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Pistons are now rolling along

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  • Pistons are now rolling along

    Perhaps lost in the Pacers great 4-0 western road is the fact that the Pistons went 4-1 on their trip, routing the Blazers, Sonics, Nuggets, and there only loss being at Utah.

    I would be very interested to hear what the Pistons fans among us have to say.

    I watched most of the Pistons blowouts of the Blazers and Nuggets and the Pistons look impressive even without Rip Hamilton who is injured.

    To say the Pistons defense has been stifling would be an understatement, right now they aren't giving up any decent shots and teams are having trouble even passing the ball against the Larry Brown trademark pressure defense.

    From the looks of things Sheed has helped the Pistons defense more than their offense. Ben and Sheed make quite a defensive tandem, in fact I can't think of a better inside combo in the whole NBA. although as far as the whole front line I'll take Artest, J,.O and Foster.

    As I was afraid of Sheed is exactly what the Pistons needed, now I fear the Pistons as a team have much more confidence.

  • #2
    Re: Pistons are now rolling along

    I do fear the confidence thing from them, and the games were on the road, but the last two vs the Nuggets and the Sonics were against TERRIBLE teams right now, and the Sonics didn't have Allen.

    The Pacers overall will gain a lot more from their games as they showed they can dominate teams, but teams in the NBA normally don't just give up, especially in the Nugs case as they had been blown out the previous night. Part of me feels glad that all the top east teams did well on the road, overall the top 3 were 10-3 on their road trips, pretty impressive.
    "It's just unfortunate that we've been penalized so much this year and nothing has happened to the Pistons, the Palace or the city of Detroit," he said. "It's almost like it's always our fault. The league knows it. They should be ashamed of themselves to let the security be as lax as it is around here."

    ----------------- Reggie Miller

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Pistons are now rolling along

      Not to knock the Pistons but I remember a time this season when they were kicking but until they came up against us, and the natural order of things took over.

      The Pistons got 'Sheed. So what.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Pistons are now rolling along

        Pistons fan here.

        This is the best stretch the team has played in a long time.

        To hold three straight opponents on the road to under 70 points while missing Rip Hamilton and Mehmet Okur was incredible, even if none of the teams were great (two are in playoff contention in the West though).

        Rasheed makes our front court defense dominant, but the real surprise in the last few games has been Lindsey Hunter. He's started at point guard with Billups playing shooting guard in Hamilton's absence. Hunter's defense has been outstanding, and having a two point guard backcourt has also helped our offense out (we've had a lot more assists than usual).

        The real question is how Hamilton and Okur will be worked back into the lineup (both should be back next game). Hamilton's offense is too good for him not to start, but I think he'll be on a shorter leash and Hunter will get major minutes (unless his playing well is just a flash in the pan, which I think it could be). Okur played really well in January, then had back problems at the start of February, and then sulked and played like crap for the few games he played in after he lost his starting job because of the Rasheed trade. I think the key to how far we go in the playoffs is whether he can accept coming off the bench and provide a solid post option on offense.

        The team has been great with Rasheed so far, but I want to see how we do against the top teams. We play at NJ on the 18th, so that should show me something.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Pistons are now rolling along

          Well DA was discussing the Pistons recently and made reference to them being to streaky. Going on long winning streaks and then likewise on long losing streaks. Streaky teams usually dont win championships, cause in playoffs, it comes down to execution and ability. So by my calculations, they will probably run off a few more wins and then begin their losing streak.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Pistons are now rolling along

            Perhaps lost in the Pacers great 4-0 western road is the fact that the Pistons went 4-1 on their trip, routing the Blazers, Sonics, Nuggets, and there only loss being at Utah.

            I would be very interested to hear what the Pistons fans among us have to say.

            I watched most of the Pistons blowouts of the Blazers and Nuggets and the Pistons look impressive even without Rip Hamilton who is injured.

            To say the Pistons defense has been stifling would be an understatement, right now they aren't giving up any decent shots and teams are having trouble even passing the ball against the Larry Brown trademark pressure defense.

            From the looks of things Sheed has helped the Pistons defense more than their offense. Ben and Sheed make quite a defensive tandem, in fact I can't think of a better inside combo in the whole NBA. although as far as the whole front line I'll take Artest, J,.O and Foster.

            As I was afraid of Sheed is exactly what the Pistons needed, now I fear the Pistons as a team have much more confidence.
            Tell you what, UB:

            Rasheed Wallace is a better player than I ever imagined.

            You really have no idea what this guy is about until you watch him game in and out. He's one of the most skilled big men Ive ever seen in my life.

            -he sets GREAT picks

            -He may be the best outlet passer in the entire league. Right now that is my favorite part of his game.

            -His Every offensive move he makes is right out of Dean Smith's textbook. He relies amazingly little on athletesism. The form on his jumper is near-perfect.

            Offensively, he's been more of a facilitator, getting everyone ELSE open shots, but defensively he has been the new Michael Curry. EVERY play down court, he yells out or defensive calls from the sideleines, he knows EXACTLY where everyone is supposed to be, and he pulls people together when we're getting beat. He's given us the vocal leadership we've missed when we let go of Curry.

            And added to that, he has contributed defensively the way Cliff Robinson did. He takes the other team's best low post threat, which once again allows Big Ben to freelance more.

            I'll put it this way, UB: We have been without TWO of our top SIX players the last 3 games. We've started LINDSEY HUNTER at SG in all 3. And yet we've found a way to go an IMPRESSIVE 3-0 out west, without our leading scorer, and our 6th man. And everyone thats seen us knows the reason. Anyone who compares this team to the pre-deadline squad simply has their head in the sand. This is a COMPLETELY different team. We're a legit title contender now.

            The surprise to me is, Sheed hasnt given us the consostent low-post threat yet. What he HAS given us is everything we had no idea he could do. I'd like to have them both, but I'm seriously considering letting Memo go to resign Sheed over the summer.

            It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

            Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
            Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
            NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Pistons are now rolling along

              I'm not too concerned about the Pistons. If we're relatively healthy, we should shred them in a 7-game series because they have no real depth—our bench would wear them out over the long haul. I'm more concerned about NO, New Jersey and Milwaukee (or some other overachieving team). It's not uncommon that a team with the best-record gets eliminated by a team who has nothing to lose. We've been playing so well this season, I just hope we don't lose any intensity when it matters most. Although I think Rick's system would help prevent that from happening because he has the team pretty well under control.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                I'm not too concerned about the Pistons. If we're relatively healthy, we should shred them in a 7-game series because they have no real depth—our bench would wear them out over the long haul. I'm more concerned about NO, New Jersey and Milwaukee (or some other overachieving team). It's not uncommon that a team with the best-record gets eliminated by a team who has nothing to lose. We've been playing so well this season, I just hope we don't lose any intensity when it matters most. Although I think Rick's system would help prevent that from happening because he has the team pretty well under control.
                Depth in the playoffs, when your rotation shortens to 7-8 guys, is the most overratted thing in basketball. I learned that the last 2 years, when we had the best bench and the league, and it meant diddly squat in May.

                I'm fully aware we can be beat, but so can you. And no team in the league would "shred" us....

                Yeah, we've got no depth, thats why we lost TWO of our top 6 guys and won 3 straight games by an average over 25 points..... ed:

                Larry Brown has done his thing with Lindsey Hunter. He's having the best stretch of his career right now.

                Corliss Williamson is 3rd in the NBA in scoring off the bench:

                Mike James has been BETTER than Atkins was for us at PG.

                Mhemet Okur isnt a slouch off the bench either

                Um, remind me again how we have no depth???

                It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

                Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
                Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
                NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                  Anyone who is more concerned with the Hornets than the Pistons are in for a rude awakening. The coaching difference alone is huge.

                  Kstat, I enjoyed your analysis, even though it has me nervous. One word of caution, if you are waiting for Sheed to be a dominant low post threat, it might not ever happen. He is capable of being that, but he never has been. But as you mention his all around game is outstanding and his defense is like Uncle Cliffy's

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                    I'm fully aware we cna be beat, but so can you. And no team in the league would "shred" us....

                    Yeah, we've got no depth, thats why we lost TWO of our top 6 guys and won 3 straight games by an average over 25 points..... ed:

                    Um, against Portland, Denver and Seattle. ed:

                    And before you bring up Denver's rally against us or our margins of victory, we did beat Utah. And Ron and Al and JO haven't exactly been 100% healthy.

                    Until you guys can beat us once this season, I'll stand by my statement.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                      Anyone who is more concerned with the Hornets than the Pistons are in for a rude awakening. The coaching difference along is huge.

                      Kstat, I enjoyed your analysis, even though it has me nervous. One word of caution, if you are waiting for Sheed to be a dominant low post threat, it might not ever happen. He is capable of being that, but he never has been. But as you mention his all around game is outstanding and his defense is like Uncle Cliffy's
                      Well, thats just it, UB, I'm not.

                      Sheed has shown that he CAN score in the low post rather easily. But he loves to take just as many shots from the outside, which is hard for me to argue, because he can knock them down. However, you are correct, he will likely not be a guy that scores 20 points in the paint for us. But I honestly dont care anymore. He does so many OTHER things for us, frankly I dont care HOW many threes he takes.

                      It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

                      Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
                      Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
                      NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                        Anyone who is more concerned with the Hornets than the Pistons are in for a rude awakening. The coaching difference along is huge.

                        We'll see. I've been pretty dead on regarding the team thus far.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                          I'm curious about the matchups in a Pacer-Pistons playoffs. I could see any 1 of 3 in our starting lineup guarding Rasheed - Artest, JO and Foster.

                          Artest is probably out of the question since that would create a mismatch w/ JO or Foster having to guard Prince. It seems like a waste to put Artest on Prince but that's probably how it has to go.

                          It seems Foster would then been on Rasheed by default since we need to protect JO from foul trouble. Foster will have some problems guarding Rasheed on the perimeter. I could see Al getting more minutes in this series because he would be a good matchup (if healthy) for Rasheed. Maybe even some spot minutes for Bender on Rasheed as well.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                            I'm fully aware we cna be beat, but so can you. And no team in the league would "shred" us....

                            Yeah, we've got no depth, thats why we lost TWO of our top 6 guys and won 3 straight games by an average over 25 points..... ed:

                            Um, against Portland, Denver and Seattle. ed:

                            And before you bring up Denver's rally against us or our margins of victory, we did beat Utah. And Ron and Al and JO haven't exactly been 100% healthy.

                            Until you guys can beat us once this season, I'll stand by my statement.
                            Wow, going out on a limb there.......

                            Eh, I have no doubt that we can beat you in a 7-game series now. None whatsoever. The odds are even, IMO. Maybe we'll learn that April 5, maybe we wont. What matters is May and June.

                            It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.

                            Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
                            Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
                            NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Pistons are now rolling along

                              let me remind you Pacer fans that our first goal should be:

                              GET OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND!!!

                              Then we can worry about the SECOND ROUND

                              Then the Third...we might not even face the Pistons in the ECF!
                              The Pistons have very good interior D, but the Nets are not exactly what you would call a post-up team...heck they are not even a half-court team.


                              The P's and Nets in the second round should be a dandy



                              As for Kstat.... I am glad you guys got R Wallace...
                              if we meet you guys in the ECF you can acctually compete with us now and make things interesting!

                              Comment

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