Just Goes to Show That Not Everyone Loves L.A.

Did we win? Why does it feel so hollow? The Detroit Pistons were down by 15 in the third quarter and still almost pulled it off--without Isiah Thomas and in the midst of a raucous Forum crowd.

Why are all my transplanted Michigan friends so smug and proud? Why do I have this terrible image of Showtime, the Laker girls and Jack Nicholson just being an all-too-real representation of the same disturbing traits found in Apollo Creed--the ostentatious and conceited boxer who nearly lost to underdog Rocky in the first Rocky film. Why is it that, deep down, I’m pulling for Dennis Rodman and the rest of the Pistons to someday win a championship?

MICHAEL FRIEDMAN

Los Angeles