Preview: 2004 NBA Finals Pistons @ Lakers 6/6/04 <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Red">Detroit Pistons </font> @ <font color="Purple"> Los Angeles Lakers </font> </div> <div align="center">Time: 5:30 p.m. PT Location: Staples Center TV: ABC</div> NBA Finals Game 1 Head Coaches: Larry Brown/Phil Jackson <u>Probable NBA Finals Game 1 Starting Lineups:</u> Chauncey Billups/Gary Payton Rip Hamilton/Kobe Bryant Tayshaun Prince/Devean George Rasheed Wallace/Karl Malone Ben Wallace/Shaquille O'Neal Sixth Men Mehmet Okur/Derek Fisher Injury Report No injuries to report No injuries to report <u>Emo's Game 1 Prediction Matchups:</u> <u>Point Guards</u> Chauncey Billups has been an excellent clutch performer for the Pistons in this years playoffs with his excellent display of his perimeter shooting averaging 15.4 points per game. I look for Billups to run a lot of high screen and rolls in an effort to take advantage of Shaq's poor perimeter help defense, but he needs to make his shots in order to give Detroit more offensive stability rather than allowing Rip Hamilton (who has been Detroit's scoring threat in this playoffs) to do all the offensive work. Billups claims he and the Pistons will be ready to shock the world, so he'd have to bring his A game. As I try to write something decent for Gary Payton, I just sit back and think of the good traits that Payton has done for the Lakers in this years' playoffs and I simply can't think of anything. Not only has he lost his offensive game, his defense has been sliiping tremendously. And if it wasn't for Steve Francis' troubles, the Laker team defense against Tony Parker, and Sam Cassell's major injury woes, this guy would've been slammed by the fans and media. What Gary must do is committ to what he has done for the majority of his career. Lock down on his opponent on defense, and I mean be The Glove that he's nicknamed for, and to find a way to create offense. Getting himself isolated in the low post with Billups, penetrating to the basket at will and dishing off to his teammates in the paint, and maintaining confidence. If Phil Jackson has to draw up gameplans, or tell his guys that they'd have to surrender their game in order to get Payton going, let it happen because I'm tired of seeing Payton riding coat-tails. If the Lakers are going to win this championship, I want to see Payton be a part of this championship. Advantage Sunday: Pistons <u>Shooting Guards</u> To me, this is the premier matchup everyone should be looking at. Rip Hamilton has really shined this postseason for the Pistons. His 21.4 average to go along with 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists just proves that he carries his game to a different level of the elite shooting guards in this league, and that can carry this team on his back. Hamilton's advantage? He loves that midrange jumper coming off screens. When he knocks down that midrange jumpshot consistently from the field, it just seems like that basket is one outstretched rim. Kobe Bryant will definitely have his hands full as he tries to prevent his scoring outbursts. On the other hand, Kobe Bryant has been an outstanding player in the 2004 playoffs. Not only has he been spectacular flying back from court dates pouring in a huge amount of points, but he's become a team leader. Getting all four guys involved in the game and not being selfish at all. The keys for Kobe is as I already mentioned earlier, he can't be selfish. He has to realize that his scoring outbursts will come later on in the game, and that he'll have his capabilities to take over this game. He must consistently hit jumpshots, penetrating to the basket, either drawing contact and getting to the foul line, but driving hard to the lane and dishing off to his teammates in the paint. His defense will be huge as well. It'll be very important to try and get around screens that Detroit will set in order to get Hamilton free space to shoot his midrange jumper. Kobe made the All-Defense team this year, it'll be time to live up to that name. Advantage Sunday: Lakers <u>Small Forwards</u> Tayshaun Prince's offensive game can struggle at times, and it has declined in this postseason, but the clear advantage that he has is defense. I'm sure everybody saw the amazing block he did against Reggie Miller preventing that layup, and his block against Al Harrington in last week's series clincher against the Indiana Pacers. He has long arms, which was used tremendously to disrupt Ron Artest's game, and he will try that advantage against the athletic Devean George. Devean George in this playoffs has been what I call a hot-cold shooter. Some nights we praise him for his spectacular offensive abilities, and other nights he just seems to disappear from view. The keys for him tomorrow night is he must hit jumpshots. Whenever he goes cold from the field, he loses confidence. Also, he must be aggressive. I saw some bright spots when he has penetrated hard to the basket for some dunks, and you saw that intense look on his face afterwards. He must continue that intensity and heart. Advantage Sunday: Pistons <u>Power Forwards</u> What a season Rasheed Wallace has had. Being traded from the controversial Trail Blazers, to the horrific Atlanta Hawks franchise and playing only one single game, to the Eastern Conference Champion Detroit Pistons and making his first appearance to the NBA Finals. Rasheed Wallace still in his career is a legitimate scoring threat, but sometimes he tends to decline in his offense. His game has struggled at times, and he'll really need to step his game to different heights tomorrow night. I really don't feel Wallace will spend a lot of time with Malone in the low block, but he'd rather be at the perimeter working on his jumpshot. If Wallace can consistently get it going from the field rather than fade away at a moment where Detroit will desperately need offense, the Pistons will be alright with his contributions. Karl Malone is back in the NBA Finals since 1998 in a heartbreaking fashion five years ago, and I feel this 40 year old veteran is going to give it his all. We all know Malone will not be that consistent 18-20 point scorer anymore, but his advantage is defense. He contained the premier power forwards in this league in the likes of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, and I expect Malone to pull the same traits on Wallace. Harrassing him, disrputing his game, getting under his skin at times, (which might force Wallace into temper tantrums ) and the pulling of the chair. Another advantage Malone has is experience. This is familiar territory for him, and I just feel Malone will take it one game at a time. Advantage Sunday: Lakers <u>Centers</u> Even though Shaquille O'Neal will be seeing other big men besides Ben Wallace including Mehmet Okur and Elden Campbell, Ben gets the first crack at defending him, and I'm sure he realizes it won't be easy. What Wallace has to do is prove he won't be intimidated. He'll have to get in the paint, use all the strength and muscle he has, and try to keep him away from the basket. Of course he won't be able to do it alone, so double-teamming will be neccessary. Wallace is also an excellent rebounder, and he'll really be doing battle with Shaq trying to collect as much offensive, defensive, and second chance opportunities. Since Detroit has a problem with scoring, Wallace must give his best contributions in those categories because you simply can't beat the Lakers if you only score 75-80 points. For The Diesel, it's simple. He has to get situated in the low post, and work his way to the basket. He understands that he has the advantage over Wallace, Elden Campbell, and Mehmet Okur in his size, agility, and strength so he can't waste any time at all in his offensive game. Also the double teamming will be coming at a rapid rate, so when Shaq kicks it out to the open shooters, it'll be important that the open man hits their shots to take pressure off Shaq. A liability O'Neal has of course is his free throws. He must be consistent at the line. He can't miss a huge number of them to give Detorit confidence, he must hit a significant number of them so that the game wouldn't have to go down in crunchtime with intentional fouls coming at him left and right. If Shaq knocks down free throws, it'll just give the Lakers a consistent lead for four quarters, and there wouldn't be any kind of pressure. Advantage Sunday: Lakers <div align="center">Players To Watch Game 1 </div> <div align="center">Rip Hamilton & Kobe Bryant</div> <div align="center">Hamilton: 21.5 pts, 4.40 rebs, 4.2 assists, 0.67 steals Bryant: 25.1 pts, 5.30 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.67 steals</div> Emo's Prediction I like our chances in Game 1. The Lakers play a comfortable style of basketball in Staples Center where they've been 9-0 all postseason. And the NBA Finals is just familiar territory for this team having been there currently four out of the last five years. I believe the Los Angeles Lakers will be focused and determined and handle their business appropriately. One single game at a game. I'm going with the Lakers by 12.
Preview: 2004 NBA Finals Pistons @ Lakers 6/6/04 <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Red">Detroit Pistons </font> @ <font color="Purple"> Los Angeles Lakers </font> </div> <div align="center">Time: 5:30 p.m. PT Location: Staples Center TV: ABC</div> NBA Finals Game 1 Head Coaches: Larry Brown/Phil Jackson <u>Probable NBA Finals Game 1 Starting Lineups:</u> Chauncey Billups/Gary Payton Rip Hamilton/Kobe Bryant Tayshaun Prince/Devean George Rasheed Wallace/Karl Malone Ben Wallace/Shaquille O'Neal Sixth Men Mehmet Okur/Derek Fisher Injury Report No injuries to report No injuries to report <u>Emo's Game 1 Prediction Matchups:</u> <u>Point Guards</u> Chauncey Billups has been an excellent clutch performer for the Pistons in this years playoffs with his excellent display of his perimeter shooting averaging 15.4 points per game. I look for Billups to run a lot of high screen and rolls in an effort to take advantage of Shaq's poor perimeter help defense, but he needs to make his shots in order to give Detroit more offensive stability rather than allowing Rip Hamilton (who has been Detroit's scoring threat in this playoffs) to do all the offensive work. Billups claims he and the Pistons will be ready to shock the world, so he'd have to bring his A game. As I try to write something decent for Gary Payton, I just sit back and think of the good traits that Payton has done for the Lakers in this years' playoffs and I simply can't think of anything. Not only has he lost his offensive game, his defense has been sliiping tremendously. And if it wasn't for Steve Francis' troubles, the Laker team defense against Tony Parker, and Sam Cassell's major injury woes, this guy would've been slammed by the fans and media. What Gary must do is committ to what he has done for the majority of his career. Lock down on his opponent on defense, and I mean be The Glove that he's nicknamed for, and to find a way to create offense. Getting himself isolated in the low post with Billups, penetrating to the basket at will and dishing off to his teammates in the paint, and maintaining confidence. If Phil Jackson has to draw up gameplans, or tell his guys that they'd have to surrender their game in order to get Payton going, let it happen because I'm tired of seeing Payton riding coat-tails. If the Lakers are going to win this championship, I want to see Payton be a part of this championship. Advantage Sunday: Pistons <u>Shooting Guards</u> To me, this is the premier matchup everyone should be looking at. Rip Hamilton has really shined this postseason for the Pistons. His 21.4 average to go along with 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists just proves that he carries his game to a different level of the elite shooting guards in this league, and that can carry this team on his back. Hamilton's advantage? He loves that midrange jumper coming off screens. When he knocks down that midrange jumpshot consistently from the field, it just seems like that basket is one outstretched rim. Kobe Bryant will definitely have his hands full as he tries to prevent his scoring outbursts. On the other hand, Kobe Bryant has been an outstanding player in the 2004 playoffs. Not only has he been spectacular flying back from court dates pouring in a huge amount of points, but he's become a team leader. Getting all four guys involved in the game and not being selfish at all. The keys for Kobe is as I already mentioned earlier, he can't be selfish. He has to realize that his scoring outbursts will come later on in the game, and that he'll have his capabilities to take over this game. He must consistently hit jumpshots, penetrating to the basket, either drawing contact and getting to the foul line, but driving hard to the lane and dishing off to his teammates in the paint. His defense will be huge as well. It'll be very important to try and get around screens that Detroit will set in order to get Hamilton free space to shoot his midrange jumper. Kobe made the All-Defense team this year, it'll be time to live up to that name. Advantage Sunday: Lakers <u>Small Forwards</u> Tayshaun Prince's offensive game can struggle at times, and it has declined in this postseason, but the clear advantage that he has is defense. I'm sure everybody saw the amazing block he did against Reggie Miller preventing that layup, and his block against Al Harrington in last week's series clincher against the Indiana Pacers. He has long arms, which was used tremendously to disrupt Ron Artest's game, and he will try that advantage against the athletic Devean George. Devean George in this playoffs has been what I call a hot-cold shooter. Some nights we praise him for his spectacular offensive abilities, and other nights he just seems to disappear from view. The keys for him tomorrow night is he must hit jumpshots. Whenever he goes cold from the field, he loses confidence. Also, he must be aggressive. I saw some bright spots when he has penetrated hard to the basket for some dunks, and you saw that intense look on his face afterwards. He must continue that intensity and heart. Advantage Sunday: Pistons <u>Power Forwards</u> What a season Rasheed Wallace has had. Being traded from the controversial Trail Blazers, to the horrific Atlanta Hawks franchise and playing only one single game, to the Eastern Conference Champion Detroit Pistons and making his first appearance to the NBA Finals. Rasheed Wallace still in his career is a legitimate scoring threat, but sometimes he tends to decline in his offense. His game has struggled at times, and he'll really need to step his game to different heights tomorrow night. I really don't feel Wallace will spend a lot of time with Malone in the low block, but he'd rather be at the perimeter working on his jumpshot. If Wallace can consistently get it going from the field rather than fade away at a moment where Detroit will desperately need offense, the Pistons will be alright with his contributions. Karl Malone is back in the NBA Finals since 1998 in a heartbreaking fashion five years ago, and I feel this 40 year old veteran is going to give it his all. We all know Malone will not be that consistent 18-20 point scorer anymore, but his advantage is defense. He contained the premier power forwards in this league in the likes of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, and I expect Malone to pull the same traits on Wallace. Harrassing him, disrputing his game, getting under his skin at times, (which might force Wallace into temper tantrums ) and the pulling of the chair. Another advantage Malone has is experience. This is familiar territory for him, and I just feel Malone will take it one game at a time. Advantage Sunday: Lakers <u>Centers</u> Even though Shaquille O'Neal will be seeing other big men besides Ben Wallace including Mehmet Okur and Elden Campbell, Ben gets the first crack at defending him, and I'm sure he realizes it won't be easy. What Wallace has to do is prove he won't be intimidated. He'll have to get in the paint, use all the strength and muscle he has, and try to keep him away from the basket. Of course he won't be able to do it alone, so double-teamming will be neccessary. Wallace is also an excellent rebounder, and he'll really be doing battle with Shaq trying to collect as much offensive, defensive, and second chance opportunities. Since Detroit has a problem with scoring, Wallace must give his best contributions in those categories because you simply can't beat the Lakers if you only score 75-80 points. For The Diesel, it's simple. He has to get situated in the low post, and work his way to the basket. He understands that he has the advantage over Wallace, Elden Campbell, and Mehmet Okur in his size, agility, and strength so he can't waste any time at all in his offensive game. Also the double teamming will be coming at a rapid rate, so when Shaq kicks it out to the open shooters, it'll be important that the open man hits their shots to take pressure off Shaq. A liability O'Neal has of course is his free throws. He must be consistent at the line. He can't miss a huge number of them to give Detorit confidence, he must hit a significant number of them so that the game wouldn't have to go down in crunchtime with intentional fouls coming at him left and right. If Shaq knocks down free throws, it'll just give the Lakers a consistent lead for four quarters, and there wouldn't be any kind of pressure. Advantage Sunday: Lakers <div align="center">Players To Watch Game 1 </div> <div align="center">Rip Hamilton & Kobe Bryant</div> <div align="center">Hamilton: 21.5 pts, 4.40 rebs, 4.2 assists, 0.67 steals Bryant: 25.1 pts, 5.30 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.67 steals</div> Emo's Prediction I like our chances in Game 1. The Lakers play a comfortable style of basketball in Staples Center where they've been 9-0 all postseason. And the NBA Finals is just familiar territory for this team having been there currently four out of the last five years. I believe the Los Angeles Lakers will be focused and determined and handle their business appropriately. One single game at a game. I'm going with the Lakers by 12.
Sweet preview Emo. I am loving it. I expect to see a lot of trash talk between GP and Billups. Billups said the Pistons were ready to schock the world and GP is thinking not if I can do something about it. GP needs to get in Billups' head on D. Make him struggle. I expect big things from GP, he is hungry and the delivery boy(4 wins remaingin) is almost here with the pizza(championship). Same goes for Karl Malone, I expect him to pull the chair from under Sheed a couple of times. What worries me the most is Shaqs foul shooting. He is horrible, no doubt about that, we all know it..the Pistons have a lot of big men they can throw at him too..Okur, Wallace, Wallace, and Cambell. He needs to shoot 50%. I am expecting a win in game 1, I take L.A. by 11.
Sweet preview Emo. I am loving it. I expect to see a lot of trash talk between GP and Billups. Billups said the Pistons were ready to schock the world and GP is thinking not if I can do something about it. GP needs to get in Billups' head on D. Make him struggle. I expect big things from GP, he is hungry and the delivery boy(4 wins remaingin) is almost here with the pizza(championship). Same goes for Karl Malone, I expect him to pull the chair from under Sheed a couple of times. What worries me the most is Shaqs foul shooting. He is horrible, no doubt about that, we all know it..the Pistons have a lot of big men they can throw at him too..Okur, Wallace, Wallace, and Cambell. He needs to shoot 50%. I am expecting a win in game 1, I take L.A. by 11.
I strongly believe Ben Wallace is the only player in the NBA who can prevent Shaq to a farther extent than any player in the NBA. His strength and his built body would be enough to atleast make Shaq take hook shots for most of his attempts. Blablabla. 97-80 Lakers.
I strongly believe Ben Wallace is the only player in the NBA who can prevent Shaq to a farther extent than any player in the NBA. His strength and his built body would be enough to atleast make Shaq take hook shots for most of his attempts. Blablabla. 97-80 Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">What worries me the most is Shaqs foul shooting. He is horrible, no doubt about that, we all know it..the Pistons have a lot of big men they can throw at him too..Okur, Wallace, Wallace, and Cambell. He needs to shoot 50%.</div> Yeah really, man I hope he can at least hit half of his freethrows too at least. But Detroit can go through such big droughts without scoring so I'm feeling good that this series won't go to long because of that. I got the Lakers by 8.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">What worries me the most is Shaqs foul shooting. He is horrible, no doubt about that, we all know it..the Pistons have a lot of big men they can throw at him too..Okur, Wallace, Wallace, and Cambell. He needs to shoot 50%.</div> Yeah really, man I hope he can at least hit half of his freethrows too at least. But Detroit can go through such big droughts without scoring so I'm feeling good that this series won't go to long because of that. I got the Lakers by 8.
I guess Ill have to be an oddball. I think Det wants to pull off an upset (like the sixers did in game 1 in the 2001 finals) Pistons by 4 in OT
I guess Ill have to be an oddball. I think Det wants to pull off an upset (like the sixers did in game 1 in the 2001 finals) Pistons by 4 in OT
Pistons @ Lakers: Game 1 Pistons lead this one by 9 late in the 4th quarter. Pistons leading even though Hamilton is having an off game. Shaq is once again dominating but it getting little help. I think its safe to say the Pistons are suprising you Lakers fans thus far?
This game was about introductions. Hello L.A. Pistons 1-0. This will be a series, the Pistons can score and we can play defense. We did come here to play and no amount of Laker ass kissing by the commentators will matter. The Pistons come to play and we will play. Pistons defense plan is pretty good: Don't try to stop Shaq because you can't, limit Kobe to say 25 a game, and shut down everybody else. Hamilton had an off game tonight and I'm pretty sure that it will not happen again. He will be better in game 2. Guys, let's enjoy the series and the reborn rivarly. Go Pistons!
Man, the Pistons played some pretty good defense but the Lakers just could not hit open shots. Malone and the rest of the team really stunk it up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">How in the bloody hell do the Lakers los? What a fluke win.</div> God damn You must be a Laker fan using terms like "fluke win" Try actually watching the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">How in the bloody hell do the Lakers los? What a fluke win.</div> good grief. Do you know a basketball from a bowling ball? Or are you so biased you can't give credit where credit is due?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Undertakernv:</div><div class="quote_post">but the Lakers just could not hit open shots. Malone and the rest of the team really stunk it up.</div> The Lakers could not hit open shots? How about the Pistons missing about 8 layups in the first half. The rest of the team stunk it up because the Pistons play a type of defense that the Lakers have no seen. It is not the same as against San Antonio. What happened to all the claims that L.A. can score 100 even against the Pistons defense? How about the Pistons collapsing because of big, bad Shaq? You don't know how horrible it was to watch the ABC announcers kissing the Lakers ass, even when they were doing nothing. I hate the stupid announcers with their cheap excuses: "Lakers had to get a feel for them" and "Game 1 is where the feel each other out." The Lakers will have to learn the hard way that the Pistons defense is really that good. We're in for a good series and I love the fact that the arrogant Lakers got beat. As for the fluke win, I love this. You don't know how happy Detroit fans are to hear the Lakers and their fans getting all arrogant before the series, losing game 1 and making the "fluke" excuses. It is great. Just wait till you get to Detroit Kobe and Shaq, our fans will prove quite loyal.
Detroit defense was irritating as hell. They were all over the place. Man this isn't the same as when Philly beat them in game 1. That wasn't that surprising, but the way the Pistons won this one. Man their far more dangerous then Philly was 3 years ago. The defense is unbelievable. They also broke my prediction of the Lakers staying perfect at home. Damn, but great win for Detroit. That Ben Wallace shot at the end was the first shot that I had the feeling it was going in because it looked so perfect. I take my hat to Detroit with the way they came out and played tonight.
At least this game proved all the idiots who were predicting a sweeep wrong Billups shot was on all game, he averaged over 24 points per game in the regular season and had his way with L.A again tonight. Rip shot the ball badly and missed alot of easy shots for him, he also made too many mistakes with the ball. Pistons complete shut down Payton and Malone which made them useless to L.A on the offensive end. How Kobe can take 27 shots while Shaq only gets 16 makes me wonder what Phil Jackson is thinking. Shaq makes 13 of 16 but lets Kobe brick shot after shot. Anyway, Pistons steal homecourt and prove they are no walkover.
