::shakes head:: i CANNOT believe that people actually thought the Pistons would get sweep...(Fred "mad dog" Carter should be ashamed of himself...sweep...HA!) this is the NBA finals....both teams paid their dues to get this far...as for all that "Lakers have had their way with Detroit in the past" shit...thats out the window....the finals begin everybody is 0-0..each team with a 50% chance of winning in my opinion...you never know As for the Pistons...im SUPER happy and proud that they got this game...game 1 is critical...and especially if you win game 1 on the road...it sets the tone for the rest of the series....but we can't get too excited we still have 3 more wins to go...and its gonna be a long hard road....but coming into this series Detroit just needed to win (at least) one game on the road...and they accomplished that....they excuted to the fullest...LB definetly had the team well prepared....it was a total team win...obvioulsy Chauncey couldn't miss a shot even if he wanted to last night....Rasheed got in early foul trouble but still came up with a few big buckets AND two trips to the foul line...Benny didn't pull down as many boards as he usally does but thats okay cuz the rest of his game was solid 9pts and i loved the tip in he had off Tay's missed shot....speaking of which Mr. Prince i thought did a great job last night for the first time in a long time he didn't look scared to shoot the ball he came out of the game with 11 pts he actually could of gotten more hadn't some litterally rimmed in and out he also did a good shot on Kobe yes Kob had 25pts but every single point and every single shot that he took was contested and like some of the Pistons have already said if Kobe hits the shot over Tay their is nothing that they can do about it but its gonna at least be a contested shot it was DEFINETLY a challenge for Kobe....Detroits bench flat out beat LA's bench....Mehmet came in a salvaged some time for the foul stricken Rasheed....Campbell came up big he did a good job on Shaq and definetly got his share of points.....Big Nasty got like 7 points in 11 mins of play and basically on two possesions....Lindsay Hunter was GREAT defensively he pestered Fish BIG time and im sure contributed to GPs 5 fouls he came up with that HUGE shot in the 4th to put the Pistons up by 13 and in my opinion their was no turning back from that point on for either teams.....Rip Rip Rip what came we say their he had 12 points definetly not what anybody expected but came up key in other areas he had 7 boards and dished a handful of timely and great assists he did miss alot of easy buckets but i expect that after having to listen to the media for 2 straight days saying how Kobe did an excellent job on him and that he flat out stunk he's gonna come up HUGE for Detroit tomorrow night im sure he'll get his 20pts It was also GREAT to see the Pistons fans at Staples...their were a lot more than what i expected their to be I love the quote by Rip "if we play our style of basketball i like our chances" PLAY THE RIGHT WAY!!! GO PISTONS!!
I'm gonna give the Pistons a lot of credit for last night. They played great defense and by all means probably could have won by a lot more. But, a first have ravaged with a ton of missed lay ups made the game closer. The Lakers, on the other hand, played terrible. They had a ton of turnovers and couldn't hit a jump shot last night. The Pistons defense was good, but, I didn't expect it to rattle LA all night like it did. But, again, I gotta give em credit, they played their game and didn't allow LA to get anyone going outside of Kobe and Shaq. The Lakers needed help from role players and got none. Karl and Gary were totally shut down the entire game. The 3rd most points last night was 5 last I knew. That's terrible. The Lakers didn't get any balance last night, the pressure was totally squared on Kobe and Shaq to keep them in the game. I think, for game 2, the Lakers have to make a few adjustments. They need to find ways to get Kobe to the hoop for one. He didn't have a single lay up out of the half court til either late 2nd or early 3rd quarter. They also need to get role players involved in the next game. DFish, Kareem, Medvedenko, all of those guys need to step up once again is the series.
its only one game. boths teams were feeling each other out and lakers were off for a while and were not as in sync with each other. i highly doubt that lakers offense will be that bad for 3more games, and even if they are detroit doesnt have the best offensive consistancy. it is only one game, so detroit fans might not want to get over excited b/c it is only one game and you know lakers wont play game 1 3more times, they are just too good.
good game by the Pistons surprising me. I see a grea series in the making. Shaq and Kobe did all the work for the lakers(gotta give kobe some props on defense, 4 steals and 2 blocks, not to mention the D played on Hamilton) but i believe Kobe took a few of bad shots, excluding the buzzer beaters and shot clock throw-ups. What the lakers need right now are contributors, they need atleast 30 points from people on the team other than ShaKobe. Teyshaun prince really disturbed Kobe with his length and 10-27 shows it. Where is Gary Payton and Malone!?
Kobe's problem was forcing the issue too much last night, instead of waiting to set up the offense and go inside to Shaq he decides to shoot long jump shots over Prince, the chances of those shots going in aren't very high Tayshaun is a good defender and has really long arms which can effect your jump shot. Mcgrady found the same problems last year Either attack the basket or pass it into Shaq every play. You aren't going to get the best of Prince shooting jump shots. Game 1 proved my exact feelings on why the Lakers have been successful in the playoffs. When Kobe dominates the ball looking for his stats ahead of team success they will never win. Shaq is the best Lakers player, Phil Jackson needs to realise this and either sit down and talk to Kobe or sit on the bench so Shaq can get the right amount of shots.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They've beat much better teams this offseason, there is no way these Pistons are better than the T-Wolves and the Spurs. In the end, the Lakers will find a way to make some changes. I mean really, who do you think this team is?</div> Maybe, just maybe this is the 1st time in the playoffs the Lakers are facing a team that isnt afraid of the Laker history. If you watched the Spurs & Wolves series, it seem that those teams found any & everyway to give games to the Lakers imo. Once the Lakers made their run to get back into the series with the Spurs, the Spurs just folded imo. They had so many unforced turnovers & missed so many wide open jumpers. The same jumpers they made with so much confidence when they(the spurs) were in the process of taking the 2-0 lead. But once the series was tied & those jumpshots became more meanful the Spurs missed them badly in Games 5 & 6. And the Wolves, well they couldnt make any important shots in any of those games at the Staples Center. Like the old saying goes" You wont make a jumpshot if your heart or confidence isnt into it". And I truely believe that players like Wally S, Hoiberg looked up to the top of the Staples Center & seen all those championship banners & retired jersey. And had their heart taken away from them. Thats the only reason why I can find that some of the leagues pure shooters like Hoiberg & Wally would go ice cold like that on the road in the clutch So I go back to my original statement maybe the Pistons are the 1st team the Lakers are facing, that isnt afraid of the ora that surrounds the Lakers. The Pistons have seemingly been fighting history pretty all season, or at least since Rasheed came over & everybody was expecting them to win the east & maybe the chip. They have been fighting the ghost of Pistons past, they had to win while fighting all those comparsions to the bad boy Pistons. So maybe dealing with their own history has may them not be able to fear the history of the Lakers. And my opinion has always been that the team that beat the Lakers doesnt always have to be the best team out there per say, they just have to be the team that is the least afraid of the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">At least this game proved all the idiots who were predicting a sweeep wrong</div> hey....a sweep is still possible
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Undertakernv:</div><div class="quote_post">They could always change their offense. You are really underestimating Phil and the Lakers. </div> From what? A triangle to a square? Phil is pretty set in his ways and doesn't listen to Kobe, GP, or even Shaq when they demand more touches or request that they stray fromt he triangle.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllBoutDaPacers:</div><div class="quote_post">From what? A triangle to a square? Phil is pretty set in his ways and doesn't listen to Kobe, GP, or even Shaq when they demand more touches or request that they stray fromt he triangle.</div> You haven't been paying attention then. Phil is no longer using the same offense that he usually does. This isn't a true triangle offense. He has kind of allowed a more free flowing offense in order to allow some iso. Overall its still giving it to Shaq and allowing him to run the offense but not in the same respect as it is usually done. Also, in case you missed it, Phil did use the pick and roll to help GP get in a rhythm against San Antonio.
I Was somewhat suprised that Detroit came on strong against the Lakers...I'm thinking this is going to be a little bit more challenging than what everybody was thinking about the Lakers beating up on the Pistons I Still think the Lakers will win the series,but it's possible that this may go to all 7 games?
The thing with this series is that Larry brown knows how play the lakers and Phil Jackson doesn't know how to play Larry Brown. When Larry went up against Phil in that Laker/Sixer series Larry had what 2 real players on that team Motumbo and Iverson and the Lakers were having problems with that team being that he Lakers are the far superior team if it wasn't for Tyrone Lues defense i think Philly could have pulled it out. Now Larry has a team that he can look to every man on that team to play def and to give some scoring off the bench and that will be the factor in this series. Phil will need to find a to get payton and malone easier shots cause detriot is not going to free them up with out a fight. Cause it looks like Brown is letting Kobe and Shaq score and d-ing up the reset of the team which is a good strategy. One more point the Laker are different from that team that played Philly which i thinks was a better team then this one because the a real supporting cast and not superstars. My choice will be if the Lakers cant get Payton and Malone into scoring mode then they will win, but if they dont score or get some support from their bench the will lose. But, some how they look less hungry then the other times, like they are doing just to get malone and payton those championships
I love the Pistons chances in this series. They play great team defense and contest every single shot. Wallace needs to play Shaq straight up instead of trying to steal the ball and get out of position. Defense wins championships and that will again be true this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post"> Shaq is the best Lakers player, Phil Jackson needs to realise this and either sit down and talk to Kobe or sit on the bench so Shaq can get the right amount of shots.</div> According to Phil, Shaq tired, that's why he didn't get more shots up
I brought some of these points out earlier. For the first time, I'm unsure as to who will win. Sheed can outplay Malone by staying in front of him. Malone can pass, but being a threat offensively in less and Sheed won't play back to the basket as much as Malone is used to. I've wanted to see Big Ben versus Shaq. Ben should be the best defender in the post season against Shaq because of his strength. Shaq will score, but limiting his dunks and 3 pt plays, I think Larry will take that. But from the Lakers standpoint, they can't let Billups beat both PG's in such a manner.
I'm too lazy to read the 2nd page, but from what I read in the first one, here's what I have to say.... FACE IT: THE LAKERS SHOT POORLY BECAUSE DETROIT PLAYED GOOD DEFENSE ON THEM. THE END. I hate it when people try to take defensive credits away from people. Have you ever played basketball? Do you know what good defense does to you and your whole game? You move differently in the court, they bump you off your comfort zone, and even when you shoot, you shoot it differently. You get less open shots, you take less than perfect shots, and even when you take a perfect wide open jump shot, you've been hustling and playing out of rythm that it's not that easy anymore. You're rushing the shot because you're scared the defense might get to you. You over-emphasize that one wide open shot because you get it so rarely. The list goes on and on. Stop making excuses. Pistons OWNED the Lakers in every single aspect short of Shaq. Even Kobe only had an average game. I wouldn't say Pistons owned Kobe that night but he sure as hell didn't own the Pistons either. Before any of you open your mouth about how Lakers were shooting poorly isn't a product of Detroit's defense, you need to actually first play basketball first. Pick up a ball, play someone with good defense, then come back and tell me how you did.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">According to Phil, Shaq tired, that's why he didn't get more shots up</div> I dont beleive Phil Jackson for one 2nd on this one, I must admit. Everytime kobe feels a defender is doing a good job on him, he starts to take the battle in that game personally. And thats when he starts jacking up a bunch of shots (ie just last series game 5 vs the wolves & trenton Hassell), & therefore the ball doesnt go thru Shaq the proper amount of times. This is just PHil Jackson spinning the controvesy, so the Kobe shooting to much in game 1 rumors die down, because he knows that a controvesy over shot selection in the NBA finals is totally different then a controversy over shot selection in a say the regulars season. You need everyone to seem to be on the same page to the outside public & your opponent in the Finals or Its a sign of a possible weakness that the Pistons maybe able to exploit. Phil Jackson imo knows that if you speed the game up against the Lakers then Kobe takes it upon himself to be basically the sole playmaker & shot taker,instead of going thru Shaq. And if you force Kobe to dominate the ball for 48 minutes, the Lakers dont win(unless he gets really hot), because not only is shaq being isolated from LA's offense but so are the role players like Fisher, Rush, Malone etc. You make Kobe take alot of shots to gets his points you totally throw off the effiency of LA's offense, giving you the most realistic shot of beating them.
Lakers get dominated at home I hope every Lakers fan realized that they severly under-estimated the talent and heart of the Detroit Pistons. NOT ONE media outlet favored Detroit, but I think everyone can agree Detroit has shown that they are the strong favorite to win the series. Kobe, shut down, Karl, shut-down, payton, shut-down, Shaq, well the guy is good at putting his gumpy big-ass in reverse and shooting lay-ups, but as far as any skills he didn't show any. Everyone says that Shaq can't be stopped, but they forget that Shaq isn't a great basketball player. Put anyone over 7" with weight and the slightest cordination and they will be able to do what Shaq does. Pistons have a chance to do it in 4 even though before the first game few picked them to win even a game. Lakers got out-played, out-hustled, out-shot, out-skilled, and ultimately out-balled by the pistons. Heck, Pistons don't even need to have R. Wallace play most of the game to beat the Lakers. Lakers = MOST OVER-RATED TEAM IN THE NBA. The majority of their players aren't basketball players, their business men. Their lack of determination and heart was highlighted by the pistons domination of them at the Staples Center. Maybe the Lakers will bring a team who wants to win for the love of the game instead of for the love of the green. P.S.: I love Shaqs Comment before the game "I want to personally win 7 Championships" hmm, considering 1. he isn't that great of a player considering he gets out-played by anyone near his height (yao) and 2. he puts money over the importance of a good team and 3. Lets face it, go back to #1, he isn't a Bird, a Johnson, a Jordon, He's some gumpy guy who shoots 50% at the line. At least the trophy is coming back to a city that deserves it.
I couldn't beleive all these people saying there's no way Detroit will even win a game..lol I mean did you seriously watch any game when Sheed came?? I chose Detroit to win everything (if Wolves didn't make it) right after they started to set defensive records(not to mention Sheed is one of my fav players)....I just love Defense...I love dunks..but Detroit's defense is just B-E-A-Utiful...and with a coach like Larry Brown....Kobe didn't shut Hamilton down..he just had a bad night he had great looks while Kobe was trapped behind a WALLace. Detroit in 5 , this puts so much pressure on the Lakers...Pistons might lose next game but then they have 3 games in a row at home?? I think that would do it...Lakers might be desperate down 3-1 and win one to take it back to LA...then people is going to start talking BS again saying now is back to LA .. but If Detroit loses..it'll be at least 6 or 7 games. Defense Wins Championships.
lol , I don't know about your last comment about Shaq...and hmm 7 Championships...I guess he was talking if he owns a team..I don't think he will get more than 2 more as a player... Anyways , back to the Detroit/Lakers topic: I couldn't beleive all these people saying there's no way Detroit will even win a game..lol I mean did you seriously watch any game when Sheed came?? I chose Detroit to win everything (if Wolves didn't make it) right after they started to set defensive records(not to mention Sheed is one of my fav players)....I just love Defense...I love dunks..but Detroit's defense is just B-E-A-Utiful...and with a coach like Larry Brown....Kobe didn't shut Hamilton down..he just had a bad night he had great looks while Kobe was trapped behind a WALLace. Detroit in 5 , this puts so much pressure on the Lakers...Pistons might lose next game but then they have 3 games in a row at home?? I think that would do it...Lakers might be desperate down 3-1 and win one to take it back to LA...then people is going to start talking BS again saying now is back to LA .. but If Detroit loses..it'll be at least 6 or 7 games. <div align="center">Defense Wins Championships.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm too lazy to read the 2nd page, but from what I read in the first one, here's what I have to say.... FACE IT: THE LAKERS SHOT POORLY BECAUSE DETROIT PLAYED GOOD DEFENSE ON THEM. THE END. I hate it when people try to take defensive credits away from people. Have you ever played basketball? Do you know what good defense does to you and your whole game? You move differently in the court, they bump you off your comfort zone, and even when you shoot, you shoot it differently. You get less open shots, you take less than perfect shots, and even when you take a perfect wide open jump shot, you've been hustling and playing out of rythm that it's not that easy anymore. You're rushing the shot because you're scared the defense might get to you. You over-emphasize that one wide open shot because you get it so rarely. The list goes on and on. Stop making excuses. Pistons OWNED the Lakers in every single aspect short of Shaq. Even Kobe only had an average game. I wouldn't say Pistons owned Kobe that night but he sure as hell didn't own the Pistons either. Before any of you open your mouth about how Lakers were shooting poorly isn't a product of Detroit's defense, you need to actually first play basketball first. Pick up a ball, play someone with good defense, then come back and tell me how you did.</div> The Pistons definitely played great straight up man to man defense, however the Pistons have plenty of players that aren't great straight up man to man defenders. Richard Hamilton is getting a free pass defensively having to guard Devean George. Devean has not used his height to his advantage on offense his entire career. Gary Payton is giving Chauncey Billups a free pass on the defensive end (four shot attempts?). Why Payton refuses to push the ball on misses and penetrate (often) in the half court in the finals in befuddling. The Pistons do not want to run w/ the Lakers. They want to keep the game in the seventies. Every Piston who comes off of the bench is a liability defensively and the Lakers need to exploit their weaknesses. The only good perimeter defender the Pistons' have is Tashaun Prince. It is a lot easier for Rasheed to guard Karl Malone on the perimeter than it is for him to guard Karl in the post where Karl has a strength advantage and is savvy enough to get Rasheed in foul trouble. Getting Ben Wallace in foul trouble will decimate the Pistons on the boards (the reason why he remains a leader in the league in rebounds is b/c no one else on the Pistons seems to care about rebounding). Instead of hoisting up contested jump shots why not penetrate via the dribble or a pass into the post and put pressure on the posts to play straight up defense w/o fouling. This will then set up the perimeter game and those contested shots will soon become less (or un)contested. So of course good defense plays a large role in poor shooting, however, poor offensive execution plays a large role too. The Lakers need to do a better job of exploiting mismatches and dictating tempo.
