Dong.

Last year was absolutely magical. No one - NO ONE - gave us a snowball's chance and you proved everyone wrong. You destroyed the Lakers and wrote a storybook ending. And you did it the right way: as a true team.

Dong.

This year, through 82 hard-fought games, you played your hearts out and never gave up. You stayed hungry, because, again, no one gave you a chance. Last year was just a fluke, they said.

Dong.

Through 25 grueling playoff games, you left everything on the floor. You beat all comers in every way possible. You carried us to within an inch of the promised land once again. A tipped ball here. A bad bounce there. Too many bad calls to count. This is all that kept you from repeating. Hold your heads high, brave warriors. Every step of the way you carried the hopes and dreams of a city long ago left for dead.

Dong.

Now, when you are beaten, we will carry you. When you get home to Detroit, we'll be waiting there to give you a heroe's welcome, because you are our heroes. Sheed, Big Ben, Chauncy, Rip, Tayshaun, McDyess, Hunter, Brown. These names will live forever in the hearts and minds of all Detroiters. They have secured a place in the pantheon with Isiah and Dumars, Yzerman and Howe, Gibson and Cobb. Now, when you need us most - you who never let us down - we will not let you down.

Dong.

Because in 130 days, training camp starts. And again, no one will give you a chance. And again, we will stand with you as you enter the fray and do it the right way: as a team.

Dong.

Do you hear that?

Dong.

Big Ben has not yet struck midnight.