Detroit or San Antonio?

[Susvain]

Im one of the only people i know who are picking Detroit. Ben and
'Sheed can stop Duncan. Tayshaun, hamilton and chauncey can stop manu and tony. Detroit, who isnt as deep but a little more offense in my opinion. The X factor is the bench, whichever teams bench is more productive will probally win the series.

[Tuggan]

Im going for Detroit, black people tip when the Pistons are winning.

[xaoshaen]

I'm a Spurs fan, so I'm definitely biased. I have to say though, that if you think that Detroit is more capable offensively, you've been smoking something illegal. You have all five Detroit starters dedicated to stopping three Spurs. That's not a good thing if you're pulling for Detroit.

On the other end of the court, Duncan can guard Sheed. Do you really think that Wallace will outscore Duncan for the series? Timmy is simply a better player on both ends of the court. Either Nazr Mohammed or Rasho can cover Ben Wallace and still be able to offer help defense on penetration. Bowen can cover Hamilton. Ginobili can cover Prince. Parker can match up with Billups. Once the second teams hit the floor, I'll take Barry, Horry, and Beno against McDyess, Hunter, and Arroyo any day. I don't really see many offensive opportunities for the Pistons to exploit.

I don't expect the series to be high scoring, but my vote's gotta stay with my team. Spurs take it all.

[Tuggan]

Playoff Stats thus far.

Detroit San Antonio

42.8 Rebounds 42.3
21.2 Assists 19.3
6.7 Steals 6.0
91.7 Points For 102.2
85.9 Points Against 95.1


Im by no means a basketball expert, Im not even really much of a fan. Those numbers look like a pretty evenly matched series. Lakers fans were cocky as hell, and paid for it. From the stuff ive heard on the radio, and read in articles... San Antonio fans arent showin the respect a defending champion team deserves.

[xaoshaen]

Playoff Stats thus far.

Detroit San Antonio

42.8 Rebounds 42.3
21.2 Assists 19.3
6.7 Steals 6.0
91.7 Points For 102.2
85.9 Points Against 95.1


Im by no means a basketball expert, Im not even really much of a fan. Those numbers look like a pretty evenly matched series. Lakers fans were cocky as hell, and paid for it. From the stuff ive heard on the radio, and read in articles... San Antonio fans arent showin the respect a defending champion team deserves.

Consider the opposition each faced as well. Frankly, it doesn't matter a bit what the fans think. If San Antonio players were to overlook the Pistons' accomplishments, they'd be in trouble, but there's zero chance of that happening.

[Tuggan]

im not arguing, moreso curious.

are Denver, Seatle and Pheonix really all that much better than Philly, Indiana, and Miami?

I know the Suns were excellent during the regular season, the rest im not really familiar with.

[Zanchief]

are Denver, Seatle and Pheonix really all that much better than Philly, Indiana, and Miami?

Yes.

[vonkaar]

are Denver, Seatle and Pheonix really all that much better than Philly, Indiana, and Miami?

Yes.

My money is on San Antonio - in 6.

[xaoshaen]

im not arguing, moreso curious.

are Denver, Seatle and Pheonix really all that much better than Philly, Indiana, and Miami?

I know the Suns were excellent during the regular season, the rest im not really familiar with.

The Suns had the best regular season record in the league with 62 wins. They swept the Grizzles, and beat the Mavs in six. They won a single game against the Spurs.

Seattle... meh. I like Seattle. I grew up with Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp on the radio. Nate McMillan was one of my all time favorite players. Their team was better than people thought this year... but they had to play out of their minds to take two against the Spurs. McMillan coached them beautifully too. He knew the only way the Sonics could compete is by thugging the hell out of the Spurs, especially Ginobili and Duncan. The paint was closer to a wrestling ring than a basketball court at times. The weakest of the teams that SanAn played in the postseason.

The Nuggets were on a 34-8 run entering the playoffs. George Karl had probably the hottest team in the league at the start of the playoffs, and they took the opener against the Spurs, in San Antonio. The Spurs won the next four games.

Philly wasn't impressive. Iverson is an amazing the player. The rest of the team isn't. Dalembert could be terrific, but it looks like we won't find out until he escapes Jim O'Brien.

Indiana should never have made the playoffs, let alone the second round. They can thank a weak conference and an absurdly weak Atlantic division that gifted the Celtics with the third seed for the opportunity to meet the Pistons. Had Indy been fully-manned, they'd have been a helluva team, but with O'Neal crippled and Artest watching, they made the playoffs on sheer heart... and playing in the East.

The Heat took Detroit to seven games despite having their two best players (by orders of magnitude) injured. Shaq was crippled by a thigh hematoma so sever they drained ounces of blood from it on a daily basis. Imagine playing with a bruise so severe, you were essentially donating blood every day. Wade missed game 6 and was clearly hobbled by his rib injury in Game 7. That said, the Pistons clearly didn't have their A game all the time in this series, it shouldn't have taken them seven games. If they keep their heads in the game, I would expect them to play much better against San Antonio than they did against the Heat overall. Of course, San Antonio won't be relying on Udonis Haslem and Damon Jones either...

[Zanchief]

San Antonio may lose the 1st game, but they might sweep the next 4 afterwards.

[Zanchief]

Game 2 is such a must win with the 2-3-2 series. If Detroit loses game 2 they will most likely atleast lose one of the 3 games at home which forces them to win two elimination games back to back in San Antonio.

It's not looking good for the defending champs.

[Rotj]

Prince was getting way too easy looks at the basket. He should've made them pay. But knowing Pop and his crew that will probably change.

Oh yeah..God, I love Manu.

[Lyion]

Spurs in 6. There is just no comparison when you go down the benches. 5v5 I give Detroit the edge, but it's not just a 5 on 5 game.

Although I'd argue your point that Ginobli can guard Prince, Xao. I don't think he can.

I do think the Spurs need to clamp down on Billups more.

[vonkaar]

Game 1 notes:
Tim Duncan - the big fundamental. He simply shows up and performs. Freaking amazing.
Bruce Bowen - my least favorite Spur. Actually, I hate him... but god Damn if he isn't an amazing defender. I still put Artest over him, but he *really* made a difference out there. Rip needs to equal Ginobili's numbers for the champs to stay in this. Otherwise...
Prince needs to clamp down on Ginobili in a similar fashion. You can't lose on both fronts... If Bowen handles Rip AND Ginobili gets 25+, game over. Sheed and Billups can't score 75 points.

[Tacks]

Oh look, another game where I wanted to show Ginobili's nuts down his throat. I hate that fucking guy, he should be playing soccer along with the other long-haired flopping fagbosses in argentina. I was hoping Wallace would punch him on that charging foul, he needs it.

Other than that, that game was a fucking snoozefest. Defensive teams are boring to watch. I doubt I'll watch till the elimination games.

[vonkaar]

"True" basketball fans are loving this series...

[Lyion]

I really liked the game. I thought Detroit had the right scheme, until Manu went apeshit.
Throughout the Heat and Game 1, Billups impresses me more and more.

Anger management, Taxx. Getting mad at a sports figure should dissipate once you leave your teenage years behind.

[Tacks]

Eat me asshole Lyion.

Yeah I'm totally flying out to the next game to stalk him...fucking moron. 37% shooting percentage an entertaining game does not make. Defensive games are boring to watch. I'd rather see high scores and sloppy defense. Fuck the basketball elitists. I don't want to watch baseball on a court.

[vonkaar]

to each her own, I guess.

[Zanchief]

Spike should be running a season of slamball pretty soon, Taxx.

I don't know how anyone can hate Manu. The guy is fast becoming my favorite ball player. He's just incredible.

As for the series, I'll say it again, all of Detroits hopes are on the next game. If they lose on sunday it's all over.

[Tacks]

I could care less if I'm not a basketball elitist, slamball is entertaining as well...which is what the point of sports are...to be entertaining.

The only reason I hate Manu is because of his flopping. That and his stupid long greasy hair!

[xaoshaen]

Spike should be running a season of slamball pretty soon, Taxx.

I don't know how anyone can hate Manu. The guy is fast becoming my favorite ball player. He's just incredible.

As for the series, I'll say it again, all of Detroits hopes are on the next game. If they lose on sunday it's all over.

I would hesitate to say that any series is over until the home team loses. San Antonio is supposed to win the games in San An. I do still think that they'll pull it out, but I don't think winning the first two games at home guarantees it.

I agree on Ginobili, one helluva fun ballplayer to watch. Duncan is still the man though. Despite the attention lavished on Ginobili for his fourth quarter, Duncan practically single-handedly kept them in the game for the first three quarters.

[xaoshaen]

Eat me asshole Lyion.

Yeah I'm totally flying out to the next game to stalk him...fucking moron. 37% shooting percentage an entertaining game does not make. Defensive games are boring to watch. I'd rather see high scores and sloppy defense. Fuck the basketball elitists. I don't want to watch baseball on a court.

Bullshit. If a team shoots 37% because they can't hit an open jumper, or they're incapable of executing an offense, that's ugly. When a team shoots 37% because their opponents fill all the passing lanes, play beautiful off the ball defense, and contest every shot, that's great. Why should brilliant execution on defense be any less rewarded than on the offensive end? It's not like the Spurs are out there thugging (Knicking?) people to death. They're just playing amazing team defense.

Can you imagine going to a baseball game and complaining that it was boring because they didn't commit any errors, or because the pitching didn't suck? How about going to a football game and complaining that it sucked because the coverage didn't break down, or that the pass rush wasn't pitiful enough?

[Zanchief]

I just don't see Detroit winning 3 games in a row, homecourt or otherwise.

That, to me, is one of the many flaws of the 2-3-2 homecourt system.

[xaoshaen]

I just don't see Detroit winning 3 games in a row, homecourt or otherwise.

That, to me, is one of the many flaws of the 2-3-2 homecourt system.

I prefer the 2-2-1-1-1 system myself.