I'll give the Pistons all the props in the world. They play great defense, and have tremendous chemistry on offense. But there's no doubt in anyone's mind that the Lakers just are not playing to their full potential. Shaq is getting the ball, kicking it out, and is not getting it back on the repost. Everyone's playing lethargically on defense, assuming someone else will cover for them. And, of course, Karla is hobbled with a (deserved) knee injury. So it leads me to wonder, would Tim Duncan and the Spurs be in the same predicament as the Lakers? Would the league MVP be down 2-1 against the Pistons? I'm not so sure. The Pistons struggled mightily to score against the Indiana's defense, and the Spurs' D is even better. Because Bowen isn't concerned with scoring, he could focus all is energy on chasing Rip through screens, and the Spurs don't have nearly as much trouble getting TD the ball as the Lakers do with Shaq. Ben and Rasheed would do a respectable job on Tim, but he'd just wear them down like he did K-Mart in last year's finals. Tony Parker is considerably quicker than Billups, though not nearly as strong. But he did a nice job against another big PG in the first three games of last years' finals. The Spurs would probably be up 2-1, and if not they would at least have made a better showing than the Lakeshow. I feel the same way about Minnesota (assuming Sam is healthy). Hassell's a pretty energetic defender, and like Bruce Bowen he doesn't worry about scoring. Sam would make Chauncey work hard on defense, and while KG would probably struggle in the first game, he'd adjust quickly. Wally stretches the floor with his relatively consistent shooting, and Spree gives the Wolves energy on both ends of the court. I believe Minny would probably be up 2-1. I'm still picking the Lakers to win the series. I just can't help be think that they'll get their act together and start feeding the big man. As good as Detroit's defense is, if Shaq's getting enough touches he cannot be stopped. Let's hope the Pistons can pull it off though.
Maybe TWolves would be down by 2, but I doubt Spurs would be down. They match very well against Piston.
I don't think you're giving the Pistons props because you say the Fakers are not playing at their potential and you gave a bunch of excuses for them. How many teams ever play up to their potential? Why do so many people make excuses for the Lakers? The Pistons are completely outplaying them it's that simple. Regarding Karla and his knee, that's the risk the Fakers take when they sign a senior citizen.
i dont think its even about that. i think its more the fact that they don't even look like they are trying. when you look at the pistons you can see they are trying to win, but when you look at the lakers you just think "come on give me a break, you guys aren't even working at all".
i dont think its even about that. i think its more the fact that they don't even look like they are trying. when you look at the pistons you can see they are trying to win, but when you look at the lakers you just think "come on give me a break, you guys aren't even working at all". Perhaps its the Pistons' defense that's frustrating the hell out of them. Unless you think Shaq, Kobe, Malone and Payton just decided they don't want a ring this year...
I believed that in game one, but ever since, the Lakers have been trying the best they can. Kobe's been firey, running around trying to find shots. Shaq's been bumping and muscling people around trying to get position and making those quick dunks, which usually means he's getting furstrated defensively . That's both Kobe and Shaq "working" right there. And I won't even go into how much Fisher, Rush and George are trying, those guys are giving it their all but just can't seem to get it going. Did you see the look on Malone and Fisher's faces when the 4th quarter was nearing it's end? They couldn't believe how badly they were getting beat, couldn't believe how they couldn't get their offense going. So, yeah, we can toss out that "you look at them and they're not even working at all" excuse, from game2 on it's been nothing but effort by the Lakers.
The Spurs were the best team in the NBA, IMO. They didn't bring the same intensity after winning the first two games of the Lakers series. Then Fisher's game winning really deflated them.
who the hell cares if the spurs or wolves would be up or down...they lost. stop thinking "what if" and all that crap. they aren't there...get over it.
You can say all you want about the Pistons D, I still believe the Spurs defense was better. They just stupidly thought that they could get away with the same defensive scheme against Shaq for an entire series.
SA had loads of trouble scoring against the Lakers defense, how in the world are they going to score versus Detriot? TD might get his 25, but Parker, Manu, Hedo, Rasha and the rest of the Spurs would be obliterated against the Pistons. The Spurs defense is not as good as Detriot's. If you look beyond the very narrow FG% difference and also consider 3fg%, TOs and blocks, you realize Detriot has the best cumulative defensive stats in the league and they are proving it with playoff performance. That said, SA had the next best defense. Spurs-Detriot games would be in the 70s, but I like Detriot's toughness and think they would find more ways to score. Detriot really has advantages in 4 of the 5 starting positions and a better bench, and the Wallaces are awefully good people to have to play Duncan much of the time 1 on 1 without having to revise your whole defense. IMO the worst match-up for Detriot would have been a healthy Minny. They had the 3rd best defense (just after Detriot and SA), but more offensive weapons and better offensive stats than the Spurs. With Cassell and Hudson not there however, Minny just had some glaring weak spots they otherwise would not have had. We just have to tip our hat to Detriot and recognize they provide any team a load of difficulties.
I like Detroit, I'm rooting for Detroit, but I really don't think they're anywhere near as good as the Lakers. It seems there are serious problems with the Lakers. I don't know if they lack heart or chemistry or exactly what the problem is but it's there. I honestly don't think Shaq cares about winning as much as he once did. Even Kobe seems to have games where he's just completely complacent. It blows me away that after careers like those that Gary Payton and Karl Malone have had that even they seem to have games where they simply don't show up. I can't believe the player who was once known as the Glove has played defense so poorly. Maybe it's just age catching up to them but it certainly seems coincidental that age just happened to catch up with both of them the very year they joined the Lakers. Both Malone and Payton played well last season. I just don't get it. Oh well, whatever the problem is, I'm glad it's there. I'm loving seeing the Pistons beat them and I think it's good for basketball for the trophy to go to the East for a change.
If this is the case how did the Lakers win 4-2 against the two best teams in the West. Detriot has got them uncomfortable in their offense, more so than either SA or Minny could do. It isn't just the Laker's goofing around and lack of focus, otherwise the Lakers never would have recovered from 0-2 versus SA. The Lakers could still win this series, but any way you look at Detriot, SA and Minny have all presented problems--1 play made the difference in the SA series and the injury gods smiled on LA in Minny series. Truth is, outside of Kobe, the Lakers look old and unathletic, and there finally is a team that is eating them up for it.
with all the people saying how malone injury and fishers injury are keeping them back. you think that if cassell and hudson were heathly they would have made it past minnesota? seriously i wouldnt think so that series would probably have gone 7 for sure but i think with hudson and cassell injured 2 guards that can burn lakers on pick and rolls we would have not even seen the lakers here in the finals injuries are a problem but not an excuse if its on a role player malone & fisher = role players (on this team they are) cassell & hudson = key player and a role player and at the least fisher can play still in the series, malone still can but a bit ineffective. cassell hardly could walk on the court if he did play and hudson never even wore a jersey. if shaq or kobe were injured i could understand the laments of some laker fans about injuries, but of course whenver its someone else its because of your great team play but if it happens to you, you milk it for whats its worth. thats why i hate the lakers and i hope the pistons finish it off on tuesday
