I mean, has anyone here watched a Pistons game over the last month and said to themselves, "damn, Ben Wallace needs to be shooting five times MORE per game!"? That, "Larry Brown lets Wallace shoot, and that's why the Pistons are better" claptrap was some of the dumbest crap I ever read. But, because it came at the same time Detroit won (beating an injured, tired Laker team; beating an injured, tired Heat team) he got needless credit for doing something stupid.
Lets not forget the Lakers beat a wolves team with an injured Cassell, who was brilliant in the playoffs. Taking Mike Bibby and the Kings to school.
Sweet memories of Darrick Martin, Kevin Garnett, and Fred Hoiberg forced to bring the ball up in a playoff game. Those playoffs were fun, but Minny's injury issues were just about the biggest disappointment I've had as a fan in the last few years. That season's Finals featured the second best team in a crappy Eastern Conference versus the fourth-best team in the West.
I just love that Wetzel calls Detroit "the most coachable team in the league." It's not like Rasheed just started standing at half-court for timeouts. The only guys on that team that have stepped up, and really deserve the objective observer's respect, are Prince, Hunter and McDyess. I can't get enough of the "swagger" characterization everybody attaches to Detroit either....so delightfully euphemistic. They've ridden that confidence amazingly well over the past 3 years, but their mediocre offense and general level of talent has come to the surface, plain and simple. If Miami can just stop Prince, it'll be a blowout in game 6. How in the hell is this so hard? Don't bite on that ugly shot and he'll cool off, even if he hits his first few. He only becomes a thorn in your side if you give him that respect, and consequently, the lane. Regardless, there's no way Shaq and Wade let this one go back to the Palace.
This is so dumb -- Detroit wins the next game and they are looking really good heading into game 7 in Detroit. Dumb article.
I guess that the Piston would not make the finals again when they fired LB and hired Flip. It was confirmed when they boosted their offense, their defense slipped just a notch in the regular season. The playoffs is where Flip would be tested as a real coach ...and i think he failed. The Pistons are defensive juggernaut , but they played otherwise . I gurrantee if LB was still coaching Wade would not be shootin 65% and they would we be on thier way to the Finals
No, Larry Brown's team was going to lose to Miami less talented version of their team last year if not for injuries, and they ended up losing later that year anyway. LB saw the end of that Detroit team as championship caliber and bailed.
If Dwayne Wade was healthy in game 7 last year, they probably would have beaten Detroit as well. It ain't flips fault. DD
Disgraceful how the Pistons players couldn't stop singing Flip's praises during their dominant regular season, and then as soon as they start having problems in the playoffs, they attack their coach through the media.
Agreed, the team should be blown apart, the magic chemistry that lead them to be a better team than their individual parts is long gone. One or both of the Wallaces in a major package (picks, filler) for KG would be such a move.
I think they are too close to contending and blowing the team up would be a mistake. They need to trade Rasheed and McDyess, re-sign Ben at a reasonable price and get some depth. They won't come close to getting KG for a Wallace + picks + filler. Minny isn't that stupid.
But isn't it the job of a coach to be able to recognize when his players are sleepwalking, and light a fire under them? This year's Pistons team just lacked focus at the end... maybe its because they got complacent... maybe its because the other team wanted it more... whatever it is, it wasn't because they didn't have enough talent, and thus, the coach HAS to take some blame.
I agree they should trade Sheed and probably McDyess. You don't think Sheed + McDyess + Orlando 1st pick (probably a very good 1st from Darko trade) plus 1-2 future Det picks is a good deal? Minny could then move Sheed and McDyess to other teams. I think it makes a lot of sense for both teams. It isn't really blowing up Detriot (keep Billips, Rip, and Prince on the wings) just infuses their bigs with more talented and more importantly hunger for success.
But that same team could have very easily have lost in 6 or 7 games last year if not for the injuries to Shaq, Wade and the majority of the Heat squad. There isn't much difference in talent between the Pistons and Heat. In fact, Miami is probably a better overall team then Detroit when healthy.
I think that's an incredibly stupid deal for Minny. The must get a bonafide star + whatever in return. Only contending teams needing a boost over the hump would want Sheed & McDyess. McDyess is great trade bait because he's an effective player with a cheap one-year contract. Rasheed isn't good trade material IMO because of his contract, his declining effectiveness and his sorry attitude. The Pistons need to cut him loose because it's better for them to move on. Many feel the team getting the best player always wins a trade. Your Minny/Detroit trade is a slam dunk for the Pistons and unconscionable for Minny. Other teams will offer much more for him.
