johnogrodnickfanclub

Probably getting a little ahead of ourselves...but Detroit v Miami, wouldn't that be fun? Here's the thing about both the Pistons/76ers and Miami/NJ series: they're playing teams with a lot of question marks. We shouldn't get carried away seeing the Pistons roll the Sixers...cuz the Sixers just don't have enough guns to hang with the NBA elite. Similarly, watching Wade and Alonzo go off in games 1 and 2 against the Nets isn't anything to get very excited about...the only guy with the defensive ability to slow down Wade, Jefferson, is just coming back from injury and is not really fit to play...and Zoe going off means nothing cuz the Nets have utter filth in their front court to stop big men. So I'm not gonna get too impressed by either team at this poing, at least not based on their performances against he Sixers and Nets. However, I still think the Pistson and Heat are the best teams in the conference...and barring upsets, they'll both make it to the ECF. What will happen in Detroit v Miami? We'll roll Rasheed, Ben, Dice, and Elden at Shaq. Elden is big enough and savvy enough to slow down Shaq, as he has done in the past...and when Elden gets in trouble, our four big men have a lot of fouls to give between them! We'll put Tay on Wade and roll help his way with either Chauncy or Rip...we'll harass him the way we're harassing Iverson. That leaves Udonis Haslem, Damon Jones, Eddie Jones, and Alonzo Mourning to try to beat us. Ain't gonna happen...not over a 7 game series. Shoot, it'll be difficult for any team to beat Detroit. We're too good defensively...even if our offense doesn't show up, we can still beat you 82-80. Defense wins championships in every sport! Hockey, baseball, basketball, football! And offensively...any one of Sheed, Chauncy, Rip, Tay, or Dice can go off for 20+ on any given night. They all have 20+ point offensive ability. Lindsay can ship in...Ben's good enough to take advantage of terrible matchups down low...Arroyo can pass the ball and knock a couple down himself... This team is just so balanced...and has enough depth for the playoffs... Oh, and I agree with Dallas about Lindsay! I remember some people dismissed him earlier in the season...and even during the off season, some people didn't think it was a priority to get him back. I disagreed. He was so effective last playoffs...and he's doing it again this playoffs. He's just so savvy on the defensive end...and he can be quite timely on the offensive end. I'd love for him to stick around for a couple more runs!

You know who I love watching? Antonio McDyess. He has turned up and let himself loose! You can CLEARLY see how he was an all star caliber player before his knees got torn up! His knees might prevent him from playing at all-star level for an entire season, getting starters minutes...but for a playoff run and betting bench minutes, he can turn it on and display all-star ability. My goodness, what a great signing! If we can lock up Tayshuan and Ben this summer, man, we can seriously make another 3 or so runs at the title with this core!

not to mention the league is trying to making harder and harder for teams to play defense! the NBA does NOT like teams like detroit and san antonio! die stern die! you die and go to hell!!!!

Delfino has a lot of potential. But he's a whiny ***** ass little ***** that needs to beat down with a stick! I HATE his attitude. And because of his attitude, thus far I HATE him as a player.

Delfino is the odd man out on the playoff roster. Not surprised. I think I said in the other thread Delfino would be the odd man out...mostly because of outburst that one game...that REALLY irked Brown and the veteran players.

Maybe I'm way off...but... I think whoever comes out of the west might have a tougher time in the finals. The west is just so tight and just about every matchup is a toss up...much parity. The Pistons have a relatively easy first round (*knock on wood*)...and with a little luck might have a relatively easy second round. In the west, I see it as every team having to fight tooth and nail every round. the west champ might a bit more worn down by the finals. I could be wrong...maybe the east will be a dog fight too...or maybe someone in the west will emerge and just coast to the finals... I think this playoffs will be real fun!

76ers are probably the easiest 1st round matchup so we definitely lucked out!!! However, they're still dangerous. They've been one of the hottest teams of late (aside from us, of course). Iverson is always dangerous. And they do have enough size to play big if they want to...Webber, Dalembert, and Jackson. The odds are certainly stacked WAY against Philly, but there's no doubt that Iverson is the type of player than can carry a team on his back. I still don't see the Nets beating the Heat. I don't think the Heat will be able to run or break on the Heat. They have not shown the ability to do that against good defensive teams with good frontcour defenders. Course, I will say this though...of the 4 EC matchups, they have the best chance for an upset. Whoever wins the Miami/New Jersey series will meet us in the EC finals, IMHO. Should be REAL interesting playoffs...