I think Detroit is a better team than Indiana. However, because the Pacers have homecourt, I doubt Detroit can win a 7-game series against them.
I don't think one is able to judge which team is better after one single game is played. The big reason why the Pacers lost that game was Detroit's two Wallaces shut Jermaine O'Neal down. He finished with only 9 points, after making his first 2 of 3 shots, he missed the 9 in a row. Had he shot a little better, it wouldn't be easy to put away the best team in the League. But the Pistons were also terrific defensively. The final score was 79-61, the 10th time they have held opponents under 70. Facing a probable conference finals opponent against the Pacers, they need to score too because Indiana is also one of the better team defensively. With Pacers holding the homecourt, I'd say Pacers in 6.
I don't really think that Detroit is better ither. It's to close to tell, it should be a great Eastern conference finals between the 2 teams. We'll see, but I think that because Indiana will have homecourt advantage, they will emerge out of the east. But I would root for Detroit, I like to watch them alot more then Indiana.
Homecourt won't mean much if Pacers and Pistons meet up, Detroit will have no problem winning on the road in the playoffs. Pistons making the finals all depends on Rasheed Wallace, if he keeps up his form and rises above and play to his talents then there is no doubt the Pistons will be in the finals.
To the question are the Pistons the best in the eastern conference regular season? I dont know, you dont have the best record so I would say most likely not. But if you are talking about playoffs? of course not, the Nets are the best team until the Pacers or Pistons beat them. Last year in the regular season, your defense was great. But during the playoffs it seemed extremely shakey at times. The Magic averaged almost 100pts on it. And when the Nets made their adjustments it turned into a layup drill for them. So your defense has to prove that it can hold in a 7 game series once teams make adjustments. Its easy to hold a team down in one regular season game. And much harder to do in 7 consecutive games. And Rasheed is a noted underachiever in the playoffs the last few seasons. So I would put all my eggs in that basket if I was a Pistons Fan.
The Pistons i certainly improved the defense since last season, adding Rasheed Wallace comfirmed that. It is so hard for teams to score inside on the Wallace brothers. Many people have stated the Pistons have the best defense since the famous Bulls championship team , will see If it stays the same in the post season <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And Rasheed is a noted underachiever in the playoffs the last few seasons. So I would put all my eggs in that basket if I was a Pistons Fan. </div> Don't see that at all, Sheed has been very good in the playoffs for Portland the last few years. He give them 17/18 points the last few years which is all Detroit need him to do. The situation is very difference compared to what happened in the west, he isn't around a team like the Pistons with two other scorers. He is also in a much weaker conference where he can dominate games more. Going up against Magloire, Brown, Martin, O'Neal e.t.c is better than facing Shaq, Duncan, Dirk e.t.c every post season. This is a Pistons forum as I'm sure you would of noticed so If Pistons fans want to claim best in the east status and making the finals...There is nothing wrong with it. If everyone went into the Pacers forum posting these topics I would have a problem with it. It's no different to you saying Nets are the best in the east in the Nets forum.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">don't see that at all, Sheed has been very good in the playoffs for Portland the last few years. He give them 17/18 points the last few years which is all Detroit need him to do. </div> Honestly, I wasnt really talking about his stats in the playoffs. Iam talking about some of the mental mistakes he has made in the playoffs. Like getting a techinical down the stretch against the Lakers are few years ago. Or taking a 25 foot 3pter when the Blazers where only down by 2pts to dallas down the stretch of one of their games in 1st round playoffs last year. And those are just a few of the mental mistakes that Rasheed has made in the pressure situation of the playoffs. And in my opinion Mental mistakes dont really matter what level of competion you are playing whether its eastern conference or the west. It has to do more with your own character. Some people just cant handle it. Rasheed Wallace has all the talent in the world but his decision making skills in pressure situations leaves something to be desired. And that doesnt matter whether its against Tim, KG or any of other pf out west or east. You either handle the pressure or you cant. And right now I say he cant. P.S Allnet I really dont have a problem with Pistons or Pacers fans claiming they are the best this year. Those teams have had great regular seasons. Iam just pointing out dont forget about the Nets come playoff time that when they play their best ball.
Rasheed has had many problems over the years keeping his emotion in check, and yes he has made plenty of mental mistakes in the playoffs but I don't think he is the same guy now as he was then. It's impossible to predict what will happen in the playoffs and what players like Rasheed will do but he is with a coach that has been known for having problem players, I don't think Mo Cheeks was the kind of coach who could control guys like him, which is why Bonzi Wells is no longer a member of that Blazers team. Larry Brown is the prefect guy to control a guy who has had his fair share of problems over the years with his emotions. Oh and don't worry I and most other fans who know basketball know the Nets will be a threat come playoff time and there is no doubt It is a 3 horse race to make the finals, it will be a battle to the finish. All 3 teams's fans think their team will make the finals, playoff time all those questions will be decided.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post"> All 3 teams's fans think their team will make the finals, playoff time all those questions will be decided.</div> No doubt, not steal to from TNT but only the playoffs know the truth. And I will give you the point that Rasheed does seem somewhat different under Brown then say Cheeks or Dunleavy. But the playoffs will be the true test. So we just dont know yet. But we shall soon find out.
J.O'neal wasn't at 100% either. I still think Detroit will win it all ... it will be in 5 games first game Detroit then they win 2 at home then at Indiana. They are the best in the east right now , no doubt. If they had Rasheed since the start of the season they would have the best record on the league. Nets? Not a shot against Detroit trust me.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMac_OwNz:</div><div class="quote_post">J.O'neal wasn't at 100% either. I still think Detroit will win it all ... it will be in 5 games first game Detroit then they win 2 at home then at Indiana. They are the best in the east right now , no doubt. If they had Rasheed since the start of the season they would have the best record on the league. Nets? Not a shot against Detroit trust me.</div> Yeah, I trust you because you can predict the future. Not :thumbsdow
It's acceptable to say that right now, Detroit and the Pacers are the best in the East. It's just a matter of how you look into things. Like right now, I'm not really troubled that the Nets doesn't have the best record, or they lost some ugly games. I'm not troubled that Sheed is in Detroit or Artest is playing the best basketball of his career because I know that the Nets own the East during the playoffs. To quote KMart, they're still the best in the East unless proven otherwise. So if there'll be new East champs this season, then they're the best of the East. However, I would've to agree that the Pacers and Pistons are better than the Nets this regular season. I can't wait for the playoffs so we can go down to business. It might be true that you acquired an all-star in Rasheed. Although we haven't acquired another all star player, we developed one. We have a very ripe KMart who's way better than what he was last season. We also have Jefferson who now has a jumper. Rogers, Kittles and Lu is regaining back they're form in time for the playoffs and besides, you can't count out a team with Kidd in it. My point, you really can't say that they're now the best just because they had a great game, a great regular season or acquired an all star. Best team in the regular season<----Pacers Most dangerous team and complete team<------Detroit Best team in the East<------Nets coz of the way they owned the East for the past two season. The new best team in the East<--------???????????????????????? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nets? Not a shot against Detroit trust me.</div> uhm...I'd rather not.
Watch and Learn from the master. I love Kidd to Martin team but .. 2 x Wallace ? and Rip , Billups , Prince....OFF THE BENCH Okur??? lol...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMac_OwNz:</div><div class="quote_post">Watch and Learn from the master. I love Kidd to Martin team but .. 2 x Wallace ? and Rip , Billups , Prince....OFF THE BENCH Okur??? lol...</div> I hate to break it to you but it takes more than a star studded line to be the best. There is such a thing as chemistry, drive, injuries, motivation, capabilities to deliver in the clutch, great coaching and loads of other things. There is a reason why the Spurs won last year. No, it's not a star-studded lineup. LOL to you too...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">I hate to break it to you but it takes more than a star studded line to be the best. There is such a thing as chemistry, drive, injuries, motivation, capabilities to deliver in the clutch, great coaching and loads of other things. There is a reason why the Spurs won last year. No, it's not a star-studded lineup. LOL to you too... </div> TD is one if not the best player in the NBA , because he makes the other players so good. so which factor Detroit doesn't posses? Chemistry? whats the record since trade? drive? injuries? motivation? clutch(billups) ? great coaching(lol..) ? lots of other things...? not lol..but ROFL!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">I hate to break it to you but it takes more than a star studded line to be the best. There is such a thing as chemistry, drive, injuries, motivation, capabilities to deliver in the clutch, great coaching and loads of other things. There is a reason why the Spurs won last year. No, it's not a star-studded lineup. LOL to you too... </div> while i tend to agree with your original point about dethroning the Nets to be the best.....remember that the Piston's rap was that they DIDN'T have a star. they've excelled because of their team chemistry. Sheed was their biggest "star" addition they've had in a while.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMac_OwNz:</div><div class="quote_post">Watch and Learn from the master. I love Kidd to Martin team but .. 2 x Wallace ? and Rip , Billups , Prince....OFF THE BENCH Okur??? lol...</div> Master of what? You named a bunch of names. Rip, Billups, Rasheed Wallace are something to think about on offense. And the Pistons have a great Defense but you still have yet to explain, why the Nets should just hand them the Eastern conference title before the playoffs start?
Dude, I just stated some of the things that needs to be taken into consideration to make the team the best. because.... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Watch and Learn from the master. I love Kidd to Martin team but .. 2 x Wallace ? and Rip , Billups , Prince....OFF THE BENCH Okur??? lol...</div> you make it sound like having this lineup is all they need to take the East crown...I made the reference to the Spurs to emphasize my point. They only have a few superstars and yet, their chemistry, David's leadership etc brought them the crown. If you can remember, Rip had a hard time with Kidd defending him. Billups and the others were non existent in the series wherein they were swept. My point? Stop saying that the Pistons are the best because they have "2 x Wallace ? and Rip , Billups , Prince....OFF THE BENCH Okur???"
