Former NBA players Rasheed Wallace and Draymond Green engaged in a heated exchange over social media, reigniting the age-old debate: Could the 2004 Detroit Pistons have taken down the 2017 Golden State Warriors?
The verbal tussle began when Draymond Green, a key player for the 2017 Warriors, claimed that his team would have easily defeated the 2004 Pistons. These Pistons, led by stars like Chauncey Billups, Richard “Rip” Hamilton, and Ben Wallace, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NBA history by defeating the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals.
Rasheed Wallace Responds to Draymond Green
Green’s assertion didn’t sit well with Rasheed Wallace, a former Pistons forward. Wallace fired back, asserting that the Warriors were “too f**kin little” to handle the physicality and defensive prowess of the ‘04 Pistons. He didn’t mince words, emphasizing that the Warriors’ high-powered offense, featuring Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson, would falter against the Pistons’ defensive tenacity.
"We would've beat the sh*t out of them because for the simple fact that they couldn't match up with us at any position…Steph [Curry] not a defender. He would've had to guard Rip [Hamilton]…Draymond [Green] is too little…"
Sheed says the '04 Pistons SMOKE the '17 Warriors pic.twitter.com/gGAwn7EaIc
— Rasheed Wallace (@UnderdogSheed) May 30, 2024
The clash of styles between these two teams is evident. The 2004 Pistons were known for their gritty defense, teamwork, and unselfish play. They hung their hats on stifling opponents with their physicality, suffocating pick-and-roll defense, and relentless effort. Players like Ben Wallace, known as one of the best defenders of his era, anchored their defensive schemes.
On the other hand, the 2017 Warriors were an offensive juggernaut. Led by Curry’s shooting prowess, Durant’s scoring ability, and Thompson’s sharpshooting, they revolutionized the game with their “small ball” lineup. However, Rasheed Wallace believed that the Warriors wouldn’t be able to handle the Pistons’ defensive intensity. Could Curry chase Rip Hamilton around screens? Could Durant withstand the physicality of Billups? These were questions Wallace posed.
