don´t get fooled – the pistons will come out sluggish and not ready to play in game 1.

that´s the tragic following this team – they play horrible when everybody thinks they should play good and focused, because they are rested ect.

the good thing is they play at their best with their backs against the wall, when everybody thinks it will be a tough game. especially on the road…

i don´t think it´s a good thing to have that much rest during the playoffs.
on the other hand … boston played both of their series to seven games and they haven´t won on the road yet.

It’s the series everyone has been matching up since pre-season, and you can smell the tension already building up in the air all over the internets.

I predict obviously a very physical, down-low and dirty series. I’m guessing a ton of borderline flagrant fouls, 80 point-a-piece games, and cry baby weiner-like pleading from both Detroit and Boston players a like. These two teams match up very well against each other (as far as style of play), but I believe Detroit will have to rely mainly on their back court in order to advance.

Rondo-Cassell/Billups-Stuckey: I believe the guard game is going to be the Pistons’ advantage, as Chauncey Billups will be able to use his size, strength, and experience to get a leg up on Rajon Rondo. However, if Rondo’s speed becomes somewhat of an issue, Rodney Stuckey luckily will be ready to jump in and (hopefully) run some quality minutes for the D. Sam Cassell looks worn and tired as of late, but with his Veteran status who knows what he could pull out in this series.

Allen/Hamilton: This will be the biggest mismatch and the largest advantage for Detroit in the starting lineup in my opinion. Allen will have a difficult time getting hot as he’ll most likely be busy chasing Rip all over the floor. Luckily Detroit has shown that they’re able to defend the 3, as Allen generally needs to knock down a couple in order for him to have a good game. If Rip plays on all cylinders (as he did when Chauncey was out), Boston is going to have problems in the back court.

Boston also hasn’t shown life outside of their home court, but I believe this will change with the ECF. I predict that Boston wins in Detroit, as Detroit tends to level out their home-game losses with stunning wins on the road. I obviously see the Pistons stealing one away, taking the Celtics flawless home playoff record away from them.

Boston on the other hand has some advantages of their own.

Rasheed & Dyess are going to have issues of their own, as guarding the bigs on Boston is going to be a game in itself. Both of these boys are going to have to give it all they have defensively, while maintaining their cool in order to avoid foul trouble. I can see Sheed getting ejected already :\ Hopefully Maxiell will eat an infant or two before the series starts at the Garden, as we’ll need him to hit the glass and offer a blocked shot or two when he steps in. The Big Baby of Boston may be getting gobbled up soon however, as the word-play of the nicknames works in the Pistons favor (kekeke).

The most obvious disadvantage for the Pistons is the Pierce/Prince match up, as Tay has struggled on the offense against Boston. Will the Palace Prince be de-throwned, or will “The Truth” end up being nothing more than “The Big Fat Lie”? We’ll find out on Tuesday ;)

Oh and jay_uno, you’re going to have to give Detroit more credit than that, as this isn’t 2006-2007- especially with the Pistons coming off of a 7/8 win streak. The switch is on, and that bitch has duct tape all over it.

if this is going to go through 7 games, i’m guessing boston will run out of luck now!

It’s the series everyone has been matching up since pre-season, and you can smell the tension already building up in the air all over the internets.

I predict obviously a very physical, down-low and dirty series. I’m guessing a ton of borderline flagrant fouls, 80 point-a-piece games, and cry baby weiner-like pleading from both Detroit and Boston players a like. These two teams match up very well against each other (as far as style of play), but I believe Detroit will have to rely mainly on their back court in order to advance.

Rondo-Cassell/Billups-Stuckey: I believe the guard game is going to be the Pistons’ advantage, as Chauncey Billups will be able to use his size, strength, and experience to get a leg up on Rajon Rondo. However, if Rondo’s speed becomes somewhat of an issue, Rodney Stuckey luckily will be ready to jump in and (hopefully) run some quality minutes for the D. Sam Cassell looks worn and tired as of late, but with his Veteran status who knows what he could pull out in this series.

Allen/Hamilton: This will be the biggest mismatch and the largest advantage for Detroit in the starting lineup in my opinion. Allen will have a difficult time getting hot as he’ll most likely be busy chasing Rip all over the floor. Luckily Detroit has shown that they’re able to defend the 3, as Allen generally needs to knock down a couple in order for him to have a good game. If Rip plays on all cylinders (as he did when Chauncey was out), Boston is going to have problems in the back court.

Boston also hasn’t shown life outside of their home court, but I believe this will change with the ECF. I predict that Boston wins in Detroit, as Detroit tends to level out their home-game losses with stunning wins on the road. I obviously see the Pistons stealing one away, taking the Celtics flawless home playoff record away from them.

Boston on the other hand has some advantages of their own.

Rasheed & Dyess are going to have issues of their own, as guarding the bigs on Boston is going to be a game in itself. Both of these boys are going to have to give it all they have defensively, while maintaining their cool in order to avoid foul trouble. I can see Sheed getting ejected already :\ Hopefully Maxiell will eat an infant or two before the series starts at the Garden, as we’ll need him to hit the glass and offer a blocked shot or two when he steps in. The Big Baby of Boston may be getting gobbled up soon however, as the word-play of the nicknames works in the Pistons favor (kekeke).

The most obvious disadvantage for the Pistons is the Pierce/Prince match up, as Tay has struggled on the offense against Boston. Will the Palace Prince be de-throwned, or will “The Truth” end up being nothing more than “The Big Fat Lie”? We’ll find out on Tuesday ;)

Oh and jay_uno, you’re going to have to give Detroit more credit than that, as this isn’t 2006-2007- especially with the Pistons coming off of a 7/8 win streak. The switch is on, and that bitch has duct tape all over it.

Detroit in 7.

Was it just me, or did watching that Cavs-Celtics series feel like John McCain watching Obama and Clinton kill each other in the primary? No way that the Celtics can keep up with a healthy, motivated Pistons team, especially after consecutive series that went to seven games.

Maybe it’s the homer in me, but Pistons in 5. I’m feeling good about this match up.

I feel very confident that Flip Saunders can outcoach Doc Rivers. However, Doc does seem to have cut back a lot on Sam Cassell’s minutes, which is unfortunate. Hopefully he’ll continue to have a wildly inconsistent rotation.

Birdman,

The key is to torch a player early. I mean, if Sheed went off against KG in Game 1, I wouldn’t put it past Doc Rivers to try something like bringing Garnett in off the bench.

My biggest fear with this series is that Rasheed is getting close to the technical foul limit. I’m almost positive that in an intense, emotional series, he’ll be suspended for a game. Because KG will be freed from our best post defender and thus his legacy won’t be on the line, I expect him to explode in that game.

Now, the saving grace is that Doc Rivers is prominently involved, meaning that a Rasheed suspension might cause him to think something like “We’ve been through two tough seven game series already, I should rest KG,” followed by Doc giving KG only 20 minutes against Theo, McDyess, Maxiell, and Amir (I can dream can’t I?).

Pistons in 6 (with 1 or 2 overtime games).

@detroit dreshaj:

i would love to see my predictions turn out to bee wrong, but i´ve seen this team choke way too often..
this isn´t 2007, but look what happened to our well-rested starters against philly in game 1.

however, stay positive … hmm, pistons in six

Good point Jay, I’ve been a jaded fan since D. Wade put up 18 straight points against us 2 years ago as well; following the next year with LeBron doing work in the same fashion.

However, I believe that it’s possible the fire that was lit under the ass of Rip and Chauncey (from the sidelines) at the end of the Magic series is still lit; and will out-weigh the rust that’s been building up for the last week.

You’re right either way, if Detroit doesn’t give an absolute 100%, it’s going to be an early summer in the D.

This was the series everyone expected, and even though the Cs had a much tougher and bumpier road to get there, this is the series everyone is going to get the pleasure of seeing. If I were a Pistons fan I’d be concerned about being in two playoff series and not being seriously challenged yet, with the upstart Sixers wilting after a good start, and the disappointing Magic and their overhyped and underproductive Dwight Howard unable to step up and provide a serious challenge tot he Pistons’ excellent team play.

The Pistons had a very difficult time running their offense against Boston in the regular season, will all the starters struggling from the floor except for Rip. Prince only went to the line once in 107 minutes, which tells me that Chauncey spent way too much time bouncing the ball instead of setting up his teammates. Prince averaged 6.3 ppg against the Cs. Wallace shot only 38% inside the arc, Chauncey shot 38% overall, and if he’s gimpy and doesn’t get to the line (30FTs made in the three game), he might be very unproductive.

I see the Cs winning this series, for I feel they have better top level talent, in Pierce and KG, and have shored up their bench throughout the season, to be a bit better than the Pistons’ bench. PJ Brown has been shaking off the rust, and he brings a lot to the already strong group of Celtics bigs, with him at the top of his game.

There;s a lot of great sub-plots:

Shaky coach vs shaky coach

Pierce and Prince, two Cali swingmen, one defensive-minded, and the other one of the best big time players in recent playoff history with his huge Game 7 to dispatch LeBron and the Cavs.

KG vs ’Sheed

Rip Vs Ray two UConn scoring guards going at it, with Rip being the only Piston to do much against the Cs defense this year. Ray is, as Joe Namath would say “Strugggllling”

Billups vs Rondo. Fading, former “Mr Big Shot” now “Mr. Free Throw” against up and coming, quicksilver young PG. When he doesn’t get the whistle, Chauncey is a shell of his former self, and he couldn’t cover Rondo with a giant tarp, but Doc Rivers was loathe to keep calling Rondo’s number after he totally undressed Chauncey in the first half of their first matchup on December 19th in the Garden. If Rondo can hold his own in this matchup, the Cs should win the series.

Bench vs bench. The noble Lindsey Hunter has dusted off just in time to help his team. Too bad Danny Ainge can’t trade for guys like that. Sam has been very shaky on the road in the playoffs, 3-26 from the field, but Eddie House came up huge for the Cs in game 7 against the Cavs, spreading the floor and making a few big plays. PK Brown was immense in that game not missing a shot in putting up 10 and 6, including a huge shot and stop on LeBron with the game in the balance.
The Cs need to keep a body on Maxiel, who seemed to have faded a bit after the New Year. Hopefully, the guard that couldn’t shoot straight, Rodney Stuckey (40% in the regular season, 35% in the playoffs), will continue to struggle against the Cs (8 points and no assists in two games and 24 minutes). The rest of the Clang Squad continues to struggle from the floor, Hunter (38%), Hayes 28%, Afflalo (39%). Luckily, your coach doesn’t call upon Amir Johnson much, preferring Theo’s point every 9 minutes to Amir’s point every two.

I’ve spoken my piece, it’s at the bottom of the Curry thread. But to paraphrase, it’s going to be a very, very physical series, like a WWE 10-man tag match, and I’m going to bet Detroit +125 for the series. I view the series as a coinflip, and am betting for value here, although the fan in me predicts a win in 6.

To my mind, it comes down to experience, and knowing how to win. The only guy of Boston’s Big Three who has shown he wants it and knows how to get it is Pierce.

here’s what i’m thinking about:

-in the regular season, none of our starting guards could keep rondo in front of them. that’s going to be a problem again. maybe stuckey and lindsey will have better success. i don’t know, but it’s concern. you can’t let rondo get in the paint.
-tay’s achilles heel is opponent’s strength. against finesse players he’s fantastic (kobe, t-mac), but he has problems with guys who can just bull past him. like pierce and lebron. it sucks that he had to face either of those guys, but to me this sucks more, because there’s going to be less help coming his way. you can’t box-and-1 pierce like you can lebron. too many other weapons on the c’s. i’m unfortunately expecting tay’s offensive numbers to decline as a result of getting worn down on defense.
-the disappearance of ray allen in that cavs-c’s series is mind-boggling to me. i’m not sure exactly what cleveland did to take him out of his comfort zone. hopefully our coaching staff noticed and we can duplicate the results.
-i would think dyess is the starter game 1.
-i’m thinking we could see amir inactive for this series again.

this wait has been and will continue to be unbearable.

Triple OT — yeah, Chauncey really struggled against you guys: 28/8 pts/ast, 17/6, and 23/7.

FYI: his season average was 17.0/6.8

Triple OT:

Some good insight there. As a Piston’s fan I’d take issue with more than a few of your central points, but that is to be expected. Here is one, though, that stretches the bounds of credulity a shade too far:

“[The Celtics] have shored up their bench throughout the season, to be a bit better than the Pistons’ bench.”

Good luck with that one.

We’ll see you on Tuesday. Better hope you win both 1 & 2 or the Palace will devour the no-road-win Celts.

My prediction: Pistons lose game 1, win games 2, 3, 4, lose game 5, and win game 6. I think this is exactly what LB predicted as well.

Should be a great, great series, if the refs let ’em be physical and just play the game. It would be a high tragedy indeed if the refs decided this one.

And one more thing, Go Hornets! (Even though you’ll lose to the Lakers in WCF).

Pistons v. Lakers Finals. Pistons in 7.

Detroit needs to run against Boston and not let them set up on D. I predict that just like Stuckey had great games against Orlando – Afflalo will do the same albeit on the Defensive end

look for rotation where the Rattler gets more playing time and with Afflalo coming in for Tayshun with Rip moving to small forward and afflalo at the 2. Then see Afflalo at the 2 in place of rip

Run baby run all the way to the ’Ship

I was much more afraid of the Cs before the playoffs, now they seem less intimidating. I think those two game 7s might work in favor of Boston if this series follows the same pattern. I think the Pistons will win one in Boston, but hopefully it is in the first 2 games.

If we come out with a purpose and take game one, it will be psychologically debilitating for the C’s.

if Boston wins the first two it is their series in 6. If the Pistons steal one, it will be the Pistons in 6.

Deeeetroit basketball!

TripleOT…

The Pistons have no reasons to be concerned since they’ve had a relatively easy post season. That’s what you are supposed to do against inferior opponents. Plus, Detroit was down 2-1 to Philly and didn’t have Chauncey for 3 of the 5 games against Orlando, so it’s not like there haven’t been some challenges. This group has been through every conceivable playoff scenario so they will be prepared.

I’d be more worried if I were a Celtics fan. Its taken them 14 games to beat 2 teams who had a combined record of .500 during the regular season. If you look at their victory margin, Cleveland was -.04 and Atlanta was -1.8, both played at a sub .500 level during the season. What happened during the regular season between Detroit and Boston has no bearing on the upcoming series. I believe Boston swept Atlanta and won 3 of 4 from Cleveland, but both those teams took you to 7 games. Also, Detroit was playing the second game of a back to back on their last 2 meetings, while Boston had at least the previous night off.

It should be a close, hard fought series, but ultimately I see both teams playing great defense with the Pistons having a little more options on offense (especially with Ray Allen struggling all playoffs) and winning it in 6.

So Jim, what happened in the regular season between the Cs and Pistons has no bearing on the regular season, but the regular season records of the Cs two vanquished opponents is some great indicator of the Cs shortcomings in the playoffs so far?

J, wrote that Chauncey has struggled against the Cs from the field this year- from the field, 8-16 the first game, but only 6-25 the last two. His totals from the field 16-41, 39%, only 30% from three, 6-18, he made 30 out of 35 FTs. He got double his season average of 6 FTs a game against the callow Rondo. If you’re going to reference one of my posts in your post, please at least read my post properly, Thanks. If Chauncey struggles from the field in this series like he did in the regular season, and the Cs can keep him off the FT line, the pistons will be in trouble.

Triple OT, it takes a lot of spunk to post what you’ve posted on DBB- I’ll give you credit there. Unfortunately for Celtics fans, the only mismatch that you truly have going for you off of the start is Prince and Pierce. Expect your boy to get his, but also expect KG to be held to under 20 points a game. That way it’ll ease the blow when Ray Allen is looking like he’s never shot past 12 ft. in his life, and the “Big 3” will be comparable to what Ford, GM, and Chrysler look like today.

TripleOT — I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but Jim’s point is rather clear. The regular season b/n the Cs & Pistons consisted of three games, two that took place in Boston and one that took place w/ a time-off differential. That sample size doesn’t mean much. The crap regular season records of the Hawks & Cavs — 164 games — yes, that does matter & give a real indication as to their strengths.

And I read what you wrote about Chauncey, but my point in referencing the point totals was meant to expose your slanted stat. Shooting % isn’t everything, and getting to the line is a big part of Chauncey’s game, esp when his shot isn’t falling. Your last line makes your real point: if Chauncey has a low FG%, and the Celts keep him off the line, the Pistons will be in trouble. You didn’t really make that latter point in your original post (you did refer to 30 FTs in the 3 games, but if anything, that ought to lower your confidence in the Celts keeping him off the line…)

Rondo is a below average player. He came up huge with those two 3-balls against Cleveland, but he also missed a ton of open looks. The only reason he was open for those two 3-balls against the Cavs in Game 5 was that Cleveland had learned they could afford to leave him open knowing that most of his shots would clang off the front rim. Seriously, Rondo allowed Delonte West to look like he was a real steal for the Cavs in that mid-season trade. That’s really solid play from Rondo! (/sarcasm).

The Palace must be loud like it used to be a few years ago. I don’t know why these fans that go act like they’re watching a golf game. Compare the Palace crowd to the Boston crowd, and it’s like night and day. From the opening tip to the end of the game, the entire Boston crowd is chanting “DEFENSE” and “LET’S GO BOSTON”. That gets me pumped, and I’m not even a Boston fan!

What do the Pistons fans do? Maybe the Palace crowd is so used to the Pistons winning, it’s not exciting or suspenseful anymore? These Boston fans seem so rejuvenated it reminds me of the days when we had Corliss, Jon Barry, Clifford Robinson, and Chucky Atkins – when it was fun to go to games and cheer for 48 minutes.

In a Rob Parker voice: C’mon Detroit, where’s your enthusiasm!

I hope this renewed Boston rivalry will make the Palace loud again.

What’s up with series schedule for all 7 games with just one day off in between all of them? Not like the Pistons need any more rest, but you got from round 1 and 2 with 2 and 3 days off in between games, and then in the conference finals the NBA just wants to play them all as quick as possible? Seems very weird.

An addition: according to Jahnke’s article, both of Detroit’s losses to the Celtics this year came on the second night of back-to-backs.

TripleOT:

I think either team could win this series, but a couple of points in your post made me raise my eyebrows:

(1) Calling Paul Pierce “one of the best big time players in recent playoff history” based on ONE performance in ONE second round playoffs game seems a bit much. Pierce is talented, obviously (hey, he was on my fantasy NBA team this year so I know). But that’s WAAAAAAAAY premature. Indeed, the Big Question about the Big Three is how they will handle the playoffs together, especially as they get into more uncharted territory. So far, the answer has to be somewhat troubling to Boston fans. Yeah, they made it to the Finals, but only after two seven-game series, the first against a vastly inferior squad. And still no road wins.

(2) “If Rondo can hold his own” against Chauncey, “the Celtics should win the series.” Well, yeah. And if Jason Maxiell scores as many points as KG, Detroit should win the series. Unless you have a very generous defnition of “hold his own,” neither is going to happen.

(3) You mention the shooting percentage of some of Detroit’s bench players. Do you REALLY want to go down the road of teams having difficulty scoring points after much of the Boston-Cavs series?

All this said, thanks for the generally thoughtful contribution here TripleOT. We all have our biases as fans, and a reasoned discussion is fun.

I think Boston fans are just brushing away the fact that they barely escaped Cleveland. It wasn’t like they came out and dominated game 7. The Cavs were right there down one and then P.J. Brown pulls one out of his ass putting Boston up 3 and then I believe Brown gets the following stop on LeBron to eventually seal it. If you’re counting on P.J. Brown to continue to hit HUGE shots and play like he’s 28 instead of 38, well then this series will be over quicker than I’m predicting, which is Detroit in 6.

At the start of the playoffs, I would have picked Boston, because they just dominated and never let up the whole season, but in the playoffs they haven’t just lost on the road, they have looked HORRIFIC! I understand not winning in Cleveland, a relatively hostile arena, but they couldn’t pull one off in Atlanta arguably the worst environment in the NBA? I don’t buy Garnett saying it was the loudest venue he’s been in his 13 year career. (Or something like that.)

For some reason they just don’t have the mental fortitude to keep on pushing when things go sour, this is evidenced by their constant showboating and gang symbol throwing when things are going well, but then when they’re down, nothing. Something should be said of Kevin Garnett’s performance in game 7 as well. Yes, Pierce was hot, but KG had 9 points? That’s it? Passing up several key shots down the stretch, missing a few as well? I really don’t think the talent advantage is as big as it once was especially with the ghost of Ray Allen floating around.

However, it kind of concerns me because the math says the Celtics will get one on the road, and you are correct in that the Palace hasn’t been very intimidating during this playoff run.

TripleOT is going to view his boys just like we view our boys. The only guy on the Celtics bench that would see absolutely ANY run over Detroit’s bench players is James Posey, as much as it pains me to say that.

The main difference between the 2 teams is:

Boston’s “Big 3” are viewed as media darlings… they have their Gatorade commercials, adidas commercials, ESPN “Boston 3 party” commercials, etc. They have their vignettes with Bill Russell where they say “you’re going to get 2 or 3 here” and “you’re wearing #5, that’s almost as good as #6”… How cute, right?

Detroit is a team that absolutely noone outside the states of Michigan, and now Ohio and Georgia want to see succeed. They bring boring basketball to the table, even though it’s by the book. They play physical, which is the opposite of what teams like Boston and Orlando want. It’s all finesse, no matter how many times we watch them pop jerseys or pound their own chests after winning a jump ball and then calling a timeout because they couldn’t handle the ball cleanly, it’s finesse. Detroit isn’t finesse.

Detroit does not flop for a call. They EARN their calls. Detroit does not pander to the media and say things that people expect, they tell it like it is. Rasheed was right, Boston is “Team NBA”. Boston plays to the rulebook’s weaknesses, by putting “stuperstars” in a position to force a referee’s hand.

And no, I’m not complaining about the refs… you know, I’m just sayin’…

Detroit will earn their 3rd trip to the Finals in 6 tries this season. Why? Because like every other team that Detroit has put through to the Finals, they have depth on the bench. Ain’t not a Leon Powe or a Eddie House or a PJ Brown that is going to be able to contain Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo (in limited, but important minutes), or Theo Ratliff (if necessary). Why? Because Afflalo is big game tested, Stuckey’s confidence is at it’s all time highest at this moment, Ratliff is in McDyess’ boat in which he wants a ring before it’s time to hang it up, and Maxiell? Well, let’s just say it’s time to sound the feasting horn.

Detroit will take Game 1 in Boston, write it down, take a picture, front page, back page, tell your momma, whatever you gotta do to get it through your head, do it. I’ve said it every year that Detroit has made it this far, and I’ll say it again (and it holds especially true against Boston)… I wish Detroit would bring back the Bad Boys throwbacks this round. I wish we could see the block lettering “Detroit” on the road blues and the “Pistons” on the home whites… Because out of every year, this is the year that Detroit best represents those championship teams of the past.

They’re tough, aggressive, hungry, they will shut you down on defense, and they will not move out of your way after a hard foul. You will bump chests and shoulders with these guys in order to get by. This matchup against Boston is just like the 80s… the darlings of the league against the misfits. The team that EVERYONE wants to see win against a team that can beat you by scoring only 65 points a game if necessary.

Detroit in 6, and that’s only out of respect for the “tradition”. I honestly feel like Detroit in 5.

doggdetroit,
I’m guessing the reason that the conference finals are being played every other day (with no extra days off) is because there are only half as many series going on. More series means more games, so the schedulers can afford to have more days off (in the conference semis), since there will always be at least one game a night anyways.

I think they want to avoid having any nights without games as long as they can, and they particularly don’t want to have multiple nights in a row with no games (which could happen if one series finished quickly and the other one dragged on to six or seven games).

Triple OT:

1) Phili didn’t fold, Detroit finally showed up. And going down 2-1 after losing game 1 at home is not an ideal situation, and game 4 was just as big of a game for the Pistons as either of the game 7s were for Boston. If they’d lost game 4, they’d have had a real tough time winning that series.

2) Since when was Boston’s road to the ECF tougher than the Pistons? Neither team had a tough road when you look at the WC, and Phili was a much better team come playoff time than Atlanta, while Orlando IMO is a better TEAM than Cleveland.

Boston wasn’t forced to play 7 games in the first two series, they did so because they couldn’t get it done on the road. They made their own road tough, but the road to the ECF for them should have been anything but.

As someone else mentioned, Sheed as 4 T’s, he gets 3 more and he’s suspended. If he gets suspended in these playoffs, this team will not win the championship. I think what Sheed has going for him though is he realizes that they can’t win the ship without him so hopefully he’ll manage his T’s over this series and hopefully the next.

On paper, it looks like Detroit in six to me because I don’t see this Boston team being that much better (if at all) than the Indiana team from a few years back. Granted the Pistons were probably a little better back then.

But, you have to play the games. And anything can happen.

All the Pistons need to do is play with intensity, wear down a team that is already worn down. Take either game 1 or 2 (most likely game 2) and this should be over in 6 games.

Before the fall comes pride fellas. I wouldn’t just dismiss a team that won 66 games and TWO seven game series. One of those being Lebron James, who as you may recall beat the Pistons in six.

Detroit in 7 – it should be 6 but we will lose one game in Boston due to a huge number of fouls being called against us and with Rasheed fouling out and Dice close behind

Charley Rosen’s analysis of what Boston needs to rectify to beat Detroit:

“On the flip side, the Celtics will have to improve several aspects of their game when they square off against the Pistons.

Pierce appears to be the only Celtic who is ready, willing, and able to assume the burden of his team’s offense. Meanwhile, Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace are all capable of being Detroit’s go-to scorers when a game is on the line. This makes Boston easier to defend in such situations.

If Ray Allen had so much trouble getting his shots in gear against the likes of Wally Szczerbiak and Sasha Pavlovic (and also against the Cavs’ constant two-timing), imagine how much the quick, long-armed defense of Hamilton will dismay him.

Allen will likewise have more difficulty defending Hamilton’s perpetual motion than he did against the plodding offense of Szczerbiak and Pavlovic.

Rondo’s mistakes will be fatal against Billups.

Rasheed’s length and quickness will pressure KG more than did Ben Wallace’s strength.

Given that Brown can out-slick Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey’s power and aggressive offense will be too much for Rondo, House or Sam Cassell.
 
Are the C’s ready for Chauncey Billups and the Pistons? (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

The Celtics were often burned whenever Cleveland ran screen-and-pops. Fortunately, Szczberbiak, Pavlovic and Damon Jones missed many more uncontested jumpers than they made. But the Celtics could be murdered by the Pistons’ much more reliable shooters if they don’t rectify this state of affairs in dramatic fashion.

Against Detroit, the ball must be kept out of Perkins’ hands, unless there’s a layup or a short (very short) jumper in the offing. His inability to make precision passes will turn into fast-break layups going the other way.

Unlike the Cavs, the Pistons have a real point guard in Billups, who unlike Delonte West can run an offense with maximum efficiency.
The Pistons certainly have the ways and means to win a game (or two) in Boston, which means the Celtics can’t afford to take any games off in Detroit. However, it should also be noted that the Pistons suffer from the same game-to-game lack of focus that afflicts the Celtics.

So give the Pistons the edge because of their offensive balance, and what could be a mismatch at the center position. The Celtics, of course, have the home-court advantage, which seems more advantageous now than ever.

What the Detroit-Boston series may very well come down to, though, is the consistency of focus and intensity that these two superior teams will bring to every minute of every game.

That’s why anything less than another seven-game go-round will be disappointing."

To be honest I don’t know what piston team is going to show up. Is it going to be the lock down don’t let you score for 7 mins killer team. Or the one on one jump shooting team who thinks teams are going to let them win because of their past. Sheed said it best in todays paper " Time is running out for us." Here are my keys for us winning this series.

1. Don’t let Ray Allen come out of his funk. We must do this by playing lock down D on him.

2. Don’t let their role players get off. Rondo, Posey perkins, Big Baby, PJ, and maybe Sam if he plays much can’t have good games.

3. Get early fouls on Paul. This has to be Tays series. Run the Offense so Paul has to work both ends of the floor. His is the only one of the so called big 3 has a little heart.

4.

“Because Ray Allen is playing ‘He Got Lame’ right now.” – Tony Reali on Around the Horn.

denut, Lebron beat Detroit in 6? Didn’t Boobie hit every shot he took during last year’s series?

I would’ve liked to see how CLE would’ve done with Boobie in the lineup these last couple of games… they likely would’ve gone the other way

im sick of watching Kg pop his jersey after every basket, sick of watching pierce scream at the top of his lungs for a jump ball, sick of every meaningless bench player throwing their towels after a 15 foot jump shot with 5:00 left in the second, sick of Kg pounding his chest when they call a foul 15 seconds after his break away dunk. Sick of all these (new found) die hard boston fans. We’ll see how energetic and die hard they are when their home court is taken away, and backs to the wall they must win a game in detroit.
pistons in 6

Not to play the injury card (especially with Boobie), but Boney’s right. If Lebron had one guy who could hit an open shot (like the ones Damon Jones missed three times in a row) the Celtics would be on vacation.

Yeah, with Boobie setting up shop along the baseline, LeBron’s distribution might have been a little better. I don’t blame him for driving to the hole or jacking up 3s himself when he had only the re-animated corpse of Damon Jones to pass to, or to WallyWorld on a plainly off-day.

Let’s not forget that Boobie scored what, like 27 points against us in Game 6 last year?

heh, we think alike QD

Just to clean up what J was saying, Boobie had 31 in Game 6 on 7 of 9 shooting, 5 of 5 from 3, and 12 of 15 on FTs. In Game 4, Boobie had 21 on 4 of 7 shooting, 1 of 4 from 3, and 12 of 12 from the line. Obviously, both of those games were won by the Cavs, and worth noting in their other wins (Game 3, Game 5), Boobie had 9 and 11 respectively, but still shot 9 of 10 from the FT line in those two games.

Thanks for backing me up with the numbers, LB :)

Btw — are you actually a lawyer, or law-school bound?

LawyerBoy: Looking at the stats again, how did Boobie get to the line 15 and 12 times? Doesn’t he just camp at the 3-point line and wait?

He’s actually a pretty speedy little bastard and can penetrate off the dribble reasonably well. I’m currently in Cleveland, and so have either been attending or closely watchings the Cavs’ run this year. He got to the basket and (a) finished, (b) drew contact, or © distributed well a decent amount against the Celtics.

J: I’m going to apply for admission in 2009-2010 (I’ve already completed the LSAT). The name itself though comes from Rick Mahorn. I used to go to his basketball camp for years as a kid, and one of the first days, because I was wearing shoes, shorts and (I think) socks from different brands, he decided to call me “Lawyer Boy”. In his words, it was because “Only a lawyer could talk himself out of that situation”. Rick was an absolute class act when I knew him. He truly cared about the kids and he was there every single moment he didn’t have road announcing commitments for the Shock.

Rick might have been a bully on the court, and he’s definitely an avid prankster, but he has such a kind and wonderful heart.

@Garrett:
“how did Boobie get to the line 15 and 12 times?”

Because Detroit didn’t do our scouting homework on him. He was an unknown until that series, until that game when he got to the line so much. Cleveland got a big assist from us in that series, since we didn’t know how to handle a bench player who had seen little time on the hardwood before that.

Garrett: I can’t answer that definitively without being able to see the games again, but you can glean from the stats that he was actually splitting his shots pretty evenly between threes and twos. It’s not like (piggy-backing on what J says) Boobie doesn’t use his speed to create separation and force contact, so the concept isn’t completely strange. Saying he just camps out at the three-point line and waits is like saying LeBron only drives to the hole for dunks and layups. Sure, it’s what he’s known for, but it’s not all he does.

Quick Darshan, Gibson was 4-12 from behind the arc in the second round, 33%, before getting injured in the second half of Game 6. Damon Jones was 1-3, 33% in Game 7, Sasha Pavlovic was 4-8 from three in the second round, and certainly was available to help LNJ. He did hit one three in the fourth quarter of Game 7, but the way Cleveland was playing, no one was going to shoot the ball much besides LeBrick. Sasha was getting rid of the ball like it was a grenade, right back to LeBron, in crunch time. Delonte bricked a potential game tying three in the final minutes too, and the Cs defense forced a LeBron airball on a drive with 22 seconds left to clinch it.
One can speculate what Gibson might have brought to the table if healthy, but He’s been a non-factor for a while now, with his injury problems.

I love the sense of bravado on this board. Please don’t forget that this Celtics team was able to vanquish Lebron James, (and the refs), while your Pistons couldn’t do the job with almost the same roster they have currently.

To the poster crowing about the Piston’s bench, relying on untested rookies like Stuckey and Afflalo is fool’s gold. BTW, how the heck is Afflalo tested? By failing in NCAA tourney games?

When I first visited this board, after the December 19th Pistons win over the Celtics, I wrote that the Cs were the better team and would get the better of the Pistons when they played again. And I was right twice.

Absolutely nothing that has happened in the playoffs so far is going to impact this series, except for lingering injuries and possibly the tech situation with ’Sheed. The only other thing that will impact this series will be home court advantage, which the Cs earned with their 66 win regular season.

I was lucky to attend every game in Boston, and will see every one this series, and I really appreciate a great team coming in and trying to win in Boston. If the Pistons can win a bame in Boston, I will tip my cap to them. If you haven’t been to a playoff game there this year, you might not understand how much visiting teams tighten up there. Now, the Pistons have experience at the top of their line up, but don’t count nn their callow bench players getting a lot done in Boston.

Toledo Joe, Paul Pierce has put up three of the most impressive playoff performances in this decade. Yesterday’s mano-a-mano with LeBron, the Game 5 clincher against AI and Philly in 2002 when he put up 46 big points, and the legendary “comeback game” 3 against the Nets that same year, when he scored 19 fourth quarter points to erase a 21 point deficit that quarter for the win, the largest fourth quarter deficit every overcome in playoff history.

I wasn’t even counting the 40 he hung on Ron Artest in the opening game in the 03 series, or the 37 in Game 4, for that matter. Considering that the guy hasn’t been in a lot of playoff games, and up until this year, has played on some pretty average to below average rosters, Pierce has put up three of the biggest playoff games this decade, in crucial spots.

I love the fact that the "old’ Pierce finally appeared yesterday. Sharing the ball is great when things are going well, but at crunch time in the playoffs, teams need a go to guy. Pierce threw the team on his back with the season on the line, against the most hyped and referee protected player in the league, didn’t blink once, and came out on top.

I’ll check in with a report after Game 1, to give you guys a little behind the scenes flavor at the Garden. I’m about 12 rows from the court. BTW, are they still selling tickets to the games at the Palace? I guess after six years in a row, the demand isn’t as great a in Boston, where we’ve got a whole generation of young basketball fans rabid for a winner. As a guy who has been watching the cs win titles since I was a kid in the 70s, when your assistant coach Dave Cowens was throwing his 6’8" frame at opposing centers, and anyone else, for that matter, I’m used to seeing the Cs succeed.

If you think it’s going to be easy to dispatch this team, you’re crazy. My team hadn’t been in the playoffs for a while, but I do remember a few things about them. First, nothing that happens really matters until someone wins a road game. And second, if no one can win a road game, the team with home court advantage moves on. Be forewarned. Celtics in 7.

TripleOT: Nice novel. The Celtics last year went 24-58. Do you want me to compare them to this year’s Celtics? Then stop comparing a Detroit team to last year’s team that did NOT have 6 of the 15 players on the roster now with them last season (3-4 of whom play regular minutes). If there’s anyone with an undeserved sense of bravado, it’s Celtics nation. Your viewpoint is simply ignorant dreaming. When these core Pistons last had a bench (see: 2003-2004) like they do now, they won the title.

But please, let’s focus on these teams in THESE playoffs. These Pistons are 3-2 on the road (1-1 without Chauncey basically, the loss coming in the game when Chauncey went down 4 minutes into the game throwing a short-handed at PG [Dixon and Hunter inactive] Pistons team into disarray) in these Playoffs. Now you’re saying, the Pistons are not only going to fail to live up to this 3-2 road record (ie: a winning record), the Celtics are going to easily break their road losing streak while facing their toughest challenger yet? Riiiiiight. If you get ONE in Detroit, I’ll be impressed. That still won’t give you the series unfortunately, because Detroit can win on the road, and if it goes to seven (you should be so lucky), Detroit goes 2-2 in Boston. Mark it.

And Jesus F’n Shuttlesworth, please shut up about Paul Pierce. You wanna hang all your hope on the guy the Pistons kept under 20 all 3 times this year, but more importantly, the guy who hasn’t cracked 20 in any of his road playoff games? That’s a good idea, since even RAY ALLEN broke 20 twice at Atlanta. Stupid fans like you have at least one of two problems: short memories and clinging to old glory. Your short memory exists because you’re busting your nut over Pierce’s performance yesterday, when his series performances on a whole have been dismal. Good call.

Seriously, STFU and come up with something intelligent. Don’t bring this garbage here, and don’t accuse us of false bravado until your team has done something (ie: gotten to the conference finals six years in a row even when we had no business being there the past 2 seasons, or made the NBA Finals, or something). We’ve done it and we’re still doing it. Until Boston wins in Detroit or takes a 3-2 lead, they ain’t shit, and they deserve to be treated as such.

And for everyone’s information, you know who’s averaging the most points per game among players in this series? I’ll give you a couple hints: it’s not Paul Pierce and it’s not KG.

Rip Hamilton FTW!!! Thats my guess anyway.

To hit on a few things that Lawyerboy missed in his effective and efficient a-hole tearing post,

1) To talk about the Pistons bench and only mention Stuckey and Afflalo would be like talking about the Celtics bench and only mentioning Eddie House and Sam Cassell. NCAA experience doesn’t really translate to NBA experience so when someone refers to Afflalo being tested, they are most likely referring to the fact that Afflalo not only started a number of games this season (including the first couple of the season), but he played important and consistent minutes as a contributer off the bench. As a rookie, this is the most tested you can possibly be.

That being said, we also have Maxiell, Hunter, Ratliff, and Amir – all of whom can and have played quality minutes against this Boston team (with the exception of Ratliff who I believe we signed after the season series was over).

The season series is a complete wash because your two victories both came on the 2nd night of back to back games for Detroit. There are no back to back games in this series so that shouldn’t be an issue this time around.

Speaking of energy, completely writing off the number of games a team has played in the playoffs thus far is quite possibly the most ridiculous portion of your entire post. The Celtics have played 12 games in the last 22 games and 14 total while the Pistons have played 11 games and have been resting and game planning for Boston/Cleveland for the past week.

If you think that the Celtics wouldn’t benefit from a few extra days off before taking on the Pistons than you really have been chugging the kool-aid.

2) I forgot that I had started the last post off as a list, so here is #2 to make the list official.

James B.: Thanks for the backup, but I think you meant to say the Celtics have played 12 games in the last 22 days (dating back to April 28th), and 14 games total in 29 days of the playoffs while the Pistons have only played 7 games in the past 22 days and obviously 11 games in the 29 days of the playoffs.

Plus, I saw today that Kenny Smith and Greg Anthony, the only analysts on TV who know anything about predicting series winners in my mind, are picking the Stones. When I saw them pick the Stones I knew I was doing something right in terms of thought process. Also interesting, not that they mean anything to me, but the 10 analysts asked on ESPN.com came to relatively close verdict at 6-4 Pistons. The thing that struck me is that all 6 who picked them to win picked the Pistons to do it in 6 (that’s my call) whereas 3 of the 4 on the other side of the fence have the Celtics in 7 (Marc Stein has the Celtics in 6). I don’t care what those chumps think so much as I find it fascinating none of the 6 that took the Pistons thought they would need all 7 games. Jon Barry also took us on SportsCenter (no games indication), but he’s as much a homer for Detroit as they come, so I don’t give him any clout in matters surrounding Detroit.

Also of note, ESPN.com poll currently has Pistons ahead 57%-43% among 14,000+ fan votes.

According to my crystal ball the Pistons will win at basketball.
Celtics fans: BALL DON’T LIE
Best of luck in the ECF, better luck next year ;)

Finally,

I hope your balls turn to bike wheels and back pedal up your arse.

Interesting interview with Rick Fox on the radio out here. He mentioned some things that most analysts don’t talk about.

He talked about how the Celtics expended a lot of energy and emotion and that they probably didn’t sleep on Saturday night and how that along with the relief of winning is enough to throw you off for Game One.

QD: You just love Rick Fox, don’t you?

That’s an interesting comparison to make, 07-08 Boston vs. 03-04 Indiana:
  
Boston won more games (66,) but Indiana wasn’t too shabby with 61 W’s.

Both teams earned home court advantage by virtue of their regular season successes. Interestingly, Indiana was 34-7 at home that season, while Boston was a game better at 35-6.

Before the NBA changed the rules to allow more offensive freedom, Indiana gave up 85 a game, where as Boston gave up 90. Offensively, Boston was much better scoring around 100, while Indiana was at 91 a game.

The Pacers had a young Jermaine O’Neal, pre injury woes, at center who actually had better numbers than this year’s Garnett, I think somewhere near 20 and 10.

They had arguably the game’s finest shooter of his era in Reggie Miller, who was declining in skill with age, against Ray Allen, arguably the game’s finest shooter of today, who is declining in skill right before our eyes.

Paul Pierce probably does not have an equal, although Ron Artest was a beast defensively (defensive player of the year that season?)

Both teams have pretty average point guard play, and I don’t remember the Pacers’ bench being very deep, probably because Detroit’s was so much better.

The Pacers were coached by Rick Carlisle who I think is a better coach than Doc Rivers, but that didn’t mean much as he was up against the master in Larry Brown.

Overall, I still think this year’s Boston team is slightly better, but not by much, especially since the ESPN hype machine has made this Celtics team seem better than the 95-96 Bulls.

Laywerboy, I guess you can’t keep your argument civil when it’s so weak. I posted my opinion, and I didn’t tell anyone to shut up, or whatever nonsense you posted.

Your arguments are as specious as your lack of decorum, so I will not address any of them. I will, however, come back to gloat when the Cs dispatch the Pistons, as I did when I first logged onto this board this year, when the Cs won the last two games.

If you want to continue to act like a douchebag, please don’t respond to this post. If you want to have some kind of respectful discourse, that’s another matter. Or maybe you’re just a yahoo type fan who doesn’t want to read anything but rah rah stuff about your beloved team. If that’s the case, when you put your Pistons PJs on tonight and your shallow little head hits your Isiah pillowcase you preserved from childhood, dream of a world where only your opinion has any validity.

And for anyone who thinks I’m trolling, I’ve come here to get a different perspective and learn a bit about the Pistons from the same type of die hard and knowledgeable fans that follow the Cs on their blogs. I tried to be respectful and provide a different perspective, until this post after being attacked by this impudent Lawyerboy. If the powers that be on here don’t think my posts are either valid or wanted, let me know.

if boston couldn’t win in atlanta, they won’t win in detroit. combine that with the fact that the pistons have, can, and will win anywhere. this one’s done in 6.

my bet is we steal game 1 and win our home games.

“I love the sense of bravado on this board. Please don’t forget that this Celtics team was able to vanquish Lebron James, (and the refs), while your Pistons couldn’t do the job with almost the same roster they have currently.”

Get out of my face with that “I’m innocent” crap.

That’s not civility. Get out.

“Absolutely nothing that has happened in the playoffs so far is going to impact this series, except for lingering injuries and possibly the tech situation with ‘Sheed.”

You know, I forgot TripleOT had said this. I should have realized TripleOT was such a pathological fantasist that he didn’t really mean it when he said that I had insulted him without provocation.

@TripleOT:

First, welcome to DBB. I’m hoping for a friendly, civil rivalry between our web-oriented fans during this series. I’ll welcome you with one hand but defend LawyerBoy with another, he’s a brilliant fan of not only the Pistons, but NBA basketball across the board. I know other DBB regulars will concur that his insight and analysis here has made DBB a better place. He’s got a right to reply as he did, as some of your points could be perceived as incendiary.

Not pointing fingers there, though. I’ve been known to let out a little steam at PerkIsABeast.com in an incendiary way. On CelticsBlog, however, I respect and salute that community- great bloggers, some smart commenters there as well.

I’ve really only got one point to address: “Or maybe you’re just a yahoo type fan who doesn’t want to read anything but rah rah stuff about your beloved team.”

You’ve got to understand that during this season, we’ve read anything BUT rah rah stuff in the media. You’ll have to admit that Boston has been publicly fellated by ESPN and other sports media all season, where Detroit has been written off since day one. We’ve been fans of Detroit for a long time, through ups and downs, and most in the media were predicting Detroit to crash and burn before this season started. LawyerBoy and the rest of us can’t be categorized as the Yahoo, Homer types with ignorance to anything negative about our team.

Welcome to DBB, TripleOT. I’ll reply to your early notes in a bit. I hope I can put out some fires before they start.

TripleOT coming back hard with basically word for word replies of every single sportswriter in this country that has given the Celtics a reach around since day 1.

oooh it’s a big deal what happens in the regular season… After winning at an 80% clip in the regular season this Celtics team is playing 2 games over .500 whereas Detroit is playing at a 72% clip, a hair better than their 59 win season this year.

Detroit has been the most consistent team in the NBA this season, even counting the brain farts. Boston is expected to win no matter how many times Paul Pierce says “going into this series we’re underdogs”.

Detroit is the underdog, and I’ll be happy to see them steal the Celtics lunch money like the playground bully starting tomorrow night.

@TripleOT, regarding your first comment on this post.

Those who knocked Boston before this season started had only two things to say: 1) zero bench players and 2) weak PG in Rondo. This season has shown that neither of these were true, and we saw them with our own eyes when Detroit played Boston in the regular season series. Boston only got strong through the regular season, with some strong growth in their young players and some key signings from free agency.

Detroit, on the other hand, has realized phenomenal development out of a team that had few personnel changes from our last season. Where Rodney Stuckey was our key off-season acquisition, the rest of our changes have been subtle. I could list them, explain their impact, but I’ll only make one point— we went to our bench this season, we developed our youth this season, and we managed to increase our season performance over last year. This was precisely what the doctor ordered (in other words, what Joe Dumars mandated before this season started).

To your point:
“Billups vs Rondo. Fading, former "Mr Big Shot" now "Mr. Free Throw" against up and coming, quicksilver young PG. When he doesn’t get the whistle, Chauncey is a shell of his former self, and he couldn’t cover Rondo with a giant tarp, but Doc Rivers was loathe to keep calling Rondo’s number after he totally undressed Chauncey in the first half of their first matchup on December 19th in the Garden. If Rondo can hold his own in this matchup, the Cs should win the series.”

Your assumptions about Chauncey are in conflict with the hard numbers— his career stats are nearly up across the board over last season, taking into account that he is playing 4 minutes less per game than last season. I will admit that he does underperform in some matchups (see: Miller, Andre), but I feel his matchup with Rondo is not one of these. His poise, control of the ball and his experience should not be washed over so easily. If you remember, it was his judgement and experience which forced Tony Allen to throw away our first meeting in the regular season…

But Rondo, man— he has surprised a lot of people this season, Boston fans included I’d assume. He’s a defensive pest, stripping the ball and getting points in transition in every game. He can get to the basket, and in a few possessions he can turn the tide on his own— without help from the big three.

I’ll say one thing though. If anyone is aware of Rajon Rondo’s explosion this season, it is the team Boston is about to face in the Eastern Conference Finals. If Billups is 90% healthy, he’ll own that matchup. If he’s not, Stuckey will.

I align with my mates here, like LawyerBoy: Pistons in 6.

TripleOT: You make some good points, but I think even you have to admit that the Boston team you have seen play the past 14 games is nowhere near the team you saw play the first 82 games. It’s almost exactly like it was 2 years ago, when Detroit cruised to 64 wins and then had to slug it out in a 7 game series with Cleveland, before falling to a talented, hungry Miami team that many people had written off.

Well, LB, Rick Fox IS rather dreamy. But, in all seriousness, I hated him when he was a player but respect his game in hindsight. I see a lot of Fox in Afflalo’s developing game: a jack of all trades, master of none.

doggdetroit, jumping off of your analysis of my Indiana04/Boston08 comparison.

I think Indiana had a better supporting cast. Foster was a good rebounder (a huge upgrade of Kendrick Perkins). Al Harrington. A pre-injury Jonathan Bender. Anthony Johnson at backup PG. Fred and James Jones.

MP: Thanks for the cooler head. I’m obviously a hothead, but despite getting angry fast I always choose my words carefully. TripleOT didn’t rock it that way and it needs to be called out. He wasn’t watching himself and he needs to come correct on his missteps. If we rep it with bravado, we deserve every inch of it. I’m not saying Boston can’t win, I’m just saying any Boston fan that still feels supremely confident has no ability to perceive any sort of possible impending doom. Trying to argue that the playoffs up until this point don’t matter is a display of ill-timed supreme confidence. It’s obnoxious, and it’s insulting to the DBB community. So you can make the point for your beloved Celtics TripleOT, but while our team has abused its competition, your team has laid a giant egg thus far. Not even wearing your Celtics PJs 24/7 (hey it was a good zing even if it was ill-mannered, I’ll pay tribute) can change the fact that the Celtics have laid an egg. Start acting like it.

Kenny Smith and Barkley mocked the media’s love of the Celtics (and the Pistons) tonight. “This is the best [insert either team] squad I’ve ever seen (mocking laughter}.” None of us have said that this is the best Pistons squad ever (And I don’t think even Celtics fans would make the contention), but it puts in perspective the fact that these squads are nothing compared to those of the 80s.

That’s what really gets me about these Celtics. These are the guys with all the bravado, chest-thumping, “That’s what they get”-talking that they haven’t earned one ounce of compared to their 80s ancestors who seriously earned every bit of it. It’s absolutely pathetic. Larry Bird, Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale should be rolling over in their graves. I hate those guys, but damn if I don’t respect the hell out of them. These Pistons may not be as physical or as savvy as the Bad Boys, but they look a lot better than “Team NBA” right now.

Charles Barkley said of the Pistons, “They have a chip on their shoulder because they live in Detroit.” I love my hometown, but damn that was really funny.

Mike Payne, thanks for the civil response. FYI, nothing in my posts previous to the Laywerboy flame/post was uncivil or inaccurate, IMO. Here;s what Lawyerboy wrote:

“And Jesus F’n Shuttlesworth, please shut up about Paul Pierce. You wanna hang all your hope on the guy the Pistons kept under 20 all 3 times this year, but more importantly, the guy who hasn’t cracked 20 in any of his road playoff games? That’s a good idea, since even RAY ALLEN broke 20 twice at Atlanta. Stupid fans like you have at least one of two problems: short memories and clinging to old glory. Your short memory exists because you’re busting your nut over Pierce’s performance yesterday, when his series performances on a whole have been dismal. Good call.

Seriously, STFU and come up with something intelligent."

Now, he might be one of the best and most knowledgeable posters on this board, but that above post certainly isn’t an example of a great NBA blogger. An insecure high school boy, maybe.

In his last “mea culpa” pst he laid the following on us: “TripleOT didn’t rock it that way and it needs to be called out. He wasn’t watching himself and he needs to come correct on his missteps.”

I wonder if he snapped his finger and wagged his hand over his head and exclaimed “Girlfriend” as he wrote it. What kind of explanation is that? If sounds like something from Jerry Springer. So, to the aggrieved Lawyerboy, please excuse my improperly rocked post. And I’ll try to come correct on the steps next time. I don’t want to take too many steps, like every one of LeBron James forays to the hoop. If your delicate sensibilities can’t handle a differing opinion, I wonder how you’re going to react when the Cs dispatch the Pistons.

BTW, it’s not the Celtics players’ fault that the national media decided to kiss their collective asses all year. And now many of those alleged expert pundits are tripping over themselves jumping off the Celtics’ bandwagon, and jumping back on the Pistons’. If you Pistons truly appreciated a real team, one that works together, plays real defense almost every night, shares the ball and the spotlight, and wins both at home and on the road, you should recognize and appreciate what this Cs team have accomplished in their first year together. You know, like the team you’ve been rooting for the past six years.

This series is going to be one for the ages.

I did want to address one of Lawyerboy’s points. Paul Pierce, along with James Posey, held LeBron James to 35% shooting. He also came out on top in a one on one duel with LeBron in a Game 7. Give him the credit he deserves. He also showed great character by taking the responsibility on his shoulders in a Game 7 after struggling offensively all series. BTW, even though Pierce might not have gone for more than 20 in any of the three games against the Pistons. He held Prince to a miserable 5.3 ppg average on 23% shooting, and outscored him by almost 10 ppg. He also shredded the Pistons defense with his passing in the fourth quarter of the Cs win in Detroit. If I’m a Detroit fan, and I see Pierce go off like he did in yesterday’s Game 7, I’d be at least a bit concerned, unless I were suffering with a false sense of bravado lol.

One great performance at home by one player does not a championship team make, TripleOT. Keep clinging to that, because slept through all but Game 5 in the first six games of that series. If Pierce sleeps through the five of the first six games of this series, he won’t get a chance to have a Game 7. Ignoring that is the kind of ignorant crap I’m talking about and rightfully criticizing you for.

You think Paul Pierce strikes fear in the heart of Pistons fans because he dropped 41 on a ragtag Cavs team? Not when he can’t do it on the road to save his life. The Pistons will go into Boston and win at least one. Bet the house. There is no reason to believe Boston can do the same in Detroit. If they can, good for them, but I have no reason to put the house on it. With that, I’ve presented to you that a false sense of bravado for Celtics fans boldly proclaiming ECF victory and a deserved sense for Pistons, quod erat demonstradum. Is that scholarly enough for you, jackass?

Mea culpa? I’m sorry, I didn’t know I owed you an apology or that I ever offered to present. I really pegged you well as you seem to have this pathological fantasist thing down. I can’t wait to see it unfold over the course of the ECF.

*Pierce slept through

Triple OT, I think Pistons fans would like the ‘08 Celtics’ brand of ball if…

A.) They were in the Western Conference and not a clear antagonist in the Pistons’ NBA Finals drive.

B.) We didn’t have to suffer through a whole year of self-aggrandizing antics by a team that hasn’t acheived anything. (It’s like a team full of Alonso Mournings.) NOTE: THIS IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST REASON.

C.) We didn’t have to listen to their unabashedly homer announcers on NBA League Pass.

D.) The Celtics weren’t shoved down our throat by the media all year. (Put yourself in the shoes of a Pistons fan who has to watch Lebron and Garnett commercials all the time).

Granted, I’m sure Boston fans hate the personalities of many of the Pistons’ players (Billups’ cockiness, Sheed’s whininess, etc.) but that’s the nature of being a big fan of a particular team.

So the only thing that we can agree on before the series actually starts is that we hate the Celtics and you hate the Pistons. The rest is just wasted effort.

QD: Perennially brilliant, as always. I think I remember you telling me that you don’t even have League Pass. That shows you pay attention to the DBB community’s disdain for Celtics broadcasts. I almost forgot about Tommy Heinsohn’s dreadful antics. For those of you Boston fans, here’s a wonderful visual illustration of the point QD and I are trying to illustrate. Pay special attention to the bottom left-hand corner:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62498538@N00/2413153215/sizes/o/

QD: +1,000,000,000,000,000,000

BTW, that number is “one brazillion” in case you didn’t know.

This is one of the best threads I have read in a long while.
If I may add one thing, I wont, you blokes are keepin DBB real.

Pops jersey

This is what we all have been waiting for…

This is the series that was supposed to happen. I’m sure that we will not agree on many officiating calls or coaching moves in the next 2 weeks, but this is the series that was supposed to happen and that is a great thing. The new team on the block vs. the established dominate team (kinda backwards to the 80’s).

I look forward to a great series and several heart attacks in the next 2 weeks…I won’t go as far as wishing you all good luck…but I will say this should be fun!!

Hi everyone! I just had to stop by and wish all of you, and your team, the best for this ECF. I know it’s always exciting times for Detroit fans and it’s certainly nice for us Celtics fans to be able to be excited once again too. Oh, I suppose I also thought it would be good to stop by to remind you all once again that not all Celtics fans, due to whatever causes, have seemingly become emotionally and intellectually retarded by age twelve. Moving on now…

As for a winner in this upcoming series, you know, I can’t pick a winner in this one. On the one hand, the Celtics have had an extraordinary year and it has been one wherein winning has come a seemingly endless number of player combinations and surprises. They definitely have the weapons. On the other hand, the veteran Pistons have once again been the embodiment of what NBA basketball is really all about with their talent, savvy, toughness, defense and consistency.

I guess I feel like if the Celtics put it all back together again give you their best, they are going to make it a rough series for you guys. The fact is though that from the very beginning, the C’s have obviously had some issue adjusting to these playoffs and have largely gotten to this current round in not the prettiest or most confidence inspiring fashion. That stands in stark contrast to Detroit’s successful, “business as usual” approach. I think this particular fact is going to be a big factor in this playoff round and I must confess, I have to give the Pistons an edge in the series due to it.

We’ll all just have to see how it plays out. There is little doubt to one thing though. These conference finals have all the makings of a tremendous competition. I’m just happy that I’ll be able to enjoy it more directly and personally with you all this year than I have in so many years past. So once again, I wish you all and your team the best and hope you all enjoy these games as much as I know I will regardless of the final outcome. Know too, that I love Detroit and will be pulling for them in the Finals if they make it to those. Go Eastern Conference and bless you all!

Tommy Points for QD and LawyerBoy

Thanks for dropping in, Bob Day. I agree that it will be a good series. I am worried about Ray Allen getting his stroke back; the Cavs doubled him a lot to prevent him from getting into a rhythm. I doubt that the Pistons will do the same.

Lawyerboy wrote:

“Is that scholarly enough for you, jackass?”

Hey Douchebag, I stand by my posts. You, however, can’t win an argument with facts and reason, so you have to resort to the above. In my world, the one to resort to taunts first on blogs is always the loser.

I guess it’s easy to be a tough guy pounding your keyboard. Let me guess, now you come back at me with more personal attacks? Or maybe challenge me to a fight? You’re a joke, and to me represent the kind of Pistons fan we saw in the Palace brawl. You know, a scumbag. Were you the fat kid in the Pistons’ jersey who got to know Jermaine O’Neal’s fist up close and personal? No, you were probably the coawrd who threw the drink, and then cowardly pointed at some other guy when Crazy Ron came after you.

Enjoy the series, blowhard. To the rest of the (respectful) posters on this blog, sorry for the tone of this post. I tried to keep it civil, but this poser just won’t come at me with the respect that I (originally) gave him.

BTW, Bob Day of Celticsblog.com, despite his Ned Flanders-ish post, is right in one respect. I shouldn’t have taken the bait when Lawyerboy attacked me originally.

So in the spirit of civility, I’m out of here. I will check back to gloat after the Cs (hopefully) win the series. Enjoy the series, try to stay off the court in Games 3 and 4, and keep your beer and cups in their cupholders or your hands at all times. Peace.

OK, three serious questions for Celtics fans, not meant to be antagonistic.

First, why, in your opinion, has Boston done so badly on the road during the playoffs? And before you start, no, Atlanta wasn’t really that good/hungry/desperate/whatever. Yeah, a player like Joe Johnson can go nuts for one game and beat you, and nobody thought Boston was going to sweep the Cavs, but 0-6 on the road? Weird.

Second, what’s up with Ray Allen? Second and-a-half, what’s up with Sam-I-Am?

Third, sure, the Celtics have the three biggest names, the three guys that would get picked in a rotisserie/fantasy league before any Piston (based on career averages), and yes, their role players and bench aren’t as bad as everyone thought they might be. But does lack of experience in the playoffs (I mean deep in the playoffs) and/or lack of experience playing together mean anything?

Finally, TripleOT, as to Pierce — again, I loved the guy on my fantasy team this year — but to claim that he’s “one of the best big time players in recent playoff history” you need more than one big game in the second round this year and two good games in early rounds of the playoffs (where the Celtics lost) back in 2002. Three big games in seven years, none of which led to even getting to the finals? There are probably a couple dozen players with a playoff resume as good or better than Pierce’s, including several Pistons (Chauncey, ’Sheed, and Rip).

This sums up the Celtics chances this year,

You don’t go from not making the playoffs to winning a championship. It just doesn’t work that way… "

— Hornets coach Byron Scott on his team taking a huge step this season toward winning a title

I appreciate the input, Triple OT, and hope that you stick around after the C’s lose a home game.

Just like a fantasist Celtics fan, not to be confused with the extremely cordial Bob Day for whom I am truly appreciative, to project the shortcomings of his own argument onto one target when dozens over other targets have availed themselves, ignore his obvious culpability in “firing the first shot”, and to have such a self-aggrandizing nature (the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree sometimes, QD) as to think we care whether he stays or he goes. Even Bob Day can respectfully admit it doesn’t look good for the Celtics. If there’s one thing I can’t stand in life (be it blog or away from the keyboard), it’s a person’s inability to be self-aware which usually results in their refusal to admit their wrongs. 10 out of 10 times I will challenge that in life even if it’s in a blog.

And this blog in particular has a rule of conduct that helps make it so great. That rules goes something like: while opposing teams’ fans can disagree respectfully with the presumed future successes of the Pistons, Pistons mocking rights (be it of the squad or their fans) are reserved solely for Pistons fans. I don’t run this site, but I know I am right in saying if you can’t follow that rule, get out.

TripleOT we appreciate you bringing up the 2005 brawl as much as we enjoy you potentially telling us after Detroit wins in 5 not to go and set cars on fire….

I can assure that not a beer, milk dud, piece of paper, or swear word will be tossed in the Celtics general direction tonight… For I will be enjoying the game amongst several Celtic friends, and I will spend my time taunting them and possibly hitting on their girlfriends after the Pistons win.

You stay classy, Boney.

Boney! Boney! Boney! We’re a lot alike, and when we’re on the same page, we’re the verbal equivalent (I apologize if this is considered blasphemy) of the Bad Boys!