Aussie_Wing

I don't think it would be too wise to offer Ben a max deal. Yes he's the heart and soul of the club, yes he's one of, if not the best defender in the league but for what he contibutes on the offensive end that rules out a max deal. I want him back for sure, but not at that price.

That was shattering, just awful. I couldn't watch, where was the offence? They couldn't make a shot, just horrible. Sad to see the team look as though they didn't even care, but that's sure how it seemed.

Please contribute, or else I’ll be talking to myself for two weeks! Yeh I agree this is the worst of the 4 Slams. I also thought it was very poor how they booed Roddick as he retired, even though it was a very good effort for him to even be out there. He badly injured his ankle only last week and managed to play two sets before the pain become so bad he was forced to retire.

Nope mate I also watched the game. Prince was outstanding, what a great individual performance. Once again he was our leader on the offensive end. Ben was brilliant on defence tonight, what about the block on Shaq that led to a jump ball! That's what has been missing the entire series, shot blocking. We were much better in that area last night. Hamilton and Billups can’t seem to find any rhythm on offence, can’t continue if we are to win the series. I’ve given up on Rasheed, he doesn’t want to be out there. Also Lindsay Hunter was just awesome last night; his hands are the quickest in the business. McDyess was also extremely good off the bench.

Back to what changes should be made. Well in my opinion Billups, Rip and Prince are the safe ones, there is no way they’ll be going anywhere. As much as it pains me to say but I don’t necessarily want Rasheed back next season. You can’t tell me that he’s been trying in the post season, and he’s one of the main reasons we find ourselves in a massive hole. He basically just doesn’t care about the result. Ben Wallace should be re-signed, but not at the maximum like many people are suggesting. He is the heart and soul of the team, but for someone who provides so little on the offensive end you can’t pay that sort of money. How many times in this series has he been wide open for the dunk, only to kick it back out and let Miami back in? And not to mention his free throw shooting. The bench needs a complete overhaul. We need a backup guard who can just flat out score, like Stackhouse or Barbosa. Other than McDyess, who has been very disappointing, we never have anyone who can come off the bench and score 15 odd points. Delk is quite good and in my opinion he’s being wasted as he could provide scoring and energy off the bench. I'd like to see Delfino with regular time next season, as with Maxiell. Oh and Flip needs to go, he can't get the job done in the Playoffs (26-37 record) and the players don't respect him. When you lose the respect of the players it’s as good as over.

PARIS (AP) Maria Sharapova's ankle was throbbing, her shots were off-target, and she was one point from losing to Mashona Washington in the French Open's first round. What rankled Sharapova the most, though, after she overcame three match points to beat the 97th-ranked American 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, was that she was playing at all. This was, after all, the first Grand Slam tournament to start on a Sunday instead of Monday, a bid to sell more tickets, reach a larger TV audience and promote the game. The first round is being stretched over three days, and Sharapova wanted a Day 2 debut because of her health, the sort of request tennis players often make -- and often are granted. The 2004 Wimbledon champion hadn't played since April 1, sidelined by an injured right ankle. "I asked if I could play later. The answer was, 'You're playing Sunday, fourth match,' " the fourth-seeded Sharapova said. "How did it make me feel? Well, it doesn't make you feel great when you know that the French federation, all they're thinking about is selling tickets, making money and about their players. I mean, can't be too happy about that." Link Interesting situation. I think she has every right to be angry, they haven't treated her too well. What do you think?

Firstly let me say how disappointed I am with of the officiating, I know I’m biased but they are seriously nothing short of disgraceful. Some of the no calls on Shaq and Wade, and then the most minute contact from Wallace or Billups gets called. They have no consistency; one thing goes for Miami and another for Detroit. Now where do I start about our level of play? This team is playing pathetic; they look as though they don’t even want to be out there. They had a great stretch to finish the second quarter and continued the momentum for most of the third quarter. For a moment there they were switched on looked as though the hunger was back. But in these Playoffs you can be certain of one thing; it’s only a matter of time because they fall to pieces. The amount of careless shots, poor ball movement and lack of defence is just sickening. They allow the opposition to go on a tear and let them drain any shots they want. This team right now is one the verge of elimination, and they should be ashamed. I have never seen so little passion in this team; they aren’t the same Pistons we’ve come to expect. There is no spark; no one is even bothering to block shots anymore. Flip Saunders is clearly not the man to lead this team; the players don't even seem to respect him. So the Pistons are just about done and it’s extremely disappointing. There’s no doubt they have the talent to go all the way, however unless they decide to show up and show a bit of heart as they once did, then it’s all over.

Fight Pistons!!!

I’ve got some serious doubts. Sheed isn’t bothering to turn up anymore; watching Wallace attempt free throws is, as Heaton said, very painful. I don’t believe they have the hunger they once had.

Tayshaun Prince was incredible tonight. Such an underrated player. Hamilton was terrific in the first half, Sheed came alive in the third and Ben Wallace was just brilliant the entire game. But honestly, those refs were an utter disgrace tonight, some of those calls in the last few minutes were just unbelievable.

Ok read into this what you want guys, but I have live coverage of every single game of the Eastern Conference Finals. We’re probably doomed now.

In my opinion we actually looked better when Shaq was in the game. We really got on top when he was playing in the third quarter. Ben was doing a great job, and there were always helpers coming over to defend him. To bad he had to get in foul trouble because we could have used him out there. And there's no excuse to let Walker, Payton and even Williams light us up tonight.

Well that was great. Another game I see, and another loss. My goal in life is to see a Pistons win! But seriously though that was simply pathetic. We get down by 13 points, then get Wade and Shaq in foul trouble, shoot out to a 4 point lead and then it was all downhill. We couldn't buy a shot, sounding mighty familar now isn't it? Where is the world has out offence gone? We shot 37%, but that numbr was more like 33% until some cheap baskets at the end. So there goes home court advantage. And there was a statistic that 91% of teams who win Game 1 go on to win the Conference Finals...

Ben Wallace has been unbelievable tonight!!!

Well Game 1 is being televised in Australia. Hopefully the trend doesn’t continue and they actually show up when I get to watch. I'm really excited, can hardly wait for it to begin!

Pistons up 21-15 after 1st Qtr.

You beauty!! The Palace crowd is going to be insane!

The Pistons were also the top seed in the league. They are the two time defending Eastern Conference Champions.

As others above me have said, if the Pistons lose there's no doubt they will be the bigger disappointment. After basically cruising through the second half of the season and all the talk about how determined the players are to get back the Championship, I honestly thought there was nothing stopping Detroit this season. All hope is not lost, but it’s not looking good.

I'm furious, absolutely disgusted. I mean we set our franchise record for wins, ease into the Playoffs are we're playing like utter trash. It's no wonder Minnesota dumped Flip Saunders, what a joke he is. Facing elimination in the second round of the playoffs is unacceptable. I see Larry Brown is available…

I completely agree they should all be on a line for the Wings. There is no reason why they wouldn’t be effective in the NHL. Hudler has been fantastic in the Playoffs; he has 21 points in 12 games. Filppula is traveling at a point a game, while Booter has 9 points and has been a physical presence. Get them up on the Wings next season!

So the Heat advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 1 point win in Game 5. I’m a little worried, they will be well rested and if they face Detroit they will want revenge more than anything. Detroit needs to lift its game quite significantly if we’re to advance through the Playoffs. And can anyone beat Dallas? They are scary.

Some costly turnovers really ruined that game. I'm a little worried.

Why on earth would more people attend the regular season as opposed to the playoffs?

Another dominating performance by the Pistons. Shot out of the blocks early and got up by 20 points in the second quarter. This team is just incredible, even Billups and Hamilton shooting a combined 5-20 didn't give the Cavs the slightest of chances. In other series Dallas are destroying the Spurs and will tie that series at 1. Lets hope the Mavs win both their home games...