..... ok lets debate this. The Detriot Pistons, the defending champs, are having trouble with the Philadelphia 76ers.. a team that barely was over .500 for the season. It seems to me they are highly overrated, they just aren't clicking like last year. Call me a hater if you want, but being real they havent played great hardly any this whole season. The rest of the Eastern Playoffs look pointless, just send Miami to the Finals already. reason being, the Heat are 10 times better than the Pistons. Just watch a Pistons game then a Heat game. notice how much better shots the Heat get, notice how the defense of the Heat is just as good if not better, notice that Wade is better than any player on the Pistons. and notice hes the 2nd best player on the Heat.. if the Heat lose to the weak Pistons then I will do whatever any Piston fan wants me to on here, thats how confident I am that the Heat will destroy them in the Eastern Finals IF the Pistons can even make it that far.
Predictions To be honest with you I don't think the Piston's will make it out of the second round. Iv'e predicted that they beat the 76ers 4-2. I also predicted the Pistons would run into the Celtic's and lose to them in 7 games. It's not that I'm underrating the Pistons or overlooking them. It's just that I don't think they are playing at as high of a level as they were last year. IMO, the Celtic's will beat them in the second round after they beat the Pacers in 7 games. I too beleive that the Heat will be in the Finals but they have to get by either the Celtic's or Pistons to do it. BTW, I wouldn't be making any bets with Piston's fans. I'm sure AllNet would take your bet and so would a few other Pistons fans here on the board. The Pistons played the Heat tough in the regular season so I wouldn't be underrating or overlooking them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AA13:</div><div class="quote_post"> BTW, I wouldn't be making any bets with Piston's fans. I'm sure AllNet would take your bet and so would a few other Pistons fans here on the board. The Pistons played the Heat tough in the regular season so I wouldn't be underrating or overlooking them.</div> i dont know if they are willing to bet anything, because if the Heat win then they get to be embarrased i see your a Celtics fan, i like them.. they showed a ton of heart yesterday too but like you also said, i still see the Heat in the finals just due to the Celtics not having a big man that can even somewhat contain Shaq. but the C's have a shot at knocking out the Pistons due to the firepower they have on offense. (thats the Pistons main weakness, they dont have enough weapons that can score)
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It seems to me they are highly overrated, they just aren't clicking like last year</div> Yeah they aren't clicking like last year, they only have the same record as they had last season even with Larry Brown missing double fiqure games, Ben Wallace getting suspended, Sheed Wallace also missing some time. Get out of here with that rubbish. I would love to know how a team can be overrated when all everyone talks about is the Heat, the Spurs and the Suns. The Pistons have dipped under everyone's radar again so I don't know how this can be true. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">reason being, the Heat are 10 times better than the Pistons.</div> How can you be ever taken seriously again with comments like these? seriously do you even watch the NBA or do you just like to believe what ignorant fans like to tell you? the Heat and the Pistons are both great teams, both have a good shot at winning it all. Neither team has an advantage over the other.. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Just watch a Pistons game then a Heat game. notice how much better shots the Heat get, notice how the defense of the Heat is just as good if not better, notice that Wade is better than any player on the Pistons. and notice hes the 2nd best player on the Heat..</div> The Heat's defense is not as good as the Pistons, It's good but clearly not as strong as the Pistons D. Pistons can completely shut you down, the Heat's can't. The Heat score over 100 a game, they beat you up with Shaq, Wade and their role players killing you from outside. Many teams try and double down on Shaq which gives those guys good looks. Oh and yes Wade is better than any Piston player but so was Kobe. Big deal. Championships are won on team-work not two great players. You need other guys stepping up. Granted the Heat players have stepped up in round one but they are playing the Nets. A team with no frontcourt to play Shaq straight up. Pistons will play Shaq alot better and their role players won't be getting the easy shots they are now. It will be interesting to see If the Heat role players can keep It up throughout the playoffs. You also say the Pistons are having trouble with the Sixers but they will still likely beat them in 5 games. The Pistons have done the same as what they did Vs the Bucks in round one last year. Didn't effect them through the rest of the playoffs. The Nets may of got the 8th seed but Philly would of been a far tougher match-up for them. The Sixers had threats inside and out. The Nets are just a good guard based team. The Sixers with Sammy D gives them a good post center in the middle, defender and shot blocker. A former all-star at PF in Chris Webber, a guy who can hit the jumper. A few good shooters and slashers so overall they are far tougher match-up for Detroit than the Nets are for the Heat. The Pistons also tend to slack off and think they are good enough to turn It on when It matters. Which they are but It is not a good mind set to have. They must play hard every game, It's the playoffs. There is no time for playing inconsistant basketball. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">t's not that I'm underrating the Pistons or overlooking them. It's just that I don't think they are playing at as high of a level as they were last year. IMO, the Celtic's will beat them in the second round after they beat the Pacers in 7 games. </div> Please get out of here with that rubbish. The Celtics are not beating the Pistons. Their inside game is weak, and has nothing on the Pistons frontline. They are also struggling with a Pacer team missing 2 of their starters and their other star is playing hurt. Not something you can be happy about when going on to face the champions. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont know if they are willing to bet anything, because if the Heat win then they get to be embarrased</div> Why would any fan of any team be embarrassed about losing to a quailty team such as the Heat? If the Pistons lose to the Heat, then fine the Heat deserve It. Losing to some average other east team would be another matter. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">but the C's have a shot at knocking out the Pistons due to the firepower they have on offense. (thats the Pistons main weakness, they dont have enough weapons that can score)</div> Pistons have more than enough weapons to score. Billups, Hamilton,Sheed,Prince,Mcdyess can also score the basketball. Scorers is not the Pistons main problem It is consistant play out of Billups is the key. Can't believe I've even bothered to reply to some of the points in this garbage thread. Calling out the Pistons just because they are going to win in 5 games and not 4, is quite laughable. You clearly didn't follow the playoffs last year, If you did then you would know the Pistons never had It easy in any round. They made It hard for themselves and they play basically the same way as before. I don't think anyone would have a problem you saying the Heat will make the finals, It's a good bet but saying the Pistons are overrated and some kind of weak team? It gives the impression you know nothing about the NBA. The eastern conference finals will come down to the Heat and the Pistons. Who wins will be a close call. It will depend what the Heat role players give them.
we will see AllNet^ Pistons wont last 7 games vs the Heat i'm takin the Heat in 5 (i'll give the Pistons one win at home)
What a surprise, you don't even bother to reply to any of the points I made. Yet all you do is predict the Heat will win the series easily. If all you were going to do is predict the Heat to win the east, why bother creating this topic? and whats this "we will see" talk? did I guarantee the Heat would lose to the Pistons? or even say the Pistons should win or visa versa? As I said, you saying the Heat would win the series, fine..they have a good shot to do so but calling the Pistons overrated and weak just because they are not going to sweep the Sixers? seems pointless to me.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">What a surprise, you don't even bother to reply to any of the points I made. Yet all you do is predict the Heat will win the series easily. If all you were going to do is predict the Heat to win the east, why bother creating this topic? and whats this "we will see" talk? did I guarantee the Heat would lose to the Pistons? or even say the Pistons should win or visa versa? As I said, you saying the Heat would win the series, fine..they have a good shot to do so but calling the Pistons overrated and weak just because they are not going to sweep the Sixers? seems pointless to me.</div> they are overrated and weak <u>compared to last years team</u>. yes they have the same players basically and coach but its not about that, its the heart, the will to win.. i dont see as much heart as they showed last year. They are the defending Champs they should've taken the Sixers heart out and gave them no chance to beat them, but did they? no they gave the Sixers hope. <u>philly belived they would win game 4.</u> they believed they had a chance.. and yeah your reply is.. well they lost game 4 gettin to the point, if the Heat see the Sixers playin the Pistons like that, and they KNOW they have a wayyyy better team than Philly.. do you really believe they aren't gonna be super confident in beatin the champs? trust me, confidence plays a huge part in who wins and doesnt. not so much to the stars but to players like Udonis Haslem and Damon Jones. i am telling you man, the Pistons just arent the same. sure last year they struggled some in playoff series but that was versus the Nets and Pacers who were the other two elite teams in the East... come on man if you really think the Pistons are playing as good as last year.. ur not watching close. The Pistons bench isn't producing like last year, mostly the defensive intensity that they did last year. So without a good bench, you expect to beat the Heat having Keyon Dooling playin out of his mind and Alonzo Mourning playing very good as well? theres no chance man. none. And the difference between the Heat and Lakers from the Finals last year... The Heat have amazing team chemistry compared to the '04 Lakers, D-Wade doesn't take as many bad shots as Kobe and is less selfish and shoots a way higher % (48% on the season i believe?) i just dont think anyone realizes how good the Heat really are, dont say i told you so when Shaq is holding the trophy and is the Finals MVP....... again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">they are overrated and weak compared to last years team. yes they have the same players basically and coach but its not about that, its the heart, the will to win.. i dont see as much heart as they showed last year. They are the defending Champs they should've taken the Sixers heart out and gave them no chance to beat them, but did they? no they gave the Sixers hope. PHILLY BELIEVED THEY WOULD WIN GAME 4. they believed they had a chance.. </div> Compared to last years team they are the same If not better. Tayshaun Prince is a year better, Antonio Mcdyess is better than any player on their bench last year. The Pistons still play with plenty of heart, If they didn't do you really think they would of won the same amount of games as last year? or be in a position to go through to the 2nd round? the Pistons in the Sixer series have done what they did last year, they gave a team life but did that effect them last year? no, don't see why It will again this year. Yes Philly believed they had a chance but at the end of the day, they still lost the game and will likely lose the series in 5. There are no moral victories in the playoffs. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">gettin to the point, if the Heat see the Sixers playin the Pistons like that, and they KNOW they have a wayyyy better team than Philly.. do you really believe they aren't gonna be super confident in beatin the champs? trust me, confidence plays a huge part in who wins and doesnt. not so much to the stars but to players like Udonis Haslem and Damon Jones.</div> The Heat are going to be confident reguardless of what the Pistons are doing. Do you really think they care what the Pistons are doing? The Heat are going about their business in trying to win 16 games to get that championship. Their confidence at beating Detroit will be high no matter what. A Shaq led team thinks they will beat anybody. Damon Jones is the most arrogant non star in this league but I would be too If I was getting open shots from Shaq every game. Alfred is enjoying his time in the spotlight. So again the Heat's confidence will not be effected. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">i am telling you man, the Pistons just arent the same. sure last year they struggled some in playoff series but that was versus the Nets and Pacers who were the other two elite teams in the East... come on man if you really think the Pistons are playing as good as last year.. ur not watching close.</div> Defensively the Pistons aren't the same no but offensively they are. Defensively they aren't the same for a few reasons. The rule changes and the fact teams have gotten much better offensively. The Pistons defense is still great but not as great as It was a year ago. That doesn't mean they aren't a better team than a year ago. The teams in the east may be different but the Pistons frame of mind is the same. The Pistons have a SF who instead of getting 8 or 9 a game in the playoffs is now getting around 15, plus a bench player who is averaging double fiqures in points and a guy who has given them more than what the whole Pistons bench did in last years playoffs. The Stats don't lie. The Pistons bench never played last year in the post season. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Pistons bench isn't producing like last year, mostly the defensive intensity that they did last year. So without a good bench, you expect to beat the Heat having Keyon Dooling playin out of his mind and Alonzo Mourning playing very good as well? theres no chance man. none.</div> As I mentioned above, the Pistons bench gave the Pistons nothing in last years playoffs offensively. Antonio Mcdyess is giving the Pistons far more than anything they got last year off the bench. The defense side of things seems the same. Mike James was a good defender last year for Detroit but he didn't even average 10 minutes a game in the playoffs and averaged something like 0.8 in the finals. So again I fail to see your point about the bench. When your starting 5 dominates all the minutes and all your points come from 5/6 guys. A bench isn't going to be needed all that much. The Heat's bench are doing a good job but no one on that bench is as good as Antonio Mcdyess. Although yes the Heat are getting alot more for elsewhere. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And the difference between the Heat and Lakers from the Finals last year... The Heat have amazing team chemistry compared to the '04 Lakers, D-Wade doesn't take as many bad shots as Kobe and is less selfish and shoots a way higher % (48% on the season i believe?)</div> I agree the Heat are the better team from last years Lakers, mainly because each Heat player knows their role and plays within themselves. Kobe wanted to take over and be the man and win the MVP award. Damon and Eddie open things up for Shaq and Dwyane but at the same time the Pistons rotation out of double teams better than 90% of the other NBA teams. So guys like Damon won't be getting the great looks they are getting now. It will come down to If Eddie Jones can score consistantly and defend Tayshaun Prince. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">just dont think anyone realizes how good the Heat really are, dont say i told you so when Shaq is holding the trophy and is the Finals MVP....... again</div> I must of missed something, did I say that Shaq and the Heat have no chance to come out of the east and win the title? care to point me to that? You seem to be implying that If the Heat win you will come back and tell me so even though I never mentioned that they couldn't or wouldn't win. If the Heat win the east and the title, It would not be a surprise to me. They are a great team and are playing amazing basketball. As an NBA fan I just don't agree with your opinion that the Pistons are suddenly some overrated team just because they had problems with a tough team who can mix It up in and out like the Sixers did. The Heat and the Pistons are the two best teams in the eastern conference, most would agree with that. Hopfully the match-up If and when they meet is as good as expected. Nothing else really needs to be said on the matter.
Detroit shouldn't beat Miami if it comes to that, but I didn't expect them to beat the Lakers last year, either. Although Shaq will want to do everything he can to beat them this time around
No one has forgotten about the Wizards, but this is their first playoff run and defensively, they are not as good as Detroit and Miami. The Pistons and the Heat have the playoff experience on their team to play consistently, but the Wizards play well one night, but they don't have the experience in the playoffs to maintain that every night or even for the entire game. Furthermore, the Wizards may have a solid offense, but their defense doesn't compare to the Pistons or the Heat. As much as I like what the Wizards have done this year, you have to admit that they are 3rd best team in the East (maybe even 4th if you talk to a Celtic fan). The Pistons and the Heat are the 2 best teams in the East. They are both playing at a high-level, and I don't think giving up a game to the Sixers is enough to convince me the Pistons are automatically inferior. It will be a great eastern finals series.
Hey, ya know what, don't underestimate the Wizards. They are playing their best since 78-79 when they were the Washington Bullets. You have to love the wizards, even if you are a Bulls fan. This is one hell of a team.
No one is underestimating them, they are a good team, but can you really say they are better than Detroit or Miami?
Hey HeadBussa shut up Da Wiz Kidz are back and there is no stopping them aiiight. ( That's why the Hawks are at #30)
I don't know if you can call the eartern playoffs over yet I am upsets DO happen. Anything can happen in Detroit with Indiana with that whole brawl thing, maybe it will give the Pacers some motavation. The Pistons like some of you have said are just not clicking this year, the Sixers actually gave them a run for their money if you watched game four. If the Sixers would have won game four it was have tied the series at two going back to Detroit (the Sixers lost in overtime). The Wizards are a very underestimated team but I do not think that they have an answer for Shaq and Shaq will have some motavation that he didn't win the MVP. Basketball is usually true to form so it wouldn't surpise me if the Pistons and the Heat met in the eastern finals.
Please don't underestimate the Wiz Kidz. They can shut down Shaq if Arenas will drive to the hole each time. Before you know it Shaq (and possibly Zo) will be fouled out before halftime. Hail to da Wiz Kidz.
Yes Shaq was in foul trouble... but does that really matter. As showcased in Game 1, we don't need Shaq to stomp all over the Wizards, it's easy pickin's. I'm sorry if you guys think you stand a chance, but you'll be lucky to snatch 1 game. Sorry if it sounds mean, but it's the god awful truth. Especially when we also sweeped the regular season series 4-0.
