Well, posting the post-elimination game brought us luck in the last series.

http://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/team/DET_3079.gifhttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/team/at.gifhttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/team/MIA_799.gif

Series 3-2 Miami

Friday June 2nd, 2006
8:00 PM

American Airlines Arena, FL

TV: ESPN
Radio: WDFN 1130 AM

Your Detroit Pistons

Ben WallaceRasheed WallaceTayshaun PrinceRip HamiltonChauncey Billupshttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/pistons/ben_wallace.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/pistons/rasheed_wallace.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/pistons/tayshaun_prince.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/pistons/richard_hamilton.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/pistons/chauncey_billups.jpg

The Miami Heat (boo, hiss)

Shaquille O'NealUdonis HaslemAntoine WalkerDwyane WadeJason Williamshttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/heat/shaquille_oneal.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/heat/udonis_haslem.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/heat/antoine_walker.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/heat/dwyane_wade.jpghttp://www.pistonsforum.com/img/resources/heat/jason_williams.jpg

Comments?
~~

Someone better fill this out cuz were going to need it.

My work is never done...

Hell Roscoe, if it was over, we'd be in the off season :nono:

Hell Roscoe, if it was over, we'd be in the off season :nono:
You have not seen my offseason work list in the staff room then... :doh:

When the season ends, I have to REALLY start working! :P

I didn't see much of Game 5 since I was traveling. However, this next game will be the ULTIMATE TEST. Detroit won't get any friendly whistles in Miami. The team needs to force the action -- as in getting some fast-break points.

Need to split the minutes between Sheed and Dice a little more. Pistons will have to have to either generate quicker ball movement, drive to the basket or get more fast breaks if they face a zone defense. Speed will break that type of defense down.

Warning: Do not read this if you are thirsting for Kool Aid.

The Pistons played well and earned a victory in game 5.
It was very nice to see and I think we all feel much better.

I hope we play well in game 6. Still, no matter how I try to look at it, I think Miami will be our Waterloo.

Wade is awesome. Homecourt will be huge. The refs are going to kill us.

The only way I can see us winning is if we play very well and Miami takes the gas pipe. Miami may be tight for a bit, but I can't imagine Riley won't have them ready.

Prediction: Miami wins game 6. :hurt:

Sorry, not trying to be doom & gloom, but I believe this time we won't dig ourselves out of the hole. It's too deep. The proverbial well is dry.

I sure hope I'm wrong.

Warning: Do not read this if you are thirsting for Kool Aid.

The Pistons played well and earned a victory in game 5.
It was very nice to see and I think we all feel much better.

I hope we play well in game 6. Still, no matter how I try to look at it, I think Miami will be our Waterloo.

Wade is awesome. Homecourt will be huge. The refs are going to kill us.

The only way I can see us winning is if we play very well and Miami takes the gas pipe. Miami may be tight for a bit, but I can't imagine Riley won't have them ready.

Prediction: Miami wins game 6. :hurt:

Sorry, not trying to be doom & gloom, but I believe this time we won't dig ourselves out of the hole. It's too deep. The proverbial well is dry.

I sure hope I'm wrong.

I'm not ready to predict a loss, but it'll be a battle for sure.

I agree with you that the Heat will be ready. Riley will make sure of that.

The key is for us to come out hard and fast like we did in game 5 to take the crowd out of it early.

No predictions for Game 6. The odds are stacked in Miami's favor because of multiple factors: home game, favorable whistles, Wade's on fire, not an elimination game for them etc. The Pistons can win if they can get more contribution from the backcourt and Sheed. They just need to play desperate the entire 48 minutes. If they win Game 6 and just take it to a Game 7 I will be thrilled even if they don't get to the next round. The important thing is to show heart, resilience and team work.

If the Pistons play hard for 48 minutes, they will have their chances.

That's all we can ask.

If the Pistons play hard for 48 minutes, they will have their chances.

That's all we can ask.

Your signature now acknowledges a HOT DICE :) Isn't Wasabi more pungent than hot? LOL

I'll mix up the Kool Aid for this one.


I Believe!

I honestly don't have any good reasons for this - I just wanna.... who's with me?

Your signature now acknowledges a HOT DICE :) Isn't Wasabi more pungent than hot? LOL
You must have had some ghetto Wasabi then. Wasabi is Japanese horseradish, popular with pickled ginger as condiments for Sushi. It's tongue searingly, eye tearingly, nose runningly hot.

I'll mix up the Kool Aid for this one.


I Believe!

I honestly don't have any good reasons for this - I just wanna.... who's with me?

I'm with you lady!

Your signature now acknowledges a HOT DICE :) Isn't Wasabi more pungent than hot? LOL

Hot like Wasabi when I bust rhymes
Big like LeAnne Rimes
Because I'm all about value

Bert Kaempfert's got the mad hits
You try to match wits
You try to hold me but I bust through

You must have had some ghetto Wasabi then. Wasabi is Japanese horseradish, popular with pickled ginger as condiments for Sushi. It's tongue searingly, eye tearingly, nose runningly hot.




I always felt Wasabi is not chili pepper hot. I get the eye tearingly and nose runningly feeling, like eating a hyped up mustard. My sinuses get cleared up pretty good.

Your a regular Emeril dude. Maybe you should start a cooking forum in the off-season. That'll keep you busy for 5 months :)

Your a regular Emeril dude. Maybe you should start a cooking forum in the off-season. That'll keep you busy for 5 months :) My lips are moving my but no one is hearing what I am saying. My summer will be spent building this place. Micro will be very busy. :D

I love cooking and food. When the food network first came out, I watched it relentlessly. Can't get too much into the personalities, but the knowledge and techniques are really intriguing.

I will say this:

Wade's voice sounded very nervous to me when he went out of his way to make sure everyone knew that his team was not feeling any pressure.:D

Dwyane, Methinks thou doth protest too much. :nod:

OK, can somebody please tell me why he spells his name "Dwyane" instead of "Dwayne"? It always messes me up.

Yes, I know it's on his birth certificate.:P But isn't the usual spelling "Dwayne"? Maybe his mom just wasn't the best speller? Anyone know the story on it?

we got back to doing some good things in game 4, it got more consistent in game 5- but not anymore fluid, I honestly think that game 6 is a great opportunity to combine energy, consistency and rhythm together to finally get some fluidity to the team and STOMP THESE BOYS.

If you're Flip, what does today's practice look like??? do you practice at all, or do you just do film and save some legs??? If your Flip what should you do??

If you're Flip, what does today's practice look like??? do you practice at all, or do you just do film and save some legs??? If your Flip what should you do??

A very intense walk through that is disguised as a practice. if I'm Flip I constantly stop every play and scream at the top of my lungs to get it right!!!!!!! After about 2 hours I say hit the showers, while it seemed like practice, the constant stopping and screaming makes it no more than a walk through that helps conserve some leg energy.

If I'm Flip I get Arnie Kander to stockpile enough Wasabi to take to Miami. Then I have Arnie generously apply it to the interior of the entire teams jocks. You want movement? You can't handle this kind of movement..

If I'm Flip I get Arnie Kander to stockpile enough Wasabi to take to Miami. Then I have Arnie generously apply it to the interior of the entire teams jocks. You want movement? You can't handle this kind of movement..
:laugh: :rofl:

we got back to doing some good things in game 4, it got more consistent in game 5- but not anymore fluid, I honestly think that game 6 is a great opportunity to combine energy, consistency and rhythm together to finally get some fluidity to the team and STOMP THESE BOYS.

If you're Flip, what does today's practice look like??? do you practice at all, or do you just do film and save some legs??? If your Flip what should you do??

They have won the two games in this series where they skipped the practices. I would have hoped that they reviewed game on the plane ride down and the film editor had a chance to work with the coaching staff prior to that to emphasize the good and bad.

The game every other day is catching up with them, so have a short practice on game day. Tired legs will not provide any lift in getting those 3 pointers to fall or those hustle plays to happen.

I will say this:

Wade's voice sounded very nervous to me when he went out of his way to make sure everyone knew that his team was not feeling any pressure.:D

Dwyane, Methinks thou doth protest too much. :nod:

OK, can somebody please tell me why he spells his name "Dwyane" instead of "Dwayne"? It always messes me up.

Yes, I know it's on his birth certificate.:P But isn't the usual spelling "Dwayne"? Maybe his mom just wasn't the best speller? Anyone know the story on it?

I doubt if Wade is nervous. This kid looks like the real deal to me, however, game 6 will tell us if he is nervous or not.

Only GP, Shaq and Zo have played in games before that mean as much as this one. Well, Haslem was there last year in the ECF game 7 also.

Wade is good for a couple of TO right when the Heat don`t need them.

As far as the spelling of Dwyane vs Dwayne, that`s mild, pratically unoticable, I can tell you some names that will leave you spellbound, literally. Hey, it`s whatever his mom was feelling at the time.

Make them watch Game 7 from last year's Finals. Then have them watch Game 5 of the 2004 Finals.

Seriously though, they'll have to do some defensive game planning. Riley will be making adjustments to free up Wade and/or exploit the double teams.

Nothing less than full intensity is going to get this done.

Make them watch Game 7 from last year's Finals. Then have them watch Game 5 of the 2004 Finals.

Seriously though, they'll have to do some defensive game planning. Riley will be making adjustments to free up Wade and/or exploit the double teams.

Nothing less than full intensity is going to get this done.

Yeah I think someone said Flip had them watch the 2004 Red Sox 3-1 comeback vs the Yankees. Maybe show them or remind them of the intensity they put forth vs the Cavs in game 7 a couple of weeks ago. We normally need 90 to guarantee the win, but just holding this high powered team in the 70's with the defensive intensity may be enough too!:nod:

I'ts a chess match so definitely adjustments are forthcoming from Riles, and Flip will need to make some too. Hopefully Joe's Piston coaching "consultant" Chuck Daly flew down with the team to lend his expert advice since it worked last night....some bad boys mentality is what is needed here.

The Pistons should try contain Wade in whatever way possible. Let Snaq and the others try to beat them. The trapping in Game 5 was pretty effective.

Miami is getting just as tired. If Miami responds well under the new found pressue they are under for the 1st time this series then they will have earned the Victory.

Pistons are about due folkes. Billups is about due to knock down 5-3's, Rip is due to shoot over 50% and Wade is due to have a cold night. Wade cannot possibly continue hitting shots like he has and I think part of it was how loose they were able to play always having that 1 game slack.

Pistons are going to win. Going to win game 6 and will win game 7 convinsingly. I know I was doubting the team but they showed us the old Piston grit last night.

Pistons are about due folkes. Billups is about due to knock down 5-3's, Rip is due to shoot over 50% and Wade is due to have a cold night. Wade cannot possibly continue hitting shots like he has and I think part of it was how loose they were able to play always having that 1 game slack.



Couldn`t have said it better myself!

My thoughts exactly........

Problem I see is that they will go back to Shaq. Will Ben be as active? Even at his best, Ben has a hard time with Shaq in the 1st quarter. It is Shaq that allows the Heat to lead us so much early. How to counter? Ben can use his fouls or we can put Davis in early to play him hard and save Ben for later. We have not made an adjustment for Shaq and we need to contain him some to get out with a lead in the 1st quarter. If we do, we have a chance.

The reason I am not confident is that we have not or cannot keep Shaq and wade from getting a high percentage. And, the Heat in turn, are able to keep our offense in check. We did finally get some looks in game 5 but they have a beat on what we do. If you go back to last year vs. SA, teams are figuring out if you get up on Billips you can live with his drives. If you take Rip's first look away, he will drive and not be as deadly.

On the other hand, Tay has really developed. I would use him to handle the ball as much as possible. He is the one guy who can get something off the dribble, force a double, etc.

I will say this, as disappointed as I am recently, the Pistons are an incredibly tough group when it comes down to it. Game 5 was a joy not because we are playing that great, but because you could see those guys compete. Heisler from the LA Times once again pointed out just how tough they are.

If we don't win, I wonder what did happen these last two weeks. Something has been off.

Make them watch Game 7 from last year's Finals.


Put it on a big screen during practice put it on the plane for the flight down to Miami show it before warm-ups and just in case they forget and are down at halftime show it again. It should be like in A Clockwork Orange where they are literally forced to watch it and when they start to lose it should give them a pain in the gulliver.

No predictions for Game 6. The odds are stacked in Miami's favor because of multiple factors: home game, favorable whistles, Wade's on fire, not an elimination game for them etc. The Pistons can win if they can get more contribution from the backcourt and Sheed. They just need to play desperate the entire 48 minutes. If they win Game 6 and just take it to a Game 7 I will be thrilled even if they don't get to the next round. The important thing is to show heart, resilience and team work.

Everyone keeps talking about Wade is on fire. I don't see what he is doing differently. Wade always scores 28-31 points against the Pistons, and Shaq gets his 20+. Combined those two get around 52-58 points against the Pistons. The problem is when the Pistons allow the other players to score 10+ points. If the Pistons can shut down the other player, than I don't care how good they are playing, Shaq and D-Wade cannot beat the Pistons by themselves.:fingerscr

Put it on a big screen during practice put it on the plane for the flight down to Miami show it before warm-ups and just in case they forget and are down at halftime show it again. It should be like in A Clockwork Orange where they are literally forced to watch it and when they start to lose it should give them a pain in the gulliver.

While they're at it, they should show the team the movie "A Clockwork Orange." A scene of Alex and his droogs beating up on the townsfolk is enough to get anyone riled up for a game. :laugh:

Everyone keeps talking about Wade is on fire. I don't see what he is doing differently. Wade always scores 28-31 points against the Pistons, and Shaq gets his 20+. Combined those two get around 52-58 points against the Pistons. The problem is when the Pistons allow the other players to score 10+ points. If the Pistons can shut down the other player, than I don't care how good they are playing, Shaq and D-Wade cannot beat the Pistons by themselves.:fingerscr
The issue this year is that Wade is shooting a very high % to go with Shaq's high FG%. They are too efficient offensively.

Hence why it's not just enough to limit the role players, because the Pistons have to be offensively efficient as well. Limit turnovers, get easy baskets, convert on jumpers.

I'm talking about an ideal execution strategy to win of course. The Pistons can still pull it out making (more) FTs, forcing turnovers, and hitting 3s, but you cannot count on big shots, friendly refs and steals.

If Rip and Sheed are on, this will be a Pistons win. Of course getting Shaq and Wade in foul trouble would be a big, big help.

I heard someone mention on TNT (I think it was Reggie Miller) that Rip needs to make Wade work on the defensive end. Pistons can win this damn thing if they do it right. Gotta make Shaq run up and down the court. Miami has chinks in their armor. Gotta expose 'em.

I will say this:

Wade's voice sounded very nervous to me when he went out of his way to make sure everyone knew that his team was not feeling any pressure.:D

Dwyane, Methinks thou doth protest too much. :nod:

OK, can somebody please tell me why he spells his name "Dwyane" instead of "Dwayne"? It always messes me up.

Yes, I know it's on his birth certificate.:P But isn't the usual spelling "Dwayne"? Maybe his mom just wasn't the best speller? Anyone know the story on it?

yeah, from what i've heard its because she didn't know how to spell dwayne. other examples of uneducated mothers include:

anfernee hardaway's mum (she was trying to spell anthony)
antawn jamison's mum (she was trying to spell antoine)

The issue this year is that Wade is shooting a very high % to go with Shaq's high FG%. They are too efficient offensively.

agreed. when kobe was scoring 25 points on us it was through taking 25 jump shots. wade only needs 12 or 13 shots to do it.

my concern is miami's perimeter game. i know its nothing special but they did miss A LOT of open outside shots in game 5. if guys like posey, walker and williams hit a couple early and the crowd gets behind them we could be in trouble.

we need to be hitting more 3's. we need it. they haven't been going down lately because they aren't being taken when in the flow of the offence. they are being jacked iladvised (re: billups) or as a shot clock bail out. swing the ball from side to side more and get rasheed some pick n pops as well.

Dwyane

It should really be pronounced "Dee double-u Yanni"

yeah billups is pissing me off. 3-4 break pull up for a 3 ...brick it...heat come back and get a layup. Thanks for single handedly shifting the momentum big guy. That was MVP decision making.

hey, just found a good omen for the game. pistons are 8-0 in game 6's dating back to 2003.
and SIX of those were on the road.

check it out --->

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/SPORTS03/606020326/1051

Some key points to get a W, IMO, are:

Get Ben involved in the offense for the git go. He will energize the team.

Feed Sheed in the post.

CB should use other players to get ball movement/offensive opportunities i.e. maybe Rip coming off a curl and not get caught dribbling it to death at the top of the circle.

CB needs to be aggressive with Payton and Williams. When is he going to realize that the mis-match is in his favor?

Wade seems to heat things up in the 4th. Show him a new defensive wrinkle in the 4th which is different than the way he was guarded the first 3 qtrs.

Anyone know why Riley announced that Wade has the flu for Game 6? That guy always seems to have an agenda. Wonder what it is?

Some key points to get a W, IMO, are:

Get Ben involved in the offense for the git go. He will energize the team.

Feed Sheed in the post.

CB should use other players to get ball movement/offensive opportunities i.e. maybe Rip coming off a curl and not get caught dribbling it to death at the top of the circle.

CB needs to be aggressive with Payton and Williams. When is he going to realize that the mis-match is in his favor?

Wade seems to heat things up in the 4th. Show him a new defensive wrinkle in the 4th which is different than the way he was guarded the first 3 qtrs.

Anyone know why Riley announced that Wade has the flu for Game 6? That guy always seems to have an agenda. Wonder what it is?

The 2 games that we won in this series, Ben was involved offensively and as a result, he brought the energy all over the court and the teams feeds of him. So yes, get him involved early.

When will we start hitting 40% or more from the 3 point land this series? My answer is Game 6.

Get ready for their zone D.


MEN AT WORK!!!
DETROIT BASKETBALL!!!

According to ESPN.com Wade missed today's practice with "flu-like symptoms, marking the second straight year his health has been a major factor entering Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals."

Hmmmm sounds like nerves to me! Don't worry Wade, it'll all be over soon. Only 2 more games left and then you'll have all summer to recover.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2467803

Some key points to get a W, IMO, are:

Get Ben involved in the offense for the git go. He will energize the team.

Feed Sheed in the post.

CB should use other players to get ball movement/offensive opportunities i.e. maybe Rip coming off a curl and not get caught dribbling it to death at the top of the circle.

CB needs to be aggressive with Payton and Williams. When is he going to realize that the mis-match is in his favor?

Wade seems to heat things up in the 4th. Show him a new defensive wrinkle in the 4th which is different than the way he was guarded the first 3 qtrs.

Anyone know why Riley announced that Wade has the flu for Game 6? That guy always seems to have an agenda. Wonder what it is?

Good points Anakin, should be the plan every game, but someone always seems to deviate from the obvious and of course the other team has something to do with it by making their own in game adjustments.

My keys are: just take the high percentage shots, stay aggressive and hustle, get in the lane & make your Fts, and limit their paint production, don't argue with the refs and take the crowd out of it early and keep them out of it...Go Pistons:fingerscr

According to ESPN.com Wade missed today's practice with "flu-like symptoms, marking the second straight year his health has been a major factor entering Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals."

Hmmmm sounds like nerves to me! Don't worry Wade, it'll all be over soon. Only 2 more games left and then you'll have all summer to recover.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2467803


Hee Hee thanks for posting. Dehydration? This guy is so fragile.

Myamee is feeling the pressure.Everyone has covered what we need to accomplish tonight.I said before if we keep playing like we were Myamie would take the series.Well we've shown some blips on the life support monitor and I would be really suprised if this doesn't come back to the Palace.

By the way does Lindsey think he's Sheed or something??
"We're gonna go take that Game 6," Hunter said. "We're not going to steal it, we're gonna go take that Game 6." Just bring it home boys I'm not ready to quit yet.

If hunter said it. Its a given. The palace better get ready for game 7

let's go, Pistons. bring it back home for a game 7.

Chat is open!!!

And now, a rap.

Hey I gotta start it
The Heat be carted off
ya soft
Pistonsforum.com will flood that's gotta warn ya
what in blazes
hey this is phat
weigh this
I'll portray this
photographs so the last laugh
is mine you're behind
for the mind and for the soul

that's how I roll
now I hold
the ball with my life
depended on it
I'm done ya bond it
Haslem don't want it
and I'm apart from wackness
I'm separated

did you like how I spiked the ball
despite ya all
you could come bite a small portion
there's more in the vault
halt, have a malt
I alter your brain patterns
yet it's my fault

I sustain phatter blends
of words heard, stampede
damn GP reach with those buckteeth?

Chorus
"Just me, no simile, never score simpily, cause it was meant to be, the
truth, the truth, and nothing but the truth, I tell it to the youth,
propelling with the proof, in the puddin', wouldn't you like to know?
Oh, no you didn't, my flows never quittin', and that's the truth, the
Detroit Pistons' truth my man."

I'm on the scrimmage
waitin' for your funky imitations
and I'm not discriminating
myself, when I'm making my wealth

pure facts

hard for me to endure wack south Beach
I drive the lane with ease
I'm tellin' you that Ben is truth
appealin' through your arteries
you scar your knees
bowing, praising, now when I phase in
like Kitty Pride
city wide
confer to kick the rumor
Wade admit he lies

the truth will set you free
when I upset the Heat
execute the Heat
I do my best to mute those Heat
all it takes is intelligence
I'm great with embellishments
they need a savior
so Ben is sent...

Chorus
"Just me, no simile, never score simpily, cause it was meant to be, the
truth, the truth, and nothing but the truth, I tell it to the youth,
propelling with the proof, in the puddin', wouldn't you like to know?
Oh, no you didn't, my flows never quittin', and that's the truth, the
Detroit Pistons' truth my man."

You know our attributes
so don't act cute
it's moot
a closed casket
the most massive
fluff, just me
no simile
never score simpily
cause it was meant to be
never concluded
sever your crew with
microlazer surgery,
I get Shaq fouled up like fouls like Rasheed Wallace man
now all of you stand
like a congregation
on the basement floor
hip-hop
not carin' sharin'
tearin' Posey here in clones
wearin' bones
skeletons, your plasma is like gelatin
and tell a friend
who's developin'
cause Tay's intelligent...

Chorus
Yeah, my basketball technique, will make ya body freak,
my basketball technique, will make ya body tweak,
my basketball technique, will make ya body seek,
the beaning, double-teaming, on your soft as charmin brain.

-adapted from "Missing Link" by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & Dinosaur Jr.

Pistons wearing RED TONIGHT???

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/redjersey.html

As reported by Rob Audo on WDFN.

WOW! We're 9-0 in those!

just found out on WDFN...wow!!!!!!!!!!!!

we will win cuzzzzzzz:

1. The red unis will get in the Heat's head.
2. The missed Ft's by the Heat shows me they aint ready for prime time.
3. Game 6 is P-funk made! We will flow on expirience.
4. Sheed will show. whenever I get down on him, he gets UP!
5. Because we love them!......like I love yall!

we will win cuzzzzzzz:

1. The red unis will get in the Heat's head.
2. The missed Ft's by the Heat shows me they aint ready for prime time.
3. Game 6 is P-funk made! We will flow on expirience.
4. Sheed will show. whenever I get down on him, he gets UP!
5. Because we love them!......like I love yall!

HQ you hung out over on Richton a lot more than you are lettin` on, didn`t you?????:laugh:

HQ you hung out over on Richton a lot more than you are lettin` on, didn`t you?????:laugh:aND U KNOW THIS...woodward belonged to me! And I made 2nd avenue what it was!!My bruddah!

Pistons wearing RED TONIGHT???

WOW! We're 9-0 in those!

WOW! I LOVE THEM IN THEIR RETURN TO RED JERSEYS!!!!

http://www.worldcuptalk.net/images/smilies/basketball.gif 03/06 01:00UK [ NBA Playoffs ] Detroit Pistons http://img423.imageshack.us/img423/6619/12hm1.jpg - http://img423.imageshack.us/img423/3296/23at.jpg Miami Heat
http://live.worldcuptalk.net/index.php?showtopic=114

You have not seen my offseason work list in the staff room then... :doh:

When the season ends, I have to REALLY start working! :P

Don't work yourself into the ground...been there...done that. It'll all blow-up in your face if you don't take some 'me' time.

When the season's over...you DESERVE some time off! I think all here would agree...YOU HAVE DONE AN AWESOME JOB!...and it's much appreciated by us Piston faithful. :)


I'm trying to figure out how to get you pastys...intact! :thumb:

According to ESPN.com Wade missed today's practice with "flu-like symptoms, marking the second straight year his health has been a major factor entering Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals."

Hmmmm sounds like nerves to me! Don't worry Wade, it'll all be over soon. Only 2 more games left and then you'll have all summer to recover.


A lot of people are comparing Wade to Jordan during the playoffs. Now you know Jordan had the flu once during the playoffs. "I WANNA BE LIKE MIKE!!!":P How much of this is real, only God knows. I wouldn't put it pass the media, NBA PR, Miami PR, or Wade to exploit that angle.

I'm sorry. I am so SICK of hearing about D-Wade. I don't care what anyone says about his shooting percentage; it doesn't matter, he still is only getting 23-31 points. Now, if he go off like Dirk did on Phoenix last night with 50+ points, then I would be impressed (or even concerned). But....he's just scoring what he normally scores, regardless of his FG%, etc....:fingerscr

Here's to turning our game around:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEeWJ6-Mr7I

The Slump Buster Ladies and Gents!

I'm trying to figure out how to get you pastys...intact! :thumb:

I don't think I want to see Roscoe wearing pasties, whether they are intact or not.

:eek:

Detroit doesn't deserve to win. They're playing JV basketball right now.

This WAS a winnable game. No defense, no offense and no coaching. We have no concept of what we are doing on either end of the court. No adjustments to Shaq.

On offense, Rip and Billips driving into nothing time and time again. All teams have to do is get up on Billips and there is no adjustment. Rip hit that shot on the wing when the clock ran out because he had to pull up. Usually, he would drive into nothing. We do not use our players to their strenghts but to their weaknesses (coaching)

Next year, we need someone who can actually penetrate, a proven scorer and someone who can play perimeter defense.

A moderately entertaining game.

I liked how Wade was playing free safety and completely ignoring Evans in the corner when Mo was in the game.

I liked Chauncey Billups getting outplayed by Lindsey Hunter ... again.

I liked Rip Hamilton and Rasheed showing up when the game was already over. I liked that the team never ran sets through them before that.

I liked Prince shrivelling up into a ball.

I liked Ben Wallace being outplayed by Dale Davis and Kelvin Cato, neither of whom even took off their warmups but still managed to be more into the game than the franchise player was.

I liked the missed open shots.

I liked the coaching. Especially the zone defense.

I LOVED the man-to-man defense.

No - I didn't like any of that, but I can't say that I disliked it either. It was more funny than anything else. After all, as Chauncey says (and not just about his rape case) if it ain't rough, it ain't right, so if this game was all right for them it's all right with me.

Well I turned the game off and its not even in the 4th yet. This is a shame. So much for home court advantage. I cant believe how flat the guys came out tonight. I cant believe I am going to say this but I think the run is over, as of tonight the Pistons have hit rebuild mode. This team lacks the heart to get it done. I dont know who will be gone but get ready for some moves, if not get ready for the teal era partII without the bad unis. I think I will go turn the game back on :doh: get sick:puke: turn the tv back off and start my 5 page apology to low(naaa would rather not) This sux.

I actually don't feel bad about the loss. We had no chance agains the Miami. Team needs an overhaul. I cheer for Miami in the finals. :nod:

time to rebuild boys.

Give Rily some credit. Without those role players he brought in the Heat would not have won this series. Night and day difference between Damon Jones choke job last season and J.Williams 10-11 shooting in this years game 6.

Give Rily some credit. Without those role players he brought in the Heat would not have won this series. Night and day difference between Damon Jones choke job last season and J.Williams 10-11 shooting in this years game 6.

I agree Max. A couple of weeks ago I said Riley was an idiot for bringing in those role players, how quickly things can change.

Shaq and Wade were themselves, but Walker, Posey, J-Will, and even GP at times did what was needed.

How does Van Gundy feel about now?

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7092/fishin0qp.jpg

Live and die by the jumper but for how long and how many can you miss?The last 8 or 9 games?WTF!?!I really thought they would come out tonight with some fire.Very embarrissing.Sickening but you could tell from the 1st quarter we were done.I've not liked any of the Miami players before they came to the Heat.I respect Wade's game but I will NOT cheer for Miami.The west needs to take it this year.

fire flip! he was brought here for :
1. Offense...failed
2. Develop Darko...failed
3. NBA Finals......failed
I know we played awful, but did he relly have our respect? I'll see yall...vacation time.
:frusty: :frusty: :frusty: Blaha already pushing next year's tickets...I hate marketing.....:doh:

Just saw the interview by Gray with Rip---that imbecile kept asking the same tired questions and Rip just kept answering the exact same thing, open looks, shots wouldn't fall and come back next year.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7092/fishin0qp.jpg

great one ahb, we will see if kenny adds Hearns or kid rock to his picture

Mo looks like mini-me... LOL

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7092/fishin0qp.jpg
Good one, lol

A few random thoughts:

1) Our 36 and 5 start was deceptive, because we finished 28 and 13, which was very good, but not that much better than Miami, if it was better at all. As Micro pointed out, Miami gelled at a time when we were not at our best. Our fantastic start contributed to an overconfidence of the kind that afflicted the 2004 Lakers. Once that overconfidence was punctured (as it was by Cleveland), this team became very vulnerable.

2) The emphasis on getting home court advantage in the playoffs helped spur that 36 and 5 start, but it also led to very conservative coaching decisions regarding playing the bench. Flip would not play the bench during the regular season if it meant creating even a slight risk of a loss. We never found out what Cato, Davis and our rookies could do, and Delfino's confidence was shattered and never given an opportunity to be restored.

3) Flip was revealed in the playoffs to be a second or third rank coach who really had no positive impact on any of the games, either in terms of coaching decisions or motivation. He is not an elite coach, by any stretch, and it showed in the playoffs. Whatever Larry's faults, Flip does not even close to him in coaching ability (he looks bad by comparison to Riley as well). Flip's lack of emotional intensity (remember how Larry used to run up and down the sidelines barking instructions) was very evident, and he often had a kind of nervous or lost demeanor during tough times in these games (something that Larry, Riley and other elite coaches don't show). Unless Larry did something absolutely intolerable that we do not know about (e.g., threaten to resign during the NBA finals unless Davidson renogotiated his contract), I think in retrospect it made no sense to get rid of an elite coach, if all we had to replace him with was a middling coach who had never distinguished himself in the NBA. (To those who say that Larry was not fired, but instead quit, I must ask, "If he quit, why did we pay him seven million to buy out his contract?" Plainly, he was let go.)

4) Our newfound offense in the regular season was a bit of a mirage, because defensive intensity is so much greater in the playoffs than it is in the regular season, especially in the later rounds. As good as our three-point shooting and jump-shooting was during the regular season, our shooters are not the kind of great shooters that (like Wade) that can excel even in the face of a swarming, playoff-intensity defense. Rip is a good example. As good as he is, if he has a split second less of a look, he is prone to misses. We saw this in the San Antonio series last year (when Bowen was guarding him), and we saw it in the Miami series. When pressed defensively, he will force shots that at least for him are low percentage shots, rather than pass the ball.

5) The fact that our starting five has been together for so long was viewed by many commentators as a great accomplishment. But maybe having the same group together for so long leads to complacency. Riley realized he had to shake up the Miami team (both by making over the team and by assuming the coaching reigns), and maybe every team has to do that after a couple of years like the ones we had in 2004 and 2005. You can never stand still.

6) We fought for home court advantage during the regular season, which was understandable in light of the way things turned out in the finals last year. Buy maybe the emphasis on home court advantage was overdone, both by the players and by the coaching staff. Miami lacked home court advantage, and it did not hurt them in this series. Indeed, I wonder if we would have been better off playing our first two games in Miami in this series.

I actually don't feel bad about the loss. We had no chance agains the Miami. Team needs an overhaul. I cheer for Miami in the finals. :nod:

There's nothing like getting eliminated to bring out the trolls.

A few random thoughts:

1) Our 36 and 5 start was deceptive, because we finished 28 and 13, which was very good, but not that much better than Miami, if it was better at all. As Micro pointed out, Miami gelled at a time when we were not at our best. Our fantastic start contributed to an overconfidence of the kind that afflicted the 2004 Lakers. Once that overconfidence was punctured (as it was by Cleveland), this team became very vulnerable.

For the last few seasons, I just assumed that peaking in the playoffs was part of the Pistons' identity. In 2004, they peaked in May and June. Not this year--the high water mark was months ago, and it's been downhill since, with a free fall in the playoffs. Joe D. has a lot of work to do. He has a team with a identity crisis that is now obvious to everyone. But let's not forget how quickly he conjured up a winner out of a team that had been mediocre to dreadful for many years. I think he can do it again.

There's nothing like getting eliminated to bring out the trolls.
He's on thin ice.

Good work, Pistonloyalist. The offense was a mirage. Right now, it is in a shambles. Eleven games of nothing. Right again, it is hard to stay at the top and be the target. Everyone saw us and not SA as the real target. But...

We have not offense. Just come out on Chauncey and he will have to drive which he is not good at. Right, if Rip gets the quick look--great--but soon as he puts the ball on the floor his percentage goes down. But a lot of that is coaching/adjustments. Our players played to their weaknesses and not their strengths.

We need a speedy point guard who can break down the defense to go along with Rip and Chauncey. We need a scorer. Our only one on one scorer was Sheed, and he was out of it.

But is it Sheed's fault. He really doesn't have a role. Where do we want Sheed and Rip to do damage from? Look at Haslem--an average player--but they ask him to do only a few things--things that he can do well.

We don't have a great defense either. We did not adjust to take away anything. But we need perimeter speed and we needed it last year.

This is not the end of the run. But we need to add pieces. Our guys are not the new (fast) kids on the block. We need to mix in some youth and an experienced scorer. But we are not ready for the developmental league yet. Rip's comments were right on.

My darn internet connection went down at half time, so I wasn't able to get back into chat and vent. :frusty:

That was by far the worst effort - in the most important game of the year - that I've seen the Pistons play in years.

I'm sick of the underdog/backs against the wall crap on this team. We need players that can get it up BEFORE it gets to that point, so we don't have to waste so much damn energy climbing back out of the hole we've dug ourselves.

Oh well, back to the drawing board. I agree with lapiston. This isn't the end of the run, just a pit stop. We've got to do some retooling in the offseason and we'll be back next season to get some revenge!

The Heat simply wanted it more. I don't buy the two stars crap. The Pistons simply did not match intensity in 4 games of this series. They did not bring A grade efforts, and we've gotten fat and happy as fans watching them toy with teams, assuming that the check would never come due.

This is a good reality check for some of these players, and I hope the arrogant coach and beyond-reproach front office. I'm not a hater by any means (look around) but this whole year bothered me despite the face of bravado and cheer I put on, sometimes due to obligation and other times, my own weak denial of my instincts.

McDyess was just interviewed on WDFN, he's destroyed inside. He said that he doesn't think he will ever get another shot at a title. It was a depressing interview to hear.

McDyess was just interviewed on WDFN, he's destroyed inside. He said that he doesn't think he will ever get another shot at a title. It was a depressing interview to hear.

I feel so bad for Dice. He seems like the nicest guy in the world. He's been through a lot to try and get back to playing ball again. I really hope he gets his ring.

Micro, what did Dyss say. I really wanted him to get a ring.

He mumbles a lot. He's like the most soft spoken dude you have ever heard.

I'm trying to dig deep to remember.

* Felt that he knew early in the year that they could not win a title with offense, that shots are not always going to fall (specifically jumpshots) and then you would have to go to something else (implying defense).

* That they say that it's very hard to get back to the Finals, and he feels like he will never get another shot.

* That he is absolutely stunned that they went down (went out?) like this.

That's all I can remember bro. Hopefully I can get a copy of the interviews tomorrow. I'll be sure to post it, so remember to come by tomorrow night.

I feel so bad for Dice. He seems like the nicest guy in the world. He's been through a lot to try and get back to playing ball again. I really hope he gets his ring.

Yeah Dice sounded real down...but not down enough to be asked be traded to the Heat in the off season like that ZO bandwagoner or the Glove.

All props to the better team (this time) Heat, but I hope they get swept by the Mavs. They were 0-2 vs both the Mavs and Suns this past season.....but then again they were 1-3 vs the Pistons:mad: Hope the Mavs take care of business tomorrow so that Josh Howard gets plenty or time to rest his ankle. Boy if only Sheed had the 3-4 days to rest his:ohwell:

Its easy to feel for Dyess but keep in mind that he makes 6mil/yr. Keep that in perspective. He never has to worry about the everyday life issues that the rest of us do.

If anyone hears why Ben sat out the 4th I would love to hear it. Waiting for the news stories.

Reality check? absolutly. This failure is just as much on Dumars shoulders as the players and coach. I hope the local press is able to get through the Stalinistic attitude of the Piston front office and ask the tough questions. We never get the whole story on issues.

My heart is broken... We have the best 5 on the court...i hope they come back together next year.... I feel inside that something will change in next year's Pistons... Hope not

If there would be a change... I hope it is the coach... YES THE COACH...

He is a soft coach that cannot lead five aggressive guys like our pistons. We need someone like LB or Phil Jackson. Some one who can contain Rasheed, or Ben. Someone who can impose the attitude. Remember, Rasheed is the only player who took the 17 techs this year. This did not happen with LB.

You know... one time i was in the chat room, after winning game one against Cleavland, i told Roscoe i am worried, because we won with hitting 11 3's... this will not happen all the time. and now, i feel that the pistons lost it because i said this before... as if i carry some of the guilt...

Anyway, the record is still huge... make it 4 times to the eastern finals, NBA champs, 2 times to the NBA finals best record 64 wins... you cannot stop listing

Till next season...

GOOO Pistons...

i wouldn't want LB back, but Phil Jackson would be great for the team especially the Wallaces. Too bad he takes up money and then we'd be paying 3 coaches at once:doh:.

At least we shook hands, but I think we did that because there iss 3-4 years left for us unlike the badboys who new there run might be over.

I feel so bad for Dice. He seems like the nicest guy in the world. He's been through a lot to try and get back to playing ball again. I really hope he gets his ring.

Jammer, I'm thinking about getting a posse together to go down to Orlando, steal Darko's title ring and give it to Dyess. Even though Dyess wasn't here in 2004, he deserves a ring more than Darko, who contributed nothing to Detroit while he was here besides a sour attitude.

Jammer, I'm thinking about getting a posse together to go down to Orlando, steal Darko's title ring and give it to Dyess. Even though Dyess wasn't here in 2004, he deserves a ring more than Darko, who contributed nothing to Detroit while he was here besides a sour attitude.
This is an interesting proposition.

Its easy to feel for Dyess but keep in mind that he makes 6mil/yr. Keep that in perspective. He never has to worry about the everyday life issues that the rest of us do....I hope the local press is able to get through the Stalinistic attitude of the Piston front office and ask the tough questions. We never get the whole story on issues.

You are absolutely right on both points. Regarding your second point, I think the Detroit press is too weak (and too interested in preserving access) to break through that barrier and ask the tough questions (or seek out insiders who are willing to leak). It is amazing to me after all these years that the press has still not gotten to the bottom of why Davidson reneged on making Isaiah the GM of the Club. We do not know very much about the Carlysle and Brown departures either.

What's overlooked is that we likely could have gotten Jameer Nelson during the Orlando trade--that might have come in handy in hindsight. (of course, hindsight being 20/20.) but he did look pretty good this year, and him combined with Lindsey may have been a good second unit backcourt (although short).

He gets the ball and pushes it up quickly.

I thought God would have to interfere with the nba to stop the Spurs and Pistons from getting to the Finals let alone neither of them making it their.

IMO this wasn't a failure. We got beat by a better team.
Their role players played great. It was about time that Williams woke up. He has been pretty much useless the whole playoffs except for 1 game againt Chicago way back in the first round.


It sucks that we did so well during the season to get home court advantage just to lose it.

You know... one time i was in the chat room, after winning game one against Cleavland, i told Roscoe i am worried, because we won with hitting 11 3's... this will not happen all the time. and now, i feel that the pistons lost it because i said this before... as if i carry some of the guilt...
Never feel guilt my friend. You cheered and supported the team as best you could. You are a championship quality fan.

I thought God would have to interfere with the nba to stop the Spurs and Pistons from getting to the Finals let alone neither of them making it their.god did...ooops i'm sorry...that was stern and stu in those white robes carrying LeBron on their backs!

Antonio McDyess post game presser attached. MP3 audio.

Jammer, I'm thinking about getting a posse together to go down to Orlando, steal Darko's title ring and give it to Dyess. Even though Dyess wasn't here in 2004, he deserves a ring more than Darko, who contributed nothing to Detroit while he was here besides a sour attitude.

Count me in GG!

First, thanks Pistons for years of good memories. You fought the good fight many times over.

I'm not quite sure how I feel right now.

When we lost game 7 to the Lakeshow on a blown call against Laims, I knew we weren't done. When the Bulls overtook us I knew what was in store. This time the future seems somewhat cloudy.
Maybe the wound is too new but it just seems like there are many holes to cement.

Can old dogs learn new tricks or are new dogs needed.

Wow, was Dyss down on that audio. The team wasn't the same. The reasons are hard to pinpoint.

What happened? What happened to this unbreakable team who scored in the first 2 seconds of every other game on a perfect pass to Tay for an alley oop. What happened to that? How did this team fall? It puzzles me I don't know what went so wrong in that 2nd Game against Cleveland, but it cost us.