Nobody has the Pistons winning. All the talk is going towards the Mavericks, the Suns, and the Spurs. Don't make the mistake of 2004 though. Remember, no one talked about Detroit. Indiana was talked about more than Detroit.But, let me tell you, I do not see Detroit winning the title this season. Call me a bad fan, but there are a few things that need to be addressed before we can hope to win it all.1. Coach-Flip Saunders is not a playoff coach. He can win you a ton of games in the regular season, but when the playoffs come around, don't ever expect to see Saunders wearing a ring anytime soon. I miss Larry Brown2. Low Post Beast-Here is a list of the most recent champions, with their low post beast:2006: Miami Heat-Shaquille O'Neal2005: San Antonio Spurs-Tim Duncan2004: Detroit Pistons-Ben Wallace2003: San Antonio Spurs-Tim Duncan2002: Los Angeles Lakers-Shaquille O'Neal1994: Houston Rockets-Hakeem OlajuwonObviously, there is the Michael Jordan exception, but MJ is pretty much the greatest of all time, and the Pistons don't have a greatest of all time on their roster right now. Many say that Chris Webber is our low post beast, but realize this: he has lost a step in his game, along with Rasheed Wallace, and although both can score, neither are low post defenders that can help win a title.Here's what is interesting though: The Mavs really don't have a great low post threat. Dirk is an inside-outside threat, but he isn't a stud on defense. 3. Take Delfino Out in Crunchtime.-Small thing, but too many mistakes, too many games lost due to him. Bulls game last night? The game where he fouled Darrell Armstorng? Delf is okay, but seriously. Mistakes are costly.But, there is always a chance. Look at all of the options that Detroit has, even off the bench. We are still a solid defensive team, and our chemistry is top notch. But my biggest worry is that Flip Saunders will stick around here for several more years.
I honestly don't care what anyone else says, I just don't understand how the Pistons can be "underdogs". If they go to the finals my money will be on them to take it home.
Nobody talks about the Pistons because we all know they'll win the Eastern Coferene title and then loose to the Mavs. Kind of a given.Oh yeah - f*ck your team. Ruined our franchise.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Mar 30 2007, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nobody talks about the Pistons because we all know they'll win the Eastern Coferene title and then loose to the Mavs. Kind of a given.Oh yeah - f*ck your team. Ruined our franchise.</div>Larry Bird ruined your franchise when he broke a promise and fired Isiah Thomas after signing Jermaine O'Neal. He seemed to have better control of his players. Bird lit the fuse on the loony circus in Indiana.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Mar 30 2007, 11:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You serious? Even over the Mavs? I honestly have to disagree.</div>Yup, I think the Pistons will beat Dallas in seven games if that is so happen to be the finals we see this season. But I think the Spurs make the finals.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gentile @ Mar 30 2007, 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Larry Bird ruined your franchise when he broke a promise and fired Isiah Thomas after signing Jermaine O'Neal. He seemed to have better control of his players. Bird lit the fuse on the loony circus in Indiana.</div>No it was the stupid Detroit fans who couldn't keep their beer in their hands.
Yeah, yall arent underdogs...nobodys really talking about yall becuase the Pistons are pretty much a lock for Conf. Finals, and IMO, yall will go to the Finals to play the Mavs..where it should go down to very close games.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Mar 31 2007, 01:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No it was the stupid Detroit fans who couldn't keep their beer in their hands.</div>Sure. Getting hit with a cup of beer is what turned Ron Artest into an unstable certiable whack job. I don't think so.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Mar 31 2007, 01:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No it was the stupid Detroit fans who couldn't keep their beer in their hands.</div>Dude, it was the stupid Detroit fan (not plural), who couldn't keep the beer in his hand. But don't act like the Pacers don't have any dumb fans. I'm debating with one right now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Mar 30 2007, 11:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You serious? Even over the Mavs? I honestly have to disagree.</div>I think if the Pistons got to the finals they could beat the Mavs, I mean nobody thought the Heat could beat the mavs in the finals last year and they ended up doing so.
Delfino is in the game at te end to GAIN experience in those types of situations so he can get better during that time. Nobody plays clutch at the end of the game if it's their first time there and they don't know what to expect.Look at todays game against the Heat. He hit some big shots and made some nice steals and defensive plays at the end of the game..was a huge factor in why we won. I doubt that would have happened if it was the first time he had been in the game at the end.You don't need a low post "beast" to win in the finals. The only beast that makes a world of difference in Shaq..he is in a league of his own. I don't see the Heat winning it though, so no low post beast will either.As for Flip..I have hated Flip since he was in Minnesota..he just wasn't a good playoff coach. He was quite stubborn. I think Dumars and him had to have had a chat 2 months or so ago because he has stepped up quite a bit and began doing what was so obvious to us at home. I think he's coached great last few weeks, and I would hope it continues.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Combs @ Apr 1 2007, 04:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Delfino is in the game at te end to GAIN experience in those types of situations so he can get better during that time. Nobody plays clutch at the end of the game if it's their first time there and they don't know what to expect.Look at todays game against the Heat. He hit some big shots and made some nice steals and defensive plays at the end of the game..was a huge factor in why we won. I doubt that would have happened if it was the first time he had been in the game at the end.You don't need a low post "beast" to win in the finals. The only beast that makes a world of difference in Shaq..he is in a league of his own. I don't see the Heat winning it though, so no low post beast will either.As for Flip..I have hated Flip since he was in Minnesota..he just wasn't a good playoff coach. He was quite stubborn. I think Dumars and him had to have had a chat 2 months or so ago because he has stepped up quite a bit and began doing what was so obvious to us at home. I think he's coached great last few weeks, and I would hope it continues.</div>Still, the mistakes Delfino makes are killing us. Two games off the top of my head that we lost because of him.I guess it's better for him to play in the clutch now, rather than in games that really matter. Hakeem Olajuwon didn't make a world of difference? Tim Duncan didn't make a world of difference? I question that comment of yours.I still don't see us winning the title with Flip Saunders as coach.
I have been saying this since Saunders took over, Delfino is inconsistent. Granted he had a good game yesterday against the Heat but how many times have we seen him have a good game then dissapear for 2 then to come in and be a spark in the next game? It looks as if Murray has finnaly gotten into his groove and if he can continue this Hunter and him could be the next "Pitbulls". McDyess as I have said in a previous post is tearing it up lately but Delfino will be the X-Factor. He has to show that he can be consistent to be that scorer when he spells Rip/Tay coming off the bench. HoLLa baCk
I dont like us against the Spurs or Mavs but I think we could beat both teams.We would have a major chip on our shoulder to beat the Spurs and I dont think the Mavs bench even though they have stackhouse could keep up with our depth.But as for down low beasts I think CWebb, Sheed, JMax, Dyess, Davis, Mohammedcould beat Francisco Elson, Matt Bonner, Oberto and DuncanDampier, Diop, DirkStoudemire, Kurt ThomasShaq(will run out of Gas), ZoZyndrunas, VareajaoMy reason is that "We Just Will"Were a favorite in my book to win the East for sure and we should. but in the finals, were not going to be a fave against whoever comes out in the west. but we sure are going to be able to have our chances at winning it all, and I think that we quite possibly could win it all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>No it was the stupid Detroit fans who couldn't keep their beer in their hands.</div>the exact same thing happened to Allen Iverson and he didn't run into the stands.
Will & coaching are the key in order to win ! I am not sure we have either one of those things this season. Flip might be a good coach..he's not the Boss in the locker. This team has very emotional players that need to have "mentor" type coach; a coach they respect or even they "fear" a little, otherwise they are just loosing their focus like last yearHope Flip proves me wrong thought
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Apr 1 2007, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Still, the mistakes Delfino makes are killing us. Two games off the top of my head that we lost because of him.I guess it's better for him to play in the clutch now, rather than in games that really matter. Hakeem Olajuwon didn't make a world of difference? Tim Duncan didn't make a world of difference? I question that comment of yours.I still don't see us winning the title with Flip Saunders as coach.</div>Combs, your 2 for 2 in my book now. First you say that without Billups the Pistons are a LOTTERY team? Now Tim Duncan (2 time NBA MVP and 3 time finals MVP) doesn't make a world of difference? :no3: :no3: :no3: :no3:
