Cleveland March 29 7:30PM

tv: WDIV,NBAtv

Series tied 1-1 with 2 more to go ( incl this one ). So far the home team has won convinsingly but of course the Cavs made the big trade for Ben Wallace last month.

11/28 - Pistons won 109-74 at home ( James left in 2nd quarter due to injury )
3/19 - Clev won 89-73 in Clev ( Ben made his debut against the Pistons )

Last 10 games.
Detroit 6-4 W1
Clev 5-5 L2

Note - neither team is playing on Friday. I will see about the injury reports as they are made avail, hopefully Rip can make it back for this one.

This game doesn`t really mean much to either team. BS! Each team would like to beat the u know what out of the other.

It looks like the Cavs have the 4th seed locked up and of course the Pistons have the 2nd seed locked, howeer, this game has tie breaker implications in a playoff matchup.

I don`t know if Ben or Rip will see any action in this one, but I am sure the Pistons 'switch" will be in the on position. Let`s just hope it`s not a LeBronout!!!!!

I don`t know if Ben or Rip will see any action in this one, but I am sure the Pistons 'switch" will be in the on position. Let`s just hope it`s not a LeBronout!!!!!

Right now the bench is Flip's switch. Those guys play as hard as they can every time they are on the court. Flip needs to use that source of energy to keep the intensity up.

I'd like Sheed to tell us before the game (not after) whether this game 'counts' or not.


That'd be swell.... Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.




After saying I'm getting GD tired of losing to Cleveland.

And... Put Amir or Dyess on LBJ. TRY IT.

And... Put Amir or Dyess on LBJ. TRY IT.

That`s a joke, right?

That`s a joke, right?

No, it's a regular season game, why not.

As I've noted before

A) on multiple switches/helps Dyess and Amir have done VERY well on him in the past.

B) both are very athletic (less so Dyess anymore) and at least as big as LBJ so his patented... Heisman stiff arm into travel into weak blockingfoul called move won't be quite as effective. Back off another half step, make him shoot semi contested stand still J's.

C) The game he blew up in last year, game 5, we were sans Dyess.

D) Why not, all our other 2's / 3's are either stick skinny, or are the Etroit Pistons Arvis Hayes, who hasn't any D, or J lately.

E) It's his penetration not his stand still shooting/get his own 20' J's that kill you and put you in the penalty.

No, it's a regular season game, why not.

As I've noted before

A) on multiple switches/helps Dyess and Amir have done VERY well on him in the past.

B) both are very athletic (less so Dyess anymore) and at least as big as LBJ so his patented... Heisman stiff arm into travel into weak blockingfoul called move won't be quite as effective. Back off another half step, make him shoot semi contested stand still J's.

C) The game he blew up in last year, game 5, we were sans Dyess.

D) Why not, all our other 2's / 3's are either stick skinny, or are the Etroit Pistons Arvis Hayes, who hasn't any D, or J lately.

E) It's his penetration not his stand still shooting/get his own 20' J's that kill you and put you in the penalty.


Can you give me an example of when this has worked?

I'd put money on both Amir and Dyess fouling out in one quarter trying to guard LBJ.

I'd put money on both Amir and Dyess fouling out in one quarter trying to guard LBJ.

I agree. Except, neither one would actually touch him.

LBJ has an aura. All you have to do is touch it to get a foul. I heard you can see it if you wear special glasses at the games. The refs have special contact lenses.

Tay and Afflalo need to spend their time guarding Bron. Give Tay first crack but if that doesn't work try AA and follow the model set by the Rockets vs. Lakers. I would try and put Tay on him exclusively. When Bron sits; so does Tay. Or if Tay gets in foul trouble come with AA.

Let Rip and CB worry about scoring while Tay and AA worry about slowing down Bron.

In the Rockets v Lakers game; Battier's sole responsibility was stopping Kobe. When Kobe sat; so did Battier. It worked to perfection in that game.

I think the two different body styles of Tay and AA would work well if the officials don't treat AA like a rookie defender and call every touch foul.

I'd put money on both Amir and Dyess fouling out in one quarter trying to guard LBJ.

I agree 100%

I agree. Except, neither one would actually touch him.

It would be a fragrant if they touch him!!

I'd be happy if Flip just tried ANYTHING out of the ordinary to try and stop The Bron. ...anything.

I'd kinda like to see Flipper stick some smaller/quicker dudes on him to see if that'll disrupt him a bit. It seems that the Pistons' biggest problem is staying in front of James. I think Lindsey or Spellcheck have a better chance of doing that than Tay has demonstrated. Hopefully, doing this (going small) would cause LeBron to try and post up against these little guys. It's a LOT easier for a big to slide over and help in that situation than it is when LeBron is blowing by Tayshaun and racing through the lane for a dunk.

Start with AA on him until he fouls out. Then put Maxiell on him until he fouls out. Then go with Amir until he fouls out.

Then in the 2nd quarter, go back to the way that we usually do it.

Start with Jarvis on him until he fouls out. Then put McDyess on him until he fouls out. Then go with Amir until he fouls out.

Then in the 2nd quarter, go back to the way that we usually do it.


It's a good plan, but I'm not sure McDyess can stick with LeBron.

Its not always that bad with the calls because LBJ does not need them. Different from someone like Wade who needs and tries to get them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TaShawn http://www.pistonsforum.com/images/pfv2/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.pistonsforum.com/march-2008/8313-cleveland-march-29-7-30pm-2.html#post138959)
Start with Jarvis on him until he fouls out. Then put McDyess on him until he fouls out. Then go with Amir until he fouls out.

Then in the 2nd quarter, go back to the way that we usually do it.


It's a good plan, but I'm not sure McDyess can stick with LeBron.

:mod: Red alert!! The serial thread editor strikes again!

Chat is open!!!

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

I LOVE THIS GAME! No one can stop them when they are focused! Slammed the door shut on LBJ and the rest are just average. Can't wait until next week when Horn comes on to take the Cavs calls.

The Jinx is broken! (at least for this game) I tivo'ed the game, went out, and we won. That never happens.

I can't wait to watch.

Decisive win tonight as the Pistons came out super aggressive from the opening tip. The Cavs were terrible on offense, shooting around 30% for most of the game, also thanks to some lockdown D. Z and Lebron combined for a brutal 9-33 from the floor. Rip struggled from the floor in his first game back in a week, 3-12, but he did go 8-8 from the line. The scoring was balanced between all the starters, and the final margin would have been bigger if not for the usual Zoo Crew garbage time collapse (although it was milder tonight than usual).

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE!!!

The refs stayed out of our way and let us be aggressive.

Nice work from Theo on Z. Dyess, Sheed, and Maxiell were playing hard. Stuckey looks 99% comfortable.

Decisive win tonight as the Pistons came out super aggressive from the opening tip. The Cavs were terrible on offense, shooting around 30% for most of the game, also thanks to some lockdown D. Z and Lebron combined for a brutal 9-33 from the floor. Rip struggled from the floor in his first game back in a week, 3-12, but he did go 8-8 from the line. The scoring was balanced between all the starters, and the final margin would have been bigger if not for the usual Zoo Crew garbage time collapse (although it was milder tonight than usual).

The Pistons set the tone on offense and defense in the first quarter and never looked back. Did not need the three ball to win and was 1-4 in the first half and 0-8 in the second half. As Dumars4e said the 14 point win could have been bigger, but the second unit hit the tank when Fabio came in as he went 0-6 shooting and was a -10 for his efforts:)

Good statement win that tells the fans that they can play up to what we expect of them when the game counts. Maybe we need to have Mclosky in the stands more often as he was there for Thursdays win too. :sssh:

That was a vintage pistons beatdown, HELL YES.

Time for everyone to switch to our Flip Saunders' Avatars for good luck.

Zoo time, great win.
Flip's rotaion and plan is great this game that we worn out LBJ who looked hesitant after we gave him some triple team. The debacle where LBJ and MB got tech was priceless. None could come out of this type of defense, no one.
Game by game Stucky is looking more and more like veteran player while AA was effective on LBJ, AJ got an off night but hustle as usuall, I love the young guy's playing and our future is bright.

Go Pistons.

Gotta command WH his approach was great.
Damon Jones was fun to watch, wasn't he ? His way to push up-court backwardly was unique.

I liked what sounded like an friendly ovation when Big Ben got hurt. Yeah, he'll get booed when he plays, but when he gets hurt? He's still The Man.

Down goes Wallace.
Down goes Wallace.
In last years P/O we got to play our game the first 2 then the refs took the rug out.

Darn, Cleveland broke the 70 point mark. About the only thing to worry about by the start of the 4th quarter, as Cleveland only had 50 points at that time. And they only had 54 five minutes later. Yes, Afflalo can play some D. He did quite well in the first half too, where Clevelan only scored 2 points with him in the game. Not to mention he was guarding Bron. And we are going to take him out of the rotation for the playoffs? Nuts.

Amir only got into garbage time. A block or two, several reabounds. As long as its just one game, its ok. As long as its just one game.

Theo looked pretty good defending the middle. Yes, he did stay in too long in the first half, but we are trying to play him into shape. (Two year layoff from injury.)

Rip was getting played back into condition himself after a week off. He kept hitting free throws even though he could not hit a shot otherwise for much of the game. On defense, he stuck with Bron well.
Other than Rip's 14, Jason Maxiell's 13 was the next highest point total for us. Most of his was short jumpers, with him just rising up over people. Looking good.

Billups, Tay, and Sheed did not do a whole lot on offense, but somebody was playing some pretty good D as Cleveland only got 33 points in the first half, needing a bit of a run there to even get that.

Dyess had a fine game. Big Z gives him a reason to be in the game on defense, and he got inside for several scores and hit some outside shots too. Lots of rebounds.

Stuckey nailed a jumper and helped a couple of teammates to easy scores. Not bad. Afflalo did nothing on offense. He had some nice defensive plays besides just guarding Bron.

Hayes played, hit one shot. Otherwise, he was just a door for Cleveland to score. Maybe we are playing him just so Cleveland will be drawing their game plan up to score against him. Then we will fool them by not playing him. Hopefully.

Herrmann got into the game in garbage time and pretty much stunk. You can say it was rust from not playing if you wish, but he just looked slow in everything he does. Hayes would have converted those shots Herrmann got stuffed on. Herrmann was too slow.

How did we do for playoff prep? Nobody played heavy minutes. Three of our key young guys got substantial minutes while Amir got about 7 too. Theo got some time to knock off some rust. We watched Afflalo do well indeed guarding Bron. Lots of good stuff. If we contine like this, we will win it all. (A decision to shorten the rotation, removing Afflalo and Amir, and replacing Stuckey some with Hunter will mean a first round exit. Don't do it. Keep going as things are instead and win it all.)

GO PISTONS!!!!!

according to this recap, rip probably sits more and that means more starting for AA.ESPN - Cleveland vs. Detroit - Recap - March 29, 2008 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280329008)

Do you remember when big ben here had back spasms?

Do you remember when big ben here had back spasms?
I don't, why?

YouTube - Jack McCloskey Banner Raising - Mar 29 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bHSDlZ6E4)
The better parts of the Jack McCloskey banner raising at halftime.

Without Jack, there is no Rodman, and possibly no Dumars. He might be the single most important person in franchise history, that only the most diehard fans know about. This is the man who drafted built the Bad Boys, brick by brick from coach to 13th man.

Last night, Daddy Rich, The Microwave, John Long, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars amongst others paid him tribute.

I don't, why?

cuz he has been out lately and left from the game again because of that.

YouTube - Jack McCloskey Banner Raising - Mar 29 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bHSDlZ6E4)
The better parts of the Jack McCloskey banner raising at halftime.

Without Jack, there is no Rodman, and possibly no Dumars. He might be the single most important person in franchise history, that only the most diehard fans know about. This is the man who drafted built the Bad Boys, brick by brick from coach to 13th man.

Last night, Daddy Rich, The Microwave, John Long, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars amongst others paid him tribute.

Thanks for posting the video, Roscoe. That was a great tribute. I learned all about McCloskey from this book (http://www.amazon.com/Franchise-Building-Champion-Detroit-Basketballs/dp/0688095739/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206884642&sr=1-1) about the '89 championship season. It discusses the background of almost everyone on that team, players and coaches, but the real "protagonist" of the book is McCloskey.

YouTube - Jack McCloskey Banner Raising - Mar 29 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bHSDlZ6E4)
The better parts of the Jack McCloskey banner raising at halftime.

Without Jack, there is no Rodman, and possibly no Dumars. He might be the single most important person in franchise history, that only the most diehard fans know about. This is the man who drafted built the Bad Boys, brick by brick from coach to 13th man.

Last night, Daddy Rich, The Microwave, John Long, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars amongst others paid him tribute.

Wow did I love those Bad Boy teams.

Is there anyway Chuck Daly could come out of retirement and coach this current Piston team?

The camera angle last night caught Daly glancing at Flip, I wonder what Daddy Rich was thinking? If looks could talk I believe he was saying, "you ignorant SOB!. I would have won at least one ship with this group, but you seem to be coaching with your finger in your #$%"

It was a very good half time tribute. Usually I do not like those kinds of things but they did a good job presenting it and McCloskey is a very good speaker. Dumars said that he modeled his style after his which is about a good of compliment that he could have gave.

It was a pretty enjoyable game too. At the start I had a feeling that the Pistons were going to make it a statement game, they had this serious attitude about them that you knew they meant business.

They also had some cooroperation from Lebran as that was one of the worst games that I ever saw from him. Not only the bad shooting but he could not make a pass either. When James is off it really exposes the rest of his team for who they really are. I still can't believe we lost to those guys last year.

- Cavs missed some shots early they usually make but even those wouldn't have helped all that much.

- Darn, Sheed was on the good end of a bad call for once.

- Ben is still though by and large the only guy in the league who can seriously slow Sheed down on the block. He was having a solid game until the back caught up with him.

- I really like Stuckey's attitude. He just loves to pick on skinny little guards.

- Rip on LBJ. Got a lot of help, but that was impressive, and Tay hounded Pavolic into 0-6 when it counted.

- Sure am glad Herrmann found some industrial strength hair gel and can forego the headband and tieback. I've been concerned about this since he got here.

Great game.

Rip/AA were good defensively. AA should continue to get 15-20 min even when Rip is fully back. I was impressed with his defense on Lebron. I remember him getting lit up (granted it was pre-season). Quickness seems to be the way to go with Lebron. He doesn't seem to like posting up.

Also Rip's hip has killed his shot. He needs to sit if neccessary. These last games aren't that important.

Stuckey is great. There are times i want him in the game over Chauncey. Although Chauncey has gotten so much better with attacking (extra rest helps). Stuckey's blow-by against Lebron and pass to Theo was fantastic. Kid's a stud.

Tay/Sheed were solid.

Dyess played well and coincendentally played less. He's so much more effective that way.

Amir didn't get in, but Theo was needed on Z. Everytime the defense broke down though, Theo could not recover. It's a catch-22. You need Amir in when we're allowing dribble penetration, but if we're not Theo is fine. We stopped the Cavs, but at the same time they weren't very agressive. Flip's got to be able to adjust in a series, and switch it up if neccessary.

Max was effective.

Pushing up the ball helped alot. The Cav's are not a good transition defense team.

Also, seeing Ben on the floor hunched over was unnerving. I don't remember him looking that vunerable ever. Theo was frustrating the hell out of him in the rebounding department as well.

I want to see how we match up against a healthy Cavs team. Delonte West particularly.

- I really like Stuckey's attitude. He just loves to pick on skinny little guards.


Not only Stucky, it was amusing how Billups and Rip just took it to Damon Jones whenever he was left guarding them one on one. No respect at all for Jones's defense. They have no one left who can play any defense in their backcourt.

- Ben is still though by and large the only guy in the league who can seriously slow Sheed down on the block. He was having a solid game until the back caught up with him.


This is why i don't like the Theo/Sheed line-up against Z/Ben. If Ben's guarding Sheed, then we need to attack the basket and take adavantage of the fact that he's so slow. Dice can do it. Amir can do it, and Max can do it. Having Theo in just gives Z a break.

The key to this game for me was that DET didn't focus 5 guys on James and let the "others" kill them. This put them in better position to rebound. Speaking of rebounds, the Cavs are more than LeBron. Their O rebounding is a definite weapon.

Night & day difference when DET pushed the ball v. halfcourt. They need to play like that against every team.

That was enjoyable or as enjoyable as can be. I am so beaten down from the last few years that I can't tell what's real from the "fools gold". When DET plays well against good teams, I worry that they're showing their hand.

The Jinx is broken! (at least for this game) I tivo'ed the game, went out, and we won. That never happens.

I can't wait to watch.i'm proud of u, 33. Now was that so harrrd??:MusicBigGrin:

i'm proud of u, 33. Now was that so harrrd??:MusicBigGrin:

It was very difficult. I'm never doing it again LOL

YouTube - Jack McCloskey Banner Raising - Mar 29 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bHSDlZ6E4)
The better parts of the Jack McCloskey banner raising at halftime.

Without Jack, there is no Rodman, and possibly no Dumars. He might be the single most important person in franchise history, that only the most diehard fans know about. This is the man who drafted built the Bad Boys, brick by brick from coach to 13th man.

Last night, Daddy Rich, The Microwave, John Long, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars amongst others paid him tribute.


Thanks for posting. NBA TV went to the studio, so we out in the burbs didn't see this. Loved The Final Countdown theme as they raised the banner.

i really like the gameplan. we've got talented offensive players all around, so we focused rip on defending james up close and physical and not worry about his offense, while giving tay a break and eliminating pavlovic as any sort of threat, since there's no way he can beat tay. afflalo continued it and did a good job. as long as we stay up in lebron's face we can throw him off, even at the cost of some early foul trouble or less offense from rip. you saw that lbj checked out of the game before too long.

i like pairing theo and max. varejao, as much as i dislike him, is a force when offensive rebounding, so it's good to have theo, max, and dice to stay physical with him. stuckey continues to get his hands on loose balls (har har) and has a much better leaping ability than i thought. would a 6' guard block one of wally's shots? no, but stuckey at 6'5" could, and did.

i think the key here was that we just beat the cavs up physically (and thankfully the refs let both teams play), while pushing the ball and forcing cleveland to react to us and defend in transition, which they are terrible at. the other key was doing to their guards what they try to do to chauncey...force them to work just to get the ball up the court, challenge them defensively, and take the ball out of lbj's hands.

great game all around.

Apparently Jack McCloskey gave the Pistons a pep talk before the game. Tay kept saying how great it was in the post-game LOL.

Apparently Jack McCloskey gave the Pistons a pep talk before the game. Tay kept saying how great it was in the post-game LOL.

Really?

I was wondering if they put forth a little extra effort because of JM night. That would be a little tacky to have all that ceremony for one of the most important guys in franchise history and then give a half ass effort on the court.

Really?

I was wondering if they put forth a little extra effort because of JM night. That would be a little tacky to have all that ceremony for one of the most important guys in franchise history and then give a half ass effort on the court.

Lets hope he's there to give pep talks before all the home playoff games....I think I already mentioned this a few posts back:)

Why else would the refs let us go Bad Boy on Bron?
Wasn't this the nite Sheed told courtside radio he fouled him twice? And got away clean.

Why else would the refs let us go Bad Boy on Bron?
Wasn't this the nite Sheed told courtside radio he fouled him twice? And got away clean.

That's a good way to look at it. The refs went all retro on Cleveland.

Need to be careful here, refs could pull the rug out in the middle of a play!

Pistons' durable Prince wants to stay on floor - mlive.com (http://www.mlive.com/sports/statewide/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1207023905247460.xml&coll=6&thispage=2)


Players offer tips
Detroit's defense did an exceptional job against Cleveland in Saturday's 85-71 victory, in part because of suggestions made by some of the players. Prince said he and some teammates approached Saunders with some ideas of how to mix things up defensively.
"We presented it to him. We (players) just had to go out there and execute it," Prince said. "Once you come to coach with something, you have to really put your stamp on it and make it work. That was the case."

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No comment

Players offer tips

To Flip: :jaw: :doh::faint:



To Tay et. al.: :hail: