This might seem sacrilegious (even to me it seems as such!), but I see a lot of similarities between this year’s Knicks team and my favorite non-Knicks team: the 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons. Both teams lacked a true #1 megastar, yet had a consistent identity and a deep team that lead them to a title.

However there are a few more reasons the Pistons comparisons and some of them are downright eerie, yet somehow also uplifting:

Starting PG: At the time – Chauncey Billups was in his second year with his new team at age 27 and was fresh off the heels of a breakout season with that new team. (Jalen Brunson is 27 this year.)

Starting Wing: A young (25-years old) Rip Hamilton who was in his 5th season that contributed solid scoring, and moderately contributes in other categories. (RJ Barrett (age 23) is in his 5th season and is averaging 22.6 PTS/3.4 REB/3.1 AST.)

Starting Wing: A defensively strong, 23 year old who will take on the team’s toughest defensive assignment every night while chipping in about 10 points a night in Tayshaun Prince (10.3 PTS per game in 03-04.) Drafted #23 overall. (Quentin Grimes (age 23) is the team’s best perimeter defender and averaged 10.8 points per game the past two seasons. Oh yea, and he was drafted #25 overall)

Starting PF: A 29-year old, fiery, emotional, rangey, sometimes frustrating, former lottery pick, bully baller Rasheed Wallace who is on his 4th team that some people love, some people hate who can also drop 20+ points anytime it’s needed. (Julius Randle is a 29-year old, former lottery pick as well - on his 3rd team. You do the math on all the other stuff.)

Starting Center: A defensive monster in Ben Wallace who was an unheralded prospect (undrafted) that has never averaged over 10 points per game, but gobbles up every rebound (offensive AND defensive) and blocked 2.0 shots per game in his career. (Mitchell Robinson has never averaged over 10 points per game, is averaging 5.8 offensive rebounds per game and 11.7 total rebounds per game, and is averaging 1.9 blocks per game for his career.)

Back-up Center: A 7-foot, 248 pound European dude in Mehmet Okur who can occasionally pop a three and plays hard every single night. (Hello! Isaiah Hartenstein is 7’ tall and 250 pounds.)

Back-up PF: An undersized Corliss Williamson who does a little bit of everything to help his team win. He also had a very successful college career before settling in his 6th man of the year role as an NBA player. (Hello again! Have you met Josh Hart?!)

Back-up SG: Bob Sura, a 17th overall pick, 6’4” white dude from middle America who hustles every game and averaged 7.5 points per game in 2004. (Donte DiVincenzo was the 17th overall pick, 6’4” from Delaware who is averaging 7.1 points per game this year. Yes, I know Bob Sura was traded away from the Pistons in the middle of the 2004 season – but just let me cook.)

Coach: A 60-something, multi-time Coach of the Year in Larry Brown who emphasized tough defense. (Tom Thibodeau is 63, multi-time Coach of the Year who only knows defense.)

I’m trying to find a comp for Immanuel Quickley – but the Pistons didn’t have one. Himmanuel is 1 of 1.

I can only hope this Knicks team finishes the season the same as the 04 Pistons.