Well, it looks as if David (Behind the Scenes) Stern got the matchup he sought. Three superstars in the finals! Shaq, Wade and Nowitzki. You've got up-and-comers in Howard and Diaw. You've got old vets vying for their first rings in Walker, Zo and Payton. Not to mention that I believe this is the first trip to the Finals for both teams. The subplots are immense. ABC will be pleased. Everybody wins here, right? No more boring basketball predicated on defense that will have the fans clicking off the NBA Finals in favor of reality TV or "That '70s Show" reruns. That's not to say Dallas hasn't improved its D under the Little General and that Miami can't play a little D, too. But from Stern's point of view, this works out pretty good. If only that pest Mark Cuban wasn't a factor. Yeah, Suns vs. Heat would've been better for the league. That matchup would've been a real scorcher. What say you, Pistons fans? How do you feel about this matchup? Will you watch?

I am watching and rooting for the Heat.
Watching the Heat play against other teams I never got the sense the NBA wanted them in the Finals but I knew they wanted White Dirk in the finals. Nothing brings the ratings up like getting a white guy in the Finals.

The Mavs got every benefit from the refs when it mattered. So did Dirk and for that reason alone I want them to lose.

I won't watch a second of the Finals but hope the Mavs will win. There are too many unsympathetic figures on the Heat roster. Zo, Payton, Walker to name a few. They trump Mark Cuban for me.

I am watching and rooting for the Heat.
Watching the Heat play against other teams I never got the sense the NBA wanted them in the Finals but I knew they wanted White Dirk in the finals. Nothing brings the ratings up like getting a white guy in the Finals.

The Mavs got every benefit from the refs when it mattered. So did Dirk and for that reason alone I want them to lose.

Steve Nash isn't white?

Anyhow, while the NBA very well may have got what they wanted, I don't think Stern could blatantly say "No fouls on the white guy". I could see him telling refs to call "everything" or something like that. But I don't think that helps the Mavs against the Suns.

I think Dirk and his team is just playing really well. Not all teams fold after a great regular season.

I'm not watching. Mavs in 6. Damnit the Mavs or the Heat will be defending champs next year.:mad::smash::faint::puke:

Well, it looks as if David (Behind the Scenes) Stern got the matchup he sought. Three superstars in the finals! Shaq, Wade and Nowitzki. You've got up-and-comers in Howard and Diaw. You've got old vets vying for their first rings in Walker, Zo and Payton. Not to mention that I believe this is the first trip to the Finals for both teams. The subplots are immense. ABC will be pleased. Everybody wins here, right? No more boring basketball predicated on defense that will have the fans clicking off the NBA Finals in favor of reality TV or "That '70s Show" reruns. That's not to say Dallas hasn't improved its D under the Little General and that Miami can't play a little D, too. But from Stern's point of view, this works out pretty good. If only that pest Mark Cuban wasn't a factor. Yeah, Suns vs. Heat would've been better for the league. That matchup would've been a real scorcher. What say you, Pistons fans? How do you feel about this matchup? Will you watch?

Basketball season is over for me.. I am NOT watching the Finals. Hope Dallas win though.:P

I may sneak a peak, maybe. It`s funny that you mention Stern, you are correct that he got somewhat the Finals he wanted. He really wanted a Lebron and Kobe Finals, or God frobid, Shaq vs Kobe Finals.

John Thompson had Stern on his radio show last week and they were talking about the rule changes Stern put in place recently. Of course he mentioned the league needed to eliminate the physical play and increase the offensive flow of the game.

Stern was very pleased with this years playoffs, the play of Lebron, Wade, and any other offensive prowess was given praise and admoration.

The days of the good hard nosed in your face, "no free chili" defense may be over. I have never seen a team that lost a conference final (Phoenix Suns) get praised more for losing by almost everyone, in my life. Don`t get me wrong I like Phoenix, and their style of play is entertaining, however, is it fair for that style to be favored and stuffed down our throats by the NBA brass and media alike?

Until this high powered offense, and slacking defense wins a championship, let`s not label it GREAT yet, just fun to watch, at best.

As was stated in this forum and by others the league is changing, and nobody is happier than Mr Stern!!

Nash might be the MVP but the NBA wants to make a star out of Dirk.
Nash will always be a great passer but they want Dirk to be the face of the NBA.

I don't buy this conspiracy stuff. If Dirk was supposed to be the face of the NBA, why didn't he win the MVP?

I think people sell him short. He lead the league in efficiency. He's able to dribble, pass and shoot from long range. He's a legit superstar, playing superstar ball in the playoffs.

Is it such a surprise they are in the Finals?

I don't buy this conspiracy stuff. If Dirk was supposed to be the face of the NBA, why didn't he win the MVP?

I think people sell him short. He lead the league in efficiency. He's able to dribble, pass and shoot from long range. He's a legit superstar, playing superstar ball in the playoffs.

Is it such a surprise they are in the Finals?
I'm very surprised. I thought the Spurs and Pistons would be close to locks to have a rematch this season.

Did you watch Dallas play San Antonio? Did you watch Dallas play Phoenix?

Dirk has made big play after big play.

I'm tired of fans being so homeristic that the only way another team can win is if the league helps them. Dallas is playing GREAT basketball right now.

Now if the Suns had Amare and a healthy Raja Bell, it would have been a different story.

I don't agree. He didn't win the MVP because Stern doesn't control the NBA reporters votes but he controls the NBA refs.

I don't agree. He didn't win the MVP because Stern doesn't control the NBA reporters votes but he controls the NBA refs.
Then why do you even watch NBA basketball if you think it is fixed?

Then why do you even watch NBA basketball if you think it is fixed?

I have an opinion and I shoukld be allowed to express it. You are just bitter that the Heat beat us so you want to find a reason to root for Dallas. Its typical of the young fans to act this way.

I have an opinion and I shoukld be allowed to express it. You are just bitter that the Heat beat us so you want to find a reason to root for Dallas. Its typical of the young fans to act this way.
You are allowed to express your opinion. And since you wrote it for public discussion, please discuss it. Why do you follow a sport that you believe to be fixed?

I'm a 20+ year fan. If you think that is young....

I have an opinion and I shoukld be allowed to express it. You are just bitter that the Heat beat us so you want to find a reason to root for Dallas. Its typical of the young fans to act this way.

:laugh:. You think Roscoe's a youngster?:wacko::pound::loco::rofl::laugh:

I have an opinion and I shoukld be allowed to express it. You are just bitter that the Heat beat us so you want to find a reason to root for Dallas. Its typical of the young fans to act this way.

Ignorant.


Nobody told you not to express your opinion. It would be nice however, if you supported it with logic. Where you got this opinion is beyond me.

As for young...Micro ain't no spring chicken. (Not that I have any room to talk).

I love my Pistons and really didn't know how good they would be even out of the shoot at 8-0, but when I saw the mavs handle them in game 9 by 37 points, I knew then that the only stopping the Mavs from getting to the finals was a major injury and I waited in anticipation thinking that the rematch in March was a preview of the finals. Yeah the knock on them was that they didn't have the defense of the Pistons or Spurs, and they had an unproven coach, but as the season wore on they still did not faulter and darn nearly caught the Spurs for the best record in the west. Bottom line is they got there and we didn't. They had consistent bench and overcame their injuries and we didn't.

Stern wanted Shaq/Wade and either the Suns or Mavs. No fixes in place for him, just hopes and prayers. The Pistons and Spurs the regular season conference winners led the excitement by making believers in all of us that they would provide the June highlights, but fortunately for Mr. Stern's association, the ratings will be up as the two neophytes to the finals arenea will be on display. Go Mavs...hopefully we will see you or the Suns next year.

I love my Pistons and really didn't know how good they would be even out of the shoot at 8-0, but when I saw the mavs handle them in game 9 by 37 points, I knew then that the only stopping the Mavs from getting to the finals was a major injury and I waited in anticipation thinking that the rematch in March was a preview of the finals. Yeah the knock on them was that they didn't have the defense of the Pistons or Spurs, and they had an unproven coach, but as the season wore on they still did not faulter and darn nearly caught the Spurs for the best record in the west. Bottom line is they got there and we didn't. They had consistent bench and overcame their injuries and we didn't.

Stern wanted Shaq/Wade and either the Suns or Mavs. The Pistons and Spurs the regular season conference leaders led the excitement by fooling everyone including themselves into thinking that they would provide June highlights, but fortunately for Mr. Stern's association, the ratings will be up as the two neophytes to the finals arenea will be on display. Go Mavs...hopefully we will see you or the Suns next year.

You think the Spurs are done?:eyebrows:

I feel that the NBA does control what the refs do to some extent. If Stern doesn't like a ref he can fire them. It isn't out of the realm of possibility that he says to them, We would prefer to have A certain team that has the ratings on TV in the finals over a different certain team that doesn't.
What I have to laugh at is you all believe the NBA wanted Shaq in the finals but you can't understand what I am coming from by thinking that way about Dirk.

The fact remains this thread proves a lot of you are bitter about the loss to the Heat.

What I have to laugh at is you all believe the NBA wanted Shaq in the finals but you can't understand what I am coming from by thinking that way about Dirk.We don't all believe that the league wanted Shaq in the Finals. You're the one who claimed a month ago not to be into conspiracies, and then propose the exact opposite now.

It might be wise not to lump us all into one group.
The fact remains this thread proves a lot of you are bitter about the loss to the Heat.I know for a fact that most of the folks on this board believe that the Pistons lost the series, they were not beaten by a better Miami team. If anything, Miami is slower and worse than last year which will be proven when Dwyane Wade has to play defense on either a fast Devin Harris or a tall Josh Howard. And heaven forbid he tries to get cute with Jerry Stackhouse.

So are we bitter about Miami? No way. Bitter about our Pistons? Maybe a little bit. Miami doesn't get any credit, because they aren't very good.

:yuck: I'm not watching. Mavs in 6. Damnit the Mavs or the Heat will be defending champs next year.:mad::smash::faint::puke:

You mean you don't want to see Zo flexing while he holds the trophy? :yuck: :yuck: :yuck:

For a team not very good they sure beat us pretty easily. I am not a Heat apoligist but give credit where credit is due. We didn't stop Wade, We didn't stop Shaq, we couldn't even stop Jason Williams when it mattered.
We were beat and a real man would admit it.

:yuck:

You mean you don't want to see Zo flexing while he holds the trophy? :yuck: :yuck: :yuck:

I'm fine with Zo doing that.:lie:

We were beat and a real man would admit it.

I knew it. Micro is a muppet!

Interesting. WE were beat by a better team, but Dirk is there because he is white.

For a blind guy, you sure can distinguish color pretty well.

For a team not very good they sure beat us pretty easily. I am not a Heat apoligist but give credit where credit is due. We didn't stop Wade, We didn't stop Shaq, we couldn't even stop Jason Williams when it mattered.
We were beat and a real man would admit it.
Are you saying I am not a real man?

I have an opinion and I shoukld be allowed to express it.

Remember?

The Heat are one of the most overrated teams in recent NBA history. The Pistons didn't stop the Heat because they had issues in the locker room, not because the Heat are better. Give the Pistons and Heat 2 weeks off to rest up and get Sheed's ankle right, and I guarantee we would sweep the Heat in 4 games.

Are you saying I am not a real man?

I have an opinion and I shoukld be allowed to express it.

Remember?

The Heat are one of the most overrated teams in recent NBA history. The Pistons didn't stop the Heat because they had issues in the locker room, not because the Heat are better. Give the Pistons and Heat 2 weeks off to rest up and get Sheed's ankle right, and I guarantee we would sweep the Heat in 4 games.

Too bad we don't have a bench. Please Flip for gods sake do what you promised next season. Give these guys a chance.

Is Reve a Miami or Piston fan?

Too bad we don't have a bench. Please Flip for gods sake do what you promised next season. Give these guys a chance.

Is Reve a Miami or Piston fan?

I am a Piston fan. I wanted to win this but we didn't win it. We lost and anyone whining about a conspiracy in a thread about a conspiracy has no point.

We got beat by a better team. At least I can admit it. Some people are just very bitter that we lost.

Are you saying I am not a real man?

I have an opinion and I shoukld be allowed to express it.

Remember?

The Heat are one of the most overrated teams in recent NBA history. The Pistons didn't stop the Heat because they had issues in the locker room, not because the Heat are better. Give the Pistons and Heat 2 weeks off to rest up and get Sheed's ankle right, and I guarantee we would sweep the Heat in 4 games.

You also said that we lost because Rasheed was hurt. You mean like Wade and Shaq were hurt last year.? You just keep digging yourself in deeper and deeper with every quote.lol

Let me get this straight. We lost the ECF because we were fighting in the lockerroom according to your opinion correct?

Does that mean we only beat the Lakers because of all the infighting they had in their locker room? You do not get to have it both ways so think before you answer that question.

We lost and anyone whining about a conspiracy in a thread about a conspiracy has no point.


Reve: I'll respond to you as soon as I sort out what this means. Give me an eternity, ok? :confused: Anyhow, aren't you the guy whining about it. You shoukld look in the mirror, bro.

Himat: Dude, I keep thinking you are Linwood with that avatar!

Let me get this straight. We lost the ECF because we were fighting in the lockerroom according to your opinion correct?

Does that mean we only beat the Lakers because of all the infighting they had in their locker room? You do not get to have it both ways so think before you answer that question.

:focus:

Let me get this straight. We lost the ECF because we were fighting in the lockerroom according to your opinion correct?
That was a large part of it.

Does that mean we only beat the Lakers because of all the infighting they had in their locker room?
Incorrect. We were much better than them.

You do not get to have it both ways so think before you answer that question.
One size does not fit all.

I knew it. Micro is a muppet!

Interesting. WE were beat by a better team, but Dirk is there because he is white.

For a blind guy, you sure can distinguish color pretty well.

Your comment makes no sense at all.

That was a large part of it.


Incorrect. We were much better than them.


One size does not fit all.

You are a hypocrite.

You also said that we lost because Rasheed was hurt. You mean like Wade and Shaq were hurt last year.? You just keep digging yourself in deeper and deeper with every quote.lol Rasheed was hurt. We all saw his ankle get badly tweaked. We saw the replays. We saw Sheed jogging in the tunnel trying to stay "warm". We saw him on the exercise bike "trying to stay warm"

Shaq was quite simply, really fat last season. Incredibly fat. Is fat an injury? Maybe that is why we won in 2004 against the Lakers because he was even fatter then.

Wade was hurt? You mean when he fell down and mysteriously had some terrible rib injury that he couldn't play in Game 6, but he could in Game 7?

I maintain that the Miami Heat are a colossal joke to the NBA, and if you think that the Mavs will win on a Dirk Nowitzki conspiracy, then maybe you should be writing letters to the NBA and not to us. Because you won't find many people making excuses for the Heat here. Payton, Mourning, Walker and Williams (not to mention Shaq) are bad people.

You are a hypocrite.
You are calling names now.

You are calling names now.
That is called an accurate description. You whine that we lost because of injuries to Sheed and infighting but you think we won a title fairly after we beat a team that was fighting and injured?lol

Look up the word hypocrite. It has your description and face next to it.

Your comment makes no sense at all.
I think this site offers a link to a tutorial service with membership.

www.miamifanswhoarenttoobright.com (http://www.miamifanswhoarenttoobright.com)

Specifically, which comment do you need help with? Maybe it's me, but I counted three in your quote.

That is called an accurate description.
No it isn't. Read on.

You whine that we lost because of injuries to Sheed and infighting but you think we won a title fairly after we beat a hurt Wade and Shaq and beat a team with fighting players.
I never whined about Sheed's injury or infighting. It is what it is. Can you find one quote of mine on any forum where I whine about losing due to injury or infighting?

Your next post should have proof, or an apology. Nothing less will be acceptable.

I think this site offers a link to a complimentary tutorial service with membership. www.miamifanswhoarenttoobright.com (http://www.miamifanswhoarenttoobright.com) Specifically, which comment do you need help with?

Maybe it's me, but I counted three in your quote (3).

What does losing to a better team have to do with Dirk being white? Maybe it is you that needs the help.

Are you saying Dirk being in the finals proves he is great but us losing to a better Miami team was because we were injured and fighting right?

LMAO. You make no sense.

The Heat are one of the most overrated teams in recent NBA history. The Pistons didn't stop the Heat because they had issues in the locker room, not because the Heat are better. Give the Pistons and Heat 2 weeks off to rest up and get Sheed's ankle right, and I guarantee we would sweep the Heat in 4 games.

Here you go. This is your quote. Here is where you said we only lost because...

What does losing to a better team have to do with Dirk being white? Maybe it is you that needs the help.

Ok, since you suffer from short term memory loss.

You are the one whining about the NBA being rigged. You said Dirk is only there because he is white. Yet YOU also claim the Pistons did not lose due to a fix but they lost to a better team.

I have not taken a stance on either issue. Merely pointing out your hypocrisy.


Are you saying Dirk being in the finals proves he is great but us losing to a better Miami team was because we were injured and fighting right?

LMAO. You make no sense.

Try English 101.

:bored:

Rasheed was hurt. We all saw his ankle get badly tweaked. We saw the replays. We saw Sheed jogging in the tunnel trying to stay "warm". We saw him on the exercise bike "trying to stay warm"

Shaq was quite simply, really fat last season. Incredibly fat. Is fat an injury? Maybe that is why we won in 2004 against the Lakers because he was even fatter then.

Wade was hurt? You mean when he fell down and mysteriously had some terrible rib injury that he couldn't play in Game 6, but he could in Game 7?

I maintain that the Miami Heat are a colossal joke to the NBA, and if you think that the Mavs will win on a Dirk Nowitzki conspiracy, then maybe you should be writing letters to the NBA and not to us. Because you won't find many people making excuses for the Heat here. Payton, Mourning, Walker and Williams (not to mention Shaq) are bad people.

Here is some more proof of your whining.

Here you go. This is your quote. Here is where you said we only lost because...
I backed up my opinion with the reasoning behind my thinking.

Your next post should have proof of whining, or an apology. Nothing less will be acceptable.

Here is some more proof of your whining. You are pushing the limits of my good humor with false accusations and insulting language.

Provide an apology.

:bored:

Because we lost to a better team. Miami beat us easily. Where as it took Dirkm 6 games to beat a team where everyone was really injured. Not like Sheeds excuse for a bad ankle. Or I should say your excuse for losing is Sheeds bad ankle.

Dirk got every call to go his way in those games. They made sure he was put at the foul line every time he missed a basket. Wade got his calls and 98% of them were legit. Dirk was lucky if 10% of his were.

You are pushing the limits of my good humor with false accusations and insulting language.

Provide an apology.

You are not getting an apology. I provided the proof. It is time for you to finish your therapy. You need it.

You are not getting an apology. I provided the proof. It is time for you to finish your therapy. You need it. There is no need to get personal with the attacks.

Perhaps it is best if you took a break for awhile and came back with a fresh attitude.

Cool it yall. Come on now sure the Pistons lost but there is no reason to fight over it (actually I probably would).

We're not fighting. Reve has taken some extreme views and can't back them up, so he started "sniping" at folks.

I think he's just upset because trying to play undercover Pistons fan here isn't working out too good. We know he's a Heat slappy. :nod:

Okay, guys. Zip it. Cut out the name-calling or I'll lock up the thread. And none of that "I was just proving my point" stuff. There's a difference and you all know it.

I`ll take Roscoe in a 10 mile race!!!!!!!!!!1:eyebrows:

John Thompson had Stern on his radio show last week and they were talking about the rule changes Stern put in place recently. Of course he mentioned the league needed to eliminate the physical play and increase the offensive flow of the game.

Stern was very pleased with this years playoffs, the play of Lebron, Wade, and any other offensive prowess was given praise and admoration.

The days of the good hard nosed in your face, "no free chili" defense may be over. I have never seen a team that lost a conference final (Phoenix Suns) get praised more for losing by almost everyone, in my life. Don`t get me wrong I like Phoenix, and their style of play is entertaining, however, is it fair for that style to be favored and stuffed down our throats by the NBA brass and media alike?

Until this high powered offense, and slacking defense wins a championship, let`s not label it GREAT yet, just fun to watch, at best.

As was stated in this forum and by others the league is changing, and nobody is happier than Mr Stern!!

Before you know it Stern will propose a name change from NBA to the Western European Basketball League. Its getting softer as we type.

On the contrary, Chili is now free for everyone if you have the players to go get it.

Wow, this thread has gone in a weird direction. :eyebrows:

We're not fighting. Reve has taken some extreme views and can't back them up, so he started "sniping" at folks.

I think he's just upset because trying to play undercover Pistons fan here isn't working out too good. We know he's a Heat slappy. :nod:

I posted the truth and backed it up with your very own quotes. You are just in denial.:laugh: :nod:

I don't need to prove anything to you. The Pistons just lost and you as a boy refuse to admit the facts.

This thread is closed.

We like to keep it polite around here. That's a rare thing in online hoops forums, and it gives everyone a choice. If you like trolling or throwing around insults, there's no shortage of places you can go. But it's not happening here.