Glad to see I was right on the prediction. good to start off the season with a win, Sheed really came up in the clutch. Made big shot after big shot. Whenever Houston pulled back Sheed came up and put a nail in their coffin. Rip really struggled shooting but had 8 assists and 4 rebounds. Can't really be dissapointed in that. Can't believe Dice got ejected, thought he was smarter than that. Houston have yet to find any real chemistry but you can tell they could be very good. T-mac struggled shooting but most guards do against Tay and co. Ward gave them more than I expected. I don't really think starting Taylor ahead of Howard is that smart a move, Juwan is best used as a starter. He is no good as a player who can come in and get points in limited minutes. He proved that in Orlando. Ben looked great at there, mainly on the offensive end. Making 6-8 shots but making quite a few 15 footers. He was again an impact on the boards with 10 and on the blocks with 3. If he can give the team some offense and force teams to guard him, Pistons will be even harder to beat. Billups started off slow but quickly got back in his game in the 2nd half. That three early in the 4th really set the tone and gave Houston no real way of coming back. Rasheed was clearly the man in this game, 11 points in the 4th, 24 in total and really got the Pistons going to start the 4th with a big three. He had his way with Houston, they have no one who can guard him and he took advantage. This also certainly helps my fantasty team.
What did everyone think about Pistons having those championship belts? It was Rasheed's idea I believe. Here is the game recap from the Detroit news <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pistons 87, Rockets 79 The Pistons decided to extend the party Tuesday night. After getting their championship rings and sending the banner up into the rafters, the Pistons started their title defense with an 87-79 victory over the Houston Rockets before the 33rd straight sellout crowd at The Palace. All five starters scored in double figures, with Wallace X2 (times two) leading the way. Rasheed Wallace scored 24 points, including the last six. Ben Wallace had 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. Chauncey Billups (17 points) and Richard Hamilton (15) combined for 32. Tayshaun Prince scored 10, and pestered Tracy McGrady into a rough night. McGrady missed nine of his first 11 shots, and finished with 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting. But he only made two baskets with Prince guarding him. </div> Full Story
Ben Wallace was a big surprise tonight. He hit almost every jumper he took, which is really a very big surprise. My team lost, but with dignity too. We took it to you guys for all of the first three quarters, only to see a losing effort in the fourth. Next time we match up again in Houston and Yao Ming's elbow is better, we'll win.
Yao has a habit of struggling at the palace, was held to 4 points last year and only 7 this season. So, bad elbow or not He isn't effective when Houston visit Detroit. I'm sure Houston will be better by the time the two teams meet again, they should at least have more team chemistry. They odds on them winning last night were not very high. Pistons are simply a much better team right now. I expect the Rockets to improve as the season goes on but It will take abit of time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PupMelo:</div><div class="quote_post">And did you guys see the championship belt? What all of this joke? NBA is turning into boxing real fast and that big ring is ugly. :thumbsdow </div> Don't hate, they are the Champs and can do anything they want.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao has a habit of struggling at the palace, was held to 4 points last year and only 7 this season. So, bad elbow or not He isn't effective when Houston visit Detroit.</div> how very true. when yao was sitting on the bench, all houston did was give the ball to tmac and expected him to do his thing
There is no shame. Houston played fine. I was kinda of surprised that dc didn't get a chance to show what he has, granted he's old but i still see him putting up 8 and 7 a game. It's only the first game and i expect 60+ wins this year and another finals apperence.
