Way to go Pistons!!!!

Go Pistons!

 

They definately deserved to win game one, but don't kid yourself into thinking they can take the whole thing!
The lakers just need to adjust to the defensive intensity and heart that comes with eastern basketball. Once they do they will snuff it out in 6 or 7.
This is a good series for me though - I am originally from Michigan, then moved to southern california. So I can get along with either team winning, but the whole rest of the season was focused on the Lakers for me..

 

I'd agree that the Pistons played well -- certainly way better than any of the Pistons-Pacers games I saw.

The Lakers aren't as dominating as they think they are IMO -- they were one super-super-incredibly-lucky shot away from not getting past Round 2 and can be beat. I'd still pick the Lakers for now, but if Detroit plays like that every game they've got a great chance to win.

(Like the NCAAs -- by this time I'm pretty much burned out on the whole thing -- way too long -- they need to get rid of one round and make the regular season more meaningful.)

 

I was glad to see the Pistons stick it to LA. Everyone thought the Lakers would roll over the Pistons and it was good to see the shock in their eyes when they realized it wasn't going to happen.

Tuesday is another day, and the Lakers now know what to expect. They should come back strong, and will probably win the series. If the Pistons can pull it off on Tuesday they'll head to Auburn Hills with a convincing lead and home court advantage. That would be awesome, but I expect LA to have a few new tricks up their sleeve in the next game.

 

I say Pistons will win in 7 games. If Chauncey can score at least 20 a game the Pistons will have a chance at winning the series. Tuesdays game should be interesting.

 

It's got to take a lot of energy to play like that every game. I'm no Fakers fan, but everyone but Kobe and Shaq seemed to be at about 1/2 speed. I'm all for the Pistons, but we'll see...

 

Just remember what happened to the Spurs and Larry Brown's Sixers when they got cocky......

DL

 

The Sixers eked out an OT win in game one with good defense and 48 points from A.I. The Lakers could not contain him. The Pistons have probably the best team defense in NBA history and play as a true team, not relying on one or two "superstars" to carry them. Not really a good analogy there. As far as the Pistons taking the championship this year, I carry more of a hope and less of a prediction right now.

Anybody else dying to see Jack pop an artery if the Pistons take game two?

 

And the Spurs?

DL

 

It had nothing to do with being cocky. They could have been as humble as hell and it wouldn't have made a difference. Philadelphia teams are programmed by God to self-destruct when it counts. Trust me. I've dealt with the shame my entire life.

 

You know, if you feel that way about it....move to California!!

DL

 

thats hilarious. I followed the NBA like it was my business until that series. The Lakers are to basketball what the Yankees are to baseball. Rich and powerful. It would be good to see a defense driven team like the pistons to win the series. This would be nice but highly unlikely. Lakers in 6.

 

The comparison between the two teams is not really valid.
The yankees buy great players in their prime because they have the money to do so.
The NBA has a salary cap. The reason they have the four future hall-of-famers right now is because Karl and Gary sacrificed millions of dollars in the last reasonably good year of their career to play for a team that has a chance to take it all, and if they get this one, I believe those two will be gone next year. It's a last-ditch effort by some tired warriors who have failed many times before. Give them some credit for doing what they have to do to finish their careers with a bang and to experience the one basketball-related high they have yet to feel. We'll see if they can actually come through, but the lakers are not the overdogs they once were and next year another, younger team will inherit the west.
Maybe I'm a softy, but it'd be nice to see Payton and Malone win a championship and it's time for Jordan's coach to break red auerbach's record for total championships.
Go Lakers!

 

yes yes... go lakers! woohoo... shaq attack 3 peat 4 peat... and all that other good stuff

cough * sarcasm * cough

 

Hey Suckah ah'm gettin mine even if you got a problem with it

(Infra adds: ... for no apparent reason)

 

I agree completely with your opinion of the NBA playoffs, but I don't agree that it applies to the NCAA's. I could never get burned out on that tournament.

 

I see the Pistons winning in six games, or maybe even five. Reasons:

1. In game one, Detroit did not need to employ the “hack-a-Shaq”. But if they have to, they’ve got the bench to do so very effectively, with Okur and Campbell both being dispensable behind the Wallaces. Even Milicic could get into the act, although I’d fear for Darko’s life if O’Neal backed into him.

2. Also in game one, the Pistons won despite a sub-par performance by Rip Hamilton. I don’t see Hamilton being contained in many future games. Bryant can be a great defender, but he doesn’t seem to be able to string good defensive games together.

3. Malone has been a great player, an instant HOFer. But (even taking his age out of the equation), he cannot be as great as he was when paired with Stockton. I don’t see anyone on the Lakers capable of teaming with him to that level of effectiveness. This is understandable, considering how long Karl and John played together.

4. I don’t think Payton’s terrible showing was a fluke. I believe he will continue to be victimized by the younger Pistons, just as Miller (6 points or less in 4 of the games) was in the previous series.

5. Despite denials from the Lakers, I think Derek Fisher is far from 100%.

6. Finally, a somewhat cynical reason: it has been clear that Bryant has had his strongest games in the playoffs when he has had to return from a trial appearance. I don’t think he has any more court dates in Colorado for the remainder of the series.

I will admit that all of the above may be wishful thinking on my part, given that as a lifelong Celtics fan I have an extreme dislike of the Lakers. But I don’t think I will have to “eat crow” for my prediction.

 

But the real question is... considering the Lakers are a favorite by 8 points, who's going to win after the spread? My opinion: I'm a die hard Lakers fan since I live here but Detroit's 5-1 ATS in their last 6 so you know who I'm going with. (and have been going with)

DET is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 on the road.
Under is 7-2-1 in DET last 10 on the road.
Pistons are 7-2 ATS in their last nine overall.
Under is 7-3 in LAL last 10 as a 8-8.5 Fav.
LAL are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings.
Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last six overall.

More at: http://wwts.covers.com/data/nba/game/g5_main_1.html

 

The series is now tied at 1-1 now. You guys can watch the game tonight, but this result is already a foregone conclusion.

 

YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!! Its ON now Motown....

DL

 

Lucky, very lucky...

 

Jerry,

First the NON-ticket and now calling the victory 3 hours before gametime?

VEGAS BABY, VEGAS!!!

DL