A Rivalry Renewed?

The last time we saw our heroes, they were losing game 7 in Miami to the Detroit Pistons, who took the Eastern Conference title from a hobbled Heat team. There was no shortage of jabs during the series either - most notably the exchanges in the media by Larry Brown and Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy complained about Larry Brown's whining over officiating, Larry Brown whined about Van Gundy's complaining about Brown's whining.

But things have changed. The Pistons have changed, and so have the Heat.

LB is gone. His desire to coach the Pistons gave in to a desire to coach the Knicks instead (insert standard bite about Larry Brown's coaching wanderlust here). No one is happier probably than Darko Milicic, who actually gets to wear sneakers to a game for a change instead of wingtips.

The Heat have changed too. Damon Jones karate-inspired, posting-up-from-half-court point guard play is gone. So are his cement-filled shoes. Instead the Heat have the ultra-slick Jason Williams who Stan Van Gundy, get this, actually wants to open up his game MORE. James Posey replaces Eddie Jones - and is a better defender at the SF position as that is his natural position. And then there is Antoine Walker coming off the bench next to future hall-of-famer Gary Payton.

That is just the start for both teams. One can argue that the Pistons may actually be better. In fact, I will make the argument - I think Flip Saunders is a better coach for this Pistons team. They know what to do, there is no more learning needed and Flip is a player's coach and his players will play for him and not have to wonder where his loyalties lay. Those distractions will disappear, as could any malaise the Pistons may have suffered undergoing another season with the status quo.

Some of the intensity of the rivalry is gone, some say. I very seriously doubt it. Both of these teams are going to be beasts in the East. Both of these teams know what is at stake and have a chance to grasp the title but the claim of it may come by knocking out the other. There will be no quarter - not even in the preseason. There will be sizing up, there will be trash talking.

And as a fan, you have got to love what is pending.