<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">The officials are bogus. This series has been real rediculous. I give a lot of credit to Detroit as I have all year, but I just lose interest in games when they start sending teams to the line all quarter with 8 minutes left to go. The Lakers have been leading the league on freethrow attempts per game for years now, and all of a suddenly a great defensive team comes around and they double the Lakers' FT attempts? As I've said a lot of that has to do with Detroit's defense, but a lot of it is also bogus. On one perticular play they showed Prince going up for a layup which he got a foul call for, NO ONE EVEN TOUCHED HIM. Doc Rivers and Al Michaels looked like they were about to talk about the foul, but after the replay was shown they didn't even talk about it. There was obviously no contact AT ALL and when they saw the replay they decided to not even talk about it. That's just one example of how it's been going. Like I've said over and over again, I give the Pistons a lot of credit but some of this is straight up bullsh**t.</div> How about that supposed "alley-oop" from GP to Shaq in the first quarter? Now that's some BS if you ask me You better start believing that the Detroit defense is THAT good. These two teams never really played each other in full strength before this and seriously, how can you call an awesome defensive team like the Pistons who held like what, 20 consecutive games where their opponent scored under 70 points "out of no where"? (Don't quote me on that 20 games record comment, I don't know the exact number but it's something like that) By the way, I live in Irvine too :mrgreen:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">How about that supposed "alley-oop" from GP to Shaq in the first quarter? Now that's some BS if you ask me You better start believing that the Detroit defense is THAT good. These two teams never really played each other in full strength before this and seriously, how can you call an awesome defensive team like the Pistons who held like what, 20 consecutive games where their opponent scored under 70 points "out of no where"? (Don't quote me on that 20 games record comment, I don't know the exact number but it's something like that)</div> I know that the Pistons are that good on defense, and I've given credit to them for that. But their defense has nothing to do with all the calls they get on their offensive end, and that's what I'm questioning. I could care less about how often the Lakers go to the line because I don't think they've done a good job attacking the rim this series, but the Pistons haven't done that either and get all the foul calls. The Pistons are just running around the three point line and are getting whistle after whistle, and they get to the line over and over again. Take the 2nd quarter for example, the Pistons scored 10 or more points consecutively from the line while they couldn't get anything going besides that. If there's one team I wouldn't mind seeing winning the title besides the Lakers, it's Detroit. I've always loved watching their hard working defense and I've always liked their players a lot. I've always liked guys like Chauncey, Rip, and Rasheed even before they came to Detroit. If the Pistons end up winning it all this year, I'll be glad it's them. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">By the way, I live in Irvine too :mrgreen:</div> that's pretty cool, we should watch a Clipper game or something next season.. Not too many people I know around here are Clipper fans.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">How about that supposed "alley-oop" from GP to Shaq in the first quarter? Now that's some BS if you ask me You better start believing that the Detroit defense is THAT good. These two teams never really played each other in full strength before this and seriously, how can you call an awesome defensive team like the Pistons who held like what, 20 consecutive games where their opponent scored under 70 points "out of no where"? (Don't quote me on that 20 games record comment, I don't know the exact number but it's something like that) By the way, I live in Irvine too :mrgreen:</div> It was like 5 games, I believe. Anyways, I'm really glad that the Pistons are on the verge of winning the championship. Who would have thought in the beginning? I gotta admit, I ruled them out. But, let's not get carried away though. If there is one team in the league that can come back from this kinda deficit, it's the Lakers for sure.
Disagree. The Lakers have tried to hack the Pistons at every opportunity, Fisher and Fox being prime exponents... Bryant flings his arms in the air and leans his chest and torso into his opponent. They're playing extremely poor defense, and now they've been found out, there's a big hoo-hah. Campbell, Sheed and Big Ben have stayed straight up on the greater majority of their defensive plays, and have actually been called for more than their share of phantom fouls. Simply, the Lakers feel their entitled to things... which is really reflective of the series.
Just watched it, I'm very disappointed with the result... Lakers appeared ready to play in the first half... that Hamilton to Billups' 3 in the 4th was very big for them IMO and Rasheed kept knocking down the dagger in the end for them. The Pistons deserve the credit to stay focused and play their game... To me, Game 7 is still a possibility but it depends on how they play Game 5. Well, if they lose it, they'll go fishing anyway... but it ain't over. Honestly, the Pistons have been the better team all series.
also, it should be mentioned that the Pistons have never resorted to hack-a-shaq, which could explain the lack of Piston fouls.
First off, I'd like to state that the ABC announcers have to be the biggest dumbasses the sport has ever seen. They back-pedal on almost all of their statements about the Lakers. I believe after the game 2 loss, an ABC announcer made a statement about game 3 being a double digit win for the lakers. WHAT THE F!!!!! NO ONE has really given credit to the Pistons before tonights game. Every single post-game pre-game half-time gossip-fest has been about the Lakers. Are they really that f'ing ignorant or are they just really stupid. The Pistons have dominated the lakers, BAR-NONE. Wow, Shaq has over 30 points, GOOD FOR HIM. They asked Wallace after tonights game "Shaq had 37 points, what do you guys have to do to stop him?" WHY THE HELL ARE WE TALKING ABOUT STOPPING SHAQ??? Who cares, Pistons can let him have his 30-40 points a game, they are winning even with Shaq having his "great games." No one understood that the Pistons were severly under-rated and the Lakers, well, lets just say, the Lakers have been given every complement such an over-rated team can recieve. I'm sorry, for the pay-roll the Lakers have, they just aren't doing <strike>shit</strike> on the court. Pistons have shown that the nation was wrong. Shaq sucks, Kobe sucks, Malone sucks, P. Jackson sucks, payton sucks, ABC announcers suck, the medias sports annalyists and writers suck, and lets face it, all the L.A.'s fans suck, when I watched game #1, and 2 at the Staples center, I thought I was watching a golfing match judging how loud the crowd was. (L.A. @ Home: KOBE SHOOTS, HE SCORES SEND GAME 2 INTO OVERTIME: L.A. Croud gets up for their first time and gives a golf clap for Kobe for preventing the Lakers from a possible sweep. Lakers Win the game, the crowd leaves its seats for the second time and gives a golf-clap recognition to their adultry commiting <strike>rapist</strike> star, Kobe Bryant) <font color="Navy"><font size="1">EDIT: Innappropriate - SS</font></font>
Well happens from here? Do we really expect a game 5 blowout? Or will Kobe actually find a way to score? Kobe is definatly a HUGE reason why the Lakers are accomplishing anything imo. When Kobe struggles, the Lakers struggle.
The Pistons have proved once again to be the superior team. What I find hilarious is when some of the Lakers fans were saying this championship is theres before the series even began. Heck, even Chungster said that the Pistons didn't have a chance to win game 4. I love it. The Lakers were outplayed, out hustled, out coached. DEFENSE wins championships.
This lost really stung. Shaq needed help and Kobe still shot horrible from the field. But he did find the open teammates, but they couldn't do anything with the ball. The Lakers have had no X-Factor's and Malone's injury really hurts them. Slava has no chance against Sheed and GP looks like he's just cruising. Magic's statements didn't lit a fire under any of the Lakers asses but Shaq in this game. It basically backfired and the Lakers don't have their swagger anymore. But I still believe that they'll find away and make history of overcoming a 3-1 deficit.
did we all watch the same game? kobe flailing his arms about? chauncey billups was slipping all over the court like it was ice, and yet he still got the call. As for a defensive team, try 32-0 when their opponent scores less then 80. Thats a defense. The Pistons dont do the hack-a-shaq, they made up a new defense, hack-everyone-but-shaq. You cant keep saying Kobe initiates contact when he shoots, we've all heard it before, he only had two free throws in all of game 4. Ben Wallace with a quarter the fg attempts of Shaq had just as many freethrow attempts. Thats not from attacking the basket... not 22-41. not 13-30. The Pistons made more freethrows than the Lakers had attempts! numbers dont lie.
ubermensch, we all watched the same game. Apparently you're the only one that saw a different one. Simple truth is, the Pistons played great defense, the Lakers played stupid and passively, and the result is a lopsided FT attempt. Refer to my post in the Lakers forum.
How can laker fans blame the refs? If anything the league would want LA to win the championship, just for purely star power and marketing....shit the NBA is all about marketing....DEFENSE wins championships boys... KOBE vs MJ??? Cmon....
Out of interest, is there some sort of unwritten law that both teams must have the same amount of fouls and freethrow attempts in a game, regardless of what happens?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice:</div><div class="quote_post">Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Hey Hey <font size="7"> Goodbye</font></div> Let's hope so. I'd hate for LA to come back and win it all.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ubermensch5150:</div><div class="quote_post">did we all watch the same game? chauncey billups was slipping all over the court like it was ice, and yet he still got the call.</div> if i remember correctly, Billups fell twice with no call. once he was called for a travel.
Stop blaming the refs. I don't know if any of you had a chance to read the Detroit News (They still were hesitant before the series about the Pistons winning, but instead of being biased they pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of each team) but anyway the article after game 3 started out something like this "Whenever visiting teams come to the Palace, the court always seems to be too dim, the crowd too loud, the officials too biased, etc." Basically pointing out all the exscuses teams make when they get out-played in Detroit. I think the officials in LA called some pretty shady fouls on Detroit in games 1 & 2, but the Pistons beat themselves in game 2, not the refs. Everyone whose ever played any sport with officials knows that, yes, they do play into the game, but a great team will play over bad calls. Instead of crying about it after the game, good players and good teams will do something during the game (Hey, imagine that, actually walking the walk instead of talking the talk (KOBE)) but anyways, I think Detroit has done a good job not letting the officials dictate their play. Yes, Detroit has been called for some pretty phantom fouls, but they continue to play their game. If Kobe can't take a missed call or two, then he shouldn't be in the NBA in the first place. D E T R O I T B A S K E T B A L L P.S. Once again the Detroit fans showed L.A. why they are the best fans in the NBA. I don't think too many people can imagine how loud the Palace gets during the game. I think Pistons will win it in 5 with the home crowd being so into it, but if they don't, the Lakers havn't ended one game in regulation with the lead at home or in Detroit.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Detroit07:</div><div class="quote_post">First off, I'd like to state that the ABC announcers have to be the biggest dumbasses the sport has ever seen. They back-pedal on almost all of their statements about the Lakers. I believe after the game 2 loss, an ABC announcer made a statement about game 3 being a double digit win for the lakers. WHAT THE F!!!!! NO ONE has really given credit to the Pistons before tonights game. Every single post-game pre-game half-time gossip-fest has been about the Lakers. Are they really that f'ing ignorant or are they just really stupid. The Pistons have dominated the lakers, BAR-NONE. Wow, Shaq has over 30 points, GOOD FOR HIM. They asked Wallace after tonights game "Shaq had 37 points, what do you guys have to do to stop him?" WHY THE HELL ARE WE TALKING ABOUT STOPPING SHAQ??? Who cares, Pistons can let him have his 30-40 points a game, they are winning even with Shaq having his "great games." No one understood that the Pistons were severly under-rated and the Lakers, well, lets just say, the Lakers have been given every complement such an over-rated team can recieve. I'm sorry, for the pay-roll the Lakers have, they just aren't doing <strike>shit</strike> on the court. Pistons have shown that the nation was wrong. Shaq sucks, Kobe sucks, Malone sucks, P. Jackson sucks, payton sucks, ABC announcers suck, the medias sports annalyists and writers suck, and lets face it, all the L.A.'s fans suck, when I watched game #1, and 2 at the Staples center, I thought I was watching a golfing match judging how loud the crowd was.</div> You are one funny guy to actually say the ABC announcers absolutely don't give the Pistons credit. If you were listening to the commentary which I doubt you were doing throughout this series, Doc Rivers kept praising the Pistons on every key basket they made throughout the game, and whenever he had something to say about the Lakers, he'd criticize them. Heck, it got so bad with Doc, I felt like switching over to my SAP button. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Detroit07:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq sucks, Kobe sucks, Malone sucks, P. Jackson sucks, payton sucks, ABC announcers suck, the medias sports annalyists and writers suck, and lets face it, all the L.A.'s fans suck, when I watched game #1, and 2 at the Staples center, I thought I was watching a golfing match judging how loud the crowd was.</div> Ok Shaq sucks. The most dominant center in the game today which you had no answer for last night. Kobe sucks. One of the best two guards in the game today hands down. Malone sucks?? Just because he's enduring an injury in which he's playing limited minutes?? Phil Jackson sucks?? Arguably one of the best coaches in the game with nine championship rings?? Obviously it's your ignorance that's making you look horrible instead of seeing the truth.
What more can I say? It was a disgusting, humilating loss knowing that I was so confident and very postively sure my LA Lakers would tie this series up and guarantee a home game back in Staples Center for Game 6. There are definitely some keys to why we lost this game and I'll tell you why. #1. Kobe's selfishness: In the first half, we have a 7'1" 360 pound giant playing to the best of his ability taking on the Detroit defense, taking advantage of isolations and double-teams in the paint, he goes 8/10 at the half, and what happens?? Kobe Bryant's ego once again takes over and he tries to do TOO much with contested jumpshots that had no chance of going into the rim. And a lot of his shots were bricks. Memo to Kobe: I don't care whether or not you like Shaq which of course you don't, I don't care whether you think you're soon gonna be a glimpse of Michael Jordan (and we actually did see his tongue wagging out) give the rock to Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal was dominant in the first half, and you absolutely don't ignore his offense. And what was so disturbing was the fact Kobe was joking with the media and saying his team has to take open shots more. Unbelieveable. #2. Foul trouble: When I'd actually thought the Lakers would learn from their foul trouble mistakes, they did it again. Picking up five quick fouls with about 8 minutes and change to go????? What's up with that?? Now I know us Laker fans can question the refs all we want, but a majority of the fouls were stupid ticky-tac fouls committed by our Lakers. Not only were the Detroit Pistons out of this game early and the stat doesn't lie, at one point they were 2-18 from the field as a team, they easily put the Pistons right back in the game by the number of penalty free throws they hit. #3. "Sloppy" Medvedenko: If there is something you don't ever want to do in an important playoff game let alone an NBA Finals game, you don't ever wanna wake up a sleeping giant. And that was exactly what Sloppy did as he awokened Rasheed Wallace with that little scuffle they had late in the 3rd quarter. Since that scuffle, Rasheed just took over the entire game at that point. Heck, we all know Sloppy doesn't have defense, but what the hell was he thinking when he got into his face like that? Why couldn't he just take the high road and simply WALK AWAY???? As far as I'm concerned, I know the Lakers have one more game to send this series back to Los Angeles, but this series is over. I know I said this back in the conference semis against the Spurs, but this is a totally different scenario. The Detroit Pistons truly have shocked the world, they shocked me and the other Laker fans, and they shocked the people of Las Vegas that have betted before this series began that the Lakers would win this series. Hurts for me to say this, but I'll be looking forward to discussing the Laker offseason including the "rebuilding" of this team and perhaps Kobe's new basketball town wherever that may be. It's just a matter of hours when the Detroit Pistons will hoist that trophy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">What more can I say? It was a disgusting, humilating loss knowing that I was so confident and very postively sure my LA Lakers would tie this series up and guarantee a home game back in Staples Center for Game 6. There are definitely some keys to why we lost this game and I'll tell you why. #1. Kobe's selfishness: In the first half, we have a 7'1" 360 pound giant playing to the best of his ability taking on the Detroit defense, taking advantage of isolations and double-teams in the paint, he goes 8/10 at the half, and what happens?? Kobe Bryant's ego once again takes over and he tries to do TOO much with contested jumpshots that had no chance of going into the rim. And a lot of his shots were bricks. Memo to Kobe: I don't care whether or not you like Shaq which of course you don't, I don't care whether you think you're soon gonna be a glimpse of Michael Jordan (and we actually did see his tongue wagging out) give the rock to Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal was dominant in the first half, and you absolutely don't ignore his offense. And what was so disturbing was the fact Kobe was joking with the media and saying his team has to take open shots more. Unbelieveable. #2. Foul trouble: When I'd actually thought the Lakers would learn from their foul trouble mistakes, they did it again. Picking up five quick fouls with about 8 minutes and change to go????? What's up with that?? Now I know us Laker fans can question the refs all we want, but a majority of the fouls were stupid ticky-tac fouls committed by our Lakers. Not only were the Detroit Pistons out of this game early and the stat doesn't lie, at one point they were 2-18 from the field as a team, they easily put the Pistons right back in the game by the number of penalty free throws they hit. #3. "Sloppy" Medvedenko: If there is something you don't ever want to do in an important playoff game let alone an NBA Finals game, you don't ever wanna wake up a sleeping giant. And that was exactly what Sloppy did as he awokened Rasheed Wallace with that little scuffle they had late in the 3rd quarter. Since that scuffle, Rasheed just took over the entire game at that point. Heck, we all know Sloppy doesn't have defense, but what the hell was he thinking when he got into his face like that? Why couldn't he just take the high road and simply WALK AWAY???? As far as I'm concerned, I know the Lakers have one more game to send this series back to Los Angeles, but this series is over. I know I said this back in the conference semis against the Spurs, but this is a totally different scenario. The Detroit Pistons truly have shocked the world, they shocked me and the other Laker fans, and they shocked the people of Las Vegas that have betted before this series began that the Lakers would win this series. Hurts for me to say this, but I'll be looking forward to discussing the Laker offseason including the "rebuilding" of this team and perhaps Kobe's new basketball town wherever that may be. It's just a matter of hours when the Detroit Pistons will hoist that trophy.</div> Word! The best thing for the Lakers would be to sign and trade kobe this offseason...we all know that the Lakers have 4 hall of famers, but they are NOT a team...shaq shoulda at least 'touched' the ball every possession...This is Shaqs Team, not Kobes... btw, i thought the Lakers would win in 7, simply because of the Pistons D...but IF there is one team that can come back from 3-1, its got to be the Lakers...
