Bball, good point on Dice. Maybe they could have changed the defense. But I do think you underestimate Ben's range in covering drivers like Wade, Le Bron, etc. I think he held back a bit not wanting the fouls but against Cleveland, he should have used his fouls and mobility earlier in games. I wonder about Flip's scheme on Le Bron during this series. The problem we had with Campbell last year was, yes, he was good for Shaq, but he was awful on Wade's drives.

Ahb, Tay made some nice passes out of the double team. Wasn't it his pass to Lindsay across court in the 3rd for that three? This year, he is constantly surveying the double team and the floor. Tay is a match-up problem in almost any series. Last year, the ball would go to him and he would get stuck on the baseline. Not this year, not so far. And his shot has been just fine--look at the stats. No one can afford to not pay him attention any more. Without Tay these last two games, not sure we would be celebrating. He showed more grit than almost anyone. A player who is finally growing up.

flip didn't do a great coaching job this series--the verdict is still out on him. Next series, hopefully he improves. I don't know if he has enough credibility with such a vet group.

Anyone think Tay's issues passing out of doubleteams may be due to the fact that he hasn't really been used as a #1 option before. I'd guess he should work on it in the offseason and during the playoffs. I'm certain he'll improve here though.

Everyone has been making a deal about Ben lately...I don't know if he stays or leaves, or if he's unhappy about his role in the O...but I trust Joe D to handle the situation and if he wants to leave, I trust him to find someone else.

Heaven help us, do some of y'all really know what to look for in a game??? Dyess was huge. No rebounds - no rings. When a player can come off the bench in a game 7 and give you 8 boards that's not something that should be dismissed. We were losing this series on the boards-period. I was so proud that all of our players manned up and hit the boards hard, guards included.

Sheed was just off, I mean it was mainly due to shot selection and poor execution.

Whoever was complaining about Tay...are you crazy?? Do you even realize the type of work that kid just put in... 48mpg for the last 3 games??? Quiet as it's kept Tayshaun Prince is an iron man of a player, dude has yet to miss a game in his piston career, he's suited for every game since he's been here. even though he's skinny and he's always laying on the ground looking like he's not gonna get up, he does and keeps on going......KUDOS Tay. And.....Tay passes very well out of the double team for a player that never gets the ball enough offensively. Answer me this, who on our team passes out of the double team very well....hmm....Sheed?? Fadeaway Dyess?? Never pass out of the post Chauncey?? Ben?? Rip?? Who. Bottom line is this we have a poor post offense team. We have capable players, but it's not executed enough to get good at it. It took half the damn season for Flip to put Tay back on the box, like the previous 2 and 1/8 seasons (Cola's playoffs and LB's tenure).

Anybody happen to catch Ben's post game comments.......

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Play hard, Play smart, Play together, share the ball, have fun....Play the right way!!!!!!

posting the news. making avatars. cracking lame one liners to bring down the basketball iq of the forum

I didn't get to see a game in this series so I'd like to know what cleveland did to funk up our offense. OTOH, I'm glad we got that wake up call now than behind 3-2 on miami. Keep it rolling guys!

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Right on KGREG.. Tay was the MVP/Iron man and the only true player who stepped it up in at least six of the seven games. He was the only one who knew how to take it to the post/rim when the outside shot was not falling. He got at least 3 putbacks todaywhen our other bigs were out of position or didn't have the drive to followup. No fadeaways ala sheed & Dice and definitely no missed bunnies ala both Wallaces.

He didn't get the all star recognition, but I hope when they present the championship trophy, he gets the finals MVP and finally gets the recognition over these NBA branded stars>La Bron, Wade, Nash etc,

Well said Kgreg...
What's encouraging to me is that Tay is starting to show signs of hitting his perimiter shots again... it's a long time coming... we know the kid is a capable shooter... this should help open up the lanes.... The Heat have another weapon to worry about now.
Tay really wasn't doubled very much this series... it was only a passive show... but as you said he had his head up looking for someone to overcomit.
We tend to dwell on our players warts... when we know most teams have bigger issues.

Merc I can't bite my tongue......I hate FLIP!!!!! Dude is in such unchartered water it ain't even funny. Listening to Ben after the game I understand his beef. Ben says if we hang our hats on defense and rebounding everything else will take care of itself. If we do a better job of getting everyone involved, sharing the ball, and making the extra pass, nobody can touch us.

I don't like the game plan that says ride the hot hand, it makes us to easy to scout and defend. It turns us into a team that rely's too much on one individual to make a play, which has always been something that hurts us. It alienates teammates which allows people to find theselves uninvolved in the gameplan and eventually in the game as a whole. I like the game plan of inside/out and move the ball weakside with Rip running his defender into an early grave.....by the time the 4th qtr comes the opposing team doesn't know what to do and we get teams into the penalty early, and it keeps all 5 players focused because they've been getting touches at some point in the offense. No player should go 4 straight possessions where they never touch THE DAMN BALL!!!!

Sheed used to be good for 4-6 pts from the offensive glass, now he's on the arc too much to board leaving Ben all alone. I like the fact that we can shoot the trey with more ease and confidence, but I don't like the fact that it's a primary play in our scheme now. If Rip is open for a weakside trey that means he's been standing there for the duration of the shot clock instead of running his man off screens. I love this team and my heart bleeds Piston Blue, but we're resembling the the T'Wolves (this I know because I used to watch them almost as much as the Pistons, KG is my favorite non piston player, so they're my favorite west conf team) I just really miss the Detroit-Goin to Work-Blue Collar-Lunch Pail team that made Ben Wallace an AllStar, and coined the phrase 'play the right way'.

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Play hard, Play smart, Play together, share the ball, have fun....Play the right way!!!!!!

I don't know how Tay avoided knee injury today. That replay looked pretty gruesome. That would have really been a critical blow to our chances. Luckily, he is made of rubber.

Hey guys, I just scanned the thread quick, but I didn't see that anyone posted this, so if they did, don't jump on me!

61 points is an all-time new playoff low by the Cavs. The previous low (64) was co-held by the Pistons (L vs. Celts in Stackhouse era) and New Jersey Nets (2004 Playoff W for Pistons). This is all in the shot clock era btw (1955 forward?)

That is truly great. Not only did we set a record, but this team got itself off of the (infamous) top spot by doing so.

I got to kinda watch most of the game. It's taped so I will be going over it again tomorrow. Meanwhile, here are my thoughts.

Lindsey Hunter came up huge in an elimination game. What more can you say?

Tay was great. He's been pretty solid all series. You have to remember that he is the YOUNGEST member of the starting 5. He's becoming less of an X-Factor and more of A FACTOR (game in, game out).

Ben was money tonight. In a drag it out, punch in the mouth, street fight, how can you NOT want this guy on your team? He does all the little things that contribute to a win. The immeasurables.

Flip finally outcoached Mike Brown. Just in time.

The start was amazing. The fans were so loud on the radio, I was jacked up just listening to Blaha doing the pre-game.

Notes:

Lindsey was yelling at Rip on the sidelines after he allowed a blow-by without helping. Maybe he does have a future as a "Little General".

I thought LeBron was getting a little too cocky in the first half, posturing and scowling after making hoops. It's a wonderful thing that Five are mightier than One. This kid needs to grab a comic book and a smile during his summer vacation. I dislike his off arm drives, blatant travels and the media circus that follows him everywhere.

Gooden was exposed. He's not a very good defender. The Pistons kept him in foul trouble and out of the game for the most part.

David Stern was interesting during an in-game interview. He refused to endorse LeBron as the league saviour, saying that THE KING would shoulder the load with the "other stars" in the league. I like these old guys when they get crotchety while being interviewed by some sideline bimbo.

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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

Agree with everything but this.

Please convince/educate me (seriously, I want to know what he did well because I am very concerned about the Miami series based on my perceptions of Flip during this series).