But Ginobili?  On any other team where he's the primary shooter he would average about 25 pts a game for the season and be an All-Star.  He's that good.  He can shoot the three, beat you off the dribble and take you to the hoop, and create plays for his teammates.  Considering Prince couldn't handle Dwayne Wade while he was healthy (People wanted to call Prince the Wade stopper after Game 1, then Wade busted 40 on him in Game 2) he's going to have problems with Ginobili.  Advantage: Spurs

- Bruce Bowen vs. Rip Hamilton.  I've always loved Rip ever since he and that UConn squad upset Elton Brand's vaunted Duke Blue Devil team for the national championship.  Ever since then you knew he was a guy you wanted to have the ball when times got tough, or at the end of the game, because he'll always deliver.  He and Billups are Detroit's biggest offensive threats.

Meanwhile, Bowen is considered the best defensive player on the team with the best defense in the league this year.  A few years ago he was called the Kobe stopper, for his containment of Bryant a couple of years back.  However, I think he may meet his match.  I don't bet against Rip in high pressure situations.  Rip has the poise and the ability to place Detroit over the top and carry them on offense for long lengths of time.  Besides, it's likely that he won't have Duncan to back him up in the paint if Rip loses him on a play, as Detroit would be better suited to keep Duncan out of the paint on defense by having Sheed set up on the perimeter.  Advantage: Pistons.

- Chauncey Billups vs. Tony Parker.  Parker came to his own during the Spurs's championship run and established himself as one of the premiere point guards in the league.  He's a fairly decent passer, and has one of the better jumpers in basketball.  Billups brings everything to the table, leadership, experience, offensive and defensive prowess.

This is almost a virtual tossup.  It would automatically be Billups if not for the fact that Parker already has one ring.  Therefore, you have to ask the question of which team would hurt the most if they lost their respective point guard?  There's no question about that one:  Billups.  Billups is the floor general, and everything starts through him, especially since Detroit never runs a run and gun or full court offense.  Advantage:  Pistons.

 - Greg Popovich vs. Larry Brown.  These are the two best coaches in the league.  Larry Brown has been and and out of the NBA since the 70's, and Popovich has stuck with this team and made it the most respectable franchise in sports today.

I'm going to have to go with Pop with this one.  Pop knows his team, and knows his players inside and out.  Most importantly, he's got the respect and confidence of his players.  Can we really say that about Larry Brown right now?  Not only is this Brown's second year with the franchise, but he's made a number of people mad at his antics over this year; first with the will he/won't he talk about retiring earlier in the season and now with the talk about leaving the Pistons to become the President of the Cavaliers.  I'm not saying he still isn't respected, but he can't be looking as good in the eyes of his players and the front office as much as Pop is.  And that does make a difference.  Advantage: Spurs.

If Detroit is going to have a chance in this series, it starts by sneaking Game 1 in San Antonio, because the Spurs have had a week off and it might take some time for them to get back into the swing of things.  However, I don't see the Spurs losing Game 2 at home or Game 3 in Detroit.  Sooner or later, that fatigue factor has to set in, as coming off of six games with Indiana and seven with Miami has to kick in somewhere.  Matchup-wise Ginobili will have a great series and open some more eyes, and while Rip will do his thing, I'm not sure if it'll be enough, as the Spurs will try to increase the tempo in the latter games and finish off the defending world champions to become the new champions.

I got the Spurs in six.  See yall tonight.