The Pistons already have their own cartoon, but if they were sitcom from the 80’s, which one would they be? The Mighty MJD answers that question for all of the playoff teams, deciding that the Pistons can only be compared to Cheers:
In their own ways, each member of the cast was completely indispensable. You couldn’t have Cheers without any of the mainstays… Sam is Chauncey Billups. Cool, smooth, the go-to guy. Runs the show in his own way, not overbearing, gets along with everyone, but knows when he has to be the man.
Ben Wallace is Norm. An absolute stalwart. Dependable, reliable, never caught out of position. Probably couldn’t carry his own show, though. Rasheed Wallace is Carla… ready to flip out at a moment’s notice, often bringing an energy that inspires the rest of the cast to new heights. And even though Cheers will still great in the later years of the show, we all still liked to think back fondly on the days of Coach Ernie Pantuszo… much like all Pistons fans look back on the days of Darko Milicic.
I highly recommend reading the rest of the article — MJD certainly knows his funny. Does anyone have any ideas for the rest of the team/cast? I’m going to say Larry Brown was Diane — you enjoyed her when she was there, but it turns out she was easily replaced by Rebecca.
But what about Cliff, Frasier and Woody? This is tough… Are there any other sitcoms you think the Pistons should be compared to?
If NBA Playoff Teams Were 80s Sitcoms… [The Mighty MJD, link via YAYsports!]


Lindsey Hunter is that Paul guy (I think that was his name) who was portly and had glasses and occasionally was at the bar sitting by Norm and Cliff. He’d be there, then not, and you never knew when he was part of the cast (team) or not.
That’d be true only if Paul, every time he was handed a beer, dropped it and made a huge mess and everyone hated him for it. I mean, he’s sitting at the bar — with career drinkers no less –you’d think he’d know how to lift a few. But no, despite appearances to the contrary; despite his lofty position next to Cliff and Norm, he still can’t execute the simplest of bar maneuvers: the 16 oz. curl. It’s sad, really. I feel bad for Paul.
Yeah, but every once in a while Paul would steel beers from the rival bar across the street, which is pretty cool.
Pat, you mean Gary’s place, Olde Towne Tavern?
Mike James could be Frasier, who had a bit part in the original show but ended up playing a starring role once he moved on. Of course, I was never a huge fan of “Frasier” (the TV show), but I think it fits. Come to think of it, Memo Okur fits that role, too.
And Rick Mahorn could be Rebecca, if only because he got a bit, um, larger, after he stopped playing, much like Kirstie Alley.
That’s funny as hell, Matt.
I’d say ‘Sheed is Woody. He came in after the most of the main characters were already there and fit in perfectly with the cast, he’s a star in his own right (replaced someone who didn’t really have his own story lines), and has a lot of great one liners.