The Electrifyer 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I'd like to see Tyshaun Prince reject Shaq like he did to Harrington. He'd probably break his arm while doing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Too bad Shaq doesn't have the lift he used to. Remember how Shaq would posterize Mutombo time and time again in the 2001 Finals? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Go Pistons........*please* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I'd have to say that right now, the Spurs are the favorite to win the title next year, but the Lakers could certainly do it. Shaq is still far and away the most dominant center in the game, Medvedenko will probably be better at the 4 next year than Malone was this year, and Fisher will run the point better than Payton did. Despite all the rumors to the contrary, its perfectly possile that Kobe will come back and get another easy ring instead of testing the free agent market as damaged goods while his rape trial is pending. Even if he doesn't, all it would take is one player who can score from the outside, (Quentin Richardson maybe?), and the Lakers could be hoisting the trophy yet again. Of course, I'd much rather see the Mavs pick up a post defender to shut down Shaq and Duncan, get Nick Van Exel back, and lose Antoine Walker, so they could reach the Finals instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Lakers in 5. The Pistons don't have the scoring too win 4 games, and it seems like the Lakers want to finish the the postseason undefeated at home. So they'll take two straight in LA, go back to Detroit split, and finish the series off in Game 5. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Don't forget, Vern Gagne, the Finals have a different format than the rest of the playoffs. Games 1 and 2 will be played at Staples Games 3, 4, and 5 will be played in Detroit Games 6 and 7 will be played at Staples Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 As far as I'm concerned, the Lakers owe the Pistons one from 1989. Because if Magic and Byron Scott didn't have torn hamstrings, the Lakers would've had another championship. Still, Detroit vs. L.A. in the finals is as good as it gets. Hopefully, we can go retro again next year with a Celtics vs. Lakers Finals. If The Lakers are paying back everyone that's beaten them in the Finals then they have a lot of paying back to do. I swear nobody has lost more finals. Maybe, but besides Boston, nobody has won more finals either (14-12 in 26 appearances, a record). Yep and I doubt they'll catch Boston. They're about due for a slump....a long one that Boston may get good during. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 In that case make it 6. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Pistons in anything. Please. The weight of the world has fallen upon you, boys of the Motor City, to prevent Karl Malone and Gary Payton from getting their rings. To prevent the perpetuating of Kobe Bryant as a so-called hero. To prevent Phil Jackson from passing Red Auerbach. I don't like ya, Pistons, and I don't like your city. In fact I wish it was any team but you. But now you've gotta beat LA, and I wish you well, you boring double-Wallace ballers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crazy Dan Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I actually wish they would keep the playoff format, myself. But that is not important. What is important is that the team I think matches up better to the Lakers is Detroit. I will say that the Lakers will win in 6, but it will be closer than you would think. Detroit plays defense, tough grind it out defense. This is a type of defense that the Lakers better be prepared to face. This will keep the Pistons in the games that are played. And I know that Shaq is dominating. He is going to score his points, but the Pistons do have size. They have big men they can throw in Shaq's way. And if Shaq is slowed down, as Minnesota showed in their two wins, the Lakers have a hard time winning. If Shaq dominates, then the Lakers will get their ring. It he struggles, so do the Lakers. And I know that Ben Wallace is undersized, but he is as strong as an ox, and I am interested to see how that match up plays out. As for Kobe, well he has been marvelous. But, I am thinking that Rip will not get that matchup on defense. I think the Pistons go with Teyshawn. And maybe he does not have the quickness of Kobe, but he is a long player who is bigger and has a huge wing span. If he can even stop a few Kobe shots from going in, then it adds more pressure on the rest of the Lakers. And I doubt that Kareem is going to get that many open looks from this defense. I am not sure if Brown goes with this matchup, but I have heard this from a few people, including Tom Tolbert. And if Kobe guards Rip, he better be prepared to keep moving, because Rip does not stop moving. Also watch for that screen set by Ben Wallace, it is pretty nasty. So the Pistons do have a chance. They will play hard. And I do believe they are more hungry of the two. The Lakers have been on cruise control all playoffs, and if they sleep walk, they will lose to this team. But, the Lakers will play hard for at least four games, and that will be good enough. And so the Lakers will win another championship with one of the most unispired championship runs. But the Pistons if they can catch a few breaks, and out play the Lakers, anything is possible. And I am pulling for the Pistons, but the Lakers will more than likely will win. Better break out the riot gear LA. Because nothing says "I love my Lakers" like a good riot. But LA seems to know how to riot really well. Not that is anything to be proud of mind you, but your history proves that LA can riot like no other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobobrazil1984 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I thought this was kind of a fun little, in-hindsight, tidbit. Wednesday, June 2, 2004 Finals meeting with Lakers was suggested early in season By Rob Parker / The Detroit News See Detroit News columnist Rob Parker on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" on Wednesday morning at 7:00. Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery AUBURN HILLS--A Pistons-Lakers matchup in the NBA Finals is almost like destiny, especially if you heard the conversation that took place Nov. 18 at The Palace. The Pistons had just beaten the Lakers, 106-96. Chauncey Billups had 24 points and Ben Wallace 15 rebounds. The victory over Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and company gave the Pistons a 7-4 record. Pistons President Joe Dumars was near the locker room when Lakers Coach Phil Jackson grabbed Dumars’ arm and whispered in his ear. “We’ll see you guys in The Finals in June,” Jackson said. “You have a hell of a team, the best team in the East.” Dumars was surprised and flattered. It was the ultimate compliment coming from the coach of a team that had won three of the past four championships. Even more so, because it was before Rasheed Wallace came aboard at the trade deadline and raised this team to a championship level. Still, it tells you what the Lakers thought of the core of the Pistons — Richard Hamilton, Billups, Ben Wallace, Corliss Williams, Tayshaun Prince and Mehmet Okur. Of course, the Pistons had to finish the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals first. They struggled to get it done, finally beating the Pacers, 69-65, Tuesday night at The Palace. “At that time,” Dumars said after the game, “I believed we were good enough to get to the Finals. “I let Rick Carlisle go and hired Larry Brown. Everybody put the expectations out there. We didn’t duck them. We weren’t going to turn the lights out off if we didn’t get to the Finals. But, yeah, we expected to take the next step.” In the Finals, which begin Sunday night in Los Angeles, the odds have to be against the Pistons. And with good reason. The Lakers, who beat the Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, are going to The Finals for the fourth time in five years. This season, they added two more Hall of Famers in Karl Malone and Gary Payton. The Lakers have proven that if they play to their capabilities, they are just about impossible to beat. With that said, if there would be one team from the East that could do it, it’s the Pistons. It’s simply because of their defense, a defense not seen out West. Will it be hard for the Pistons to win? Yes. Impossible? No. The Pistons have shown all season long that nothing is impossible. This Finals showdown, envisioned many months ago, is proof positive. Rob Parker’s column appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can reach him at [email protected]. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 The Pistons scored 100 points? Wow, the Lakers must have really been asleep on that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Lakers in a sweep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 As far as I'm concerned, the Lakers owe the Pistons one from 1989. Because if Magic and Byron Scott didn't have torn hamstrings, the Lakers would've had another championship. Still, Detroit vs. L.A. in the finals is as good as it gets. Hopefully, we can go retro again next year with a Celtics vs. Lakers Finals. If The Lakers are paying back everyone that's beaten them in the Finals then they have a lot of paying back to do. I swear nobody has lost more finals. Maybe, but besides Boston, nobody has won more finals either (14-12 in 26 appearances, a record). Yep and I doubt they'll catch Boston. They're about due for a slump....a long one that Boston may get good during. What, are you planning on putting a hit on Danny Ainge or something? BTW, Lakers in 6. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godthedog 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 quote of the night: "no two games have been alike this series, and this one was no different." my favorite team in the east against my least favorite team in the west. should be a very interesting series, as these two teams are the antitheses of each other. if detroit can force them to play their kind of game, they'll win it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Root for the Lakers, or root for Larry Brown? That's lose/lose for me. I guess I'll pull for the Pistons by default, but if it was any other team out of the west, I'd be pulling fir them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spicy McHaggis 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 3 x-factors for the Pistons... Can Darvin Ham become an effective Kobe-stopper? Does Rasheed Wallace have it in him to drop his typical bullshit and score 35-40 a game? Will Elden Campbell wake up and have the series of a lifetime against his old teammate? If Detroit does those things, they'll take it. But I predict a Lakers sweep. As it stands currently, at least 3 of LA's starters are better: Kobe, Shaq, and GP. Rasheed is better than Malone. Prince & George are all about confidence, but Tayshaun most likely has the edge. Jackson is the better coach and LA has more depth. Lakers in 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Electrifyer 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Bah... individually, most teams are better than Detroit. Its Detroit's way of playing as a team that got them to the Finals, not anything individual. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I'm loving how the Finals shaped up this year. You have Los Angeles, an offensive firepower coming through the West, beating the NBA and defending Western Conference Champion Spurs, and taking out the #1 team in the West in 6 game. Then you have Detroit, getting it done through an intimidating defense, beating the defending Eastern Conference Nets, and taking out the #1 team in the East in 6 games as well. Detroit-Indiana went the same exact way that LA-Minnesota went as well. (1 win, 1 loss, 2 wins, a wake-up call, and a tough win in the 4th quarter in Game 6 to win the series) Noone can argue both teams deserved to be there. I don't think it's any question that we've had alternating good rounds of the playoffs (1st round sucked, 2nd round was the BEST so far, and the conference series were lackluster) and I don't think it's going to be any different, this is going to be a fun series to watch. Lakers in 6, possibly 7. BREAK OUT THE RIOT GEAR!!! Oh, and: I'm saying it right now, and any Laker fan on the board can quote this on their sig or their mind, or whatever: If the Pistons make it to the NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons will become the 2004 NBA CHAMPIONS. You better believe it. Be careful what you wish for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 3 x-factors for the Pistons... Can Darvin Ham become an effective Kobe-stopper? Does Rasheed Wallace have it in him to drop his typical bullshit and score 35-40 a game? Will Elden Campbell wake up and have the series of a lifetime against his old teammate? If Detroit does those things, they'll take it. But I predict a Lakers sweep. As it stands currently, at least 3 of LA's starters are better: Kobe, Shaq, and GP. Rasheed is better than Malone. Prince & George are all about confidence, but Tayshaun most likely has the edge. Jackson is the better coach and LA has more depth. Lakers in 4. What the fuck? Darvin Ham? Kobe will score, Rip will score. Shaq will score, Okur (who will be very useful this series) will score. Wallace will score...uh...Shaq will score. Williamson will score...uh...Kobe will score. Billups will score...um...Shaq will score. The pistons have more than a good chance in this finals. Billups>Payton now. And Lindsey Hunter....X-FACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spicy McHaggis 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Did I just read Piston-player names and "score" in the same sentence? I disagree that Billups>Payton. Chauncey is good for 2-3 3-pointers...but he's Detroit's worst defender and he sucks at running their "offense". I do agree about Lindsey Hunter though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Did I just read Piston-player names and "score" in the same sentence? I disagree that Billups>Payton. Chauncey is good for 2-3 3-pointers...but he's Detroit's worst defender and he sucks at running their "offense". I do agree about Lindsey Hunter though. Are you saying that Okur, Billups, Wallace, Hamilton, and Williamson aren't proven scorers? Okur, wasn't used last round due to the Pacers using a smaller lineup with out a real center out there with him. he couldn't keep up with the smaller players...*looks at Shaq* not quite the problem here. Big man who can consistantly hit the outside shot....problem. Billups...quick guard that can create his on shot. Had a tough series against the Pacers, mostly because of the pacers QUICKness on D...*looks at Payton*...that could be a problem. Wallace plays well against the Lakers because...well...he doesn't like them. He has consistantly owned Karl Malone once he turned into a scoring threat. (this will probably get doubted just like my Sprewell OWNZ Kobe was doubted for the last series...but hey...) Hamilton- Come on. Williamson - WHO in the mutherfucking hell is going to stop last years sixth man of the year and proven double digit scorer when he gets in the paint against the backups...Slavo? GEORGE???? I didn't even add Prince who is a who knows if he will show up on Offense player, but it wasn't a mistake that the Pistons put up 106 on the Lakers earlier this year. In the spots the Lakers are weak(big men who can hit from perimeter, quick guards) the pistons are strong. I have no idea who is going to win this series, but teh Pistons have the weapons. It all depends on how many Finals jitters are in them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I remember a bunch of people saying LA would sweep Minnesota. One was Spicy. Then Minnesota won a game and it was magically in 5. Then they won another one and it became LA in 6. Which nearly didn't happen either. In short.......LA ain't sweeping shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Is Stephen A. Smith the Dick Vitale of the NBA? In love with one team(the Lakers) and not willing to give anyone else an edge? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I remember a bunch of people saying LA would sweep Minnesota. One was Spicy. Then Minnesota won a game and it was magically in 5. Then they won another one and it became LA in 6. Which nearly didn't happen either. In short.......LA ain't sweeping shit. Lakers could of swept the Wolves if Shaq felt like it. Every time it mattered in the series, the Lakers stepped it up. Oh, and 6 games doesn't mean a close series. When it's the Lakers and Shaq you have to take in to affect the interest in the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spicy McHaggis 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 look it up, asshole. I said Lakers in 5, I was wrong. Big fucking news... Don't Soonerfy this thread...I had to read that bullshit during Bowl Week, don't ruin the Finals. Rip, the Pistons are CAPABLE of scoring...but they just came off the WORST scoring first half EVER. Williamson missed 6 lay-ups, Hamilton couldn't BUY a hoop until the 4th. I watched Billups...he SUCKS. They have quick guards, but they don't use Iso. They play team ball...LA's team D is awesome. Okur will cause problems. Lakers in 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 2, 2004 The only way Detroit can beat L.A. is if they bore Shaq and company to death with their ponderous offense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted June 2, 2004 (this will probably get doubted just like my Sprewell OWNZ Kobe was doubted for the last series...but hey...) 2004 Conference Finals Points Per Game 1. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) 6 G, 48 FG, 42 FT, 146 P, 24.3 PG 4. Latrell Sprewell (Minnesota Timberwolves) 6 G, 44 FG, 27 FT, 125 P, 20.8 PG I think it was pretty even, slight edge given to Kobe. So no, Sprewell didn't OWNZ Kobe. The only way Detroit can beat L.A. is if they bore Shaq and company to death with their ponderous offense. It's good to have Orale back to the dark side. And not be a troll. EDIT: An interesting sidenote. Of the top 10 players in the Conference Finals, only 2 (Kobe Bryant #1, and Shaquille O'Neal #5) were Lakers, whereas 3 were Pistons (Richard RIP RIP RIP Hamilton #3, Rasheed Wallace #9, Chauncey Phillips #10). Of course, if I wanted to make it the top 16, it would include 3 additional Lakers (Karl Malone #11, Derek Fisher #12, Gary Payton #14) and 1 additional Piston (Ben Wallace #16) giving the Lakers a slight scoring edge at 5-4. Or 5-3 if it was the top 15. Statistics: Once again proving you could prove just about anything with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 (this will probably get doubted just like my Sprewell OWNZ Kobe was doubted for the last series...but hey...) 2004 Conference Finals Points Per Game 1. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) 6 G, 48 FG, 42 FT, 146 P, 24.3 PG 4. Latrell Sprewell (Minnesota Timberwolves) 6 G, 44 FG, 27 FT, 125 P, 20.8 PG I think it was pretty even, slight edge given to Kobe. So no, Sprewell didn't OWNZ Kobe. You are getting me wrong. I never once said that Latrell was going to outscore Kobe or anything. People were saying that Kobe would shut down Sprewell because Kobe is a defesive god or some shit like that, and I pointed out that Sprewell put up 25 per game on Kobe in the regular season and eats him up on the offensive end. Take away game 4 of the Laker series and Spree did just that. Kobe, for some reason, can't guard the guy. So I am going to say this again. Karl Malone can not, and has never been able to guard Rasheed Wallace once Wallace became a true scoring threat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I remember a bunch of people saying LA would sweep Minnesota. One was Spicy. Then Minnesota won a game and it was magically in 5. Then they won another one and it became LA in 6. Which nearly didn't happen either. In short.......LA ain't sweeping shit. Lakers could of swept the Wolves if Shaq felt like it. Every time it mattered in the series, the Lakers stepped it up. Oh, and 6 games doesn't mean a close series. When it's the Lakers and Shaq you have to take in to affect the interest in the game. What is with THIS bullshit? The Lakers COULDN"T have swept the Timberwolves because they didn't. Do you think in those two games they stood out there and said "Now, I am going to take this jumper, but I am going to try like hell and miss it"? NO they didn't. THEY GOT OUTPLAYED BY A GOOD TEAM FOR TWO GAMES. JUST like the Timberwolves got outplayed for 3 games. All this "the lakers lost because they weren't interested" bullshit is just pathetic. For all the bulls love in the 90's you never heard such crap. A team that won 70 games, when they lost, people accepted that they just lost. How in the flipping hell do people think the Lakers are this uber team that could never lose if they didn't WANT to. This is why there is Laker hate and there was considerably less Bulls hate, hell, even Old School Laker hate. People KNEW that they could lose if people outplayed them that night and not because the holy gods of basketball decided to let mortals win a game from them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
