Yes, the Lakers were HEAVILY favored by just about everyone - but that's where this comparison should end.

That was a very flawed, not healthy team all year who just squeaked by the damn Timberwolves (and needed an injured Sam Cassell to do so IIRC). The Warriors have won 3 out of the last 4 (and truly should have been going for 5 right now).

In retrospect, the Pistons winning was a lot less shocking than it was at the time. That Lakers team had a lot of luck to get to the Finals (0.4, Cassell's injury, etc).