Wish Granted

Eastern Conference Finals, here we come. Destination? Detroit.

Silently, the Heat and their fans have been hoping for Detroit. Yes, Detroit. Sure, it would have been easier to face the Cleveland Cavaliers - that isn't to discredit what they have done, but they are a young naive team. They weren't supposed to give mighty Detroit a scare, but they did. And they did so because the Pistons didn't respect them. They didn't respect their game and the Cavs made the Pistons pay by taking them to the limit.

The margin of error is so slim in the playoffs. Almost as skinny as Tayshaun Prince's arms. DEETROOOYYYTTT BASKETBALLLL!

Let the annoyances begin. Let those feelings of annoyance begin to take hold. Detroit's lack of depth. Their dirty defensive game. Rasheed's antics. Rip's face mask. The constant whining after every call. Chauncey Billups' horse like expressions and his redundant nickname.

And DEEEETRRROOOYYYYTTT BASKETBALLLLLL!!!!

This is what we have wanted. This is what the Heat have been designed for. Pat Riley was criticized heavily for overhauling the team that lost to the Pistons in the ECF last year. He noted that the Heat needed to get deeper and more athletic. They did. And this was precipitated not by losing to the Pistons, but by having a few key injuries prevent the Heat from bringing their best game to the arena. Wade was shackled not by Detroit's defense, but by a freak rib injury. Shaq was shut down not by the Wallaces, but by another O'Neal - the Jermaine type - by getting his thighs obliterated.

And here we are again, same place as last year. Except it is the Pistons who hold the home court advantage. They are the clear favorites with their stunning regular season record and returning to the ECF for the third year in a row.

The mission is the same for the Heat - take out the Pistons on their way to the Finals. That is the destination for greatness. But first, Detroit.

Let the games begin. The bell has rung.

Let the hordes be crazed at the actions of the few. And let the Heat be the last team standing.