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Rule #1

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Indiana Best in the East

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  • #16
    Re: Indiana Best in the East

    Flip Saunders as your coach = Guranteed 1st round exit

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: Indiana Best in the East

      Originally posted by Kstat
      a smaller learning curve than the team brining back the same starting for the third straight year?

      Flip may have a learning curve, but the players won't. It's not like they'll suddenly forget how to play together.
      That's insinuating that the Pistons will keep the same system in place as the past few years, I think Flip WILL make a few changes in the way they play, so it's not just Flip who will have to get to know most of the Pistons players, but it's also the Pistons players who will have to adapt to the system that Flip will implement, which means changes, which means it will take time.

      Regards,

      Mourning
      2012 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

      2011 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

      2006 PD ABA Fantasy League runner up, sports.ws

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: Indiana Best in the East

        Originally posted by Naptown Seth
        Flip Saunders as your coach = Guranteed 1st round exit
        Does that mean Ron Artest as your small forward=guarenteed implosion at some point during the season?

        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


        • #19
          Re: Indiana Best in the East

          Boys and Girls,

          Interesting points. Two thoughts piqued my interest.

          Indiana's coaching staff is not intact. Do not underestimate the loss of Mike Brown. It is a significant blow.

          And while I understand the Larry Brown point, in the context of the current climate I believe the Pistons will benefit enormously from the change. Though I consider Larry to be the preeminent coach in the game, I can tell you from first hand observation that he does not wear well, and his antics last season were indefensible. Phil Saunders is an excellent coach, has taken a team to the conference finals, and is a perfect fit in Detroit.

          One can debate the merits of Indiana, Miami, and Detroit, but I don't think there's any doubt that those three teams are a cut above the others in the East.

          Hope everyone is well.

          MJB

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: Indiana Best in the East

            I completely agree with Mr.Boyle's points (by the way, it's awesome to have you here).

            I think Flip will do just fine in Detroit. I'm interested in seeing how player-roles will change within the offensive framework especially. I see Chauncey being more aggressive, and that has never been a good thing from our point of view.

            As for the loss of Mike Brown, I'll take your word for it. Personally, watching from the comfort of my home, it was never as if I could directly correlate what happened on the floor to what our assistant coach was teaching, so I'm unable to say whether I think his loss will significantly impact our coaching staff. However, I do realize that he was a "player's coach", and shared a special bond with many of our players which may affect our team in the locker-room in some aspects.

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: Indiana Best in the East

              Why does everyone think that Detroit will automatically suck now that Brown is gone? This is the same team. Somehow I think people want to believe Detroit will not be as good, and they will be in for a rude awakening.

              On the same count, some are overvaluing Miami. I'm not saying they don't have the talent, but with many me-first players on that team, there is no guarentee that they will be able to play together. Of course, having Shaq and Wade makes them tough enough.
              Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: Indiana Best in the East

                Originally posted by Suaveness
                Why does everyone think that Detroit will automatically suck now that Brown is gone?
                I don't see anyone saying they'll suck. They're just questioning how much of a contender they'll be after replacing a hall of fame coach with a guy who couldn't win much with the best player in the league and a solid supporting cast.

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Indiana Best in the East

                  Originally posted by Naptown Seth
                  I don't see anyone saying they'll suck. They're just questioning how much of a contender they'll be after replacing a hall of fame coach with a guy who couldn't win much with the best player in the league and a solid supporting cast.

                  Yes, those talent-stacked Minnesota teams were a dynasty, I tell you. Olowakandi? Szerbiak? star-studded, I tell you.

                  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


                  • #24
                    Re: Indiana Best in the East

                    Originally posted by mboyle1313
                    Boys and Girls,

                    Interesting points. Two thoughts piqued my interest.

                    Indiana's coaching staff is not intact. Do not underestimate the loss of Mike Brown. It is a significant blow.

                    And while I understand the Larry Brown point, in the context of the current climate I believe the Pistons will benefit enormously from the change. Though I consider Larry to be the preeminent coach in the game, I can tell you from first hand observation that he does not wear well, and his antics last season were indefensible. Phil Saunders is an excellent coach, has taken a team to the conference finals, and is a perfect fit in Detroit.

                    One can debate the merits of Indiana, Miami, and Detroit, but I don't think there's any doubt that those three teams are a cut above the others in the East.

                    Hope everyone is well.

                    MJB
                    WOW!Glad your here man i hope to see more great posts from you in the future.

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Indiana Best in the East

                      Originally posted by Kstat
                      Yes, those talent-stacked Minnesota teams were a dynasty, I tell you. Olowakandi? Szerbiak? star-studded, I tell you.
                      Mentioning Olowakandi is selective. When did he join the T-Wolves? The same summer Spreewell and Cassell joined them. I would certainly call that team talent-stacked, offcourse they did make it to the WCF that year. But, hey, I'm not saying Saunders is a bad coach, I'm just saying the Pistons will have a time adjusting to his style too.

                      I wonder what Saunders will do with Ben. Will he allow him to do the same on offense as Larry did? Or does he consider that too much of a risk. I'm not very familiar with Flip. I do think Chauncey will get the green light to shoot more though.

                      I see Detroit, Miami and Indiana as about as on-par as it could get.

                      Regards,

                      Mourning
                      2012 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

                      2011 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

                      2006 PD ABA Fantasy League runner up, sports.ws

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: Indiana Best in the East

                        Mentioning Olowakandi is selective.
                        .....as opposed to the other stud centers Flip's had to work with, like Oliver Miller, Rasho, and Ervin Johnson?

                        If anything, I was being KIND.

                        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


                        • #27
                          Re: Indiana Best in the East

                          Mark Boyle,
                          Its taken me a few weeks to realize that you have found your way to this fantastic fan forum. While I can claim no ownership of the forum as I myself am relatively new contributor, I welcome you.
                          I wanted to thank you for being such a fantastic representative of our team and city. I guess you had me at "ding dong the witch is dead" years ago against the Knicks. Hopefully we'll have similar thrilling moments like that in years to come. I've been transplanted to Lexington, Ky as of recent times and listen to local sports radio... believe it or not they have a clip of you saying "YESSS!!!! YESSSSSS!!!! YESSSSSSSSSS!" involved in one of their local advertisements, though there is no direct reference to you as being the speaker of it. I grew up hearing you, often preferred your voice to that of local TV, though I do miss Jerry Baker at times. I commend you for being with us in Indiana for so long, I think you must now be the most veteran radio broadcasting voice of a single team now that the great Chick Hearn has passed away. This being the first full basketball year that I'll be away from Indianapolis, I don't know what I'm going to do as far as hearing you on the radio calling games... 1070 has reach on clear days though it's fuzzy to say the least.
                          Hope your back is getting better. I'm sure you are in great hands with the guys at Ortho Indy or Methodist Sports Medicine. Wish you a speedy recovery, and looking forward to another great call this season.
                          "Sometimes, when you look Andy in the eyes, you get a feeling somebody else is driving." -- David Letterman

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Indiana Best in the East

                            If this turns out to be a prank, you'll feel awfully silly...

                            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


                            • #29
                              Re: Indiana Best in the East

                              Originally posted by btowncolt
                              Are you talking about Mr. Boyle's post?

                              That's really him...
                              Oh, I'm reasonably sure it is.

                              I'm just saying, in the event that it WAS a prank....

                              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


                              • #30
                                Re: Indiana Best in the East

                                Originally posted by Kstat
                                Yes, those talent-stacked Minnesota teams were a dynasty, I tell you. Olowakandi? Szerbiak? star-studded, I tell you.
                                Uhhh....you do relieze Wally Szczerbiak has more All-Star game appearances than Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince combined, right?

                                95-96 - Flip takes over for Bill Blair 20 games into the season, and along with rookie Kevin Garnett, leds the Wolves to a 20-42 record. BOMB.

                                96-97 - The T-Wolves have not 1 but 2 All-Stars this year in the blossoming Kevin Garnett and fantastic Tom Gugliotta, to go along with Rookie of the Year contender Stephon Marbury. Playoff Result? Swept at the hands of the washed up Houston Rockets. BOMB.

                                97-98 - The fantastic trio of KG, Googs, and Starbury returns, and so does the playoff losing. 1st round exit at the hands of the Sonics.

                                98-99 - Googs is gone, but so is Jordan, and now KG is batlting with Shaq, Duncan, and Mailman for best player in the league. Marbury puts up All-Star numbers, but is traded midseason for the All-Star point guard Terrell Brandon. Wolves look good on paper, but bad in the playoffs - another 1st round exit, this time at the hands of the Spurs.

                                99-00 - KG continues his ascencion into NBA legend, and Terrell Brandon continues his great, underrated player with averages of 17 and 9. Fifth overall pick Wally Szczerbiak is a pleasant surprise averaging 11.6 ppg on fantastic shooting percentages. But then the playoffs roll around, and its same ol', same ol' - A 1st round exit, this time at the hands of the Blazers.

                                00-01 - Kevin Garnett getting greater by the minute. Terrell Brandon continues his near-All-Star play, and sophomore Wally Szczerbiak improves his ppg to 14.0. Yet once again, a 1st round exit for the Wolves, this time the thrashing comes at the hands of the Spurs.

                                01-02 - Kevin Garnett is still great. Wally's not only improving, he's now officially an All-Star in only his 3rd season after averaging 19/5/3. And while Terrell Brandon misses 50 games due to injury, he's more than adaquatly replaced by Chauncey Billups, who finally starts looking like he might not be a huge bust afterall. And don't underestimate the plkay of former #1 pick Joe Smith, who gives KG tremendous help in the paint. Surely this is the year Minnesota goes somewhere in the playoffs! This is it I can feel it! Uh, no. They get swept by the upstart Mavs.

                                02-03 - KG's a God....blah blah blah...Wally continues to be damn good, this time averaging 18/5/3. Brandons' career's over and Billups is gone, income's relative unknown Troy Hudson who has a hell of a year, averaging 14 & 6 - almost what Brandon was giving them, and as much as what Billups was. Yet the Wolves lose in the 1st round, this time to the Lake Show.

                                03-04 - The Wolves pick up 2 studs in the offseason, point guard Sam Cassell and guard/forward Latrell Sprewell. Sam Cassell makes his first All-Star team, and is 2nd team All-NBA, while Spree averages a damn good 17/4/4, and to top it offKevin Garnett is officially the best player in the league, winning MVP. This team is STACKED. They've got 4 current All-Star-level players and a great bench. This team should not only make it out of round 1, they should be the favorites for the championship! Playoffs roll around, and they loss in the 1st round. Wait a minute, no they didnt. They actually won a series! And another one! But then it happens, and they get smoked by the Lakers for the second consecutive year. But hey, they finally got out of the first round! WOOHOO!

                                04-05 - Minnesota is the odds on favorite for the championship. And since I'm tired of writing all of this, we'll make a long story short - they not only don't win the championship, they don't even make the playoffs. All of sudden those 7 straight 1st round exits are looking good. Flip Saunders is fired 51 games into the season, perhaps a decade too late.

                                So there you have it. The story of how much Flip Saunders sucks as an NBA coach, and how rediculous it is to pretend replacing a Hall of Famer with this man won't make any difference what so ever.

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