I was poking around the Eastern Conference Websites last night to see if I coulde get any insight into the teams’ philosophies. Three of the four remaining franchises had catch-phases that were telling. The fourth had no catch-phrase, which said volumes in and of itself.

The Cavs website displayed a pregame team photo with a mish-mosh of players facing in different directions. At the bottom of the photo it reads, “All for one, one for all.” This led me to wonder, “Who are the other two Musketeers?” Then I read the phrase again and it all made sense: “All for LeBron, LeBron for all.” The Orwellian undertones of LeBronist world domination was too creepy for me. I moved on to the New Jersey Nets.

At the top of the Nets’ website was a banner filled with buzzwords. Highlighted was the phrase “Attitude—Bring It!” This reminded me of Vince Carter’s approach to the NBA. A lot of “attitude” not much discipline. Luckily for the Nets, Jason Kidd probably isn’t too worried about attitude, he’s just going to bring it.

The Heat website didn’t have a catchphrase. Instead, they featured 5 different photos of the Heat dancers. The dance team apparently won NBA.com’s “Dance Bracket.” Basketball is relegated to a sidelight in Miami. It’s as though the Heat organization has already conceded the NBA championship in order to focus on its Dance Team Dynasty.

The Pistons’ web site was a different story. One word is plastered everywhere—Teamwork. Teamwork seemed like quaint anachronism before the Pistons resurrected the concept in the 2004 Championship season. This year they’ve been embodying teamwork yet again. When you look at their points per game, it’s as balanced as you’re going to find. Hamilton averages 20 points a game, Billups 18.5, Sheed 15, and Prince 14. Five more players average over 5 a game. They are also taking the no-frills job of playing great defense to heart. Ben Wallace’s leadership on D has garnered him a record-tying 4^th Defensive Player of the Year award. But he’s just the biggest and scariest part of the team defense concept. Big Ben in the middle allows Billups to be more aggressive with the ball handler, and improves the perimeter defense in general. If you have to funnel them into Ben’s territory, he’s got the athleticism to get there with the help. If you need him outside on LeBron, he can stay with him and force him in to jump shots. Then Rasheed can use his size (6’11”) to swat the shots on his own.

The Pistons have already captured one championship through their teamwork philosophy, and I find it to be the most attractive catch phrase in the Eastern Conference. I wonder what’s on the Spurs’ website?