Bob Ford: No longer clear who is better

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2008 | by Bob Ford Inquirer Columnist

All right, now you are allowed to wonder exactly what we have here. Before last night, before the 76ers stunned and humiliated the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of the opening round of the playoffs, the perception was pretty clear. It went like this: The Pistons, taking the Sixers somewhat lightly, lost the opening game in the final minute, then recovered to win the second game convincingly.

This happens in the NBA all the time. The better team needs some motivation, finds it in a loss that shouldn't have happened, and asserts itself from that point on. What took place last night in the Wachovia Center, however, doesn't happen all the time. In fact, it almost never happens. One of the few exceptions is when the better team isn't really the better team after all. Is that what...