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Byline: Perry A. Farrell
WASHINGTON _ Guard Chauncey Billups wears No. 1 for the Pistons, so the NBA champs gave President George W. Bush a No. 04 jersey Monday at the White House.
``I want to congratulate Chauncey Billups for being the championship Finals MVP,'' Bush said. ``Nobody expected you to win. I know how you feel.''
The Pistons, who play the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, stopped by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to be recognized for their title. It has become an annual visit for champions in major professional and college sports, and one the Pistons made in 1989 and '90 when Bush's father was president.
Two busloads of players, administrators and family members made the trip, and several members of the Michigan congressional delegation attended.
Bush had done his homework by the time the Pistons reached the East Wing of the White House.
``You won because you put a team together,'' Bush said. ``You have people willing to serve something greater than yourself. It's a wonderful example for kids on playgrounds or people from all walks of life. I guess you guys played it the right way. I think that's what the coach says: `Play it the right way.'