Phoenix has struggled a bit in recent games and I believe this will be even more motivation for them against the World Champs. Can we maintain our focus for the entire 48 minutes at this point in the season? The Pistons have struggled with mental lapses through out the year. First it was comming out flat and allowing ourselves to fall behind by double digits and recently we let down when we get a sizable lead. The other thing I have notice is we have stretches of playing sloppy and turn the ball over. We have also struggled a bit with our transition defense. This is what worries me with Phoenix. Turning the ball over and being lazy about playing transition d will kill us against Phoenix. Do you guys think Detroit will view Phoenix as a big enough challenge to come out with a killer instinct and focus for the entire 48 minutes?
Pistons should be able to win no matter If Nash plays or not. The Pistons have the inside game and the defense to cause the Suns alot of problems. Rasheed needs to take It to Amare and Marion inside and get one of them in foul trouble. Pistons need to stop their running game, If they do that they should come away with the win. However If they slack off on the defensive end they could get burnt. Suns losing all 3 games on this road trip is not really a good thing for the Pistons. They will be motivated to break the streak and end the Pistons. Obviously winning 14 out of 16 and 5 overall the Pistons are in good form and will have the homecourt advantage.
when the pistons play their well known defense they can't be stopped so whether the suns have steve nash or who ever the pistons should easily win this just by playin the whole 48 minutes!
I disagree with both of you, AllNet and Elijahser. They Suns cant be stopped at all if Steve Nash is in there. That team could kill any team as long as they dont have to go to the bench for starters like they been having to do these last couple of games (Barbosa). If the Pistons have a chance at stopping this team they can only do it if Steve Nash is out. Pistons have regained my respect during this past month or so but they still can stop the red hot Suns.
If Nash plays and is effective, I do not see the Pistons winning. Nash, Q, Joe, Marion, and Amare is a lot better than Billups, Rip, Ben, and Sheed IMO. If Nash is out, then yea, the Pistons will win this game.
Sonics1 and Kobe 8 Ball, please factor in defense here. The Suns can easily be stopped by great defensive teams. That will be proven in the playoffs. Billups has a habit of going off against Nash, due to his poor defense. Yes If Suns get a chance to run they are really tough to stop but great defensive teams would beat this team, If Pistons bring their best defense then I doubt the Suns will win the game. However this is the regular season so any team can beat any on any given night. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">do not see the Pistons winning. Nash, Q, Joe, Marion, and Amare is a lot better than Billups, Rip, Ben, and Sheed IMO</div> As a laker fan I thought you of realised by now how one on one talent doesn't always equal success.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Suns can easily be stopped by great defensive teams. That will be proven in the playoffs. </div> AllNet I fully agree with you on that, I have said that in another thread because they dont have a bench and yes they will be stopped by great defensive teams. And, yes I know that the Pistons have great defense and I will never take that any from them, but the Suns are just too hot right now. Lets wait till them simmer down a little bit and then we will see that they will be stopped by a great defensive team.
Suns aren't really hot at all RIGHT NOW, they have lost 3 straight and all to teams they should be able to beat. Pacers without Artest and Jackson aren't a great team and Utah are 12 games under 500. Wizards are actually good this year at long last. So It was understandable they would lose to them. At this moment in time the Pistons are in better form after winning 5 in a row, Suns are a very good team who are fun to watch but the Pistons are the kind of team they should struggle against. With all that said, a Pistons win won't mean much.. all It would be is another W for the standings. There are no real statements games at this stage of the year. Which is why on any given night any team can beat the other.
I agree. We both think that each team is good and I think that both teams are capable of making it to the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sonics1:</div><div class="quote_post">AllNet I fully agree with you on that, I have said that in another thread because they dont have a bench and yes they will be stopped by great defensive teams. And, yes I know that the Pistons have great defense and I will never take that any from them, but the Suns are just too hot right now. Lets wait till them simmer down a little bit and then we will see that they will be stopped by a great defensive team.</div> Detroit is the hot team right now (5 straight wins) and Phoenix is in a slump (3 straight losses). this game will be very fun to watch, but like AllNet said, it's rather meaningless. the Pistons have reached the highest point possible in the NBA and realize that great teams are made in the playoffs, not the regular season. i do not think that Phoenix has a chance against the Pistons in a 7 game series. Phoenix has no bench and has yet to prove they can shut a team down defensively. i don't see them even getting past the Spurs in the West.
I agree with you guys about Phoenix not being a legit contender. There lack of depth will catch up with them if it hasn't already. I view the Spurs as the team to beat in the West and the biggest threat to us repeating. I disagree with this being a meaningless game for Detroit. We only play Phoenix twice a year and we want to let them know they are not in our class just in case they come out of the West. Also it is a home game and we can't afford anymore home losses. I also feel we have a potentialy tough stretch ahead. Our next 2 games are road games that we should win. Even though Orlando played us tough at the Palace. After that we have two road games against Min and Indiana. Two home games against a hot Chicago team and Denver. Denver and Min may look at getting a decisive victory against Det. as a way of jumpstarting their teams. Underachieving teams like that scare me. Memphis anyone? I also feel it is important for Detroit to play a solid 48 minute game and keep up the momentum they've built with this homestand.
i believe the pistons can slow down the suns definately if nash is not active. Also Prince will give alot of the shooters on the suns problems, but if the pistons cant stop the transition i believe they'll be in a heap of trouble. I believe the pistons have a better chance of beating a tema like the suns or the sonics rather than the heat due to the fact the pistons seem to be just as athletic. This shall be a very fun and interesting game to watch if Nash is available for the suns; but if he is not this will be an all out rally for the pistons.
Steve Nash's playing time or appearance in the game may likely decide the outcome. Detroit's defense is clearly not what it was last season, but this is not due to the players themselves or the loss of some key bench players such as Corliss Williamson and Mehmet Okur. In all truth many teams have either flurished or fallen because of the tight calls made by the officials this season, the Pistons simply weren't used to the rule changes at first but now seem to have found their way. If Detroit can stop Phoenix's charge down the floor, they may just pull off a win.
Think of the Raptors playing without Rafer Alston, and Milt Palacio is the one starting. The sad thing is that Milt is a better playmaking PG than Barbosa.
Pistons frontcourt simply shut down the Suns. Ben with 15 rebounds which included 8 offensive. Sheed with 13 and 8 while Mcdyess had 15 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals in only 18 minutes. It was Tayshaun who stole the show though 26 points 7 rebounds 5 assists 2 blocks on 8-16 shooting. He also had a very nice one handed dunk. Obviously the Suns missed Steve Nash but him being there would not of changed the Pistons from dominating the boards. The 14 point final score really flattered the Suns, was more of a 20-22 point game to be honest. Pistons have now won 6 straight and with all the early season struggles are first in the central division, into 2nd seed and only 4 games behind the Heat for first.
I think having Steve would've changed a lot in the game, I think having any PG would've changed the game, how many assists did the Suns have the whole game? Barbosa had 2 assists in 29 minutes. Even when Nash returns, they need to get a PG, Barbosa's +- on the team is -11, and I like the guy, but it's obvoious why
Watching the game, Nash would of likely made a different with his scoring but I'm not sure If they would of been able to push the ball even with Nash there. The Suns failed to rebound the ball and when you fail yo do that It's basically impossible to get easy fastbreak points. Pistons also did a good job at getting back on defense and stopped any easy points. Nash would of made a difference but not a 20 point game difference. Pistons made Amare into a jump shooter which is why he struggled, Ben did a really good job at contending him in the post. Richardson had a really bad game, the type of game he tends to have after a good one. Very streaky player.
