Allright, I've just returned from the game.
Here's what I noticed.
Ronald Murray really wants to be a Piston. Just before the game started all the Pistons took their place on the bench. Flip was the last to sit down, and he made a point to greet and give secret handshake to all Pistons. from Chauncey to Double D, Flip worked his way down the line, making friends with all the Pistons. For the most part, the team was game. The only exception was McDyess, who turned around to get some Gatoraide right as Ronald reached out to shake his hand. Dice is one cold dude...
Game starts. For the first 9 minutes, it's Pistons vs. Chris Wilcox. Chris exploits the slow front line of our boys in blue, and scores the first 10 or so points for the Sonics.
At the end of the first quarter, I watch the bench. Flip Saunders is very active. He wields the clipboard. Chauncey pays attention. Rasheed doesn't. Ron Harper gives a pep talk. Terry Porter hangs out and looks cool.
Ronald Dupree is dressed in a very nice sport coat, pressed white shirt, and expensive looking jeans. His diamond earing catches the light and shines in my eyes, 9 rows back. Super Dupe follows Terry Porter around and apes his every move. He studies the clipboard. He folds his arms next to Terry. He offers words of encouragement to the bench. Could he be vying for the hallway coach position?
Nazr Mohammed is a true professional. Dale Davis eyeballs the Sonics cheerleaders.
Second quarter affords a few minutes for JMax. Man, this dude is short. NBA short, not real life short. I would guess that he is about 6'6", tops. The
Brahma doesn't have much luck against a young, athletic Sonics frontcourt... I think they may be on to him.
Halftime. I went out to smoke a cig.. er get some fresh air. Talked to many Pistons fans. Talked to a woman from Dexter and the Boulevard. She's been here about 12 years. Talked to lots of other Detroit expatriates. Key Arena was about 40 percent Detroit fans.
Second Half:
Rip becomes frustrated. Flip wisely pulls him before he draws a foul or technical. When Turbo goes to the bench, he takes his mask off and throws it at Arnie Kandor. Arnie has no chin. He picks up Rip's mask, and spends a few minutes fixing it. This happens several times during the game.
About halfway through the 3rd, the guy with the Rodman jersey sitting behind me points out the fact that Tayshaun has 15 points. "Quitest 15 points I've ever seen, man" This seems to be Prince's Modus Operandi. I've heard people say the same thing since his freshman year at UK.
Tayshaun plays great defense on Rasard Lewis and Ray Allen. If he can't cover them, he does a great job steering them into Rasheed Wallace or Antonio McDyess. With Tay on the job, the Sonics two leading scorers never get a good look on an uncontested shot.
Sheed is a superstar.
Chris Webber has saved the Piston's offense.
Flip Murray played his first 6 or so minutes without taking a shot. I think he played well.
Carlos Delfino is a compulsive gum chewer. He had a few fans from Argentina sitting close to me. They had an Argentinian (sp?) flag they were waving around. This cat has talent, and could be a nice piece as the Pistons move forward.
Sonics keep the game close during the fourth, and the game is decided in the final seconds.
Great game.
This post is getting pretty long, so I will try to wrap things up.
Overall impression: The Pistons with Cwebb are a team of savy vets. they are calm under pressure, execute thier plays well, and seldom make mistakes. This is why they win games.
On the flip side, this team of savy vets is old and slow by NBA standards, and gets beat by younger, more athletic players. See Chris Wilcox's opening 11 points.
Old vets who play the right way can win championships, as proved by the Pistons in 2004 and the Heat last year. I think this team has another year, two tops before age overcomes experience. Enjoy the ride, because it's a great one.