<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">^ Funny thing about that comment on facts is, many Piston fans I see ARE using facts.. not that it's bad or anything.. just thought I should point that out.</div>There is nothing wrong with using facts. But to ask what facts someone has for predicting an outcome of a series is ridiculous, especially when that team won game 1.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">No it doesn't but it could give you a good picture of how the series is going to play out. The Pistons showed they can beat the Lakers and beat them on their home court. Pistons in 7 is not a far out statement.</div> Well I've already pointed out to one of the other mods here that this series wasn't going to be a cakewalk series. No way did I ever say it was going to be simple, nor did I say that the Pistons would just roll over and die. But my problem with these Piston fans are they think the championship is theirs because of themselves taking Game 1. One game doesn't prove anything, and if Detroit isn't careful, LA can turn it up like they always do when they are challenged and silence the critics once again. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Why the hell do Pistons fans or anybody need any facts?</div> How is it arrogant?? You should look around and listen to the trashtalking around Bay Area radio stations with Piston fans being so cocky and selfish saying that the Lakers won't have enough in the bag to beat the Pistons just because we looked so stagnant, flat, and downright sloppy after only one game. So besides their defense, which seems like everybody's fact these days, what else?? If Rip Hamilton gets shut down by Kobe, if Malone can be physical with Wallace which he is capable of doing with Duncan and Garnett, if Payton can finally get out of his slump and defend Billups during screen and rolls, what else does Detroit have?? It all doesn't come down to defense, you also need to score points on your end of the floor.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I've already pointed out to one of the other mods here that this series wasn't going to be a cakewalk series. No way did I ever say it was going to be simple, nor did I say that the Pistons would just roll over and die. But my problem with these Piston fans are they think the championship is theirs because of themselves taking Game 1. One game doesn't prove anything, and if Detroit isn't careful, LA can turn it up like they always do when they are challenged and silence the critics once again.</div> At least most Pistons fans waited until their team won a game before proclaiming the series theirs. The majority of Lakers' fans claimed the rings before anyone even stepped on the court. For any Laker fan to call Pistons' fans arrogant is hypocritical beyond hypocritical.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dre:</div><div class="quote_post">At least most Pistons fans waited until their team won a game before proclaiming the series theirs. The majority of Lakers' fans claimed the rings before anyone even stepped on the court. For any Laker fan to call Pistons' fans arrogant is hypocritical beyond hypocritical.</div> :mrgreen: Dre, from what I've heard on my Bay Area radio station the Ticket 1050 latenight all throughout this week, Piston fans were already talking trash as if they already won the championship even before Game 1 ever started.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting iamme:</div><div class="quote_post">this isn't Philly, my friend. That Philly team had Iverson and not much else. Plus, it took OT to win that one. for every "fact" that the Lakers should win, i could give you a "fact" that the Pistons will win. Just because someone picked against your team, doesn't make it any less valid than yours.</div>No, it might not be Philly, but this isn't SA either and I think SA is way better than Det. Obviously, the first game didn't mean anything. Look at SA-LAL series... Down 0-2 then sweeping the rest? They can very easily come back form 0-1... Put it this way... They want to win the 'ship at home this year! win one in LA, 2 in DET, and another in LA!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I've already pointed out to one of the other mods here that this series wasn't going to be a cakewalk series. No way did I ever say it was going to be simple, nor did I say that the Pistons would just roll over and die. </div>Yea but you did say the Lakers would win this series and I don't see why you get all over someone for having a different opinion than yours. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But my problem with these Piston fans are they think the championship is theirs because of themselves taking Game 1. </div>This has just given the Pistons and the Pistons fans more confidence. They were predicting the Pistons to win the series BEFORE the series started as well weren't they? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">One game doesn't prove anything, and if Detroit isn't careful, LA can turn it up like they always do when they are challenged and silence the critics once again.</div>Trust me, the Pistons aren't over looking the Lakers by any means, that is an insult to the Pistons. They are professionals and proved it by stealing game 1. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> How is it arrogant?? You should look around and listen to the trashtalking around Bay Area radio stations with Piston fans being so cocky and selfish saying that the Lakers won't have enough in the bag to beat the Pistons just because we looked so stagnant, flat, and downright sloppy after only one game. </div>So you are going to stoop down to the same level as them and act like an unintellegent bball fan? No offense but all that is is trash talk. I wouldn't take it to heart. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So besides their defense, which seems like everybody's fact these days, what else?? If Rip Hamilton gets shut down by Kobe, if Malone can be physical with Wallace which he is capable of doing with Duncan and Garnett, if Payton can finally get out of his slump and defend Billups during screen and rolls, what else does Detroit have??</div>LOL...those are A LOT of if's. Same could be said for the Pistons. If the Pistons don't miss 20 lay ups, if if if. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> It all doesn't come down to defense, you also need to score points on your end of the floor.</div>Most of it comes down to defense. Hamilton had a off game and the Pistons still managed to score enough points to win. Not very comforting is it?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea but you did say the Lakers would win this series and I don't see why you get all over someone for having a different opinion than yours.</div> It was a bold statement by that particular member. If you're gonna come out straight up and say the Detroit Pistons are going to win the title without breaking it down, how is that gonna prove your theory?? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Most of it comes down to defense. Hamilton had a off game and the Pistons still managed to score enough points to win. Not very comforting is it?</div> Well both teams played well defensively with the Lakers only allowing the Pistons 85 points. But a big part of their victory was due to their role players hitting clutch shots, and we were flat throughout the entire game. Now, I expect the Lakers to make adjustments accordingly and to come out tomorrow night with a better effort. They know it's a must win regardless. I trust this club, we've been in this type of situation before with San Antonio, actually having it worse with a 2-0 deficit, so if we win Game 2 and split this series heading into Detroit, I like our chances. I'll let my team's performance throughout this series speak on my behalf.
The Pistons did exactly what they set out to do and the Lakers were not prepared. The Pistons let Kobe and Shaq get theres, and shutdown everyone else on the Lakers squad. Both Malone and Payton should be ashamed of the way they handled themselves last night. All the credit has to be given to Larry Brown preparing his team and executing a sound gameplan. Tayshaun Prince is going to be the 'X' factor for the Pistons in this series, and he put a dagger in the Lakers when he hit the 3 point shot to push the lead back up to 9 points and stopped a late Laker run. I'm not concerned with the loss, but it was disappointing to see the Lakers end their home playoff run of undefeated games. It was also embarrassing to see how pathetic they played for their home fans. They were flat and didn't play with any energy until far too, late in the game. Hopefully the next game is not ugly basketball and the Lakers comeback prepared and ready to play for four quarters. Kobe needs to attack the rim, instead of settling for long range jump shots. Karl Malone needs to remember how to make an open jump shot, the guards definitely need to step up in Game 2. They are the reason the Lakers lost in Game 1. No production from Payton, Fisher, or Rush on offense, and Billups lit them all up on the other end of the court. On the positive side, the longer the series goes, the more basketball to watch!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">It was a bold statement by that particular member. If you're gonna come out straight up and say the Detroit Pistons are going to win the title without breaking it down, how is that gonna prove your theory??</div>They have broken it down many times and its very simple: if the pistons play their great defense and score above 85 points, they'll win. Go to the Lakers forum and you will see endless posts about how the Lakers had this series wrapped up before it started. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Well both teams played well defensively with the Lakers only allowing the Pistons 85 points. </div>The Pistons averaged 75 points in their last series against the Pacers. Letting the Pistons score 85 points is not good defense. In fact, if they average 85 PPG or above throughout this series they will win it. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But a big part of their victory was due to their role players hitting clutch shots, and we were flat throughout the entire game.</div>You were flat because of good defense. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> we've been in this type of situation before with San Antonio, actually having it worse with a 2-0 deficit,</div>Total different situation. The Spurs won those at home. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> so if we win Game 2 and split this series heading into Detroit, I like our chances. I'll let my team's performance throughout this series speak on my behalf. </div>You should because you ain't helping your cause. lol..you say it as though you are a part of this team.
I find myself quite content LoL, well the funny thing about this series is this. I have seen alot of talk in the forum and alot of the talk stems from before the series. I had made alot of points as well have several other Pistons fans on why the pistons would take this series. The points made and predictions expressed, have all been about right on the money. I had said the Pistons in 5 and that was un heard of. Others said Pistons in 7 well if the Pistons play game 5 like they did the previous 4 then it's over on Tues. I know your thinking (all four games) yes game 2 was the Piston's for the taking and the ONLY reason that the Lakers won that game was a great but lucky shot by Bryant with 2.1 seconds on the clock. The Pistons are dominating at home and I am going to say, they will continue that on Tues. and bring the Championship back to the fans. I said Shaq would be slowed. Shaq has been slowed somewhat, not completely and Kobe is not being the play maker he normally is, for ONE reason D' fence. Kobe is tired he's running through screens all game and he is getting collapsed upon every time he touches the ball. The Laker bench is ineffective and where has Deavon George been? The Pistons are playing Pistons basketball and it helps that they are a complete team. The Lakers are not a complete team, they to this point in the series are a 2 maybe 1.5 man team. Malone is injured and ineffective and Payton well enough said on that one. The Lakers are playing as they are, beaten up and Old. In final thought, the Pistons are the better team and once they win Tues. I don't care what excuse the Lakers use, the Pistons will have won because of the fact that they were and are the best team. I understand that it's a brave statement to say the Pistons will win tues. but hey I am still a fan and well with the way things are going, anyone who's been watching can see that the Lakers already look defeated.
