The Detroit Pistons clinched the 2003-04 NBA Championship Tuesday night, knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games, 100-87.

Detroit's win completed the biggest upset in NBA Finals history, with hard work and a focus on defense overcoming a team of stars assembled in Los Angeles.  The Lakers series loss, coach Phil Jackson's first in ten attempts in the NBA Finals, keeps future hall of famers Karl Malone - who did not play - and Gary Payton without titles in their careers to this point.  Both accepted offers from the Lakers last offseason at bargain salaries to try to win the elusive championship, and at this stage it is not known whether either will be back with the team next season.  Question marks are also over the heads of superstar Kobe Bryant, who appears certain to test the free agent market this offseason, and head coach Phil Jackson.

Guard Chauncey Billups was named Finals MVP, leading the Pistons to their first title in 15 years.  

"We did it, man," said Billups, who has found a home with his seventh team. "We came into this series, nobody gave us a chance, but we felt we had a great chance. ... We knew as a team we just felt we were a better team."

"Chauncey's career is a lot like mine," Pistons coach Larry Brown said. "I think I might have been a couple more places than him, but he's still been through a lot."

Brown, winning his first NBA Championship, became the first man to win both an NCAA and NBA Championship as a head coach.

"It's about players," said Brown, emotionally drained from winning his first title. "This sport is about players playing the right way and showing kids that you can be a team and be successful and it's great for our league."