our guys. I don't think the fans understand how tough it is when it's a point guard you change. You change a 2, 3, 4 or 5, they don't actually have the ball in their hands. The point guard has to come down there and call the play, a number. Well, if he doesn't know any of the numbers, it's very difficult for you to run stuff.''
AI fires up Pistons
The trade for Iverson had positive effects even before he took the floor. It was a lock that people would be in the seats for last night's conference finals rematch, but there had been a number of no-shows of late. Those contests were officially sellouts because the tickets were sold, but the club was concerned nonetheless. ``When you have no-shows, you are headed toward no-sales,'' Pistons president and CEO Tom Wilson was quoted as saying. ``It might not come until next year, but that's where you're headed.''
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