ECFinals Game 6 At Cleveland June 2 8:30PM

Series Swings back to Cleveland for game 6

Cavs hope to avoid a repeat of last year while the Pistons try to save face and their playoff run.

Will it end here or will the drama continue? After game 2 they all said the Cavs could not beat the Pistons 4 straight so here we go. If the Pistons can pull this one off then I like our chances in game 7.

This team has pulled of this crap again. They better try every damn second, or they will lose.

As winning will not be an option...

I'm not sure if I'd like the close loss or the 'thumping' style loss we got last year from Miami.


Will Dyess play?

You know you are an old school fan because as the refs are talking I"m thinking that they are trying to decide if it is a flagrant or not, not whether it is a flagrant II or not...

anybody else notice how quiet the Palace was last night? This team seems like a different Detroit Pistons team under Flip Saunders than under Larry Brown. I dont' see the passion to win there (even w/ guys like Webber and McDyess). I really think the lineup needs to be shaken up this offseason and Flip NEEDS to go. I absolutely hate saunders and he is so %%%%ing ugly too. GOD!!

I guarantee a win.

I guarantee a win.

I see a loss. The good news is I've been wrong on just about every game during the playoffs.

2 years ago, we won the ship after going down 3-2 in double ot to Jersey.

A year ago we escaped from this same hole against Cleveland.

Not this year. Bron rules.

We are this:

http://www.backedupsomewhere.com/junk/old/toast/toast.jpg

I guarantee a win.

Or?

You'll never watch Star Wars (any of them) ever again?

Or?
?
I'll shave my head and get a witness tattoo.

I'll shave my head and get a witness tattoo.

On your junk?

I guarantee a win.

48 points from Lebran last night. 21 from Gibson the game before.

Maybe this is the game when the Cavs start playing like the Cavs.

anybody else notice how quiet the Palace was last night?

the palace was NOT quiet. well, not until the game was over. it was probably one of the loudest crowds i've ever seen since i started attending games in the '05 playoffs when we lost to the spurs.

the palace was NOT quiet. well, not until the game was over. it was probably one of the loudest crowds i've ever seen since i started attending games in the '05 playoffs when we lost to the spurs.

exactly. my point is the pistons fans' have not gotten into the games ever since Flip Saunders came into town. I remember the 2004-2005 NBA Final runs under LB and the Palace was extremely noisy. I just feel like the team is lacking motivation and passion --> which is starting to rub off on the fans. Joe Dumars NEEDS TO SHAKE UP THE ROSTER!!

I guarantee that the better team will lose.

No real adjustments I can offer for this game. If Dice is out, dress Amir and bring him for a couple of minutes. Anybody new may throw off the Cavs.

Go to the hoop as much as possible and be aggressive. Labron did, we got Tay, Flip jr and Delfino who can drive too.

Don't be afraid to take the charge..LBJ is not going to make all his FT's, but he made all of the dunk/layups.


Finally for the loyal Pistons fans, the Local PF members need to get togther at the Palace tomorrow night for the Palacevision broadcast and celebrate this team with a meet and greet. Who knows enough of us there may provide the karma could translate through to a victory.

It's only $5 for entry..go party guys as it may be the last time you see the team in it's current state.. detteam, don't forget the camera this time as we need group photo and a YouTube video. :)

No real adjustments? How about the Stones growing a pair and living up to their rep?

The Pistons have become VERY soft under the 'players coach' and lost their moxy. Instead of reviewing game vids of this series tonight, I'd rather they watched tapes of the 88-90 teams...INCLUDING Zeke's giveaway in Boston.

This team thought they could win despite Flip last year and failed. It's time they made good on their thoughts and play Deeetroit ball...the right way.


lol dre...I didn't forget the camera...I was given bad batteries by the keeper of the camera...she kept everything! :pound::( :)

Dyess is playing. But they could throw AJ in, which they're not going to do. They'll live and die with the current starting five and undefined bench roles.

Detroit at a loss:



At a loss for words - NBA Experts Blog - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba_experts/post/At-a-loss-for-words;_ylt=As85XpLfWp8d.w8GfSas56E5nYcB?urn=nba,35 085)

Read it and disagree with it. You can say in game 5 the Pistons finally played well but they did not play well in the final 2-3 minutes which is what it was all about.

When you are up by 8 Lebran can whatever he wants and all the Pistons had to do was hold serve with a couple of baskets. Instead they turned it over 3 times. There never should have been 2 OT's for him to score all those points. I think thats what all these media clowns are missing.

No real adjustments? How about the Stones growing a pair and living up to their rep?



I know man. Take a team out when your foot is on their damn throat. This is so frustrating. I want Game 6 to start soon and I want to see some real basketball this time from the Pistons.

Odd. It just hit me that this may be our final Piston game thread of the season.

My head told me would win last night, but I had an ominous feeling all day. I was at work, and basically checked the score around halftime, once or twice in the 3rd quarter, and the last I checked was with 3 minutes to go. We had a 5 point lead, so I tried phoning Aurora so she could give me the final since I couldn't reach a computer. She wasn't home so I phoned my 11 year old daughter.

She keppt telling me it was 11-5. I eventually figured out she was looking at the Tigers/Indians score. I was getting more nervous by the minute. My head told me we won. My heart said we were in trouble. My daughter said...it's 93-93 in overtime.

Ok, I stopped my knees from buckling. I got off work a half hour later and went to Yahoo. Headline "King of the Palace". I almost puked. With a little bit of hope I checked the score anyhow.

"Season over", I told myself as i drove home.:ohwell:

I came home and found solace in reading the forum...because knowing even though I was the only guy in Idaho who probably gave a damn about the game...I wasn't alone.

On your junk?

:pound::pound::pound:

Please, no pictures!!!

I posted before game 5. I said game 5 was not a must win game.

Now game 6 is a must win game and our PISTONS will be up to it. We will win this game and come back home. Just like last year. Don't tell me CAVS are better and this stuff. Sheed will go huge and so would CB.

Trust me for this. I will post right after the game and tell you how right i was.

GOOO PISTONS

What can I say?

I'm on duty in the hospital I work in tomorrow. The TV's will be on. People will watch the game as I try to get my fix in once in a while in between patients.

I'm probably the last Piston fan in the place and everybody knows I bleed red, white, and Piston blue.

Game 1. Detroit lucked out they said
Game 2. They excaped again they said
Game 3. Detroit couldn't beat Cleveland
Game 4. Detroit couldn't even guard Gibson.
Game 5. Everybody was cheering Lebron and jeering me and my Pistons.

But I didn't care.

Somehow, I'm still hoping that the hunger will grow in these Pistons.
Hungry enough to send James off for another year.
Angry enough not to get beat.
Angry enough to shut the people up.
Fired enough to win.

Discord in the locker room they say.
They'll flip the switch they say.
It's Flip's fault they say.
Shake up the roster they say.

Why not win now?

Hey Deetroit Pistons!!!!

Just PLAY. Some of us are still behind you.

And WE WILL BE BEHIND YOU.

GO PISTONS!

Let's go do this. No excuses now.

Let's go do this. No excuses now.

Atleast get to Finals, I am sick of the LBJ gushing. Hate the Cavs more than ever.

I've been reading about "The King" for awhile. I know nothing about him personally except who he works for (endorsements) and who he hangs out with (celebs). I have no idea what his personality is, what his hobbies are, etc except that he wants to be the richest pro-athlete ever or something.

It's easy to dislike a guy who is very talented and that earns him lots of breaks, free publicity and special treatment.

Atleast get to Finals, I am sick of the LBJ gushing. Hate the Cavs more than ever.

He is no where near MJ. I am sick of hearing how great he is. Please win today Pistons. Oh and if you win today don't assume you will go to the Finals either.

we'll blow them out.

okay i said game 4 was our last 'necessary' loss. i'll retract that and say it was game 5 :P we've hit rock bottom, now the egos are gone and we're just going to play ball. it took until the 97th game of the season, but now the question is...will it be too late?

this game could encompass this Pistons' team very legacy. if they lose, then they were just a very good team that had one championship but lost 3 out of 5 eastern conference finals. if they win and take game 7, then they were a potential dynasty that made it to the Finals 3 out of 4 years.

which Pistons team is going to show up? the chip-on-their-shoulder team that wins because of sheer will, hustle, and desire? or the make-excuses-ego-filled team that feels entitled to be where they are all because of one ring they won 3 years ago?

let's hope we see the former.

Having McDyess back is huge. He was the real reason we lost. Missed his dozen points and usual rebounds.

Before this game I'm going to watch the Championship DVD from 2004. I remember watching the 89 and 90 videos during the 2004 run, at this point It will help to see the players playing the right way again.

Hopefully these guys will remember how to play championship basketball by 8 EST tonight.

They can't go out like this.

I am gonna lose it if they let LBJ bend them over again tonight. The last game must have taken some of the beans out of him. The Pistons better extend the lead when THE CHOSEN ONE is on the bench.

I've been reading about "The King" for awhile. I know nothing about him personally except who he works for (endorsements) and who he hangs out with (celebs). I have no idea what his personality is, what his hobbies are, etc except that he wants to be the richest pro-athlete ever or something.

It's easy to dislike a guy who is very talented and that earns him lots of breaks, free publicity and special treatment.

He did not shake hands last year after game 7 and poses for photos after dunks in the middle of games.

We better learn to like him right? Maybe we can blame his shortcommings on his age and that he lacked the mentoring of a college coach to teach him about all this if he had gone.

Either that or he is pure evil and is treatening to destroy the NBA as we know it.

Pistons have to win. 1st elimination game for them, Cavs really need to win this also so we will see how they respond now. If the Cavs do win then they deserved it and Dumars needs to do some retoolling. Not the worst thing that can happen.

You better keep your word Chauncey.

ESPN - Sheridan: Billups talks tough on LeBron (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2891151)

Doesn't get any better than this.

Elimination game, on the road, ECF, new league Jesus will be trying to do too much to live up to his billing.

If you don't taste your heart in your mouth during the 3rd quarter, something is wrong. :)

Doesn't get any better than this.

Elimination game, on the road, ECF, new league Jesus will be trying to do too much to live up to his billing.

If you don't taste your heart in your mouth during the 3rd quarter, something is wrong. :)

I'm tired of tasting my heart in my mouth during games, Roscoe.

I'm tired of tasting my heart in my mouth during games, Roscoe.

Same here. Blow em out!

time to shower, head to my buddy's, and watch the game. i hope when i return to this forum, it will be with a sigh of relief from a victory.

GO PISTONS!!!!

Chat is open

http://www.pistonsforum.com/misc.php?do=flashchat

IT'S TIME to make fools of haters
demonstrate your will to win
IT'S TIME to repeat history
you've done this once, now do it again

IT'S TIME to intimadate and dominate
remind all the 'Ship belongs to you
IT'S TIME to let your true colors shine
and reveal your blood runs red and blue

IT'S TIME to prove to your fans
why we should keep the faith alive
IT'S TIME to show another star
that 1 cannot beat 5

IT'S TIME to display resiliency
with your backs against the wall
IT'S TIME to do what you do
play that DEEE-TROOOIIIT! BAAA-SKET-BAAALL!!

IT'S TIME to make fools of haters
demonstrate your will to win
IT'S TIME to repeat history
you've done this once, now do it again

IT'S TIME to intimadate and dominate
remind all the 'Ship belongs to you
IT'S TIME to let your true colors shine
and reveal your blood runs red and blue

IT'S TIME to prove to your fans
why we should keep the faith alive
IT'S TIME to show another star
that 1 cannot beat 5

IT'S TIME to display resiliency
with your backs against the wall
IT'S TIME to do what you do
play that DEEE-TROOOIIIT! BAAA-SKET-BAAALL!!

:cheers:

Third, P.O.P.

For the first time all series in Game 5, the Pistons figured out how to play a little offense. They forgot down the stretch and turned the ball over enough to allow the Cavs back in the game, but I'm hoping they build on their offensive success from Game 5 in Game 6.

The Cavs, on the other hand, didn't really have any offensive success outside of Lebron's other-worldly night. If he doesn't have it tonight, will his teammates be able to step up after getting used to watching him carry them? It will be interesting to watch and see.

Thankfully this is a weekend game so I can watch at my house (Sunday morning in Tokyo). I missed most of the end of regulation and both overtimes of Game 5 when my boss walked into my office (so I couldn't pay attention to the broadcast). No interruptions this morning, so I'm hoping to watch 48 minutes of solid Piston basketball and a season-extending win.

Rip Hamilton's got to play like an MVP tonight.

Just in case he doesn't, though, here's something for the folks with Lebowski avatars to work with. :ohwell:

http://content.bt.com/distribution/btvision/universal/images/movies/im1/Big-Lebowski-The_im1.jpg

Give me defence, defence to make'em pay to make'em think twice. Go Pistons.

Got my beer in hand. If we keep playing hard and leave everything on the floor I like our chances.

well, Cavs' role players playing very well in the first quarter. Can't say the same for the Pistons at this point --- nothing from the bench in the 1st quarter, and Nazr in the game for a worthless two minutes.

36 minutes left to turn it around.

Delay b/w first and second quarter probably ended up helping the Pistons...at least the Pistons played better in the second quarter. Cavs shouldn't even be tied at this point were it not for the free throw parade at the end of the second quarter.

Pistons need to step up and get defensive rebounds in the second half. CWebb and Sheed with 5 total rebounds, and Big Z was all over the boards after CWebb tried to play better defense on the P&R.

I'd like to see Tay get it going on offense early in the second half, and for Rip to continue his roll (which really opened up the lane for CWebb to get a few chances as well). Defense has played Lebron pretty well --- hopefully his teammates do not replicate their first quarter performance, and Lebron has a difficult time getting going in the second half. I'm sure he's going to force the issue as much as possible (including taking three steps to the basket as often as the refs will allow).

Pistons started turning it around in the second quarter...time to win the next 24 minutes.

Utter collapse in the 4th quarter...and Sheed gets tossed after fouling out. I am ASHAMED of this team. No other word for what I feel about this bunch.

Utter collapse in the 4th quarter...and Sheed gets tossed after fouling out. I am ASHAMED of this team. No other word for what I feel about this bunch.

Yup. It's over.

First, they are too arrogant for their own good. Second, they should have known with the ref crew that this was going this way. Third, Stern wanted it this way.

No more Tay avatar for me either, after he turned in a grand total of ONE good quarter in this ENTIRE series. He was massively, completely, totally outplayed by Daniel F'ing Gibson. Then again, so was almost everyone else on the Pistons.

Flip Saunders basically said he could care less about the game, he was not going to play Maxiell. Who needs a bench. Sure, he played Flip Murray and Hunter, to our total detriment. But no functional bench. No bench with a point guard to run it. Tonight was a culmination of a season with the most disjointed, unorganized, irregular, never know who was going to play, bench ever.

And we got to watch Dyess brick outside jumpers all night long. To the good, at least Flip played Dale Davis some.

I wonder who our next coach will be. As far as I know, Karl is safe for the moment in Denver, so at least that nightmare can't happen. And Bird took another total loser off the market for us. At least Dumars can't make that bad a choice.

Oh the game. No defense. Thats right, we did not use Maxiell in the game except for a couple of minutes to end the half, and that only due to some foul trouble. Just like last time Maxiell got a lot of minutes in a game, he sits the next one out. Saunders dare not let Maxiell get into any kind of rythm. Note, Maxiell made most of his free throws the last couple of games, there was no more excuse. Tonight, Cleveland had its choice of open shooters most times down.

Gibson came up huge for them. Everyone please note, Gibson is a rookie. You know, one of those type of players not allowed to play, at all, for the Pistons. If he was on our team, he would be doing what Blalock is doing, watching in street clothes.

Ok, Dumars has one more chance. Three straight coaches who would not play rookies. And from what I hear, the one before that wanted to play some young guys, but Dumars refused the request. Still, I say give him one more chance. If he brings in yet another loser who won't develop young players, he needs to be booted to the curb.

Rip hit some shots. Webber and Sheed scored some. CB did not shoot much. Tay could not hit anything. Delfino got 4 minutes. Anyone notice the insult at the end there-having him report into the game. Total complete lack of class on Saunders part.

Our bench gave us virtually nothing. The highlight of the bench scoring was that triple by Hunter, who thankfully just played his last game as a Piston. I am pretty sure Webber is gone too, and that will certainly help our D next year.

Yes, the refs were horrible, and all for Cleveland tonight. The pushout called against Tay was about the worst call ever. I am sure everyone will be listing them, but hey, you can overcome some bad calls. If you have a coach. We did not have one tonight. I'm done posting for a while, going to give it a break. See you all in a couple of months.

Well the game was lost as we know in the 4th.. Flip sent Hunter and Murray out there to start the 4th and left Gibson open to hit 2 quick threes.

Tay was the missing man in the series. Tay not only tanked it in 5 out of 6 games, but allowed he allowed Boobie to hit the rest of his threes in the 4th. Boobie outscored the Pistons in the 4th by himself.

CWebb tried in the last two games but we all knew that this was Cavs series to lose based on how the first five games played out.

I'd like to file a complaint.


... and, not that it matters, but both teams made 28 baskets. It just didn't feel like it.

Flip Saunders basically said he could care less about the game, he was not going to play Maxiell. Who needs a bench. Sure, he played Flip Murray and Hunter, to our total detriment. But no functional bench. No bench with a point guard to run it. Tonight was a culmination of a season with the most disjointed, unorganized, irregular, never know who was going to play, bench ever.

And we got to watch Dyess brick outside jumpers all night long. To the good, at least Flip played Dale Davis some.

I wonder who our next coach will be. As far as I know, Karl is safe for the moment in Denver, so at least that nightmare can't happen. And Bird took another total loser off the market for us. At least Dumars can't make that bad a choice.

Oh the game. No defense. Thats right, we did not use Maxiell in the game except for a couple of minutes to end the half, and that only due to some foul trouble. Just like last time Maxiell got a lot of minutes in a game, he sits the next one out. Saunders dare not let Maxiell get into any kind of rythm. Note, Maxiell made most of his free throws the last couple of games, there was no more excuse. Tonight, Cleveland had its choice of open shooters most times down.

Gibson came up huge for them. Everyone please note, Gibson is a rookie. You know, one of those type of players not allowed to play, at all, for the Pistons. If he was on our team, he would be doing what Blalock is doing, watching in street clothes.

Ok, Dumars has one more chance. Three straight coaches who would not play rookies. And from what I hear, the one before that wanted to play some young guys, but Dumars refused the request. Still, I say give him one more chance. If he brings in yet another loser who won't develop young players, he needs to be booted to the curb.

Rip hit some shots. Webber and Sheed scored some. CB did not shoot much. Tay could not hit anything. Delfino got 4 minutes. Anyone notice the insult at the end there-having him report into the game. Total complete lack of class on Saunders part.

Our bench gave us virtually nothing. The highlight of the bench scoring was that triple by Hunter, who thankfully just played his last game as a Piston. I am pretty sure Webber is gone too, and that will certainly help our D next year.

Yes, the refs were horrible, and all for Cleveland tonight. The pushout called against Tay was about the worst call ever. I am sure everyone will be listing them, but hey, you can overcome some bad calls. If you have a coach. We did not have one tonight. I'm done posting for a while, going to give it a break. See you all in a couple of months.


Good LeeCap man
This series was loss on arrogance, bad coaching, sterns refs and the Pistons game five defensive collapse. We knew the Cavs would win game six. We should have won game 5 in regulation........They were hungrier and could hit the shots when needed. Flip is to soft and Joe needs to replace him. Mike Brown was in his players face and Flip goes out to talk to his assistants during his time outs.

Well that was a lot of fun, only NOT! Why were we so outcoached in this series? I still believe in my heart of hearts the Pistons are a better team. Even with Sheed having a meltdown the game was already lost since the Pistons had nothing to counterpunch with. I'm just hoping Delfino asks for a trade because it's obvious there is no role on this team as long as Flip Saunders is the coach. Maxiell is just so underutilized and when you don't cultivate your best resources (i.e. Amir Johnson) it's going to come back and bite you in the behind.

Joe Dumars has to do some soul searching here and I think he can retool and get the Pistons back to a high level of playing but until there is a new coach, you can forget a championship ring. I just can't see Bill Davidson a notoriously frugal owner shelling out bucks to pay off Saunders on his remaining contract and what coach would we even sign to replace him?

What a pathetic showing for an all-important 6th game of the ECF. Just a note that Delfino didn't even get into the game sitting by the scorer's table with 2 minutes plus. So that might be the last time we see him in a Piston's uniform. He really looked unhappy on the bench the last few games and I don't blame him.

Delfino may have looked unhappy on the bench, but he also played like crap whenever he got in the game. If he wants to go somewhere else at this point, then good luck to him, but I won't lose any sleep over it.

First, they are too arrogant for their own good. Second, they should have known with the ref crew that this was going this way. Third, Stern wanted it this way.

fourth....

oh I don't know...

this is so much crap :yellowprison:

why does it always come down to one play?

Sheed leaves Horry open.

Chauncey takes a three to end the game when we are tied in game 5.

This team should have been up 3-2.

Delfino may have looked unhappy on the bench, but he also played like crap whenever he got in the game. If he wants to go somewhere else at this point, then good luck to him, but I won't lose any sleep over it.

yeah I didn't see any growth in Delfino this season. Dump him along with Hunter, Davis, Dupree, Murray and Nazr. The bench hasn't been right since the 04.....

I think David Stern is at home in his bedroom dancing in his underwear, watching replays of the fourth quarter and kissing Lebron James rookie card.

yeah I didn't see any growth in Delfino this season. Dump him along with Hunter, Davis, Dupree, Murray and Nazr. The bench hasn't been right since the 04.....

face it. Joes going to have to bust up the starting 5 to get what this team needs in here.

I think David Stern is at home in his bedroom dancing in his underwear, watching replays of the fourth quarter and kissing Lebron James rookie card.


:pound:

I think David Stern is at home in his bedroom dancing in his underwear, watching replays of the fourth quarter and kissing Lebron James rookie card.

Ok, I didn't think it was possible, but my night just got worse! :pound:

Whats killing me now is that they aint even calling Gibson "Daniel" anymore...Now its bOOBIE Gibson! aghhhhhh!
My final breakdown:

TAY- Like I said for years. If we drafted Melo or Bosh, he would have been the best 6th man since Micheal Cooper or even Havlicek. a difference maker on defense who cangive u big points and 3's. This loss was not his fault cuz he should only be averaging 25 MPG.

SHEED- He needs anger management. HE's a mental case who' only addige has been "When he comes to play....." He is on the way out and its obvious he dont respect Flip. MUST GO!!!!!!

WEBBER- Godly talent with devilish knees. A perfect example of what happens when u sell your soul to the devil at a young age( check out the career of the fab 5). It wasnt like we really needed something from him other than "an offensive presence" . Flip got what he wanted. BUT he's OUT

BILLUPS- IF ANYBODY mentions All-D-team and his name AGAIN, i will blot out the sun. The most overhyped player in the Eastern conference, I would like to see him go, but not for peanuts. We had a chance to get a TJ Ford last year and let him go to Toronto. Mike James is still a good fit here if we get more production up front. He's lost his status here in Motown. The sun has set with this bigtoothed grinning , 3 point jacking up, loser.

HAMILTON- Aside from the fact that his point guard forgot how to run the chase and curl, I have no probs with Rip. Hemakes 3 bonehead plays a game, but he is as quick as they come and aggresive on D. but he's a $1.50 soaking wet and maybe better set for the West Conf with Billups. Id trade them both for Kobe or at least one for Iverson.

DAVIS- totally underappreciated and underused by Flip who thot it was better to suck up to Sheed and Webb , than play DD.
He'll retire.

MCDYESS- three years. 0 RINGS. U think he would have been more productive as Mem's replacement if we would have kept Big Nasty?////
I think he stays. Just based on character alone.


MURRAY/MOHAMMAD- THERE IS A REASON that we call it PISTON DNA. Some players have it, some coaches have it, some fans hav it! Those who dont have it, DONT GET WHAT WE RE TALKING ABOUT!!! these two didnt and dont GET IT...Outta here!


MAX/DELF/AMIR/BLALOCK...I say let em play till they pass out. No less tahn 40 minutes per game.

DUPREE/HUNTER- Excellent character. They'll look good in suits next year.


FLIP SAUNDERS- I hate to say I told u so. BUT. THE COACH has to be accountable for something. This team on the court refelcted the team that we didnt see oFF the court. His press conf after the game was a joke. No fire. No accountablity. Decides to play more guys in the game AFTER a doulble OT instead of during the playoffs. Its like I said ..PISTON DNA. U cant bring a Western Conf loser to win wih A East Conf FINALIST. Dumars biggest mistake EVER!!!!





At least NOW i can get a lil sun...and go fishing...


rats!

I wanted to :puke: in Bill Russell's lap when he said to Lebron "Make me proud."

Delfino may have looked unhappy on the bench, but he also played like crap whenever he got in the game. If he wants to go somewhere else at this point, then good luck to him, but I won't lose any sleep over it.

No, Delfino didnt play like crap.. this game for instance he had a steal and an assist in 2 minutes.. give me a break thats pure energy right there and he penetrated to give the assist which is something the pistons have been looking for this whole year.

Whats killing me now is that they aint even calling Gibson "Daniel" anymore...Now its bOOBIE Gibson! aghhhhhh!
My final breakdown:

TAY- Like I said for years. If we drafted Melo or Bosh, he would have been the best 6th man since Micheal Cooper or even Havlicek. a difference maker on defense who cangive u big points and 3's. This loss was not his fault cuz he should only be averaging 25 MPG.

SHEED- He needs anger management. HE's a mental case who' only addige has been "When he comes to play....." He is on the way out and its obvious he dont respect Flip. MUST GO!!!!!!

WEBBER- Godly talent with devilish knees. A perfect example of what happens when u sell your soul to the devil at a young age( check out the career of the fab 5). It wasnt like we really needed something from him other than "an offensive presence" . Flip got what he wanted. BUT he's OUT

BILLUPS- IF ANYBODY mentions All-D-team and his name AGAIN, i will blot out the sun. The most overhyped player in the Eastern conference, I would like to see him go, but not for peanuts. We had a chance to get a TJ Ford last year and let him go to Toronto. Mike James is still a good fit here if we get more production up front. He's lost his status here in Motown. The sun has set with this bigtoothed grinning , 3 point jacking up, loser.

HAMILTON- Aside from the fact that his point guard forgot how to run the chase and curl, I have no probs with Rip. Hemakes 3 bonehead plays a game, but he is as quick as they come and aggresive on D. but he's a $1.50 soaking wet and maybe better set for the West Conf with Billups. Id trade them both for Kobe or at least one for Iverson.

DAVIS- totally underappreciated and underused by Flip who thot it was better to suck up to Sheed and Webb , than play DD.
He'll retire.

MCDYESS- three years. 0 RINGS. U think he would have been more productive as Mem's replacement if we would have kept Big Nasty?////
I think he stays. Just based on character alone.


MURRAY/MOHAMMAD- THERE IS A REASON that we call it PISTON DNA. Some players have it, some coaches have it, some fans hav it! Those who dont have it, DONT GET WHAT WE RE TALKING ABOUT!!! these two didnt and dont GET IT...Outta here!


MAX/DELF/AMIR/BLALOCK...I say let em play till they pass out. No less tahn 40 minutes per game.

DUPREE/HUNTER- Excellent character. They'll look good in suits next year.


FLIP SAUNDERS- I hate to say I told u so. BUT. THE COACH has to be accountable for something. This team on the court refelcted the team that we didnt see oFF the court. His press conf after the game was a joke. No fire. No accountablity. Decides to play more guys in the game AFTER a doulble OT instead of during the playoffs. Its like I said ..PISTON DNA. U cant bring a Western Conf loser to win wih A East Conf FINALIST. Dumars biggest mistake EVER!!!!





At least NOW i can get a lil sun...and go fishing...


rats!
Word up HQ could not have said it better myself, although I ain't sold on Delfino or Blaylock yet. They were out there and didn't produce...but maybe more minutes would have convinced me.

Definitely agree that about the 2nd pick fiasco in 2003. However that should be Joes #1 bad decision and then the Flip hiring is #2

Yes, Sanders deserves a lot of blame. He can't make an adjustment for nothing. But this team ran too long without help. The blame starts with the owner and Dumars. Lets please start there first. We didn't make even a minor move to help us get into the finals. No excuse for that.

You can't stand still in the NBA. And we haven't added a "piece" for three years. We are not the new kids on the block. We are being beaten by youth and speed.

The championship window now seems closed. Not that the team is too old--it is too old without major young talent as part of the equation. We have one more year but it is probably too late unless we make some serious moves. The Cavs, Bulls and Heat (after retooling will be better). It has been a great run but it could have been extended and wasn't.

Flip was scared. He just isn't a top coach for the NBA. Everyone rips on him for not playing the bench. He did it this season. He did not have an iron fist, and never made adjustments. He got out coached by one of the least experienced coaches in the history of the NBA. Nazr Mohammad? What are you doing? Starting Lindsey and Flip in the 4th quarter? No plays inside either. The Pistons only took it inside when they stopped calling plays and took it to the rack full force. Funny thing is they scored consistently while doing that. I had hope that the trio of coaches would all use their strengths to help the Pistons out coach their opponents. He must go before guys like Amir take his weak style. Get a guy who will makes these guys play their 110%.

Chauncey why in the hell would you only take 7 shots. I don't what is going to happen this offseason. I was amazed at how he was dominated by Jason Williams in 06. This time he got owned by a 2nd round rookie. Today's game reminded me of Game 7 against the Spurs. Chauncey was worn out, and he makes horrible decisions when he is tired. If the Pistons don't get a legit backup for him, then we will see the same thing out of him again. We all saw what he was capable of in 04.

Rip was the only Piston who came to play today.

Tayshaun needs to stop playing so long. I hope he doesn't play for Team USA because he needs the rest. Their is Delfino and Amir to back him up. Why does he play 45 minutes a game?? He should be in the upper 20s lower 30s. We would of won this series if he was not worn down. He would of scored and put better pressure on LeBron. Flip won't make that adjustment though, that why he has to leave.

Sheed. Stop bashing him. He is the only Piston who showed some passion out their. He had a bad game, but Flip Saunders plays don't utilize him right. Flip doesn't get in his face. Flip doesn't have Sheed's respect. Flip has to go. I thought Sheed did a great job of keeping his poise, but that game was over and it shouldn't be a surprise that he finally went off. The refs were horrible.

Webber. Good game. He won't be here next season unless he comes of the bench. He just doesn't have the legs. He deserves a chance at a ring.

Dice. He deserves a ring as well. Maybe he would have a chance if he played in Game 5. I am surprised he did bad, he had fresh legs. Oh well.

Delfino. Did not get enough playing time, and he couldn't do much with low pt.

Lindsey. Hit a big 3 at the end of the third but that is about it. I would love to see him get in management. Pistons need a fresh backup PG for CB. We need a fast guy who can change the tempo.

Flip. Sucked, but he was stuck on the bench. Can't expect a guy to "flip the damn switch"

Dale. Good O boards. Deserves a ring as well.

Nazr. Why did he play again?

J Max. Why did he not play?

Joe D. will make this team a contender in the East next season again, but he can't stay put this time. If he wants this team to win a championship Flip has to go. Toronto, Chicago, Cleveland, and Miami will all be fighting as well though. Besides Chicago the other 3 of those teams picked great players in the draft. Detroit messed up, but Amir Johnson is like a lottery pick as well. If he doesn't play 25 mpg next year I'll be ticked. After seeing Gibson light us up there should be no more of this "he must grow up BS". Amir should start next year. If Webber and Dice stay they should come of the bench. Sheed would start with Amir next year, but will he stay?

Two straight losses in Game 6 of the ECF which caused this team's elimination, and it all happened because of the same problems. Their must be changes.

Himat,

Yes, Saunders is not a sharp playoff coach. But the real problem has been mangagements lack of help for this team. We lost players after the ship and only got one replacement in Dyss. We ran the same team for 3 years--an eternity in the NBA. Whose fault is that? Owner and Joe.

I mean we needed so little to get to the finals. How about a penetrator off the bench for a few million? How about a perimeter defender for even less? We ran 36 year old Hunter. Whose fault is that? Then lets get onto the coach who is always on the wrong side of an adjustment.

I seen it happen with the Lakers. No additions, no additions, old additions--boom--buried by a then young Piston team.

Himat,

Yes, Saunders is not a sharp playoff coach. But the real problem has been mangagements lack of help for this team. We lost players after the ship and only got one replacement in Dyss. We ran the same team for 3 years--an eternity in the NBA. Whose fault is that? Owner and Joe.



We have Amir, Delfino, and Maxiell sitting on the bench. Although Joe has not signed a big FA deal since the ship except Dice those guys can play.

Gibson owned us tonight. Amir should get playing time. Maxiell provides energy. He played great in Game 2 why didn't he play? Delfino is a great backup. Tay was so worn out.

Joe has had good teams. We fell short to a team just as good in 05. In ECF the last 2 years we have lost because of Flip S. not making adjustments.

Himat,

Flip can't make the adjustments. But we did not add the little pieces that would have avoided what we just saw.

For two years, we have needed a perimeter defender. Nothing. Meanwhile the rules got even looser for penetrators.

We lose Ben and add no perimeter defender.

We do not add a scorer off the bench to deal with scoring droughts.

We do not add or develop a young big. Yes, Maxiel, I like him, but he wasn't ready. The shot is not there yet. He lacks for experience. Amir is only a potentiality at this stage. Delfino has yet to prove himself. But he is not quick enough to do what we need.

It would only have taken a few millions dollars. Now the entire future of the team is at stake: Billips, Sheed, Dyss, etc. We are not too old to contend but too old as the team is currently constructed. This also happened to the Lakers.

Amir is only a potentiality at this stage.

Did you just see Gibson light us up? He is a rookie. Amir would be a top 10 pick in this years draft. He can be a starter. He could potentially be an all star or possibly a superstar.

"I feel comfortable, I think the players do, too, we've got to go and get better. That's basically what you do," Saunders said. "Every year there is only one team that's happy and all the other teams are doing things to try to get better."

Please tell me that Flip is the only one that is fine. What happened to being ticked after your season is over??

I'm so depressed. :smash:

In the regular season, I thought the Bulls were better than the Cavs.
It's ok for Flip to be outcoached by Riley, but Mike Brown? I don't know. If he can keep up with Pop then he will earn my respect.
The Pistons were supposed to be the poised, dominant, veteran team. It sucked to have a rookie torch us.
The Pistons did not have one decent offensive game in this series.
What happened to all the offensive sets? CB looked stagnant.
How can Tay go from being magnificent in one series to being insignificant in the next?

Sigh....

I hate so say this, but this is my opinion. They got some help by the refs in most games of this series with Lebron getting all this superstar calls and with whistling almost everytime Sheed or Dyess tried to block- but that wasn't the reason the Pistons lost.
The reason was, that they are better. Not by far, but a little bit.
They have a solid guard rotation in Hughes, Pavlovic, Gibson and, just in case, Damon Jones or Eric Snow.
The Pistons don't- when RIP or CB leave the court, it's because they're fatigued. When the Cavs substitute, it's because they try to set another tone.
They have Big Z. And that guy is big. And he killed us on the offensive glass. All of our bigs where unable to keep him out of the zone which lead to many putbacks. And, of corse, they got Lebron. The superstar factor. At first, I wanted to say that you need a superstar to win in this league- but I still hope that you don't, even with that foolish rules that allow every player who can penetrate just a little bit to do whatever he wants because he knows he'd either get fouled or make the basket. I wonder how many ppg Jordan would have scored under this stupid rules.
But the Pistons ain't got no excuse because San Antonio lacks a superstar too and they win.
What the Pistons didn't have was a player capable of creating his own shot- RIP tried, but he's extremely weak at doing so. CB can at times, but he seems to be too slow to keep up with most guards.
Tay is inconstant on the offensive end since all he has is that left hook.
The Pistons simply ain't got nothing even close to a slasher.

From JWill and DWade to the King and Boobie - even the goofy nicknames can beat the Pistons. I don't know if there is a conference finals MVP, but Gibson sure won this series for the Cavs. Without him it's 4-1 Detroit. Unfortunately for him Tony Parker is just as quick as he is and a lot more experienced.

I'm still stunned by this year's collapse but...

Sheed, Rip, Dice, and Hunter played like they cared. I didn't see it from anyone else. Hunter is gone, but it's fine with me if everyone other than these three become trade bait. It was over by the time Sheed got tossed anyway.

CB - Way too full of himself to ever win another championship. 0-1 in the fourth quarter when it counted with zero defensive presence. If the Pistons organization is serious about winning at this level, it's time for CB to go.

TP - Just stunk it up all series. Couldn't score over anyone. He needs to go back to playing under the radar. He's never going to be the man and should never average more than 30-32 minutes.

CW - Last hurrah, done and gone, see ya. Still has no clue what to do when in the crunch and is way too much of a defensive liability to play at this level.

The Rest - Deer in the headlights. Except for DD who just didn't play enough to matter.

Ah, the coaching. I've been a voice for letting Flip have his shot. I think a lot of the criticism has been unthinking and unfair. Evidently it has also happened to be correct. No leadership from the coaching staff, no ability to force a style of play, nada. The revolving door must continue to spin at least one more turn.


The other guys?

Hughes, Pavlovic, and Gooden are still average players. For the Cavs to thrive in the playoffs for years to come, at least two of them need to come off the bench, or two of them play for someone else.

Maybe Gibson is Iverson and Parker all rolled into one. Or, maybe he never scores again in an NBA game. Let Bowen knock him around a little and we'll see.

Z is big, strong, and smart, but also old and fading. This could be his last semi-effective year.

Vercingetorix, should he ever develop a consistent fifteen foot jumper and get a lot smarter about how the game is played, becomes the reincarnation of Bill Laimbeer. If he doesn't get a jump shot, he's become the poster child for a new league rule against flopping.

And Jimmy? Needs to play the point. Put two jump shooters on the wings, a strong finishing big man to trail, and a center who can board and throw outlet passes and the Cavs become the Suns with muscle.

No, Delfino didnt play like crap.. this game for instance he had a steal and an assist in 2 minutes.. give me a break thats pure energy right there and he penetrated to give the assist which is something the pistons have been looking for this whole year.

I also saw him commit a stupid charging foul, get his jumper blocked, and generally play out of position on offense. The one assist was nice, but do you really think he can provide consistent drive-and-dish ability with more minutes? I sure don't.

During the '06 regular season, I liked what I saw from him when he got a chance to play, particularly the lockdown D he played on Pierce in one game against Boston. But he didn't improve this year, his jump shot got even worse, and he made bonehead plays in the clutch in at least a couple of different games.

I also saw him commit a stupid charging foul, get his jumper blocked, and generally play out of position on offense. The one assist was nice, but do you really think he can provide consistent drive-and-dish ability with more minutes? I sure don't.



I think putting in rusty Nazr Mohammad into the game took everybody out of their game for some time while he was on the floor. What the hell was that. Flip panicked again. J Max had a great Game 2. Here is a thought...PUT HIM IN THE GAME!

In summary this series was lost in game one when the Cavs established the tempo and we gave them confidence and in game 5 when we let the road team win. Prior to that game it was so close, either team could have swept the other in 4 and they would have been called ugly wins, but would have been forgotten about once the finals were in full affect.

Our inability to ever stretch a lead out more than 5 points in the first four games put the pressure on the pivotal game 5. We did get leads of 8 points on 2-3 occassions, but could never extend it Flips inability to adjust the defense during the crunch time time outs and the overtimes cost us the series and possibly Flips job. That game should have never got to OT and for La bron to disect the D the way he did basically set up the defense for Boobies game 6 heroics.

I can't remember what year it was, 85 or 86 but Daddy Rich purposely played some of the guys in an elimination game to show the front office that they needed to be gone. I'm pretty sure that included Kent Benson, Kelly Tripucka and maybe Dan Roundfield.

Now, I'm not saying that Flip is that clever or confident, but it might have the same effect. Anyone in the front office who thinks that NazMo will ever be a rotation player on a very good Detroit team is kidding themselves. The Spurs have proven that those guys are good alongside a superstar like Duncan, and you can interchange them by swapping out NazMo and Rasho for Elson and Oberto without missing a beat.

I can't remember what year it was, 85 or 86 but Daddy Rich purposely played some of the guys in an elimination game to show the front office that they needed to be gone. I'm pretty sure that included Kent Benson, Kelly Tripucka and maybe Dan Roundfield.

Now, I'm not saying that Flip is that clever or confident, but it might have the same effect. Anyone in the front office who thinks that NazMo will ever be a rotation player on a very good Detroit team is kidding themselves. The Spurs have proven that those guys are good alongside a superstar like Duncan, and you can interchange them by swapping out NazMo and Rasho for Elson and Oberto without missing a beat.

Interesting. I think Flip panicked when he put him in though. Hopefully we can get a good deal for Nazr. Dale Davis is better than him along with Amir, J Max, Sheed, and Webber if he returns.

Why did Chauncey only shoot 7 shots?

Because he is unable to get open?

Because he is unwilling to penetrate and draw the foul.:gun1:

I hate these kind of comments. Just give the other team its props and move on.

Billups on the Pistons still being better than the Cavaliers, in his mind:
"I believe that, I really do," Billups said. "There's nobody that team who is better than ours. And maybe I'm crazy, maybe I've got too much confidence in these guys, but I don't believe that. I believe in us. I believe we're the better team.
"Did we back it up? No, we didn't. I still think we're better, I'm saying that because I'm serious, and I really believe that. To be saying that in defeat, I have no problem with that. I'm standing up and saying that. I think the same could be said by a lot of guys."

Maybe CB needs to figure out that it isn't about being the better team, it's about winning. That's his problem in a nutshell. He would rather be acknowledged as a top rank player than win games.

Dba, interesting comment on Billips. The remarkable tenacity this team has had was also its downfall. That certain stubborness.

I think the Pistons have better players too. So what? But we have no youth mixed in in an era of soft rules. You can't play defense in the NBA so you better have a penetrator or a real scorer on your team.

It also helps to have a coach that can think ahead.

It also helps to have an owner and a GM (who is great) who can make the little moves that prevent what just happened from happening.

Now we are at a major crossroads instead of the NBA finals. Talked to my Laker friends and they say the same thing. They say your team used to be so crisp and so in sinc. They say you guys don't have that extra bounce like the young teams.

I hate these kind of comments. Just give the other team its props and move on.

Billups on the Pistons still being better than the Cavaliers, in his mind:
"I believe that, I really do," Billups said. "There's nobody that team who is better than ours. And maybe I'm crazy, maybe I've got too much confidence in these guys, but I don't believe that. I believe in us. I believe we're the better team.
"Did we back it up? No, we didn't. I still think we're better, I'm saying that because I'm serious, and I really believe that. To be saying that in defeat, I have no problem with that. I'm standing up and saying that. I think the same could be said by a lot of guys."

That's the problem. Now you are going to have to wait another year, and by that time it might be too late.

Ben went out in a rough way. Will Chauncey too? Does this happen to all good players?

This is just more talk without the walk.

I can think of 5 PGs off the top of my head who are better than Billups whose key attributes are making free throws and not turning the ball over.

This is just more talk without the walk.

I can think of 5 PGs off the top of my head who are better than Billups whose key attributes are making free throws and not turning the ball over.
Probably more than that!

Actually I started a list and around #8 got worried that I was losing my objectivity.

Actually I started a list and around #8 got worried that I was losing my objectivity.

Let us be the judge of that.

The list please..................