I know your Pistons have not played up to the level that you like, but don't take it out on Z. Sure he was slacking off a lot to start the season, but his entire game has stepped up the last month or so. He is blocking over 3+ shots a game, rebounding like a monster too. Detriot is far too up and down to make it to the Finals, they either win ugly, or don't win at all. We have seen hot stretches like this from them throughout the season, but to call them a favorite to go to the Finals is a stretch, just like saying the Cavs can go deep at this stage.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If big Z was on the Pistons, Ben would have to bail his ass out everytime on the defensive end.</div>Big Ben is overrated, defensively. Boozer has a career game against him everytime they meet. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He might be one of the worst 7 foot defenders I've ever seen.</div>It's apparant to me, that you haven't seen Z play over the past month and a half. He's been blocking shots, altering shots, and doing everything one could ask for. He's a huge reason why the Cavaliers are 7-5 over their last 12 road games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Detriot is far too up and down to make it to the Finals, they either win ugly, or don't win at all. We have seen hot stretches like this from them throughout the season, but to call them a favorite to go to the Finals is a stretch, just like saying the Cavs can go deep at this stage.</div> Care to check the scores of Pistons games since Rasheed arrived? blownout several teams in the past few weeks. Care to tell me where I said Pistons are the favourites and will make the finals? Nets are still the team you go through, they have won the east the last two seasons for a reason. Up and down? so being 17 games above 500 is not consistant enough for ya? If you call that many games above 500 up and down what do you call the Cavs 9 games under 500? sad? a joke? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Big Ben is overrated, defensively. Boozer has a career game against him everytime they meet. </div> Please.....Ben has shut down many players over the years, Boozer played so well against Wallace purely because he was the main defender to stop him, Carlos got most of his points off rebounds in the last two meetings. Difference is now, Ben has Sheed to back up him, lets see Boozer dominate now. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's apparant to me, that you haven't seen Z play over the past month and a half. He's been blocking shots, altering shots, and doing everything one could ask for. He's a huge reason why the Cavaliers are 7-5 over their last 12 road games.</div> I've seen him plenty of times, no footwork, never bothers to check whoever he is guarding, no effort getting to the guy no matter where he is on the court. He is purely an offensive player and an average rebounder. 7-5 record? is that suppose to be impressive?
Like the Cavaliers, the Pistolas have been playing amazing ball recently. I don't think right now is the best time to make predictions, considering the volatile nature of the EC atm. The Cavaliers aren't in, officially, but if they do get in, I believe their series could end up being decided by which team had the momentum going into the series.
i wouldn't call the Cavs the most dangerous team in the East, but in the playoffs, i'd say they could be a sleeper. with LeBron in the backcourt and Boozer/Illgauskas in teh middle, they've got a solid core. however, i can't really see them getting past the second round. their best players are still young and inexperienced.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ben has shut down many players over the years, Boozer played so well against Wallace purely because he was the main defender to stop him, Carlos got most of his points off rebounds in the last two meetings. Difference is now, Ben has Sheed to back up him, lets see Boozer dominate now.</div>That's a weak excuse and you know it, AllNet. Ben's the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, so he shouldn't have any trouble stopping a second year player like Boozer, who wasn't even considered a 1st round talent. Go ahead, look at the boxscores again. Boozer has *owned* Ben repeatedly, dating back to last season. If Rashweed can help Ben deal with Boozer, more power to 'em. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I've seen him plenty of times, no footwork, never bothers to check whoever he is guarding, no effort getting to the guy no matter where he is on the court. He is purely an offensive player and an average rebounder. </div> Cavaliers fans, did you get that? Z has no footwork. Funny you mention that, because his footwork has been nothing short of brilliant of late, especially the last game. As for his defense, he's been playing like the Z of old, who was once a very good defender. Basically, everything you said was true about 2 months ago. Come on, get with the times, AllNet. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">7-5 record? is that suppose to be impressive?</div>For a team that, only a couple months earlier, was challenging the road record for consecutive losses? You bet it is. You may recall, that the Cavaliers were 17-65 only a season ago. Anything they do on the plus side, especially beating playoff teams on the road repeatedly, should be considered impressive, agreed?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Allnet, what is the season series for the Pistons and the Cavs? I forgot, it was luck right?</div> Wise decision by not replying to my points as afterall It can't be nice getting embarassed in your own forum As for the season series, is that suppose to actually mean something?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Skywzrd:</div><div class="quote_post">Big Ben is overrated, defensively. Boozer has a career game against him everytime they meet.</div>Ben's overrated defensively? that's laughable, man. the guy's a two time DPOY. 2nd in rebounds per game 2nd in blocks per game 7th in steals per game 8th in double doubles he's had key blocks to help the Pistons win games. he's dominate the boards at only 6'9". how is he overrated?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Wise decision by not replying to my points as afterall It can't be nice getting embarassed in your own forum As for the season series, is that suppose to actually mean something?</div> If the points are good enough, I agrue, if not, I let the newbies have em. No, I guess games don't mean anything allnet. Challange me, lol, you crazy
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">That's a weak excuse and you know it, AllNet. Ben's the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, so he shouldn't have any trouble stopping a second year player like Boozer, who wasn't even considered a 1st round talent. Go ahead, look at the boxscores again. Boozer has *owned* Ben repeatedly, dating back to last season. If Rashweed can help Ben deal with Boozer, more power to 'em. </div> Ben Wallace is no Ben Russell or Wilt...He can't stop players all the time, I've seen him completely shut down the best offensive players in the NBA, he isn't able to do that all the time,he will make it really tough for guys but Boozer has played Wallace tough but getting loose balls or offensive rebounds don't qualify as owning him. Some people really need to fiqure out what the word owning means. Sheed has completely helped Ben on defense, proof,Held 3 straight teams to under 70 points on the road. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For a team that, only a couple months earlier, was challenging the road record for consecutive losses? You bet it is. You may recall, that the Cavaliers were 17-65 only a season ago. Anything they do on the plus side, especially beating playoff teams on the road repeatedly, should be considered impressive, agreed?</div> For a team like Cleveland it may be impressive but It is still an average record, Cavs are improving as they were bound to do over the course of the season. As for Big Z, I have seen him lately he is still weak on defense, you may be praising him right now but thats likely purely because you are actually winning basketball games. He has never had problems scoring.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wise decision by not replying to my points as afterall It can't be nice getting embarassed in your own forum </div>AllNet, is that smugness I detect? Come on, you haven't even seen much of the Cavaliers recently. Most of your opinion regarding the Cavaliers seems to center on the team that was 6-19, not the one that's been constantly improving ever since. You're discussing Z like he's still riding the bench during the 4th quarters. Believe me, if Z wasn't playing defense, he wouldn't be on the floor during crunch time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post"> No, I guess games don't mean anything allnet. Challange me, lol, you crazy </div> I was going to say the same thing to you, as for the games...season series don't really mean anything when the two teams in question are at different ends of the seedings. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Come on, you haven't even seen much of the Cavaliers recently. Most of your opinion regarding the Cavaliers seems to center on the team that was 6-19</div> Oh really? could you please tell me what I had for lunch today as well? I have seen plenty of Cavs games, more since they have been winning. There is that thing called league pass.
If they just would have drafted Carmelo Anthony, they would not have needed Wallace. Go ahead, defend Darko, but I know Melo is eating you up on the inside. (I love getting posts)
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Boozer has played Wallace tough but getting loose balls or offensive rebounds don't qualify as owning him.</div>I don't really need to post statistics, do I? You're clearly making inaccurate statements, with only one goal in mind -- to minimize Boozer's impact. Boozer wouldn't average 15/11 if all he did was get loose balls or offensive rebounds. Off the top of my head, Boozer is probably averaging closer to 20/12 against Ben. He can drive, he can shoot, and he does all the dirty work that you mentioned. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For a team like Cleveland it may be impressive</div>May be impressive? Of course it is. Saying it's not is entirely wrong. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">but It is still an average record, Cavs are improving as they were bound to do over the course of the season.</div>Average for a *good* team. That's the whole point, that the Cavaliers are becoming a good team. The Pistons are 20-15 on the road, which tells me that the Cavaliers are playing exactly how they should be in order to compete in the EC. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As for Big Z, I have seen him lately he is still weak on defense</div>*Cough* *Bullsh1t* *Cough*
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting iamme:</div><div class="quote_post">Ben's overrated defensively? that's laughable, man. the guy's a two time DPOY. 2nd in rebounds per game 2nd in blocks per game 7th in steals per game 8th in double doubles he's had key blocks to help the Pistons win games. he's dominate the boards at only 6'9". how is he overrated?</div> What do rebounds and double doubles have to do with defense? Boozer gets a ton of rebounds and double doubles and he is still a poor defensive player.
However you can be a bad defender when you play Wallace as he has no idea on how to shoot the ball. Its like watch a Darius Miles 3 point attempt!
Boozer's defense is underrated. The Cavaliers have had decent interior defense much of the season. Currently, the Cavaliers defense is ranked 10th in the NBA in FG%. So far, Boozer has actually been a better defender than Dirk, Gasol, Randolph, and Brand, but worse than the likes of K-Mart, KG, and Duncan. I'd call him an average defender, at this point. He's solid some games, below average others, but as a whole, he outperforms his man more times than not. Before anyone flames me for saying this, look up the numbers and see for yourselves. The defense has been poor everywhere except the middle.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't really need to post statistics, do I? You're clearly making inaccurate statements, with only one goal in mind -- to minimize Boozer's impact. Boozer wouldn't average 15/11 if all he did was get loose balls or offensive rebounds. Off the top of my head, Boozer is probably averaging closer to 20/12 against Ben. He can drive, he can shoot, and he does all the dirty work that you mentioned.</div> Boozer plays Wallace very well as I've already stated but saying Boozer has owned Ben is not true. If Carlos played Ben one on one each play and blew past the guy nearly every time then that would be considered owning. Not being able to stop Boozer on every play would be considering owning...but certainly not getting offensive rebound stick backs, 15 foot jump shots, hook shots e.t.c...He gives Wallace plenty of problems no doubt about it but owning is not the word. Boozer will be an all-star as I've stated plenty of times BTW <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So far, Boozer has actually been a better defender than Dirk, Gasol, Randolph, and Brand, but worse than the likes of K-Mart, KG, and Duncan. I'd call him an average defender, at this point. He's solid some games, below average others, but as a whole, he outperforms his man more times than not. </div> Did you just say Boozer has been a better defender than Elton Brand?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Did you just say Boozer has been a better defender than Elton Brand? </div> The Clippers play interior defense? Since when? PF's shoot 50% on the Clippers! Brand's a good player, but there's a reason why he's always starring on losing teams.
