DETROIT — It was an evocation, a reminder of what the sports landscape in Detroit used to look like at this time of year.
First Ben Wallace was introduced, the warrior of the Going to Work Pistons. Then came Calvin Johnson, Megatron, the Lions’ all-time leading receiver. The Lions have played three playoff games since 1992 and he was in two of them.
Nick Lidstrom came bounding up the dugout steps next to make it a triumvirate of Detroit sports heroes. He helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups.
