Detroit Pistons (& NBA) Playoff Thread

[dallas27 7]

Someone is quiet, surprise surprise

Very glad they blew the 14 point lead because now the media stays on miami's nuts.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Yeah Tayshaun was unbelievable. He's carrying the team right now. I know Chauncy was 18-8 which isn't so bad but I still think something is off with him (?). If he can pick it back up - the Pistons will be in great shape.

P.S. Pat Riley annoys me

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Prince is playing great right now. He keeps getting better and better in the playoffs (Wings could use someone like that)

But I'm really sick of how much crap Shaq gets away with while he is camping under the hoop

[betterREDthandead 58]

Nice job on Shaq yesterday....Ben made him get the ball a half to a full step further from the basket than he's used to, and it caused him to be short on quite a few of those baby hooks.

Refereeing: Ugly. Shaq takes a charge despite having an entire foot inside the half-circle. Shaq delivers a headbutt to Ben - no call. Payton mauls Chauncey on an inbounds pass at the end - no foul. And the lame-o excuse for missing the time-out call...."the crowd was too loud."

The Heat are basically Cleveland plus Shaq. Posey, Walker, Haslem, Williams, etc. are just as useless as their Cavalier counterparts. The Pistons just have to abuse those four (and Mourning) like we know they can, and make sure Shaq and Wade are ineffective for two out of four quarters.

[dallas27 7]

Not looking to good for the stones atm, playing like s*** as usual. Guess who will be back now?

Edited May 28, 2006 by dallas27

[Heaton 1]

It's really painful to watch Ben shoot these freethrows over and over.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

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.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

The Pistons' attitude is really making me mad. They just assume they will squek one out when their backs are against the walls. Next game is a must win.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Well here we are once again in all too familiar territory - a must win playoff game for the Pistons.

I'm not even nervous anymore. I'm OK with whatever happens. I want the Pistons to win more than they do at this point. Baffling team - if they played even remotely close to how they were several months ago - lights out for any opponent. But that killer instinct just isn't there. Don't get me wrong I'm not jumping off the bandwagon - I think they'll win tomorrow and if so still have a great chance of winning the series. BUT, is it just me, or is there something intangible that's missing this year? Even last year with the game 7 loss to SA I still thought they had it. Might be Flip - but I'll reserve final judgement until the fat lady sings - which I hope isn't until mid-late June!

[gowingsgo 3]

Shaq v Dirk is going to be an excellent series to watch

[redwings1914 18]

PISTONS IN SEVEN!

Nice to see someone flagrant Wade's smooched up ass......

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

pathetic performance again - not really surprised though. Something has been off with this team since the playoffs began. All the lockerroom rumors are out there in the press - obviously they've completely tuned out Saunders. Sadly, this team needs Larry Brown. They seemed to function under him and his system. I don't blame Dumars for letting go of Brown - the guy has some serious issues with the way he bounces around the league(s). But Flip ain't cutting it in the playoffs - it's not like Minnesota ever did anything special post-season. As long as the Stones change coaches every season - they might as well do it again this year. Well, we can always hope for a miracle - I haven't seen anything from this team to warrant such hope - but you never know - someone could light a fire under their a$$e$.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

It's pissing me off. Somthing is missing from this team, and it weakens me to watch them play when I know they can play 10X better. I don't know if it's their attitude or coaching or what. I hate seeing this happen

Don't get me wrong here..Wade is one heck of a player, but I think he is getting away with to much. He travels every time hes drives the lane, and exagerates everything time he gets fouled. Plus I don't understand how Dice can get called for a foul when Wade leaps into him while he is set...I guess just because it's Wade.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

It's pissing me off. Somthing is missing from this team, and it weakens me to watch them play when I know they can play 10X better. I don't know if it's their attitude or coaching or what. I hate seeing this happen

Don't get me wrong here..Wade is one heck of a player, but I think he is getting away with to much. He travels every time hes drives the lane, and exagerates everything time he gets fouled. Plus I don't understand how Dice can get called for a foul when Wade leaps into him while he is set...I guess just because it's Wade.

The officiating was just plain dreadful - as long as the Pistons were taking fouls - they needed to take some real hard ones. Stupid, biased, paid-off, pinhead, BS refs aside, the Pistons haven't deserved to win any of the 3 games they've lost vs. the Heat. You're right - there is "something" missing. It's easy to see - it's just hard to figure out what it is. Flip is very unimpressive in the post-season. OK just dreadful I would say. It's very painful to watch this team right now (shoudn't be for too much longer though).

[Aussie_Wing 354]

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.

Edited May 30, 2006 by Aussie_Wing

[betterREDthandead 58]

Here's a phrase I never thought I'd get a chance to say: Thank God for the Tigers.

[gowingsgo 3]

Makes a difference between this year and last when Shaq and Wade are both healthy this time around. Detroit has a great championship level team, but I think by watching how they act that they were going to waltz their way to the title. Turning on their coach isnt going to win them any games. They still have to go out there and do everything they did and then some to win a series. The coach led them to a better regular season record this year....

[Legionnaire11 0]

Thats how officiating goes when Shaq is involved. he is just such a different kind of beast that it's hard to fit him into the rules and still be fair to both sides. Even without the calls, Shaq has looked great out there, better than he has in many years, and when Shaq is on his game, there is nothing that anyone can do to stop him.

that said, the Pistons have to hit their free throws no matter how many or how few they get. It looks like the heat are having more fun than the Pistons and the Pistons are just too tight right now to play their game.

[dallas27 7]

Miami is playing some good ball no doubt. But to say that is the reason why they are winning would be silly. Seems as if Detroit just doesn't even care anymore. Not making the extra pass, not rebounding, not making free throws, not hustling, standing around on offense AND defense...they are just going through the motions. Maybe on purpose to get Flip out of here? Sounds far fetched but the DIFFERENCE between the way they ARE playing and they way they SHOULD be playing is too big of a gap. I don't know what the hell Cleveland puts in their water but it sure as hell got Detroit in a big ass funk that they probably aren't going to come out of.

Officiating is horrible but the Pistons don't deserve to win anything the way they are playing...

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Well since it all seems like that we all agree the Pistons are done. What changes do you think Joe D has to make?

Coaching: I like Flip, but I have not been impressed with him in the postseason. He won't get fired, unless LB comes back (which probally won't happen either) I think Flip has to change his coaching a little bit. When you think of Pistons you think of D, he must change back to a defensive team.

Bench: Everyone on TV rips the bench, but I don't think its that bad. Evans does alot of dirty work, and Delk is solid. Dice gives it his all every night. I think Delfino can be a good player..I just don't think he likes being on the team. This also could be the last time Hunter plays, so finding a PG is huge. Do we go with Amir or do we draft one? Possibly Jordan Farmar. I think Maxile will get more PT next year too.

Starters: Best starting five in the NBA (when they feel like it) Do you think it's possible to trade one these guys(I don't think so, but I guess you never know) I read on a blog the only guys that are safe on Detroit are Billups, Prince, and Rip. Is Ben Wallace worth 12 million a year? Don't get me wrong I love Ben, but 12 million for 20% FT shooting and no offensive ability is not worth it. Do we aquire a superstar? KG still wants out of Minny. Maybe Sheed and picks for KG?

Thoughts??

Quick Question......

Do we get the Magic's 11# pick this draft? Or is that next year? I thought we got Orlando's pick this year as long as it wasn't a top 5 pick.

Edited May 30, 2006 by mannysBETTER3434

[dallas27 7]

And for the record it doesn't matter that Shaq and Wade are healthy. Wade WAS healthly last year with the exception of the last game so don't throw that s*** out there. If he is so damn good he should have eliminated the Pistons before 7 games last year.

The Pistons beat themselves, bottom line. Not Wade or Shaq...

Edited May 30, 2006 by dallas27

[betterREDthandead 58]

Do we get the Magic's 11# pick this draft? Or is that next year? I thought we got Orlando's pick this year as long as it wasn't a top 5 pick.

Next year, as long as it isn't top 5. We get nothing this year, and that's fine - all that guaranteed money to a draft pick would harm our ability to sign Ben.

As for changes: NOTHING. If anything, maybe a little help down low on the bench - hell, maybe right now we ought to be seeing more of Kelvin Cato. He's not chopped liver. The Pistons have lost their attack mentality, both on offense and defense. Chauncey ought to be taking it to the hole far more than he is. As for defense, they need to realize that whether they sag off Wade or not, he will blow by them. They need to get up in his grill and harass him. And they need to swallow their pride and smack the everloving crap out of Shaq every time he goes in the air with the ball. Just go hard HARD HARD after the ball when he has it and not worry about whether or not you foul him. That's not Hack-A-Shaq, it's called Not Letting Shaq Get Any Easy Ones. Probably will need to see a healthy dose of Dale Davis and Cato, AKA 12 Free Fouls.

The Pistons have let themselves believe that they will get out of any situation and forgot how they got out of situations in the first place.

[gowingsgo 3]

And for the record it doesn't matter that Shaq and Wade are healthy. Wade WAS healthly last year with the exception of the last game so don't throw that s*** out there. If he is so damn good he should have eliminated the Pistons before 7 games last year.

The Pistons beat themselves, bottom line. Not Wade or Shaq...

A healthy Shaq makes a big, big difference. I saw a 7'1" 340+ lb big man go coast TO coast on the vaunted Pistons D on the fast break. Miami needed to get beat by Detroit last year in the ECF. It helped them get to where they are now, and possibly to the NBA Finals if they can finish off their business.

Also having Pat Riley coaching instead of Ron Jeremy....err Stan Van Gundy is a ridiculously good swap for the Heat. Everyone knows Riles is one of the games greatest coaches. You older Detroit fans should know that better than anyone from your battles in the 80s. Those were classic series.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

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.

[timothy1997 0]

well its now or never for the Pistons tonight. Ben better have the fro going and be dominating...20+ rebounds would be nice. Chauncey and Rasheed need to have big games tonight as well.