But the Artificial Giant, Antoine, had no intention of giving up.
Before flying to Toronto, he gave the team a pep talk.
"Lots of people think we don't stand a chance against the Raptors. Plenty of people on our own team think so, too."
"But I want to tell you this: when I was very young, everyone thought I wouldn't live to see fifteen because of my illness."
"Even my parents thought I might not make it to fifteen. But they didn't give up. They sold their house, quit their jobs, and spent every last cent they had, all to find a way to keep me alive."
"And now you can all see that not only did I live past fifteen, I made it to the NBA."
"So even though we're up against the powerful Raptors, even though we don't think we can beat them, we still have to give it everything we've got."
"If we work hard and fight, then at least we'll have a sliver of hope. On the other hand, if we give up in our hearts before the game even starts, then we won't have the slightest chance."
"Even if we do our best and still lose, at least we'll have nothing to reproach ourselves for. But if we give up without even trying, that'll become a stain on our lives—one we'll never be able to erase."
Antoine's words struck a chord with everyone.
In the end, the head coach rallied the team once more:
"Antoine is right. Even when we know we're outmatched, we have to fight instead of acting like a bunch of cowardly quitters. So, in the games ahead, let's go all out!"
Only then did the Pistons' morale begin to rise.
"Let's go all out!"
"Forget about winning or losing. Just get