2nd Round Series- Pistons vs. Nets

I doubt it will happen, but I really hope they can sweep this series, would be a huge confidence boost for going up against teams like Indiana, Minnesota, Sacramento etc (considering who wins and what not)

 

Nets 82 Pistons 64

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="3">EAST RUTHERFORD,</font> N.J., May 9 (Ticker) -- With Richard Jefferson providing the offense, the New Jersey Nets had plenty of defense to get back into their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Jefferson poured in a playoff career-high 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting, leading the Nets to an 82-64 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 3.
Recap</div>

I didn't get to see this game and automatically assumed that Detroit would get the W. But I see the Nets breezed through Detroit like the Lakers did with the Spurs. Nets protected homecourt today in fine fashion.

 

It was Kidd, all Kidd. I'm really glad Jefferson's game was on, he really lit it up. Imagine what he'll be like next year. I think the Nets can take it, but my main concern overall is how well Harris and Collins play, although they're not that high caliber their contributions are usually pretty good, although stupid missed shots certainly don't outweight their messups. Rodgers goes under that too. Great win, I hope they can keep it up. Whoever wins though is going to have their hands full come play time with the Pacers.

 

Nets win game 3 as they needed to, they came out with so much energy and really pu Detroit in a huge hole most of the game. They made a run but in the end the lead was too large to get it under 8.

Huge game from Richard Jefferson with 30 points, everything was dropping for him and Pistons couldn't buy a bucket. NJ just wanted the win far more.

Alot like the Lakers/Spurs game 3.

 

Jefferson isn't going to be unconsious like that even two games in a row IMO. He was totally in a zone, made some unbelievable shots. I look for game 4 to (finally) be a closely contested game. Hopefully the Pistons can keep it close and nip them at the end.

 

Wow. 44-43 halftime Pistons up. These teams scored! Someone could've told me 44-43 as the final score and I would probably believe them :mrgreen:

 

Wow, what another great game. Richard Jefferson with the big block on Chauncey only for Chauncey to hit a big 3 to take it to overtime. What a second round series.

 

Another game 5 with some clutch shooting. Bring on OT. Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles are delivering for the Nets, Martin with 22 points and 9 rebounds but he's fouled out. Kittles has 18 points, 10 rebounds. All the Pistons starters have double digits in points, and Ben Wallace has more points than rebounds.

 

Anyone see that call? RJ is a good actor

 

Damn, this game's gettin good 2 OTs

 

this was probably the best game i've ever been to.

insane.

too bad it had to end in a loss

well, the series isn't over yet. we need to bring some of the good things we brought back to life from game 5 to game 6.

 

Damn...Damn....Damn.....what a game..

 

Well, I had to come back and post after this game. Impossible not too.

There isn't much that can be said, the game was a classic. Too bad that we now lost the season, a few of our players, and all respect for Larry Brown.

Now you may ask why I believe that the Pistons lost the season. Well, even if we beat the Nets, we won't be able to beat the Pacers without a healthy Rasheed or healthy Billups. Besides, before that happens we have to beat the Nets, who have all the momentum in the series right now. Only good thing is that we will have a rested Hamilton on Sunday.

Losing the players and respect for Larry Brown comes in one category. Now, when Carlisle was fired, I was confused. He was the best young coach in the NBA and he was taking the Pistons farther then we had gone in a while. Then we got Larry Brown and everything seemed alright. We drafted Darko, started the season, played through some bumps. It became evident that Larry Brown hated Okur. (And Darko but thats not important) Now fast forward to the playoffs, specifically the series against the Nets. Pistons were destroyed on the Nets home court and we needed a game 5 win.

The game was great, it was the only close game of the series. Pistons made mistakes and the Nets made mistakes. Pistons could have wrapped the game up in the 4th quarter, but we went 0-10 from the field in the last 4 minutes. (Not including Billups 3-pointer) When all hope seeming faded with 2.9 seconds left and the Pistons down by 3, Billups nailed a Jerry West type shot.

So we go into overtime and just can't get a grip on the game. Some particular issues with the overtimes are Billups 3-point attempt at the end of the first OT, and Prince's "I'll let the ball go out of bounds instead of grabbing it and ending the game" in the 2nd OT. (The play where Scalabrine saved it, gave it to Jefferson who hit a FT to tie the game.)

Skip to the part where Rasheed Wallace fouls out. At this point, we lost Rasheed, Rip, and Ben. The Nets lost their 4 tallest players. Common sense tells you to put in Okur or Elden. Both are taller than their last remaining tall guy (who is 6'9") and would be able to get some easy points in the paint. Now you might say, why Okur, he always takes jump shots. Fine, get Elden to do it. He would be in the paint and nobody would be able to stop him. They would have to foul him or just let him dunk the ball freely. Instead, Brown put in Darvin "I can't buy a damn layup" Ham. We lose the game. Fine, mistakes are acceptable.

Skip to the post-game conference with Larry Brown. Asked why he didn't play Okur or Elden, Larry Brown said something along the lines of:

We played from behind most of the OT and we needed guys who could defend and be a bit faster.

(Everything is fine up until this point...followed by)

Darvin Ham plays the "right way." Okur and Elden would not have been able to defend the Nets' faster players and would have been ineffective. If you can't defend then you don't get a change to play.


Okay, now lets break that down. Darvin Ham plays the "right way." What does that mean you wonder? Well, lets see what Darvin Ham did after he was put in the game. He commited his usual two fouls as soon as he was put on the court, missed a very simple layup/dunk and was pretty much useless at defending as their players were still completely open taking threes. (Jefferson, Scalabrine, and Harris) Now, he says that Okur and Elden can't defend. Well, neither could Darvin Ham. At least we would get some points with either of the tall guys.

Now I'm slightly mad, listening to Brown talk about how "proud he is to have been in a game that good", thats great if we won but we lost. Asked if he regrets not playing Okur or Elden, he gave a one word response, "no." What the hell is no? We might have won the game if we put them in, instead he decides to offend them by saying that they can't play. First thing I'm thinking if I'm Memo Okur is "I'm getting the hell out of here if Brown is the coach." Now, Elden might retire unless we are able to keep him. Rasheed might also leave if he feels that he can't win a championship here. What happens if all 3 leave? We have Darko starting at the 5! Won't that be exciting. This doesn't even include Brown not preparing our players to play in the Nets' arena.

Anyways, that was my little rant. I was just a tiny bit pissed off at the whole situation, including Brown's coaching, our missed oppurtunities, and the final outcome of the classic game.

Good game Nets, and may the better team win on Sunday.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Losing the players and respect for Larry Brown comes in one category</div>.

Well I dont know if you lost repect for your players & coach Brown before last night's game but no one on the Pistons did anything last night that should make you lose respect for them, especially not coach brown, he actually drew up a couple of good plays in the OT's to put you in position to win. I like the play having Billups play off the ball & come off a double screen for the game winner. Billups just missed the shot.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Skip to the part where Rasheed Wallace fouls out. At this point, we lost Rasheed, Rip, and Ben. The Nets lost their 4 tallest players. Common sense tells you to put in Okur or Elden</div>.

Please explain to me how it is common sense because they are taller lets be serious for a minutes. When it comes down to that type of situation in 3OT everybody tried, Cats are grabbing at their ankles & can hardly move because they have played so long & heard. Its never about size, or hieght, its all about heart.

Okur wasnt in the game simply because when he was in the game earlier his shot selection was poor. And two of his shots didnt come close to hitting the gym let alone, the rim. No Way as a coach do you risk putting a guy like that in the game with a win on the line.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Fine, get Elden to do it. He would be in the paint and nobody would be able to stop him</div>.

Why would you put a guy in the game in Overtime that hadnt played 1 minute in the whole game? especially a older guy like Campbell, it would have took him to long to get lose & into the game. The 1st at least 5 minutes he would have been on the court, he would have been trying to get lose. He wouldnt have been that moible. To much risk putting in a guy like that in this situation.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They would have to foul him or just let him dunk the ball freely. Instead, Brown put in Darvin "I can't buy a damn layup" Ham. We lose the game. Fine, mistakes are acceptable</div>.

hmmm.... did you see how Richard Jefferson was abusing Prince in the OT's. You have to put Ham in the game to try & defend him. Jefferson at the type was the Nets best offense option in the half court, if you have a guy on the bench who can attempt to guard him you have to play him. Ham was the only guy on the Pistons squad who has the athletism to say with RJ. And Ham did his job he forced Jefferson to take two long jumpshots which still gave you a chance to win in the 3rd OT

The real arguement you could have is why didnt Brown go with Ham earlier in after the 1st OT win RJ scored 7pts. He should have put him in at the start of the 2nd OT becuase RJ was isoliating Prince in the 2nd OT as well & scored another 7pts. So by the time Ham got in the game RJ already had 14pts in OT's. So maybe if Ham is in the game RJ doesnt go for so many in the 1st 2 OT's. And maybe you pull one of them out & win the game.

Skip to the post-game conference with Larry Brown. Asked why he didn't play Okur or Elden, Larry Brown said something along the lines of:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">We played from behind most of the OT and we needed guys who could defend and be a bit faster.</div>

Well he is 100% right. You never go with offense in those type of situations because you take the approach both teams are to tried to score alot of points so one or two baskets could either win you the game or cost you the game. So you had Billups & Williamson as the guys to try & provide you those couple of baskets. And you have Ham in the game to prevent the guy that you as a coach expect to provide the Nets with a few of the baskets the Nets need to wini

(Everything is fine up until this point...followed by)

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Darvin Ham plays the "right way." Okur and Elden would not have been able to defend the Nets' faster players and would have been ineffective. If you can't defend then you don't get a change to play.</div>

Once again he was 100% right. Who would have Okur guard in that situation.
You could have tried to hide him on Scalibrine but he was the guy who was hitting the big shots in the 3rd OT, so hmm dont know if that would have worked. even if that would have worked, that would have meant that Prince would have either had to seat or guard RJ for the entire 3rd OT either way you would have still lost.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Okay, now lets break that down. Darvin Ham plays the "right way." What does that mean you wonder? Well, lets see what Darvin Ham did after he was put in the game. He commited his usual two fouls as soon as he was put on the court, missed a very simple layup/dunk and was pretty much useless at defending as their players were still completely open taking threes. (Jefferson, Scalabrine, and Harris)</div>

hmm.... I didnt remember Jefferson hitting any three's in the last OT. He had a three point play & that was when he crossed Prince on a isoliation on the baseline & drove to the basket. Davin Ham cant guard all five postions Scalibrine hit his shots because Corliss Williamson was slow getting back to his man after he helped to stop penetration, so he kept leaving Scali open. And Harris made a few shots when the Nets pushed the ball up quickly you cant really blame anyone on the Pistons for that.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Now, he says that Okur and Elden can't defend. Well, neither could Darvin Ham. At least we would get some points with either of the tall guys</div>.

Like I said Davin Ham did his job you rather make RJ take a few long jumpers, then drive to the basket everytime

Now I'm slightly mad, listening to Brown talk about how "proud he is to have been in a game that good", thats great if we won but we lost.

He has to keep the teams head up, so he let them know they were right there. If the Pistons go into New Jersey with their heads down they are going to get blown out. And the series will be over. LB is just trying to keep the spirits lifted. He said the Pistons give great effort which they did. This game could have went either way if a few shots drop here or a few missed there. This game wasnt won or lost because of a lack of effort on either side. So he right. And it was a great game, so he is right.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Asked if he regrets not playing Okur or Elden, he gave a one word response, "no." What the hell is no? We might have won the game if we put them in, instead he decides to offend them by saying that they can't play. First thing I'm thinking if I'm Memo Okur is "I'm getting the hell out of here if Brown is the coach</div>.

Okur must be your favorite player, well I hate to tell you this but it was clear to me that he wasnt ready to play in a big spot in Overtimes.


<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Elden might retire unless we are able to keep him. Rasheed might also leave if he feels that he can't win a championship here. What happens if all 3 leave? We have Darko starting at the 5! Won't that be exciting. This doesn't even include Brown not preparing our players to play in the Nets' arena</div>.

You got blown out in the Continental Arlines Arena because you turned the ball over to much and couldnt keep up to the Nets fastbreak. The same reason you lost the 2 games in New Jersey last year. So maybe it has more to do with the players then the coach.

We all know Billups can score.but maybe he isnt the floor leader the Pistons need to win difficult road games in the playoffs against quality opponents. May your tam overall just doesnt have the heart to win big road games honestly. Because for 2 years in a row the only players to show up against the Nets on the road have been RIP & Ben Wallace' effort. Its kind of crazy that it would happen in similar fashion in back to back years dont you think? A coach can put heart into players. but thier is still one more chance for the Pistons to prove them selves on the road.

 

my ONLY gripe in last night's game: we didn't attack RJ when he had 5 fouls in OT.

he had the hot hand (18 in OT, i think) and we should have kept going right at him until he got a foul.

the whole Memo thing is hard to say. hindsight is 20/20. if LB kept the small lineup and we won, we'd be praising his use of small-ball. if he put in Memo and then Memo got beat on the defensive end, we would be criticizing LB for putting in a defensive liability.

put the game behind us and let's work our a$$es off in game 6. i'm sure NJ is going to be confident playing the closing game at home. we need to come out intense and catch them off guard. easier said than done.....but 100% possible.

 

does coach brown dislike elden? is it that he has aged or something because he can still help a team and i'm not sure why he hasn't played more this series. did coach brown not play him a lot in the reg season? or was it every since sheed came aboard?

i still think it was a bad idea to get rid of carlisle. as you said pyro, he was young and had a great team. if you give him sheed and this team this year, they would all know his system for another year and be more confident in what to do in certain pressure situations. iknow coach brown is one of the top coaches in the league, but the move didnt seem necessary.

if your saying that the players lost confidence in coach brown, are you saying that they will come out flat in game 6 and lose because of a lack of confidence in their 1st yr, hall of fame coach? eventually the players have to step up and be responsible, don't they?

 

It's not looking to good for the Pistons right now. I thought they had this in the bag, but now face danger like the Spurs did last night and were sent packing. I don't know, Detroit still may have a chance and come back on them. Maybe.

 

So what's everybody got to say about LB now? He coached a HELL of a game tonight, and the Pistons won a big big playoff game on the road. Sure looked to me like the players had confidense in their coach. LB had them play just a little zone at the perfect spots in the game.

YEAH BABY! BACK TO DETROIT!!

 

Well, good thing we won, but hold on, where did I say that the PLAYERS lost confidence in Brown? All I said was that I was dissapointed with Brown after Game 5.

Anyways, good game tonight and it made me feel better about our team. However, I'm still left wondering why Brown took out the lineup of Okur, and the two Wallaces after the 2nd quarter when they were dominating. Nets were able to come back a bit with Prince in the game, but anyways, good win. Time to finish it at Detroit.

And I'm gone again, until the Finals, if we make it.