[Eastern Conference Finals] Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons

I'm tired of seeing the Pistons, but I'm still a big Rasheed fan, so I'm rooting for the Celtics and Rasheed, unfortunately, if Rasheed has a couple of big games the Pistons will probably win the series.

 

detroit they have too many threats at each position and their bench has been good too this post season. Stucky getting those minutes in place of billups will pay dividends. Boston wont be able to cheat off of their guys to help guard players. Allen is going to be worn out having to chase Rip around, prince while not as physical as LBJ is long and crafty and a decent shooter to keep pierce honest on defense. on the other end prince is a much much better defender to keep pierce working for his baskets. i doubt he is going to get those wide open midrange looks off the pick and roll.

sheed is going to make KG work thats for sure on both ends, if sheed wants to be he can more than handle KG on both ends of the floor its really just lighting that fire under Sheed. hopefully the unnecessary chest beating by KG will do it.

and detroit has the chemistry and experience that boston doesnt seem to have right now. their defense is just as good and the pistons have played in series before several time, 4 of their starters have won a ring together, they've played in game 7s they gone and won on the road in hostile environments. they dont panic under pressure (see game 4 where they held the ball down 1 to get prince the runner)

a lot will be riding on billups health though if he is 90% or more its going to be tough for boston. detroit since game 4 of the sixers series have looked the most impressive team in the playoffs.

 

There isn't another Lebron playing. There isn't any other player right now who can do what he does at his level. Kobe is more of jumpshooter, Paul is too small to finish at his level, neither are near as strong/relentless physically. Besides, James shot only 36%, the only other team to do that to him in a series the last couple years ago was SA in last years finals.

Boston does have to pick it up, they have sleepwalked a couple of games 3 on the road, but other than that they have played well. All those other road losses were games they would have won with a better 4th quarter. A close loss on the road in the 4th quarter vs a playoff team is not a terrible sign typically. Let's see if that highwire act vs Cleveland, where they legitimately could have lost if Lebron kept his out of his world play for another 90 seconds, gives them focus (if anything probably the game 7 demolition of Atl--really showing no doubt who would win, may have fed their complacency and that they can turn a "switch" when needed). They didn't have a switch for Lebron, they should now know they can't afford to get in that situation.

Billips has always been the key for Detroit versus the great teams. Billips offense is key to beating Boston and SA who will play great man to man vs swingmen and forwards. Sheed and Prince and a depth of decent bigs are enough to beat the mid range playoff teams, backcourt offense is what gives Detroit the shot vs the best.

 

I agree with most of your post but a few contentions....

Boston has a great strait up defense. I don't think they will need to cheat off anyone on Detroit like they (and everyone else) had to do on Lebron. I expect both teams defenses to generally control the offenses--both teams have good defenders at all 5 positions and good schemes. So then it becomes which individuals can beat their man most consistently, which individual can create their own offense. The two candidates IMO are Billips and Pierce. Pierce is a lot stronger than Prince, so he could get milage there. Boston doesn't have a guard to really handle a healthy Billips either--though Rondo is a good defender and active/quick player who could test Billips health/quickness. But then we get the question on Billips health--and unlike a big who might manage playing injured a lot, Billips needs precision on his J and fresh legs to open up his game.

So right now I go with Boston in 7. But if Billips can get 20PPG on decent shooting, Detroit should win. But I am more skeptical Billips can get that. I remember Billips wearing down and losing sharpness when confronted vs great defense last year versus the Cavs and 3 years ago versus the Spurs. I kinda expect the same right now.

 

how far away defensively are the celts from the jazz nowadays?

 

I don't understand. The Celts by metrics are the best defensive team in the league. The Jazz were near the worst among playoff teams.

 

the celts are as physical, if not more so, as the jazz. they also get away with their fouls a lot. they flop, too - though not as much as the jazz.

too much emphasis on defense, mixed by the ineptitude on offense by doc rivers, will eventually do them in.

 

if this was an option i'd vote it.

 

Ray Allen needs to retire. He's reminding of Clyde in his last year when we were playing the Jazz in the first round.

 

Only 1 basket in the paint for the Pistons.

Rip becomes more of a spot up shooter. No more perpetual movement.

Where is Raheed at the low block. Cant even find him with a magnifier.

Flip, u da man.

 

the Pistons are playing well below par.

the Celts are playing well.

and the score is tied.

tells the story right there.

 

JVG talking baseball is pretty damned amusing.

 

I want that clip. It's cool to see JVG getting excited about one of the best defensive kinds of accomplishments in all of sports. Everyone digs no hitters, but we as Rockets fans know he REEEEAAALLLY digs no-hitters and what they represent. I'd love to hang out and have a beer with the the Mr. Van Gundy.

 

Piston will take this,

Avery's voice is so annoying omg

 

Kevin Garnett is just phenomenal.....

 

Celtics are focused right now.

 

The question is are the Pistons playing below par because of Boston or b/c of themselves?

 

Does Van Gundy go on bathroom breaks? Very long pauses in between his comments...

 

Yea, its funny because i noticed the same thing