Eastern Conference: Semi-Finals

[Shawndo]

I like the Heat over the Wizards in 5, and Detroit over Indiana in 6.

[Alex]

Miami over Washington in 5
Detroit over Indiana in 7

[Billy D]

Heat over Wizards in 5
Pistons over Pacers in 5

[davematthews3]

Heat over Wiz in 4

Pistons over Pacers in 7

[#99]

Heat in 5.

Pistons sweep.

[190 Octane]

Heat in a sweep. Haywood just cannot handle Shaq, and as much as I love Gilbert's offense, he doesn't have the defensive savvy to stop Wade.

Pistons in 5. The defending champs are peaking at the right time.

[franky]

I don't think either lower seed will make it to a Game 6 in the East. Pistons and Heat.

Although, I would like to see Indiana make this a series.

[DETMURDS]

I see my Pistons killing the Pacers,...easy! And the Heat and DC? Well, it will probably be an easy Heat stomping, but I'd like to see otherwise,...at least wear them down a bit!

[Shawndo]

Welcome to the boards, DETMURDS! :wavey:

[Marc]

Neither series is going to be close. Heat in four, Pistons in five. Can't wait for some competitive series with a high level of basketball.

[DETMURDS]

Well, I hope this loss tonight for the Pistons will make that so it only goes 5 games? And Thank You Shawndo!

[Marc]

Pistons need to put away the Pacers. I thought they were playing too lax and let the Pacers steal a road victory (a big no-no).

[The Executioner]

Well I'm the only one who took the Heat and the Pacers, played with heart and confidence in the 4th quarter the other night. I think Jonathan Bender needs to have a big series, and help out Jermain O'neal.

[DETMURDS]

My Pistons are playing on thier heels, and I am sickened by it! I still will not except that Indiana will do it, Larry Brown has turned up the gas on the fire he has on his team's A$$.

Will this Indiana team beat Detroit,.....NO WAY!

GO PISTONS!

[DETMURDS]

Now, that is more like it! (SUN, 15 MAY)

[Shawndo]

The quicker Detroit can finish off the Pacers, the less time Shaq will have to recuperate whatever the heck is really wrong with his leg... that may be key for Detroit.

I haven't had much interest in the East round 2... looking forward to a Pistons/Heat matchup, that will be interesting... IF Detroit can put Indiana away.

[DETMURDS]

My question is, "why does so many think that Shaq is the key to beating Detroit when he couldn't contribute with a championship team he was on last year? ....He wasn't a factor at all!" But I hear ya, this does give Shaq more time to get better. But I still say that Shaq has to prove he can beat Detroit, not the Pistons beat him.

[Tarkus]

Spoken like a true Piston fan, Det...:lol:

Putting the loss to the Pistons last year while Bryant played out his personal crusade is more than sorely misplaced. Even with Shaq being the only threat, he still averaged 26.6 ppg & 10.8 rpg. Not a factor at all?? He wasn't solved by the Pistons even with them collapsing on him.

I don't think that comparing the Lakers implosion of last year with Bryant to an up & coming Heat team with Wade as being the same by any means. the Pistons are the Champs till they're beat but I wouldn't be so happy to see O'Neal & the Heat especially while they're having such a hard time with the depleted Pacers....

[DETMURDS]

Well, I say "not a factor at all" because he only factored into getting LA only one win in the finals last year. Last year, people were still saying that Bryant was the best on that team, (and the league too) but you are right, it was an implosion,....courtesy of the Detroit Pistons. Keep in mind, that team was on a roll until they faced Detroit despite the problems they were having.

As for the Pacers, ....like Walton said, "not one Pacer player would make it on the Detroit Pistons roster."

[Marc]

On the roster? I'm sure Jermaine O'Neal would find a spot somewhere behind Darko... :lol: I believe it he said starting lineup, and he may be right, although Jermaine would present a tough choice between him and Rasheed.

I hope the Pistons can go up 3-2 tonight. I feel like when the Pacers have won, it has been because the Pistons didn't come to play.

[DETMURDS]

CORRECTION: No starter for the Pacers could start on Detroit is what he said, and when asked about O'Neal, Walton said, "maybe a couple of years ago, but not now."

The Pistons are alive and well, 3-2, now it is just time to get it over with.

[DETMURDS]

Shawndo, looks like your callon Detroit winning in 6 will probably be right!? These two teams know each other pretty well, so I guess it figures!

[Marc]

Pacers really seemed to either run out of gas or stop playing in Game 5. It was like 31-31, then the Pistons exploded out to a 20-point lead. The fat lady has sung.

[Shawndo]

once again, I think defense was the key. Detroit just shut down Indiana and reduced their momentum to sub zero temperatures.
Defense wins championships, and Detroit's certainly got it.

[doublee]

Honestly, I think it has more to do with the Pistons pulling their heads completely out of their butts and deciding to play some ball. I seem to remember the Pistons jerking around with the Pacers last year until dropping the hammer on them in games five and six.

I heard on the radio the other day that Rasheed has taken to calling Billups the Mitten for his defensive play the other night.

[Tarkus]

Originally posted by DETMURDS
Well, I say "not a factor at all" because he only factored into getting LA only one win in the finals last year. Last year, people were still saying that Bryant was the best on that team, (and the league too) but you are right, it was an implosion,....courtesy of the Detroit Pistons. Keep in mind, that team was on a roll until they faced Detroit despite the problems they were having.

As for the Pacers, ....like Walton said, "not one Pacer player would make it on the Detroit Pistons roster."

Now you're soundin' like a homer, Det...

In a team sport, you call O'Neal a non factor...:lol:

I don't know who you're referring to when you say "people" were saying Bryant was the best on that team. The "hype" was not from basketball people but some Bryant fans.

& saying the Lakers were on a roll discounts that thru-out the series, it was shown that while Shaq was the hot hand at times, Bryant wouldn't even pass the ball into him or run the triangle which pissed off Jackson. Couple that with the weakest bench the Lakers had in years & the ill fit of Payton at PG & you had a team ripe for the taking.

Detroit won cuz they're one of the only teams that stress D & D is what wins Championships but let's not get too blind to the fact what the Lakers were refusing to do which is play some D of their own.

I'm not sure what Finals you watched last year but I'll send over the following "friend" to help you watch this years.... ;)

[DETMURDS]

Ok, love the pic too! Part of what I am saying is the Lakers didn't look like a team defending the Championship once they met Detroit! Simple as that! They pretty much rolled everyone they met until they met Detroit!

As for Bryant,...C'mon and tell me you never ever heard anyone call him the next M.J.? (Stu Scott, and many others)

If Shaq can get off of his hurting a$$, I'd like to see if he can become a factor against Detroit for once.

FACTOR: something that actively contributes to a result (according to Webster's Dictionary)

So how was Shaq a factor aside from losing? That line-up had some big names who couldn't play together!

Detroit won because they played as a team! I have the games on tape if you need to see them again! I mean, ...one win, what finals were you watching?

I do love your picture Tarkus!

[Billy D]

Originally posted by DETMURDS
As for Bryant,...C'mon and tell me you never ever heard anyone call him the next M.J.? (Stu Scott, and many others)
Oh, goodness. Don't be quoting Stu Scott as an authoritative voice. All hype all the time. The glasses haven't made him look any smarter. Sorry, i know it's peripheral, just set me off for a bit.

[DETMURDS]

Well Billy, I agree with you, and I don't really like Stu. He seems to be popular with his goofy one liners though.

[Tarkus]

Originally posted by DETMURDS
Part of what I am saying is the Lakers didn't look like a team defending the Championship once they met Detroit! Simple as that! They pretty much rolled everyone they met until they met Detroit!

Of course Detroit won cuz they played as a team but your wearing your Piston rose colored glasses if you're implying that they were the cream of the crop & unstoppable. First off, LA wasn't defending a Championship, the Spurs were.

Second, the NBA is in the midst of the weakest defending era that's ever been seen. That's the main knock when it comes to a lot of people giving Detroit props. They were the dark horse when it came to their chance of winning it all. Defense wins Championships tho most teams refuse to follow that old adage. Browns strength is based in the fundamentals like team D & has the players ear which is why they won.

LA was on the down swing the year before & I , for one, never expected them to win it all especially since their "hired guns" in Malone & Payton didn't jell all year long & their bench was the weakest they had since the 3 Peat.

They didn't steamroll but were actually in fairly close series thruout the playoffs except from the T-Wolves & if not for a last second prayer by Fisher, the Spurs series could have ended their season instead of the Spurs. Houston?? The first game was a 1 point LA win which put the Rockets in the hole while the 4th game was a 4 point LA win. Doesn't sound like steamrolling in any of those series...

As for Bryant,...C'mon and tell me you never ever heard anyone call him the next M.J.? (Stu Scott, and many others)

I'm not sure what your point is here. Bryant has never come anywhere close to MJs Legacy & I take anyones (especially Scott) opinion that Bryant is the next MJ like I take peoples opinions who say that sushi is delicious.....BS ;)

If Shaq can get off of his hurting a$$, I'd like to see if he can become a factor against Detroit for once.

Once again your thoughts that cuz LA was let down by Bryant, Payton & their bench & that they refused to listen to Jackson & play some decent D which they showed they could thruout the season, is some kind of indication that Shaq didn't have an excellent Finals series against the Pistons is beyond me.

FACTOR: something that actively contributes to a result (according to Webster's Dictionary)

Homer: Someone who is such an ardent fan of a team as to alter history to embellish said teams accomplishments....;)

So how was Shaq a factor aside from losing? That line-up had some big names who couldn't play together!

Exactly...So some excellent Detroit team D & coupled with that fact the Lakers couldn't or more like it...wouldn't, play together , you have a Piston Championship. So let's not try to paint Detroit as some sort of offensive juggernaut who couldn't be denied. Their D sealed the deal with LAs incompetance & especially Bryants arrogance & selfishness greasin' the skids....

Detroit won because they played as a team! I have the games on tape if you need to see them again! I mean, ...one win, what finals were you watching?


Of course they won by playing as a team but stating that they handled Shaq isn't true tho they handled the rest of the dysfunctional Lakers. I think you should re-watch those tapes if you think the Pistons beat the Lakers from the 3 Peat era. This thread was about Shaq tho you keep relying on the Laker team last year for something O'Neal had no control of. The Heat this year should have you more than concerned tho if Shaqs hurt, you will have dodged a bullet....

ps Glad you liked the pic... ;)

[DETMURDS]

I have to admit, I goofed on the LA defending the Championship that season, my mistake there. And yes, that SA vs LA series was close to the end!

My question to you is, "did you give Detroit a chance to win it all last season in the finals?" Please be honest, because I couldn't find a single person who thought the Lakers would come up losers especially the way they only coughed up one win! I was all alone. (from Detroit, but stationed in Seattle)

Offensive juggernaut? Did I say they (Detroit) set records in scoring? One thing true is; they outscored LA!

I hope that Shaq does play, Detroit just finished off their biggest challenge with the Pacers, ..Detroit and Indiana just know each other so well. Miami on the other hand just finished off a weak D.C. team (they earned it though), and it will be interesting to see how the Heat react to actually playing some real basketball now after such a long layoff.

I'm a U.S. Navy servicemember now for over 20 years and counting, so to call someone a "homer" that you don't even know isn't too cool. Remember, God loves you!

I'm just telling my thoughts, thats all! Don't get mad. Pretty soon it will be facts.

Stay cool Tarkus, and enjoy the East Conf Finals.

[Tarkus]

Originally posted by DETMURDS

My question to you is, "did you give Detroit a chance to win it all last season in the finals?" Please be honest, because I couldn't find a single person who thought the Lakers would come up losers especially the way they only coughed up one win! I was all alone. (from Detroit, but stationed in Seattle)

Yes, I did, Det...

Detroit had proved that they could play excellent D so the only question when they got the the Finals with LA was if they could score enough. LA had already proven it to me thruout the year that they were in disarray & unable to sustain any continuity in their game. One game up, next game down.

Plus the obvious rift between Shaq & Kobe to the point Bryant would refuse to throw the ball back into the post constantly & the abandonment of playing the triangle with Jackson helpless to enforce it, was a team ripe for the taking. To Detroits credit, they saw the opportunity & jumped on it. I couldn't have been happier when they did...:D



I hope that Shaq does play, Detroit just finished off their biggest challenge with the Pacers, ..Detroit and Indiana just know each other so well. Miami on the other hand just finished off a weak D.C. team (they earned it though), and it will be interesting to see how the Heat react to actually playing some real basketball now after such a long layoff.

Now that's more like it...;)

Not just blind optimism but broken down with the Whys & Why nots. lol I think that's a good breakdown to this point instead of just a "Detroit beat Shaq last year" convo which was over simplifying last years series.

The Heat were not fully challenged by the Wizards even without Shaq for a couple games so Detroit should be a good measuring stick on where they are in the mix..

I've felt that Detroit wasn't focused at times in the Pacer series but am glad that they imposed their Will when it came down to crunch time. Out of all the teams in the NBA, the Pistons play the best all around game in todays NBA IMO & for that I'm grateful since I'm usually bored to death otherwise with a few exceptions. Hopefully Shaq can go cuz it would be a Helluva series IMO...

I'm a U.S. Navy servicemember now for over 20 years and counting, so to call someone a "homer" that you don't even know isn't too cool. Remember, God loves you!

Now this one has me completely confused. I'm surprised that "homer" shows up on your "bad list". Being a homer is more than understandable for an ardent fan but usually simplifies things to catch phrases which you did. That's not a derogatory term but a description that fits this convo.

"Detroit beat Shaq & the Lakers" is an accurate assessment of last year while "Detroit beat Shaq & reduced him to a non factor" isn't, thus the point/counterpoint.

Check with others on this site & you'll find that I don't go around insulting people. You'll also find that I don't get angry tho, while this isn't one of those times, I have been mildly annoyed in the past...:nod:

In this new age of PC awareness, it seems almost everything can be construed as being an insult in some fashion. So while I'm sorry that you find homer to be a not cool thing, I drew a line in the sand a while ago where I don't offer apologies where I don't think they apply. I've been on this planet too long to start re-working my personal dictionary to suit the times.

However, since I know your feelings now, I'll refrain from using the term...;)


I'm just telling my thoughts, thats all! Don't get mad. Pretty soon it will be facts.

Like I was telling mine....:) No hard feelings on my end. :D

Stay cool Tarkus, and enjoy the East Conf Finals.

:cheers:

[doublee]

Quite honestly Kobe running down the court and chucking up jumpers and trying to drive through double teams and basically refusing to share the ball unless he got trapped did more to contain Shaq as much as the Pistons' defense did. It got to the point where Shaq was just taking the ball and chucking it up because he knew he was not going to get it back once Kobe got it back again.

[DETMURDS]

Tarkus, ...I'm ok if you see being a "Homer" that way I guess. To be honest, I'm not that fragile, but wasn't sure if you were just wanting to flex some "internet muscles" like some do? Shame on me, and sorry. You are ok with me, and call me "Homer" anytime you like! I, like you have no hard feeling either.

doublee, that is a good point!

[buckeyefan78]

Detroit has something to prove, no doubt. This is kinda like 89 when the Lakers rolled into the Finals on a 17 game winning streak only to lose Scott and Magic to injuries and barely get beaten in a four game sweep. Physical injuries to L.A. 16 years ago, mental injuries to one psycho (wonder who that could be) last year make me wonder how good Detroit really is. Knowing this team though, they are up for the challenge.

[DETMURDS]

You are right, they do have something to prove, they must prove that they are good enough to win a second "Back To Back" Championship!

Oh, and "M GO BLUE!"

[Tarkus]

Originally posted by DETMURDS
....they must prove that they are good enough to win a second "Back To Back" Championship!



:lol: DET...

You've got the flair of Yogi Berra in ya, my friend. This reminds me of the one..."It's like Deja Vu, all over again...:D