Pistons/Sixers game 4 Sun Apr 27 7PM

tv: TNT

I don't have many comments. Wait and see how it turns out. Billups recently said that no game is a must win unless its an elimination game. The series will get to that point if the Pistons lose this one and go down 1-3. Thats what they are facing. Can either tie this up and bring it back to Detroit for a 3-game series or really dig a hole that they may not be able to get out of.

2005 2nd round. Down 1-2 against the slightly better than .500 Pacers and were able to come back and win 4 straight. Nice to see something like that again.

Billups recently said that no game is a must win unless its an elimination game.

Now that's what I call Pistons DNA.

Now that's what I call Pistons DNA.
Luckily JoeD signed him for several more years. His market value may have never been higher.

The most must win a game can possibly be.

Agreed. This game is essentially a referendum on the last 3 years.

If they really are the best starting 5 in the league then this game should not be a problem, even without McDyess.

First 5 minutes of the game will tell us everything about where this team stands.

Billups:

"It's funny, after Game 1 I was asked if Game 2 was a must-win game and I said no," Billups said. "Everybody said I was arrogant and cocky for that. Everybody knows I am not arrogant or cocky. All I know is, the only must-win situation is when you are facing elimination."

"We have been together so long, you know, we've been down 3-1 and faced three straight elimination games. We've been down 3-2 and faced elimination on the road. That's where my confidence comes from. It's not arrogance. We've been through a lot."

Some will argue that he is living off the past and some will argue that he is correct. Again, we will see which one it is very early tomorrow.

As disappointing as these first few games have been the Sixers still have to win half of the games left in the series to throw us off. (2/4)

The Pistons may not step on there opponents throat enough, but the one thing they do is put up a fight when they are down.

Sheed doesn't need to bounce back, Chauncey doesn't need to bounce back, the team needs to bounce back. This team lost when we kept forcing the ball to Rip and Tay yesterday. It won't be any different if we switch the players.

Detroit Bad Boys (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/)

Great analysis of what needs to be done for Game 4

2nd post on the page.

Is Dice available to play? Do you start him if he is or shake things up from the get go and get either Theo or Max in the starting line up?

Now that's what I call Pistons DNA.

What exactly does Pistons "DNA" stand for in this context?

Delusional Numskull Arrogance?

If so, I must agree with you.

Didn't get to see Games 2 or 3 but probably a good thing. I can imagine being all, 'yeah, back on track' after Game 2 and thinking we're back on. But then I can sympathise with all you guys after another debacle in Game 3.

Maybe it should be 'Deeee-bacle Basketball!!!'

I don't really buy the arguments that this is a bad matchup for us. If we're more talented and the only way we can be beaten is by lack of energy, then that to me is a STEAMING PILE OF BS!

There is no excuse, none, for not playing with energy, focus and determination at playoff time. As we've heard from Joe in interviews this season, 'If you don't come to play, 100% every game, you're out'.

We'll just see if he keeps good on his promise after the season ends.

Timing has been bad on my part in seeing the Pistons this season. I would have loved to have done this trip in 04 or 05. But my apathy began last season and I'm afraid like some of you that it probably won't change until there are some personnel changes.

Slippy, you should change the counter to 'losses before flip is fired' like Low said. And Low, you need to update your signature.

That is all.

Pistons/Sixers game 4 Sun Apr 27 7PM

tv: TNT

I don't have many comments. Wait and see how it turns out. Billups recently said that no game is a must win unless its an elimination game. The series will get to that point if the Pistons lose this one and go down 1-3. Thats what they are facing. Can either tie this up and bring it back to Detroit for a 3-game series or really dig a hole that they may not be able to get out of.

2005 2nd round. Down 1-2 against the slightly better than .500 Pacers and were able to come back and win 4 straight. Nice to see something like that again.

"Shaking that stick, Boss...shaking that stick!"

Don't care. Game 3 made me apathetic. Any team that does not play w/ focus and intensity does not deserve the fans respect. Joe and this current crop of Pistons have had a wonderful run but I do not respect this attitude of showing up and thinking things will happen, or we know what to do. It's been going on too long and the coach and Joe have not nipped it in the bud.

I had a dream last night that the Pistons lost this series 4-1. For that to happen that would mean Philly would win the series at The Palace in game 5.

Now that would be ugly...................

Don't worry about that. We will win Game 4!


























If AA/Amir play j/k sorta :)

Seriously though, if that happens, Chuck Daly starts pulling Flip's strings, and our players try really hard, it could happen!

Don't worry about that. We will win Game 4!

If AA/Amir play j/k sorta :)

Seriously though, if that happens, Chuck Daly starts pulling Flip's strings, and our players try really hard, it could happen!

Seriously though. I really hope Amir gets the nod over Ratliff. But I can totally see Theo getting the nod and screwing things up. Pistons should still win anyway.

To me the key of this game is that Billups has to step up. He has been making these excuses and its time for him to do something out there.

Seriously though. I really hope Amir gets the nod over Ratliff. But I can totally see Theo getting the nod and screwing things up. Pistons should still win anyway.

To me the key of this game is that Billups has to step up. He has been making these excuses and its time for him to do something out there.

Agreed on both counts

Seriously though. I really hope Amir gets the nod over Ratliff. But I can totally see Theo getting the nod and screwing things up. Pistons should still win anyway.

To me the key of this game is that Billups has to step up. He has been making these excuses and its time for him to do something out there.

Yep. He has done nothing this series averaging 13 and 4 on 30% shooting. Craptastic.

I now love Micheal Rosenberg.

Not sure if this is the right place for this, it sorta relates to Game 4/this series, and i put it here b/c i felt like more ppl would read it rather than articles worth mentioning.

Flip Saunders surely to lose job if Pistons lose to Sixers | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/SPORTS03/804270654/1081)


Flip Saunders is coaching for his Pistons (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/SPORTS03/804270654/1081#) career now. He might not like it; he might not even fully realize it. But if the Pistons lose two more games to the 76ers, Saunders surely will be an ex-Pistons coach.



This isn't way down the road. It's lurking around the corner. It would be so, so easy for Joe Dumars to replace Saunders with Pistons assistant Michael Curry.
When teams fire a coach, they tend to hire somebody whose strengths make up for the previous coach's weaknesses. Saunders has struggled to relate to his players. Curry, a 39-year-old former Pistons captain, would have a much easier time. Under Saunders, the Pistons have lost some of their old defensive identity; Curry built a lengthy playing career without any discernible offensive skills, simply because of his defense.



Late in Saunders' first season, I asked Ben Wallace (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/SPORTS03/804270654/1081#) when the Pistons became Flip's team. His sarcastic response: "Whose team?"

Ben left for Chicago (and more money) after that season. His fellow Wallace, Rasheed, has never quite taken to Flip. The Rasheed-Flip dynamic is the most closely watched, but it is not isolated; other Pistons seem to treat Saunders with less than the optimum amount of respect.
I'm not sure all of this is fair. But it's reality. Saunders is stuck in a place where all of his key players have accomplished more than he has, and they know it.

I predicted that Curry was next in line in Chat, and people thought I was crazy.


I might be crazy ... :wacko:...but thats besides the point.

Well we're going to win so thats a moot point.

Well we're going to win so thats a moot point.

I think we'll get all the way to the ECF's before we get pulverized.


Nothing as good as a first round knockout can happen to us.

I predicted that Curry was next in line in Chat, and people thought I was crazy.
Do you have any idea how much crazy stuff gets said in chat? :)

Well we're going to win so thats a moot point.
Atta boy!

Nothing as good as a first round knockout can happen to us.
You/we must be the toughest fans on the planet. It's kinda cool.

I now love Micheal Rosenberg.

Not sure if this is the right place for this, it sorta relates to Game 4/this series, and i put it here b/c i felt like more ppl would read it rather than articles worth mentioning.

Flip Saunders surely to lose job if Pistons lose to Sixers | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/SPORTS03/804270654/1081)
Rosie is a known organization mouth piece. If he's carrying this story, this way, it means that the Pistons are setting the stage from a propaganda viewpoint to let Saunders go.

Who knows when Flip lost the team exactly, but this article says to me, that Flip has now lost Dumars. He's no longer under the corporate veil of excuse making.

On the flip side (pardon the pun), it means the players might be getting a pass.

Problem is that at the same time players have not demonstrated that they are actully "better" than coach or deserve better fate. Starters who decide to take every third game off are not worth of much.

Starters may think that they need more capable people around them but their have done NOTHNIG to encourage this process: why one good coach should wish to waste his time to complacent, maybe past their prime players?


I believe that now I have brought a new point of view to coach/players discussion.

Sheed better show up for this game. In game 3 he looked like a 2nd grader playing in a midseason rec. league game after his dad told him he couldn't quit basketball.

My wife asked me if I was going to wear my Pistons shirt today. I actually had to think about it. I mean, if they don't seem to care about the playoffs then why should I? They could be down 0-3 to the Cavs and I'd proudly wear my shirt here in Cleveland if they played hard in all 3 losses. But to be down 1-2 to the f-ing 76ers when the only reason is that they've played without heart in those 2 losses is indefensible.

Do you have any idea how much crazy stuff gets said in chat? :)Hey! Watch it buddy...I resemble that remark :stooges:

IMO the worst thing that could happen is that we lose another ECF because it would give the illusion that we're still good enough. We either get to the finals and prove it or realize the window has closed.


Starters may think that they need more capable people around them but their have done NOTHNIG to encourage this process: why one good coach should wish to waste his time to complacent, maybe past their prime players?

1. they need a job.
2. that in itself presents unique challenges. look a riley when he stuffed a bunch of broken,aging players with a history of causing problems around wade. all coaches deal with egos and motivation.

IMO the worst thing that could happen is that we lose another ECF because it would give the illusion that we're still good enough. We either get to the finals and prove it or realize the window has closed.


1. they need a job.
2. that in itself presents unique challenges. look a riley when he stuffed a bunch of broken,aging players with a history of causing problems around wade. all coaches deal with egos and motivation.

I have thought of that first part too: when the time ends? here has been this talk of " closing windows" but when actually this happens? Has it already happened? Does it happen next year? Are these POs final chance to this group? I do not know.


And is it interesting that, lets take Miami, they may had disagreements with eachother and coach, motivation problems, ego problems but at the right time every player tried to give his best - even if he didn't like his coach.

But what pistons players do ? They quit. Sheed, instead of trying his best when he defied his coach in famous game 5 at ECF, he quited, he gave up. And it says a lot.

When player is looking for excuses why he shouldn't play, then it is scary.

IMO the worst thing that could happen is that we lose another ECF because it would give the illusion that we're still good enough.



And thats whats gonna happen.

Watch.

Watch and be disgusted.

:loco::lock1::loco::rant::dizzy::rip:

Late in Saunders' first season, I asked Ben Wallace (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/SPORTS03/804270654/1081#) when the Pistons became Flip's team. His sarcastic response: "Whose team?"And here we are two years later. Judging from the often apathetic play from this team, it's now apparent Ben was dead serious and the Pistons have been sailing without a rudder for three years.

Although I think the Pistons played poorly in game 3, I'm not really in panic mode just yet. This has happened to them every year since RC was the coach.

The Pistons have struggled against the Nets, the Pacers, the Magic, the Heat, and now a young and athletic 76ers. It ain't over till it's over.

I have thought of that first part too: when the time ends? here has been this talk of " closing windows" but when actually this happens? Has it already happened? Does it happen next year? Are these POs final chance to this group? I do not know.


And is it interesting that, lets take Miami, they may had disagreements with eachother and coach, motivation problems, ego problems but at the right time every player tried to give his best - even if he didn't like his coach.

But what pistons players do ? They quit. Sheed, instead of trying his best when he defied his coach in famous game 5 at ECF, he quited, he gave up. And it says a lot.

When player is looking for excuses why he shouldn't play, then it is scary.Well the tangent question here was what good coach would want to coach these pansies. My answer was A LOT...that's what coaches do. Whether they will be effective at it or not...one can only wait and see. The "closing window" issue is interesting to me because it will influence how we should retool the team. If the window is closed, i would keep Sheed and Billups. If its still open, thats a tougher nut to crack.

The coaching strategy needs to revolver around getting Philly into the halfcourt set. It's similar to how we took down NJ a few years ago. The only way they can beat us is to run. For a good coach, this is a very easy problem to solve.

I agree with my Antarctican brother.

Dice will start tonite.

McDyess will play tonight - Detroit Pistons Basketball: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio, Schedule & Stats - MLive.com (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2008/04/mcdyess_will_play_tonight.html)

Dice will start tonite.

McDyess will play tonight - Detroit Pistons Basketball: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio, Schedule & Stats - MLive.com (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2008/04/mcdyess_will_play_tonight.html)

Hopefully if he is not effective he will be pulled immediately!

Pistons will win tonite, then at home and finish off philly in game 6. You have my word. After that it is up to the basketball gods to decide how far we get thereafter. We will not lose to philly, no way no how. Everyone can take that to the bank. A RARE EXP POST.

I agree with my Antarctican brother.

I come from a place even more remote than Antarctica...

I come from a place even more remote than Antarctica...Tatooine, Idaho. Population 267. All related.

Tatooine, Idaho. Population 267. All related.

Slippywalker, there is something I need to share with you...:fight2:

Tatooine, Idaho. Population 267. All related.I had heard it's a very close-knit community...now I know why :pound:

I had heard it's a very close-knit community...now I know why :pound:

Please don't encourage him.

Sheed better show up for this game. In game 3 he looked like a 2nd grader playing in a midseason rec. league game after his dad told him he couldn't quit basketball.

My wife asked me if I was going to wear my Pistons shirt today. I actually had to think about it. I mean, if they don't seem to care about the playoffs then why should I? They could be down 0-3 to the Cavs and I'd proudly wear my shirt here in Cleveland if they played hard in all 3 losses. But to be down 1-2 to the f-ing 76ers when the only reason is that they've played without heart in those 2 losses is indefensible.


Sheed did not have it in game 3, but billups has not had it for two years. I knew sheed would have a tough time in game 3, but it was up to billups to step up. No making excuses for sheed because he did not do it defensively either, but i am more concerned about billups.

i posted before game 3 that we will lose that game but game 4 is guaranteed. I still hold my words... Game 4 is guaranteed and we win in 6.

I might not be able to make it for chat during the game. Hopefully the Pistons will show more dedication to it than I will. ;)

It's the coach. It's not the coach. How do you motivate these guys and their money? To me it seems you motivate these guys by showing what you have when things aren't working. Cold shooting happens. Do you have a system/philosophy in place where the sum is greater than the parts?

Flip does not and the players know it. They won't kill themselves for him because he can't do it for them. These are the same players from '04 & '05, but the results are different. When DET was down 3-2 to CLE last year people said they were more confident at that point than when it was 2-2. Different teams and age has nothing to do with it. I really won't be surprised to see them lose this series.

That being said, things were beyond bad in G3. Sheed was nailed to the floor during rebounds. The turnovers!?!? Something flukey beyond laying down on Flip was going on.

Wether we like it or not, we are lumped in with the Nuggets and Suns of the world. Stats aside, we give up as many lay-ups as those teams do on D. There is no shame in losing. Teams like Washington and Houston got heart. The Pistons........?

Philly should sign some dude off the street to run the point for them and see if he/she outplays "The Superstar" Chauncey Billups.

DETNEWS | Weblog | Pistons Blog (http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/pistonsblog/index.cfm?CFID=2786534&CFTOKEN=53669605)

In other news from shoot-around, Flip Saunders hinted that he may use some of his younger, quicker players more to offset the 76ers' athleticism and quickness. That could mean more Amir Johnson and Arron Afflalo.

wonder if that came from joe d? either way that's encouraging

DETNEWS | Weblog | Pistons Blog (http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/pistonsblog/index.cfm?CFID=2786534&CFTOKEN=53669605)



wonder if that came from joe d? either way that's encouraging

Does the old saying - I have to see it to believe it come to mind?

Or, how about; talk is cheap??

DETNEWS | Weblog | Pistons Blog (http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/pistonsblog/index.cfm?CFID=2786534&CFTOKEN=53669605)



wonder if that came from joe d? either way that's encouragingWhat's discouraging is that Flip can't figure this stuff out during games like gm 3, but instead either figures it out after the game or has to be told by someone else.

Joe D should invest in a headset for Flip, or is that not legal in the NBA?

What's discouraging is that Flip can't figure this stuff out during games like gm 3, but instead either figures it out after the game or has to be told by someone else.

Joe D should invest in a headset for Flip, or is that not legal in the NBA?

Yeah he always seems to be 2 or 3 steps behind a good coach like Mo Cheeks. The only thing he adjusts in-game is his tie when his twitch kicks in.

CHAT IS OPEN!


* link removed *

Rosie is a known organization mouth piece. If he's carrying this story, this way, it means that the Pistons are setting the stage from a propaganda viewpoint to let Saunders go.

Who knows when Flip lost the team exactly, but this article says to me, that Flip has now lost Dumars. He's no longer under the corporate veil of excuse making.

On the flip side (pardon the pun), it means the players might be getting a pass.

Please let this be true :victory:

Although i think a player will be moved as well.

It feels like it's an early Christmas with all these articles. AA/Amir!. I'm definately Tivo'ing this game. I agree though the delayed reaction is pretty discouraging.

is this really happening?

Just unbelievable........sheed is not going to make ........he looks ready to implode again...........I cannot believe the turnovers and poor shooting...incredible

reminds me of last year when we used to tread water for 3 quarters and throw a haymaker in the 3rd.

pretty encouraging in the sense that it feels like we have the momentum. as far as this sesries goes.

Well, one quarter does not a series make...but I think we will put the foot on the throat in Game 5. somebody brought up the pick and roll in the third(Flip?) But I think it was just us making shots and rotating on D.


and I didnt like the 2 min end of game sixers finish either...

:yellowprison:Break out the War Face!!!!!!

Pistons win 93-84.

NBA.com: Pistons at 76ers Game Info (http://www.nba.com/games/20080427/DETPHI/boxscore.html)

Good news for those of us who still want the Pistons to win. Pistons totally dominated the 2nd half to even up the series. A broken nose did no stop Dyess in this one. Thank you Rip for getting your shot back. Billups, Prince, Sheed, Dyess, Maxiel. Everyone played well in the 2nd half. Prince shot 11-12 for the game.

It feels like a series now.

Still looks like the PIstons in 6 games. It will just seem LONGeR...:):):):)

Who would have thought last week that they would be glad to see the series at 2-2.

It made me ill to hear the announcer talk about what a good coach Flip was at the end of the game.

Anyhow, I give them credit for coming back from so far down at the half. I really have no clue as to what we will see in game 5.

Well Joe didn't come into the locker room at halftime, but somebody said something to light a fire under these guys....Prince has been the man the last two games hitting 19-21 shots and pretty much kept the Pistons in striking distance in the first half and hit some key baskets during the second half. Sheed was the man in the third qtr hitting 4 Threes and then Rip who was 1-11 in the first half, hit 5 straight jumpers in the 4th to keep the Pistons double digit lead in tact.

The turnovers in the first half were to our detriment, but the sixers had enough throughout the game and the Pistons scored 20 pts off the turnovers to pretty much turn the game in their favor. They also scored 37 points in the paint to go with the six three pointers.

Bottom line, we were aggressive in the second half and need to come out with the same intensity on Tuesday. Even though tonights game was must win....game 5 on Tuesday is definitely a must win too. the magic number is 90 points

I really have no clue as to what we will see in game 5.

Yeah, you never know with our team. I expect them to close-out in 6, but I also wouldn't be shocked if they mail-it-in Tuesday and march back to Philly down 3-2 and muttering something about "rough" and "right". :ohwell:

1) Player of the game, TP. Tashaun just had himself a ball game. 10 for 11 from the floor. 2nd most rebounds on the team. 4 steals. Plus he did a great job for the 4th game in a row on AI.

2) Sheed came up huge with those 3's and tough rebounding. He changed the momentum in a big way in the 2nd half. Dude really needs to concentrate when passing the ball against Philly though. They are hounding us and Sheed is just throwing really sloppy passes up top (where a mistake gives them a fast break).

3) Rip- He was cold as ice in the 1st half, but started catching and shooting in the 2nd. With the open looks, he found his rhythm and made it impossible for Philly to come back.



OVERALL:
Why did it take so long to figure out that we needed to protect the ball? The only way the Sixers are scoring is off of steals, or really bad shots. I hear the players talking about how the team is better when the move the ball and get easy shots. Well, I'm not sure you want the players in the mindset that they have to move the ball against this team. The more passes, the higher the liklihood of a steal. It's just like playing against the old NJ Nets, except these guys are not as good. Don't listen to Flip, just recycle that old game plan.

Didn't see the Pistons run to over take the Sixers. I was prepared, and in some ways, expecting a loss after the 1st half. I am still not convinced w/ this team's up and down performance and attitude. I remain a non-believer until this team starts showing up from tip-off every game onward. Kudos to the Diceman for playing after that broken nose. That took heart.

All credit to the Pistons. This WAS a do-or-die game IMO. Philly had em down at the half, but they came out strong in the 3rd and took control. :)

It took a 7-man rotation and 4 starters playing over 40 minutes, but they got it done. I just hope there's gas left in the tank for Tuesday.

Prince, Wallace help Pistons even series against 76ers - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=AlCe8J4_KejhaMkstxEUUUQ5nYcB?gid=200804 2720)



The Sixers pumped up the crowd when they played season highlights set to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Then Detroit guaranteed its season won’t unexpectedly cut-to-black.
All the euphoria the Sixers created after a 20-point win in Game 3 only grew as they raced to a 14-point first-half lead. The younger, faster, confident Sixers were taking it to the aging, slumping Pistons yet again.
Then those 59-win Pistons showed up in the third quarter. They haven’t reached five straight Eastern Conference finals by losing two straight road games to the seventh seed in the first round.






Injured Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins was at the game and waved his rally towel. First baseman Ryan Howard sent a videotaped message of support. … Wallace cracked up when the 76ers showed a “separated at birth” timeout video comparing an open mouth shot of him next to Jimmie Walker’s “JJ” character from “Good Times.”






http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/715/14261JJ.jpg

It took a 7-man rotation and 4 starters playing over 40 minutes, but they got it done. I just hope there's gas left in the tank for Tuesday.

My sentiments exactly............

If the starters play 40+ min for the remainder of this series, Toronto or Orlando will beat us in the 2nd round!

Wow, I guess that was a heck of a comeback in the 3rd quarter! I got a peek at the boxscore at some point in the 2nd quarter, which was horrifying, as they already had 10 turnovers and were shooting well under 40%. As frustrating as this inconsistency is to all of us, I definitely appreciate the guts they showed in getting off the mat in this one.

Its tied up, 2-2. Now its a best of 3 series, with us having the homecourt advantage. Maybe some momentum? But like I mentioned after the last win, we won this one with no bench rotation at all. That is playing it dangerous.

Hayes got 3 minutes in this game. Three laugable minutes. Three minutes where Philly went into a feeding frenzy. It hurt us bad, and there was a carry over from the confindence Philly gained. To Flip's credit, at least he had enouhg sense to just keep it to the 3 minutes. (And not play Hunter and Theo at all.) Tay simply got no rest in the 2nd half at all.

Tay was the hero in this one. Eleven of twelve shots knocked down. Mostly going inside, but he hit a few clutch outside shots also. His offense was pretty much it for the first half to keep us somewhere near them.

Billups did nothing in the 1st half. Nothing at all. But he decided to start driving the ball down their throat in the 3rd quarter and started getting to the line. And he hit some threes to boot. Rip also did nothing in the 1st half, shooting 1 for about 13 or something like that. (Maybe he hit 2 shots.) Rip simply found his range in the 2nd half, pretty much all coming off screens. Sheed heated up too, getting some inside and finding his range on the long ball. Altogether, it ended up being enough offense.

Next game, what can we expect. Will Flip actually go into a game planning on just a 7 man rotation? Particularly Tay - will Flip plan on Tay playing 48?

I love that we won this game. But here it is, 4 games into the first round, and Flip still has no rotation.

Stuckey did not score but he had several assists and his energy was useful guarding Miller. Maxiell started the game, and played starters minutes with a good rest pattern as Dyess did play plenty of minutes off the bench. (15 in the first half and 5 in the second if memory serves.) Dyess hit some shots, and maybe seemed to have more energy than usual just because he is back in his very familiar role of being a bench player.

Maxiell did not score much, but look, nobody but Max had a block in this game for us. Max had 3. Max was continually seen fighting toward loose balls. His energy helped a ton. His defense helped a ton.

Philly is not that good. We could beat them with a 7 man rotation where we use the same starters as tonight and just Dyess and Stuckey coming off the bench. Stuckey would have to come in early for someone, and spell Rip, Billups, and Tay a bit each for sitting back down. And of course Dyess would take turns spelling Sheed then Maxy. But note, I said we could. To not expand this out to include Amir and Afflalo is not wise. A bit of foul trouble, or a minor injury, and a 7 man rotation becomes 6. Why not use 9 guys if you have them. We do. Flip should start next game using the right guys. And an actual rotation.

But again, at least we won this game.

GO PISTONS!!!!!

Philly is not that good. We could beat them with a 7 man rotation where we use the same starters as tonight and just Dyess and Stuckey coming off the bench.


I don't think we can beat them without Amir or Afflalo.

Much better game. Nice to see the hardcore fans in a full chat.

Pistons were way too tight early, Philly really lost this game with their inexperience. The fast paced attack is good for keeping teams off balance, but the lack of a quality halfcourt offense outside Andre Miller really hurt them. If the Pistons hold onto the ball and play slow, Philly can't compete.

Who would have thought last week that they would be glad to see the series at 2-2.


No one, but a team will go down sometimes. I expected the Pistons to go down in a series early, but I did not think it would be this one.

Bottom line is the Pistons have to take this one game at a time. Looking at the past and saying they should be up 3-1 is going to kill them.

Much better game. Nice to see the hardcore fans in a full chat.



I left the chat after the 1st quarter. I got sick of all the whining. I watched the game with my kids instead and found it much more enjoyable. I think it's really sad there are people that call themselves Piston fans actually rooting for the team to lose. Nice win for the good guys.

Go Pistons!!!!!!!

:hoops:

Nice to see the hardcore fans in a full chat.



Hey, how do you know what type of flicks I like to watch in my spare time? :laugh::hmmm:

I left the chat after the 1st quarter. I got sick of all the whining. I watched the game with my kids instead and found it much more enjoyable. I think it's really sad there are people that call themselves Piston fans actually rooting for the team to lose. Nice win for the good guys.

Go Pistons!!!!!!!

:hoops:

I enjoyed the chat. Watching them get killed sucked but being around other people feeling as frustrated as myself made it much easier. Then when they started winning it was really fun. :)

they actyally have 7 RELIABLE ballers (starters+maxi and stuck) so no wonder that boxscore shows that starters played 40+ minutes. Rest of our bench is not just ready for PO intensity level. As I have said : want better bench ? Then Davidson has to pay lux tax. It is practically impossible to form trustful bench from rookie contracts and veteran minimums. Yes, during a season everyone hoped that bench can get it done but reality shows that it is not that easy as fans think: even stuckey stats are plain awful.Even stuckey stats in this series are awful.

I enjoyed the chat. Watching them get killed sucked but being around other people feeling as frustrated as myself made it much easier. Then when they started winning it was really fun. :)


Do they have televisions in Idaho?

I left the chat after the 1st quarter. I got sick of all the whining. I watched the game with my kids instead and found it much more enjoyable. I think it's really sad there are people that call themselves Piston fans actually rooting for the team to lose. Nice win for the good guys.

Go Pistons!!!!!!!:hoops:



I hear you, bro. Let's purge the infidels!!! Wahoooooo PISTONS!!!!

By the way, what is up with this: :hoops: Channeling the ghosts of Buddhafan?

This was on me guys, I left the room to make dinner during the comeback. If we find ourselves down again I'll be sure to start whipping up something tasty...

Do they have televisions in Idaho?

Yes. Three of them.:shootingsoldier:

Much better game. Nice to see the hardcore fans in a full chat.

Pistons were way too tight early, Philly really lost this game with their inexperience. The fast paced attack is good for keeping teams off balance, but the lack of a quality halfcourt offense outside Andre Miller really hurt them. If the Pistons hold onto the ball and play slow, Philly can't compete.
He means me....The War Face!:shout:arghhhhh!

Do they have televisions in Idaho?

Sure they do:
http://thelobby.tv/images/portfolio/identity/STV.gif

:hoops: Channeling the ghosts of Buddhafan?



Have a nice day.................:brick::scared::wave::thumb[1]::outtahere:

I'm the guy..... Just so it's clear. It's me.

I left the chat at halftime and bam. I'll be sure to skip the next few chats.

Sure they do:
http://thelobby.tv/images/portfolio/identity/STV.gif


:MusicBigGrin: Smart a..

I left the chat after the 1st quarter.
I can only do that if someone relieves me. No one did.

:rolleyes:

Im looking at the box score and there is no way we should have lost by twnty to this team, much less a HOME loss to this team. Our guards shot 11 for 32 and we still BLEW them out.

A 'good' coach would keep Dyess on the bench. We dont need his first quarter scoring as much as his 'second' qtr scoring. Plus, he'd be frsh in the 4th.

We need 5 more minutes for Ratliff, Amir and Dixon. If Flip dont se this now, whayall think he gonna do in the latter rounds?

About as satisfying a win as coming home to a salad for dinner!

I'm the guy..... Just so it's clear. It's me.

I left the chat at halftime and bam. I'll be sure to skip the next few chats.
Thanks...and then I brought out The war Face!:shout:Arghhhh!

Sure they do:
http://thelobby.tv/images/portfolio/identity/STV.gifLMAO! Nice work CJ! :pound:

I don't have a problem with guys playing 40+ minutes. All teams are doing it at this stage of the year. Look at the box scores. There are lots of long TV timeouts. There are no back-to-back games. If Tay is 11-for-12 shooting and playing great defense on AI, he can play the entire 48 minutes, in my opinion.

Got the home court advantage back, we have to hope that they come out with the same intensity and effort that they showed in the 3rd qtr. Maybe they should come out with the mindset that they are behind instead of playing like they have already won the series. I am only 75% sure they will win the series, but it will go up 95% if they win Tuesday.

Yeah the bench has not been there in this series, but playing ours starters 43 mins for the next two games might hamper us in the next round..but of course we need to get there so it's a catch-22 situation. . As long as the bench is not a defensive liability and don't turn over the ball, AA, AJ and even Dixon should get 2-3 mins as decoys and time savers. Maybe we should continue to start Max and bring Dice off the bench.

Got the home court advantage back, we have to hope that they come out with the same intensity and effort that they showed in the 3rd qtr. Maybe they should come out with the mindset that they are behind instead of playing like they have already won the series. I am only 75% sure they will win the series, but it will go up 95% if they win Tuesday.


So, a win on Tuesday will get them up to 170%. I would like our chances at that point. :pound:

So, a win on Tuesday will get them up to 170%. I would like our chances at that point. :pound:


95% of 75% Bill.

That gets you what...about 71?

It is good when a good jump shooting team at the NBA level takes open jump shots. Finally! How did we start the game. Billips driving again and again for nothing. Just like game three. I was yelling to our guys: "Will you shoot the ball." No, more drives for nothing while passing up open looks. Then Rip trying to drive later and getting stripped. Sheed down low where he was ineffective in game 3. Our two best players in game 3, Rip and Tay, not getting early touches. So Rip then gets his game thrown off by pressing. 10 point deficit at the half. Whose fault the coach or the players??

Flip did say the right thing at the half. Take the shot!! Relax. And so we took the open looks (yes, jumpers) and Philly looked like who they really are. And we looked like who we might be. And this series may well be over for the good guys.

In the past, we have not driven the ball enough, yes. But to drive into the teeth of their defense with players (Rip and Chaucey) whose penetration game is not their strong-suit, is folly. The looks were always there. We just finally took them. AND THEN, Billips could see some REAL openings to drive into...

A special thank you to Tayshaun Prince, the best player in this series so far, for keeping us in the game until we finally came to our senses.

I have no idea what happened. I'm doing a paper, and really really had to restrain myself from checking the score. I finally broke and looked.

The minutes scare me; like really really scare me.

I thought AA/Amir were going to play this game ?

I'm not really sure whether i'm happy about this or not, but i'm going to watch the 2nd half and enjoy the comeback for tonight. I do still love ths starting 4, and if they are going to broken up soon, i'm going to enjoy watching them play well together.

This series would just be so much easier and less stressfull if we played the right bench players.

Flip still sucks. It pains me that someone on TV talked about his "coaching" being that they probably watch 2 Pistons games a year.

If this is the 1st round, WTF is the 2nd going to be like?!

Its tied up, 2-2. Now its a best of 3 series, with us having the homecourt advantage. Maybe some momentum? But like I mentioned after the last win, we won this one with no bench rotation at all. That is playing it dangerous.

Hayes got 3 minutes in this game. Three laugable minutes. Three minutes where Philly went into a feeding frenzy. It hurt us bad, and there was a carry over from the confindence Philly gained. To Flip's credit, at least he had enouhg sense to just keep it to the 3 minutes. (And not play Hunter and Theo at all.) Tay simply got no rest in the 2nd half at all.

Tay was the hero in this one. Eleven of twelve shots knocked down. Mostly going inside, but he hit a few clutch outside shots also. His offense was pretty much it for the first half to keep us somewhere near them.

Billups did nothing in the 1st half. Nothing at all. But he decided to start driving the ball down their throat in the 3rd quarter and started getting to the line. And he hit some threes to boot. Rip also did nothing in the 1st half, shooting 1 for about 13 or something like that. (Maybe he hit 2 shots.) Rip simply found his range in the 2nd half, pretty much all coming off screens. Sheed heated up too, getting some inside and finding his range on the long ball. Altogether, it ended up being enough offense.

Next game, what can we expect. Will Flip actually go into a game planning on just a 7 man rotation? Particularly Tay - will Flip plan on Tay playing 48?

I love that we won this game. But here it is, 4 games into the first round, and Flip still has no rotation.

Stuckey did not score but he had several assists and his energy was useful guarding Miller. Maxiell started the game, and played starters minutes with a good rest pattern as Dyess did play plenty of minutes off the bench. (15 in the first half and 5 in the second if memory serves.) Dyess hit some shots, and maybe seemed to have more energy than usual just because he is back in his very familiar role of being a bench player.

Maxiell did not score much, but look, nobody but Max had a block in this game for us. Max had 3. Max was continually seen fighting toward loose balls. His energy helped a ton. His defense helped a ton.

Philly is not that good. We could beat them with a 7 man rotation where we use the same starters as tonight and just Dyess and Stuckey coming off the bench. Stuckey would have to come in early for someone, and spell Rip, Billups, and Tay a bit each for sitting back down. And of course Dyess would take turns spelling Sheed then Maxy. But note, I said we could. To not expand this out to include Amir and Afflalo is not wise. A bit of foul trouble, or a minor injury, and a 7 man rotation becomes 6. Why not use 9 guys if you have them. We do. Flip should start next game using the right guys. And an actual rotation.

But again, at least we won this game.

GO PISTONS!!!!!

Nice recap Lee. I wondered if Dice would look 10x better coming off the bench. As for the bench, i guess we've adopted the can't get embarrassed in the 1st round strategy, will play player all game if we have to. Not very conducive to long-term success, but maybe the next game being a home game will open the rotation up. (i doubt this, but i have to hope for something)

We're going to need all the bench help we can get if we make it to ORL esp in terms of guarding Lewis which Amir would probably be suited for.

95% of 75% Bill.

That gets you what...about 71?

No, he said it would go up 95%, not 95% of 75%.

We're going to need all the bench help we can get if we make it to ORL esp in terms of fouling out while guarding Lewis which Amir would probably be suited for.

Edited for accuracy. :stirthepot:

I have no idea what happened. I'm doing a paper, and really really had to restrain myself from checking the score. I finally broke and looked.

The minutes scare me; like really really scare me.

I thought AA/Amir were going to play this game ?

I'm not really sure whether i'm happy about this or not, but i'm going to watch the 2nd half and enjoy the comeback for tonight. I do still love ths starting 4, and if they are going to broken up soon, i'm going to enjoy watching them play well together.

This series would just be so much easier and less stressfull if we played the right bench players.

Flip still sucks. It pains me that someone on TV talked about his "coaching" being that they probably watch 2 Pistons games a year.

If this is the 1st round, WTF is the 2nd going to be like?!

I can never retrain myself from looking at the box either.

I would not worry about the mins. They will be fine. The whole point of this year was to rest the starters so they could play more mins in the post-season. I would like to see Afflalo over Hayes in this series. If Hayes shot is not falling then at least AA would give us better defense.

Going into tonight's game there were 36 players averaging more minutes in the playoffs than every Piston player.

Going into tonight's game there were 36 players averaging more minutes in the playoffs than every Piston player.

Honestly one game doesn't bother me that much, now if it's every game from here on out . . .

Also if Flip has shown a previous willingness to use the bench, i don't care if there are some nights like this.

edited to add;

Webber on TNT basically says we are delusional which allows us to be confident no matter what.

Webber on TNT basically says we are delusional which allows us to be confident no matter what.

If anybody would know, he would. (About us, not about being delusional.)

While we make a big deal about minutes over the season long grind, minutes per game in the playoffs isn't important. Its more important to wrap up your series early than keep your minutes under 36 or whatever. Sure, there are things that should affect minutes like keeping guys fresh for the last quarter or playing the young guys to infuse some energy but if our core needs to play 48 minutes to win, then so be it. If they need to do that for 4 games, then they just gotta suck it up. but what they have to do is wrap up series' as soon as possible and not drop unnecessary games like game 1.

No, he said it would go up 95%, not 95% of 75%.
What I meant was right now I am at 75% confidence level that we will win the series. If we will Tuesday my confidence level or odds will go up to 95% surety, but not up by 95%:MusicBigGrin:

I hope that satisfies the mathematicians...

It is good when a good jump shooting team at the NBA level takes open jump shots. Finally! How did we start the game. Billips driving again and again for nothing. Just like game three. I was yelling to our guys: "Will you shoot the ball." No, more drives for nothing while passing up open looks. Then Rip trying to drive later and getting stripped. Sheed down low where he was ineffective in game 3. Our two best players in game 3, Rip and Tay, not getting early touches. So Rip then gets his game thrown off by pressing. 10 point deficit at the half. Whose fault the coach or the players??

Flip did say the right thing at the half. Take the shot!! Relax. And so we took the open looks (yes, jumpers) and Philly looked like who they really are. And we looked like who we might be. And this series may well be over for the good guys.

In the past, we have not driven the ball enough, yes. But to drive into the teeth of their defense with players (Rip and Chaucey) whose penetration game is not their strong-suit, is folly. The looks were always there. We just finally took them. AND THEN, Billips could see some REAL openings to drive into...

A special thank you to Tayshaun Prince, the best player in this series so far, for keeping us in the game until we finally came to our senses.

Good post LApistson...We want them to penetrate to open up both the Jumpers and the inside game, but they have relied so much on the J, they don't know how to finish at the rim when the penetrate.

What they need to do is either stop and pop or dish off to someone along the baseline...unfortunately that one is not in Flips' playbook and it maybe is to late to improvise

If anybody would know, he would. (About us, not about being delusional.)

After getting stiffed by Dumars I am sure he remains unbiased when he made that statement.

Thats alright. They play better when the media does not have their back.

Dre,

This series is undoubtedly over. It took us almost 4 games to figure out Philly. But now it is done.

We almost went down. Scary. The first half was like game 3. We drove into the teeth of their defense with Billips who got nothing. No surprise as that is not his strength. We went down low to Sheed who had trouble in game 3. Tay and Rip did not get early touches. Then, Rip tried to do too much as we were already struggling. Then, he too tried to drive and got stripped. Layup for them. 10 points down at the half. Thank goodness for Tay who has been remarkable.

The third quarter and Sheed came outside and bam, bam. The second half Rip was Rip with that sweet jumper game of his. Philly could not match this offensive outburst. They suddenly looked inept. They looked like we expected them to look. Yes, the defense was there but without the offensive adjustment, it would have been more of same. Then, yes, Billips had some room into the lane--to drive.

The question I will have is that did this experience strengthen this team by accident or does it expose our poor offense and possibly poor coaching to the opposition. Was it Flip who had the offensive game plan for the first half or was it the players? Who finally made the adjustment? Flip did tell the players at the half to relax and shoot the ball. A wise comment. But what took so long?

The next series we will have to adjust. Maybe they will come out on us causing other (old )problems (Cavs series). We do not seem to adjust very quickly: either the players or the coach or both. The bench cannot help us get over the hump if the key stars or coach can't get us near it.

After getting stiffed by Dumars I am sure he remains unbiased when he made that statement.

Thats alright. They play better when the media does not have their back.

I don't think he meant it as an insult. Kenny was talking about how you have to be delusional on some level to believe that you'll win a series being down 3-1 and then relating a story about a conversation he/HO had on the team plane when they were down.

Webber was talking about how we are delusional, always have confidence, and that basically LH/Tay would give everyone the smackdown during 1/2 time, and they were leaders.

Also he said when he was in our locker room, he believed it too.

edited to add;

I can't believe no one commented on the halftime show. Webber basically said that it doesn't matter what Flip says b/c the starting 4 aren't listening.

The Pistons locker room; Where tuning out the coach happens

lp. thanks for clarifying that. I watched the game on the local channel here, needed the pick me up.

Wow I'm glad I didn't turn that game off in frustration before the end of the second quarter. That's when the Pistons started to look like a different team. It's been said we have Good Pistons and Bad Pistons and never was that more evident for me in one single game than this one.

If the Good Pistons remain they still have a chance to look respectable in these PO.

Kudos to Max for being the voice for optimism. :)

I don't think he meant it as an insult. Kenny was talking about how you have to be delusional on some level to believe that you'll win a series being down 3-1 and then relating a story about a conversation he/HO had on the team plane when they were down.

Webber was talking about how we are delusional, always have confidence, and that basically LH/Tay would give everyone the smackdown during 1/2 time, and they were leaders.

Also he said when he was in our locker room, he believed it too.

edited to add;

I can't believe no one commented on the halftime show. Webber basically said that it doesn't matter what Flip says b/c the starting 4 aren't listening.

The Pistons locker room; Where tuning out the coach happens

Yea this is right on point... to add it came out of smith talking about his houston rockets were that way when they came back from 3-1 to win the year they went on to win the title... It was a funny story. The Dream goes we'll win the next game, then there is no way they will come win on our court, then... they'll have soo much pressure in game 7 that we beat them and win the series... NOBODY but the team believed, but they did.

I think the big thing coming out of that though was its the first Time I have heard that Prince is the leader of that locker room with Hunter. Maybe I've missed it all along as I spend alot of time out of country and this is my connection to whats going on.

But Prince getting on folks in the locker room? Dang.... way to go boy... and look how he's played the last 2 games.

Yea this is right on point... to add it came out of smith talking about his houston rockets were that way when they came back from 3-1 to win the year they went on to win the title... It was a funny story. The Dream goes we'll win the next game, then there is no way they will come win on our court, then... they'll have soo much pressure in game 7 that we beat them and win the series... NOBODY but the team believed, but they did.

I think the big thing coming out of that though was its the first Time I have heard that Prince is the leader of that locker room with Hunter. Maybe I've missed it all along as I spend alot of time out of country and this is my connection to whats going on.

But Prince getting on folks in the locker room? Dang.... way to go boy... and look how he's played the last 2 games.

Interesting...usuallu billups has declared himself as a team leader. Coup d'etat in lockerroom? And losing game 3 reflected interregnum?

Dre,

This series is undoubtedly over. It took us almost 4 games to figure out Philly. But now it is done.

We almost went down. Scary. The first half was like game 3. We drove into the teeth of their defense with Billips who got nothing. No surprise as that is not his strength. We went down low to Sheed who had trouble in game 3. Tay and Rip did not get early touches. Then, Rip tried to do too much as we were already struggling. Then, he too tried to drive and got stripped. Layup for them. 10 points down at the half. Thank goodness for Tay who has been remarkable.

The third quarter and Sheed came outside and bam, bam. The second half Rip was Rip with that sweet jumper game of his. Philly could not match this offensive outburst. They suddenly looked inept. They looked like we expected them to look. Yes, the defense was there but without the offensive adjustment, it would have been more of same. Then, yes, Billips had some room into the lane--to drive.

The question I will have is that did this experience strengthen this team by accident or does it expose our poor offense and possibly poor coaching to the opposition. Was it Flip who had the offensive game plan for the first half or was it the players? Who finally made the adjustment? Flip did tell the players at the half to relax and shoot the ball. A wise comment. But what took so long?

The next series we will have to adjust. Maybe they will come out on us causing other (old )problems (Cavs series). We do not seem to adjust very quickly: either the players or the coach or both. The bench cannot help us get over the hump if the key stars or coach can't get us near it.

Excellent take, LA. I was watching the game and thinking, "good, they are taking it inside... but they can't seem to get anything." Philly's post defense wouldn't let them have anything.

Rip driving the lane makes me yell at the TV. Give it up Rip! Give it up!

Nice to see them adjust and pull out the win. I agree that this series should be over now.

Linwood,

Me too. I keep yelling in the first half "Shoot the ball." Then, "Oh, no" when Billips would drive in yet again to get lost. We were coming back in the 2nd quarter and this time Rip tries to drive from the top and they strip him. Lay up for Philly and we lose momemtum again.

It is conventional for teams, not just us, to say don't settle for the jumper. But if that is what is open, a good jump shooting team like us will not lose 4 of 7 taking open looks especially when the other team can't match our offense.

Is it the strong will of the players or a weak coach who can't adjust to what the other team is doing? Every game, every series will have a different problem. We can't wait that long to solve it.

But Prince getting on folks in the locker room? Dang.... way to go boy... and look how he's played the last 2 games.

Prince is the MVP so far in the series. I remembered he made 2 baskets right at the 24 second shot clock buzzer sounded off in the 1st half. Those baskets were huge. Other than the TOs in game 3, we played one heckuva series. His 'D' on AI2 is amazing.

"I told them, 'Guys, we're playing tight, we're afraid to take a shot, afraid to make a move and when you play like that is when you make mistakes,' " he said. " 'Just relax, we are a good basketball team. Just go out there, hit somebody and have some fun.' "

Swing shift: Pistons' third-quarter surge evens series with 76ers (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/SPORTS0102/804280340/1127)


"Tay is just a very good defender and he has been able to use his length extremely well against A.I.," coach Flip Saunders said. "Tay had a phenomenal game."
Iguodala had 12 points, missing 12 of 16 shots. For the series, he's shooting 22 percent (11-for-49).



We were just trying too hard," Billups said. "We just needed to relax and settle down. We had to stop trying to make the hero pass all the time. Hit a few singles and not worry about the home run. We just got back to playing Pistons basketball."
Saunders agreed that the team was tight, but he didn't think it was caused by the disappointments of the past or any possible future ramifications.
"You never totally forget about all that stuff, it's always a part of it," he said. "But whether that has any bearing on how we play or us missing shots, I don't know. I don't think Chauncey was thinking about what happened last year when he was being trapped."

Prince's defense haunts Iguodala (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/SPORTS0102/804280335/1127)

I missed the halftime because like Max, I got the local feed.

I need more info on what CWebb said please....

A special thank you to Tayshaun Prince, the best player in this series so far, for keeping us in the game until we finally came to our senses.
Agreed. Great call to recognize Tay. He's actually been one of our better playoff performers in recent years, excusing the ducking under LBJ incident.

after kenny said he bit about them coming back from there 3-1 deficit.....


Webber said that the pistons were of the same mind set, they believe they could come back, he was in there locker room and he beleived it.

He said that Hunter and Prince would be the two speaking up in the locker room at half time.

If taken out of context or not getting the whole story it sounds really bad. The only question of what he says is that the starting 4 has tuned Flip out.... does he know thats still the case or is that a rehash of last year where we know that happened. If its still a problem then Dumars has to send Flip on his way even if we win the next 14 games straight.

saying all that.... I am really beginning to think this team is coaching itself more and more.... (not that I thought Flip was a good coach, but think he could atleast use his eyes.) Players can't see "in the game" and make the adjustments on the fly that is what a coach is there for, That is my reasoning why its taking so long for the team to adjust.... once they seem to figure it out they play alot better... Lets just hope phili has no more tricks up there sleeves...

What's discouraging is that Flip can't figure this stuff out during games like gm 3, but instead either figures it out after the game or has to be told by someone else.

Joe D should invest in a headset for Flip, or is that not legal in the NBA?


I thought Joe was texting messages to Curry on his Blackberry? Maybe Curry isn't telling Flip what the messages say or Flip is ignoring them. :sssh:

I thought for sure they were losing this game. At the half there was no way they were capable of winning. They had great ball movement and still couldn't get open. They were cracking under the pressure.

They made shots in the 2nd half. That is all that happened really. There was no switch to be flipped. They didn't play with more energy. We all gripe when Flip says, 'We just didn't make shots' after another flame out, but to him you either make the shots or you don't. That's all he brings.

Let's look at the Suns v. Spurs series. Shaq gives Duncan a hard time and was instrumental in beating SA twice down the stretch. Now you could continue to run the same plays the same way, shrug your shoulders and say, 'Duh, the shots didn't fall' when you lose. We'll call that the Saunders' method. Or you could switch things up, play hack a Shaq, use their strength against them to the point where the other coach has to make a decision on how they're going to play and free up your best player to boot. How crazy is that?

If you give Flip chicken shat, he's eating a chicken shat sandwich or starving. He can't make the best out of anything. It's these 7 or die.

after kenny said he bit about them coming back from there 3-1 deficit.....


Webber said that the pistons were of the same mind set, they believe they could come back, he was in there locker room and he beleived it.

He said that Hunter and Prince would be the two speaking up in the locker room at half time.

If taken out of context or not getting the whole story it sounds really bad. The only question of what he says is that the starting 4 has tuned Flip out.... does he know thats still the case or is that a rehash of last year where we know that happened. If its still a problem then Dumars has to send Flip on his way even if we win the next 14 games straight.

saying all that.... I am really beginning to think this team is coaching itself more and more.... (not that I thought Flip was a good coach, but think he could atleast use his eyes.) Players can't see "in the game" and make the adjustments on the fly that is what a coach is there for, That is my reasoning why its taking so long for the team to adjust.... once they seem to figure it out they play alot better... Lets just hope phili has no more tricks up there sleeves...


It seems like they are coaching themselves and that is scary.

It seems like they are coaching themselves and that is scary.
What's a little playoffs without the smell of fear and desperation? :gun1:

At least we're not Mavs' fans.

At least we're not Mavs' fans.

we've talked about the comments that webber made about us, what about the comments he made about dallas... he trusted nobody on that team short of kidd and stackhouse to watch his back. That team has just fallen apart totally since they fall flat on there face to miami. There MVP is soft and so is the rest of the team.

Detroit may flip the switch off and on, but atleast we have the abilty to how heart, something that I think dallas had removed in 06.

Linwood,

Me too. I keep yelling in the first half "Shoot the ball." Then, "Oh, no" when Billips would drive in yet again to get lost. We were coming back in the 2nd quarter and this time Rip tries to drive from the top and they strip him. Lay up for Philly and we lose momemtum again.

It is conventional for teams, not just us, to say don't settle for the jumper. But if that is what is open, a good jump shooting team like us will not lose 4 of 7 taking open looks especially when the other team can't match our offense.

Is it the strong will of the players or a weak coach who can't adjust to what the other team is doing? Every game, every series will have a different problem. We can't wait that long to solve it.

This is a major problem we have. And honestly, i'm not all that optimistic that we solved Philly yet. That 4th quarter wasn't all that great outside of Rip being unconscious. We still couldnt't stop them from getting right to the rim. I'm cautiously optimistic at this point we will come out of this series, but if we do we're coming out with "battle scars". Not sure if that's a good thing anymore. This team is just so mentally up and down; well Chauncey is anyway.

I agree with Ernie's post, and thats what makes me nervious. We didn't really develop a strategy or play any new players.

To take the Spurs/Suns thing further, it took D'antonio being down 3-0 to make any sort of adjustment (and Nash actually was the one who suggested it). He put Boris Diaw on Parker and is playing 3 bigs now, but it's too late for them b/c Pop isn't going to take 3 games to counter. Crucial difference between good PO coaches.

we've talked about the comments that webber made about us, what about the comments he made about dallas... he trusted nobody on that team short of kidd and stackhouse to watch his back. That team has just fallen apart totally since they fall flat on there face to miami. There MVP is soft and so is the rest of the team.

Detroit may flip the switch off and on, but atleast we have the abilty to how heart, something that I think dallas had removed in 06.

I thought that was an unafir statement about DAL. Webber just kept talking up J-Kidd, and his toughness, and how bad he wants it, and how great he is when the reality is he's sucked pretty much this whole series while Dirk is the only one really playing consistently.

Also that DAL team hasn't really had time to really gel w/ Kidd; made 10x times harder by the fact that the trade was a mistake/bust.

All that being said they are a soft team outside of Stackhouse, but i don't think it's towards having eachother's backs just generally mental suckiness in games.

edited to add;

Roscoe the exact words about the Flip situation when the TNT crew were asking what Flip could tell the players at halftime, he kinda had this should i say something or not look on his face, and then he said "No offense to Flip, but this is Joe Dumars team".

At least we're not Mavs' fans.

If the Pistons lose this series we may as well be!!!!!!!!!

Apparently Webber said more that i didn't hear, maybe in the pre-game.

I guess besides "it doesn't matter what Flip says; the players don't care" he has this um i don't what to call it, to say -

Ex-Piston Webber: 'It doesn't matter what Flip says'; Pistons 'could care less' | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/SPORTS03/80428071/1048/sports)



The Pistons "are really nonchalant and that’s why I felt we lost last year (in the Eastern Conference Finals)," Webber said.

"It sounds crazy, but they could care less. That locker room is crazy, disciplined and unruly. Disciplined because they police themselves, they are all veterans, they know they’ve got to be in bed, they know they’ve got to work hard, I’m not talking about on the court. They come from a coach like Larry Brown, they look at him like the epitome of basketball, and they feel they can wait until the last game or the championship and they won’t lose. I’m not saying it’s right, but that’s how it is.”

Also,

“Joe will come down to the locker room and tell everybody I don’t know what you think you’re doing, I’ll trade everybody.”



Speaking from personal expierence?

I guess they really are coaching ourselves; sounds like a lack of leadership

Also from that 2nd quote, it looks like the fans that want LB back are not alone . . .

Another analyst for the playoffs, coach Mike Dunleavy defended Saunders.

“Flip (Saunders) is a terrific coach," Dunleavy said. "They got behind in this series but he’s getting ready to even this up and get home and have the home court back in their favor.”

Another analyst for the playoffs, coach Mike Dunleavy defended Saunders.

“Flip (Saunders) is a terrific coach," Dunleavy said. "They got behind in this series but he’s getting ready to even this up and get home and have the home court back in their favor.”

And that`s why he`s an analyst, and will remain employed as such.

If you look at the box score from this game you will see that AA actually played for 5 sec's. This technically keeps that theory alive that AA has to play for the Pistons to win. I did not even notice AA in there, must have snuck in there at the end of a quarter.

NBA.com: Pistons at 76ers Game Info (http://www.nba.com/games/20080427/DETPHI/boxscore.html)

And that`s why he`s an analyst, and will remain employed as such.


I'm sure Dunleavy knows a lot more about coaching than Chris Webber.

If you look at the box score from this game you will see that AA actually played for 5 sec's. This technically keeps that theory alive that AA has to play for the Pistons to win. I did not even notice AA in there, must have snuck in there at the end of a quarter.


Yea, Afflalo was +14 during the 5 seconds he was in the game.

If you look at the box score from this game you will see that AA actually played for 5 sec's. This technically keeps that theory alive that AA has to play for the Pistons to win. I did not even notice AA in there, must have snuck in there at the end of a quarter.

NBA.com: Pistons at 76ers Game Info (http://www.nba.com/games/20080427/DETPHI/boxscore.html)
Yeah Aflollo got in there on the last play of the half and help defend that last play that would have extended the lead to an insurmountable 12 point lead for the Sixers. Since we held them to 10, we were able to comeback and win, so give AA some credit:)

Yeah Aflollo got in there on the last play of the half and help defend that last play that would have extended the lead to an insurmountable 12 point lead for the Sixers. Since we held them to 10, we were able to comeback and win, so give AA some credit:)

I am starting to believe.

Yeah Aflollo got in there on the last play of the half and help defend that last play that would have extended the lead to an insurmountable 12 point lead for the Sixers. Since we held them to 10, we were able to comeback and win, so give AA some credit:)

Go Afflalo! LOL

Seriously though Mike Dunleavy shouldn't talk about anyone's coaching ability. He's awful.

I'm sure Dunleavy knows a lot more about coaching than Chris Webber.

Perhaps, but much less than any successful coach.

I'm sure Dunleavy knows a lot more about coaching than Chris Webber.

Dunleavy is probably better at utilizing time-outs at least.

Dunleavy is probably better at utilizing time-outs at least.
:pound:

Perhaps, but much less than any successful coach.


Dunleavy has been successful. He took the '91 Laker to the NBA Finals. He took Portland to the playoffs 4 straight seasons (1998-2001). He was the NBA Coach of the Year in 1999. He even won a playoff series with the LA Clippers (2006).