Tonight's the night. The Finals are finally here. The Spurs will be tough, but I see the Pistons giving them all they can handle. This will be a great series!
To me, the key is the point guard matchup. I think Parker is a little bit overrated, and I look forward to seeing Chauncey do his thing. I can't wait!
I think that this series will be a tough one for both teams. But when it comes down to it the Pistons are a little bigger and have better depth which will help them once we get towards the end of the series. The only people the Pistons really have to worry about are: Duncan, Parker, and Ginobilli. As for the Spurs you've got Rip (who I'm happy to see will be covered by Bowen which should make things interesting), Chauncey, Prince, and even 'Sheed can step out and shoot the ball.
The Pistons have the advantage that they're all about the same size so they can switch up a bit to throw the spurs off their game. i think both the wallaces, tayshaun, cambell, and even mcdyess can all cover duncan. granted, rasheed wallace will probably cover duncan most often, along with cambell as well, but i think that the pistons can throw those guys out there for a little bit to try and throw duncan off his game a little bit. the pistons just have more size and depth and i think that'll help them outlast the spurs.
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I don't really care who wins, but yeah, I see this series going to 7.
You shouldn't underestimate the toughness and will to win of the Spurs. AND they've had a week to rest and prepare.
Tip off time!
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
Spurs fan since 1987 when David Robinson was a rookie out of Navy.
I've seen some good times, and some really rough times.
It's the start of the 4th quarter as I type this and Spurs are up by 2. [img]smile.gif[/img]
I completely agree that this is gonna be a GREAT finals. These two teams are very, very equally matched. I definitely see it going the full 7 but I've got to side with my Spurs in the end.
It would have been nice to see the Pistons actually hit some shots last night. Yuck!
Oh well, maybe they'll be a little sharper on Sunday. It seemed like they ran out of gas in the 4th quarter. Hopefully, they use the next couple days to get some good rest.
That could be used to describe the first three quarters of the game. Detroit missed a lot of shots that they usually make... especially Hamilton. Prince and Sheed are definitely capable of much bigger offensive games. That said, the Spurs have a deep, experienced squad that is very capable of grinding out games. Detroit's lack of depth was apparent in the fourth.
Quote:
Originally posted by von_Hayes I think Billups is one of the most underrated players in the NBA.
Agreed. A very tough, strong point guard. Great defender and is never afraid to take the pressure shots.
It would have also been nice to see Sheed get some more minutes in the first half. He was having a decent game until Brown sat him for the 2nd quarter (and Prince).
Prince and Rasheed both had 2 fouls. Brown did the same things against the Heat in Game 3 (I think?). Each time, it killed whatever momentum the team had.
For a noticeable stretch, he had Billups, Arroyo, and Hunter in there at the same time. That sucked. Nothing like the triple point guard lineup!
Granted, they still had the lead at the half, so one could say "they would be fresh and out of foul trouble for the 2nd half". That's what seems to be LB's line of reasoning in those circumstances.
However it backfired, because they both had great 1st Quarters, and ended up being out of sync and a little timid in the 2nd half. By that time, Chauncey and Rip were in takeover (and isolate) mode, and the offense sputtered (Understatement of the Year).
Didn't someone say Parker is overrated? [img]tongue.gif[/img]
He smoked their ass last night.
The Spurs are just more consistant. You never know which Pistons team is going to show up - which doesn't bode well for a finals series.
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
Originally posted by kuri: Didn't someone say Parker is overrated? [img]tongue.gif[/img]
He smoked their ass last night.
The Spurs are just more consistant. You never know which Pistons team is going to show up - which doesn't bode well for a finals series.
I still think Parker's overrated. He's extremely quick, but besides that what does he bring to the table? I wouldn't exactly say that he smoked anybody last night, either. He got into the lane a few times in the 2nd half, but his play didn't have much impact on the outcome, in either direction. In fact, did you notice that the guy he was guarding (Billups) was the only Piston that was doing anything?
It'll be a tough series. I can't imagine the Pistons playing worse in Game 2. They'll come back strong. They have to.
QUOTE]I still think Parker's overrated. He's extremely quick, but besides that what does he bring to the table? I wouldn't exactly say that he smoked anybody last night, either. [/QB][/quote]
No, but I'd say Ginobili did. That guy has some serious moves.
I love that the spurs won, but I'll predict it right now: Pistons in game 2. I can't imagine them not pulling themselves together and coming out like gangbusters in game 2.
Still predicting 7 game series. Still predicting the Spurs.
Originally posted by jruck37: I still think Parker's overrated. He's extremely quick, but besides that what does he bring to the table?
How about driving the ball to the hoop, scoring layups or getting fouled, putting him on the line and a Piston one foul deeper in trouble? How about practically shutting this year's MVP down last series?
I agree that he's been inconsistent but, when he's ON, he's not over-rated at all! Few players are "on" every night. Look at Sheed's performance in the last game. Parker is still a KID and I think his consistency has improved quite a bit but he still has bad nights. The Spurs are just so deep though that, if he is off, then someone else comes in and picks up the slack. I actually have a great deal of appreciation for BOTH teams because they are class acts and play TEAM ball including on D... but, obviously, I'm looking for the Spurs to end up on top. Spurs will take game 2 and win in 5, just like with Phoenix.
Q -
Looks like we've got something in common: both big Spurs fans.
I'm watching the game right now and I've got to tell you, I'm really surprised at how extremely motivated the Spurs are. 45-29 going to commercial. I really expected the Pistons to come out how SA is doing tonight. Not that I'm upset at all, ha! I just really expected Detroit to be highly motivated tonight.
I sure hope they can win. That'll ensure a trip back to SBC. Love to win it at home.
Pretty awesome piece on Bruce Bowen at halftime, too! I didn't know that about him but I've always had a lot of respect for just about anyone the Spurs bring in... although the Dennis Rodman era was pretty trying!
JOBBED! Oh boy did the Pistons get jobbed towards the end of that game. Albiet they were playing shitty earlier, but once they got it to single digits the refs started calling some bullsh*t calls, but then again I guess when you get spotlighted the game before you can expect to get some help from the refs when you dive into people. I really liked the moving pick set by Duncan. [img]smile.gif[/img] Looks to me like the league wants a certain team to win...
Originally posted by Keith: Looks to me like the league wants a certain team to win...
Don't talk like that. You sound like a Pacers fan!!
Anyways, I think the fouls in the 1st Quarter were much more damaging to the Pistons resolve. They were taken out of their game by some ticky-tack stuff, resulting in Rip and Tayshaun both having 2 fouls 5 minutes into the game.
However frustrating the officiating was, it's hard to blame the refs for a 21 point loss. While the Spurs did shoot a lot more free throws, they were also hitting every other 3 pointer that they threw up there. It was ridiculous. I expect that shooting to cool down on Tuedsay.
Regardless, last night was a great game from the Spurs, and a bunch of crap from the Pistons.
Last night was a textbook display of team play. If only the US could have sent a team of that caliber to the Olympics- then Ginobili wouldn't have that medal around his neck!
That guy has more hustle than Hollywood Blvd!
If the Pistons don't come out amped for the 1st quarter of Tuesday's game then you might as well turn off the set and go lift or something.
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
Originally posted by jruck37: </font><blockquote>quote:</fon t><hr />Originally posted by Keith: Looks to me like the league wants a certain team to win...
Don't talk like that. You sound like a Pacers fan!!</font>[/quote]Ain't that the truth! When the situation was going in Detroit's favor, at least as perceived by some, did you conspiracy theorists have the same reaction? Refs are human (I think...? ) and the NBA doesn't stop everything for instant replay everytime there's a controversy. I believe it balances out over time but sometimes s*%t happens!
I keep expecting the Pistons to come out and lay the smack down. I hope it doesn't happen and honestly..... I think this is the best Spurs team in years. I really, really hate to say that since I was(am) a huge David Robinson fan, but I'm beginning to wonder if the Pistons really can't handle SA?
I know Detroit is a better team than they're showing. We'll probably see it tomorrow night.
The more I think about it, does anybody think that Game 2 may have been the weirdest game ever? The Pistons made 4 more baskets, had 2 less TO's, 9 more rebounds (including an 18-9 advantage on the offensive boards) and lost by 21.
That seems unfathomable. While I don't think that the refs were instructed to sway the game in San Antonio's direction, it makes you wonder when you look at those numbers, and then look at the free throw discrepancy (34-16) in favor of the Spurs.
I just don't see the Spurs getting all of the same calls in Detroit, or hitting 3's at will. And, I definately don't see Detroit missing 11 layups again.
Not to take away from the Spurs. They're awesome, and have definately capitalized on Detroit's dismal play. That's what championship teams do.
However, after looking at the strange numbers in the box score, I believe that this series is about to change, my friends.
I haven't looked at the stats for game 2 but in game 1 Duncan outscored and outrebounded BOTH Wallaces together. He might've done it in game 2 too, as the Ben and Sheed weren't exactly lighting up the boards.
Unless those guys take control of the boards tonight Detroit fans will be openly weeping by halftime.
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
The Wallaces barely outscored and outrebounded Duncan in Game 2.
I'm rational enough to know that the Spurs are an awesome team that will pounce on Detroit's mistakes/laziness where other teams couldn't. In my opinion, however, these teams are as even talent-wise as they come at this level. It obviously hasn't translated to the court yet. The Spurs have played abundantly more motivated and confident. This is irritating.
Game 3 is starting in a few minutes. Can't wait to see how this one turns out. Another Spurs fan here!! Who can't like Duncan? Any how I see the Spurs winning this in 6 games at the most (I'm thinking possibly 5). They seem to be finding ways to make things happen. Detroit may get tonight, but after that I think the Spurs will be back on. Remember last year when they were up 2-0 on the Lakers I believe (Damn Derek Fisher...). Some hopefully they won't get complacient(sp)
Watching the game now. Pistons coming out strong like I've been expecting all series. Fortunately for me and other Spurs fans, they seem to be sticking with Detroit anyway. This is going to be the "good game" we've all been waiting for.
Foul trouble early for Duncan, Mohammed and others. Duncan with a technical????? WTH? that never happens?!
He's extremely quick, but besides that what does he bring to the table? I wouldn't exactly say that he smoked anybody last night, either. He got into the lane a few times in the 2nd half, but his play didn't have much impact on the outcome, in either direction. In fact, did you notice that the guy he was guarding (Billups) was the only Piston that was doing anything?
They'll come back strong. They have to.
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