Ben Wallace was trembling with anger on camera for TNT.
Kenny Smith was vividly recounting to him how Su Xi had talked about the Pistons, how he had said that phrase, "Swat both tigers and flies." Then, Smith helpfully explained, "The flies... that's you guys."
Ben Wallace felt like his chest was about to explode.
"Just you wait. I hope he saves that trash-talking ability for the court," Ben Wallace snarled, grinding his back teeth.
He then emphasized again, "Our goal for the regular season is to sweep the number-one team in the league, because we're going for the championship."
The fans at home could already feel the intense animosity just from watching the pre-game interviews.
The tension was off the charts.
Everyone was already interested in this defensive battle, this clash of titans in the East. But after TNT aired the pre-game interviews with both sides, the anticipation shot through the roof!
TNT's ratings skyrocketed.
