Who will face Detroit? Use this thread for your Heat-Nets comments, questions and predictions.

Game 1: at Miami, Mon., May 8 (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: at Miami, Wed., May 10 (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: at New Jersey, Fri., May 12 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: at New Jersey, Sun., May 14 (TBD)
Game 5: at Miami, Tue., May 16 (8 p.m. ET, TNT)*
Game 6: at New Jersey, Thu., May 18 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)*
Game 7: at Miami, Sun., May 21 (TBD)*

SERIES LINKS:
NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/playoffs2006/series_mianjn.html)
ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2006/series?series=njnmia)
Miami Herald (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/)
nj.com (http://www.nj.com/nets/)

Information courtesy of LanierFan

http://www.pistonsforum.com/images/picdump/2006-round2-mia_nj-1.png
http://www.pistonsforum.com/images/picdump/2006-round2-mia_nj-2.png
http://www.pistonsforum.com/images/picdump/2006-round2-mia_nj-3.png
http://www.pistonsforum.com/images/picdump/2006-round2-mia_nj-4.png

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I predicted the Nets to win that series. I still stand by my prediction.

Nets in 6

I'm with you - Nets in six.

Disappointing that the Heat's collapse in Games 3 and 4 against the Bulls didn't last too long, as they played great in the second half of game 5 and in all of Game 6, though it also looks like it had something to do with the Bulls giving up. Still some big question marks out there for Miami, and I did pick the Nets in 6 in our playoff bracket pool, so I'll stick with that prediciton as well.

I had Nets in 7, but I think the Heat will win this one now. I just hope it goes 7. Can Collins and Krstic check the big fella? O'Neal looked awfully good last night. 30 and 20.

The Heat will take this one. I know the Heat-Haters are taking NJ, however Kristic will get abused by Shaq and ZO is back.

I hate the Heat with the best of them, however, the Heat in 6.

That`s my story and I`m sticking to it.

The Heat will take this one. I know the Heat-Haters are taking NJ, however Kristic will get abused by Shaq and ZO is back.

I hate the Heat with the best of them, however, the Heat in 6.

That`s my story and I`m sticking to it.

I too think the Heat will take this one. Wait a minute, I think I pick NJ in 7 for my bracket. :ohwell:

As long as the Heat keeps craping on itself, they'll have nothing left for the TONs.
A lovely 7 game attrition affair would soot me.
Really don't care who wins.

I would rather see the Nets win. Vince Carter has a debt to pay to the basketball Gods (http://www.bootlegsports.com/cgi-bin/bs4_content.cgi?id=4561), and after the Cleveland series, it would be refreshing for the media to get behind the Pistons.

If we play the Nets, we will win in 5 games and breeze to the FINALS.

If we play the Heat, I think we have a battle on our hands. Miami is saving its best for the Pistons. Believe that!

Miami in 6.

If the Shaq that played in game 5 shows up I pick the Heat for a sweep.
I doubt that Shaq will show every game like he did in that one.

Chicago had the best defensive team in the league by the numbers.

I think it will go 7 and the Heat will win.

CHAT OPEN for GAME ONE!

Nets are up big right now.

Nets are up big right now.

That's an understatement. Miami's gotta be embarrassed, big-time. Getting blown out like this at home? Too funny!
I just want these teams to beat up on each other. Let it go to the full seven. :nod:

Watching the Heat get slammed by the Nets by 22 at the moment is a thrill indeed. What`s even more enthralling is watching the stunned crowd, in their white shirts looking like zombies.

Actually the arena looks like a huge room filled with mental patients after they have taken their meds for the evening, very subdued if you will......:eek:

Nets fell asleep for a while and let the Heat cut the lead all the way to 9, but then Vince woke up again and started driving to the basket, scoring and drawing some fouls. That and a couple of rushed shots were it for Miami, as they couldn't afford just to trade buckets with a 10 point deficit.

This Heat gang is contemptible enough for me to want to see them get humiliated, but of course we want these teams to beat each other up as well. Whaddaya gonna do? Well, I picked the Nets in 6 at the beginning of the playoffs in the bracket challenge, so I guess that's what I'll be hoping for. :)

I think I had the Nets in 7. If R-Jeff can't go, the Nets are in serious trouble.

I said Kidd is done: no more dancing in the finals for him. But if they keep doing the Warm like tonite they will make the ECF. Were upon Bup-Bup will show him the truth.
...Shaq lied too, he said Miami now has a winner and champion. Not if the nets punk his azz.

The Heat were killed in the first quarter. That was the difference in this game. Shaq sure did pad his stats by the way he played in the 4th. He did nothing before that. Wade did nothing when Shaq was in foul trouble.
Wade's stats look better then he played.

I was wavering before but I now pick the Heat to win this. They are going to be pissed about this game. When the Nets were up by 24 they were shooting three's to shove it in the Heats faces. Shaq will be pissed about that.

I think I had the Nets in 7. If R-Jeff can't go, the Nets are in serious trouble.

The x-rays were negative, but you never know. It was nice watching the Heat lose. It's only one game though. :ohwell:

Just checked the boxscore and saw that Wade and Williams led the Heat with a mighty 3 assists, and nobody else had more than 1. That's some nice team chemistry they have down there. :laugh:

Lurker, great avatar. Is that a Zollner Pistons' logo? That thing is sweet. I'd love to have a T-shirt with that thing on it. The old logos are great. I like this old Denver Nuggets one, too:


http://www.logoserver.com/basketball/DenverNuggets.GIF

I believe the Nets will beat Miami and give us a hard-fought battle. They've eliminated a weak link with Krstic instead of Collins, while their big-game experience and mental toughness are second only to the Pistons in the East. Don't take these guys lightly.

Lurker, great avatar. Is that a Zollner Pistons' logo? That thing is sweet. I'd love to have a T-shirt with that thing on it. The old logos are great. I like this old Denver Nuggets one, too:


http://www.logoserver.com/basketball/DenverNuggets.GIF

Yes, it's one of the first Pistons logos. I picked it because it's so dorky. Also, it's important for Pistons fans to remember our roots. It's not every team was named after a guy named Zollner and a piece of machinery.

The prospector in the Nuggets logo might be a little too excited to be running around with a pickaxe.

The Zollner Pistons were a pretty funky outfit. Here are some of their past outfits, along with more recent stuff. (http://www.dickscourtroom.com/menu_gall.htm)

It's absolute justice that the refs are calling Shaq in the first two rounds for bully fouls. Not only is he on the downside, but losing his intangible advantage is a huge plus for opponents.

It's quite amusing for someone like me, that has never been a Shaq fan, to see how frustrated a star gets when a decade of calls stop going their way.

It's absolute justice that the refs are calling Shaq in the first two rounds for bully fouls. Not only is he on the downside, but losing his intangible advantage is a huge plus for opponents.

It's quite amusing for someone like me, that has never been a Shaq fan, to see how frustrated a star gets when a decade of calls stop going their way.

Shaq looked very unhappy during the game the other night. His frustration caused him to even yell a few harsh words to D Wade of all people.

I think Shaq can feel the championship window being slammed shut, and his huge arms can`t hold it open much longer.

With Jefferson hurt the Heat should still win this series, advancing to play Detroit in the ECF. What better team to slam Shaq`s hand in that championship window. Damn, I bet that`s going to hurt!!!!!

I am presently watching this Heat/Nets game and Jefferson looks pretty good. Playing carefully and not with usual explosivenss but he looks like he's mending as he plays. Definitely looks better than Rip did in game 2 after his injury and I thought Jefferson's was more serious.

I haven't watched either of these teams much this seaon, so I can't quite say how I think it'll turn out. One thing is for sure. With the Pistons speeding up their offense this season, I've lost my taste for this grueling grind-it out-half court stuff. I can barely stay awake watching this.

It's hard to make a prediction with two mirror image blowouts. I do think it'll go seven games.

But after this yawner, I'm looking forward to the second game tonight.
We'll see if the Clippers have any success in slowing down Phoenix.

It seems like a long long time until the Pistons play again. Good healing and rest time for Rip's ankle.

It's absolute justice that the refs are calling Shaq in the first two rounds for bully fouls. Not only is he on the downside, but losing his intangible advantage is a huge plus for opponents.

It's quite amusing for someone like me, that has never been a Shaq fan, to see how frustrated a star gets when a decade of calls stop going their way.

How come they aren't giving the big oaf "the star treatment" any longer? Is it because his skills are diminishing?

Shaq has never truly been the "monster" that he could/should have been. He has always relyed on his size, strength, and relative quickness to dominate. Not to mention the "soft" competition (at his position) during "his era."

Shaq's problem is that he doesn't like to work out. Especially in the summer. If he had Karl Malone's off-season training regiment, he would truly be a monster. Well, those chickens are coming home to roost.

I love seeing Shaq spanked cause he acts like he's supposed to win just by showing up. I can't blame him cause the refs act like that too. I knew his bark was worse than his bite when an out of shape Charles Barkley whooped his azz.

Having said all that, I hope Miami wins this series. I would love to spank Shaq and that "too big for his britches" D-Wade one more time on the way to the big show.

I hope NJ wins this one. I think they are a way better matchup for the Pistons. Kidd is slow and easier to guard. Tay can exorcise his Jefferson demons. Vince will be a tough cover but he doesn't play smart anyway, especially down the stretch. NJ has no game in the paint. Miami, on the other hand, would present more problems for Detroit. Better coach and tougher matchups at the 2 and 5. I'm rooting for Jersey. I think Detroit wins either way, but Miami is a tougher series because they have an axe to grind after losing at home to Detroit in a Game 7.

Having said all that, I hope Miami wins this series. I would love to spank Shaq and that "too big for his britches" D-Wade one more time on the way to the big show.

I agree with you about Wade. That kid has an ego. I really wanted to like him when he first game into the scene he has such talent on the court but I cannot stand his attitude. He isn't a team player and he seems to only care about himself.

I have been reading some Heat message boards lately and Heat fans even attack their own if they don't agree with the group. I swear 75% of those fans only showed up when the team got Wade.

Bump for first post updates (head to head and regular season statistics).

Clifford Robinson is gone. Drug policy violation.

This will be a big loss and may mean that Miami will advance.

What knucklehead is hassling Uncle Cliffy during the playoffs. I swear, man, some people just hate to see others have a good time.

:mad:

Clifford Robinson is gone. Drug policy violation.

This will be a big loss and may mean that Miami will advance.

Since when is Metamucil on the banned substance list?

Clifford Robinson is gone. Drug policy violation.

This will be a big loss and may mean that Miami will advance.

Any details on this yet? What was the drug? Was it a failed drug test or did he get caught with some substance on his person?

:mad: I find this really upsetting actually. I can't believe these leagues are policing what grown men do with their bodies. I'm kind of a libertarian though. Yeah, yeah, I know it's illegal but I don't agree with that either.

Anyway, if it's for pot I'm really going to be over it. How alcohol is legal and all these other drugs aren't has always blown my mind.

Okay back to basketball. Early in the first quarter of Game 3, Richard Jefferson is looking like he is no longer injured. This is the critical game of the series to me.

Any details on this yet? What was the drug? Was it a failed drug test or did he get caught with some substance on his person?

On the radio today I heard "Uncle Cliffy caught puffin' a blunt"...

:mad: I find this really upsetting actually. I can't believe these leagues are policing what grown men do with their bodies. I'm kind of a libertarian though. Yeah, yeah, I know it's illegal but I don't agree with that either.


Anyway, if it's for pot I'm really going to be over it. How alcohol is legal and all these other drugs aren't has always blown my mind.

absolutely agree with you here aurora

The Nets were just horrendous in the 4th quarter tonight, with a string of awful turnovers in the last few minutes, plus a lot of dumb fouls. Kristic was disastrously bad throughout the entire game, missing wide open Js all over the place. Their shot selection also stunk down the stretch, that is, when they were able to get across midcourt or complete a simple pass without coughing the ball up. Looked like they might be able to pull it out after a 15-0 run in the third, but they completely collapsed in crunch time.

I really hate both of these teams with a passion. I hope this series goes to 7 games and is decided in the 10th OT. I can't even decided who I want to win.

I hate Vince Carter. I hate Jason Kidd. I hate Richard Jefferson. I hate Laurence Frank. I hate the Nets.

I hate Shaq Man Boobs O'Neil. I hate Zo. I hate Riley. I hate Walker. I hate Payton. I am really starting to dislike Wade - I especially hate the fact that we picked Darko over him or Bosh. I hate the Heat.

I'm for starting the Wade hate club. I'm getting really tired of him sprawled across the floor for minutes at a time soaking in the attention and then popping back up and playing. He's been watching his commercials too much.

Yeah, Sargeant Carter whopped him in the nose, but come on - he wasn't unconscious, and if it really hurt that much how about wandering dazedly towards the bench where someone might help out.

Maybe his team is kind of down on it too since they didn't bother to try and stop the game and choose instead to just play around his crumpled mass on the floor.

Clifford Robinson is gone. Drug policy violation.

This will be a big loss and may mean that Miami will advance.

I agree. I don't think New Jersey can win the series without Clifford.

I'm not scared to see Miami in the ECF. The way the refs are calling Shaq planting his elbow and forearm in the defenders chest to pivot/push to the hoop means that Ben should be able to get loads of calls on him.

This is where the experience of a Dale Davis will come in handy, because a veteran can sell and get those calls from the refs. If anything, it benefits the smaller defender because the abuse looks that much more sinister.

The Nets' problem is not Shaq. It's that Jacque Vaughn is the primary guard backup. He's a massive step down from Kidd/Carter.

Nets: When you're relying on a guy named John Thomas, you're in trouble.

Heat is easier for Pistons.


Chauncey will have a much easier time gaurding Jason Williams than Jason Kidd, and Chauncey will have an easier time on offense against Williams than Kidd.
VC and RJ will be harder to gaurd than Wade and Posey. Sure Wade is a tough cover, but both RJ and VC have size advantages on Tay and Rip, and if we played Miami we would trap Wade until someone else than Shaq can score off his passes.
Speaking about Shaq he is tired and fouling out of almost every game. By the time he gets to the ECF if he does he won't even be close to how effective he can be.
With Miami's horrible perimeter defense everyone is getting in the paint and it's forcing Shaq to get fouls, and Haslem will not be able to gaurd Sheed. Pistons will be much better off facing the Heat than the Nets.

I don't hate the Heat at all but I think some of the praise Wade has gotten has gone to his head.

I agree he watches his commercial way to much.

That being said don't think the regular season will matter come playoff time. Shaq isn't playing like Shaq in this series and he didn't in the first series vs Chicago (except for the game that closed the series) so I expect him to come out on fire if he plays us in the ECF.

I'm not scared to see Miami in the ECF. The way the refs are calling Shaq planting his elbow and forearm in the defenders chest to pivot/push to the hoop means that Ben should be able to get loads of calls on him.



Don`t count on it. I know Ben is DPOY, however, these are the Pistons, the no-respect Pistons. I will guarantee you the Pistons will not get ALL the same calls that NJ is getting.

We get plenty of calls and during the season I would say we got 90% of them against the Heat

Nets: When you're relying on a guy named John Thomas, you're in trouble.
This is gunna sound crazy, but he was pretty effective as the backup C for Atlanta earlier this year.

This is gunna sound crazy, but he was pretty effective as the backup C for Atlanta earlier this year.

Nets: When you're relying on a guy who was a backup C for Atlanta, you're in trouble.

;)

Lady Chatterly's Backup. Hahahaha! Yeah, I know nobody gets it. :(

We get plenty of calls and during the season I would say we got 90% of them against the Heat

This is the second season. Let`s see if we get them now.

Stick a fork in the Nets, and with them my chances of winning the playoff bracket pool here, since I had them winning this series in 6. Respecting them that much turned out to be a bad move on my part.

Stick a fork in the Nets, and with them my chances of winning the playoff bracket pool here, since I had them winning this series in 6. Respecting them that much turned out to be a bad move on my part.

True indeed Dumars. Very few people in our playoff brackets took Miami over the Nets, myself being one not convinced of the Nets late regular season surge took the Heat.

I wear a size XXL Roscoe!!!!!!:nod:

Jefferson and Carter are the biggest chokers ever.

I can't believe that Snapper Jones mentioned on the telecast that Jason Collins should have been up for defensive player of the year. Hate Walton all you want, but he snuffed out that nonsense pretty quick.

The Nets made a huge mistake going to Lawrence Franks. Whose head rolls? The coach or the GM?

They ain't coming back from this. Thanks Uncle Cliffy.

True indeed Dumars. Very few people in our playoff brackets took Miami over the Nets, myself being one not convinced of the Nets late regular season surge took the Heat.

I wear a size XXL Roscoe!!!!!!:nod:

I dunno. I like my chances big fella. :eyebrows:

And look out for the Heat. They're peaking at the right time. Their 8-man rotation ain't bad. Because of Detroit's Game 3 nonsense, the Heat might be waiting for the Pistons. Again. Good thing Detroit has home court this time. :nod:

And look out for the Heat. They're peaking at the right time. Their 8-man rotation ain't bad. Because of Detroit's Game 3 nonsense, the Heat might be waiting for the Pistons. Again. Good thing Detroit has home court this time. :nod:

Good point. The Heat are peaking right now. Antoine Walker (should be on my who I hate list) is playing much better in the playoffs.

If he and Posey show up it could get interesting in the ECF!

I love Walker. Love the wiggle, love the attitude, love the FU if you don't like me I am not changing. Even with the annoying facial expressions he wants to win more then anyone on the court. Those are the types of players I like.

Ben Wallace is one of those. So is Allan Iverson.

A lot of people picked NJ because they known deep down inside that playing against Miami will be a dog fight. It would have been a much easier road against the Nets.

I think the injury riddled Pacers would have given the Heat a run for their money. The Heat's confidence feeds off wins and a 4-1 thrashing of the Nets will give them enough confidence where they will not only believe they can beat the Pistons in their head, but possibly in their bodies too....especially if we let Cavs series stretch out to 6 or 7 games.

Carter shoots way too much. Jefferson should be more agressive offensively. In addition, Jefferson shoots better percentage than Carter. Most probably why Nets are down 1-3 in this series.

The Nets showed some heart tonight, I'll give them that, fighting hard all the way to the bitter end. Naturally, it wasn't enough. Should have shown some heart earlier by winning some frickin' home games.

I have said all along we would play the heat and have watch Joe's personnel moves in relation to Shaq.

Carter's never been a winner. I remember watching the "Beyond the Glory" documentary on him.

Never won in high school, college or in Toronto. He'll never win in New Jersey neither.

Did I say Kidd was done?
That 14 game win streak...Fools Gold.
Jefferson was wounded.
Nets haiku.

Did I say Kidd was done?
That 14 game win streak...Fools Gold.
Jefferson was wounded.
Nets haiku.
You definitely colored outside the lines, but it's funny. :D

Jefferson was out played in this series by Walker. Don't let the numbers fool you. Walker came up big everytime except for game 1 and even then he was smart enough only to take 6 shots.

Shaq and Wade had a lot of trouble in this series and without Walker they would be home right now and the Nets would be preparing to play us (hopefully)

It's about time AntW earned his pay.

Walker earned his pay in Boston. He was great in the 2002 and 2003 Playoff series till he got hurt with the sprained knee.