the quotes from Sheed and Tay yesterday could be an indictment of Billups, not Flip. He’s got to get the damn ball to Sheed and start running the offense. We need crisp movement and to get back to passing to the open man. Tay basically said that the things they discussed doing didn’t happen. Why not? If Billups ain’t running the show the way he is supposed to then he should have his butt on the bench.

It’s been a great run, no doubt. It’s not over.

I think the fans have gone soft because this year spoiled them after two back to back Finals appearances. For all the drama associated with LB, at least it kept us fans on edge. I was never comfortable, and I was always expecting the shoe to drop at any moment. It made me really appreciate the winning. I think the players had to really concentrate also. This year the onus is on the players. I don’t want to hear them dogging out their coach at all. Even if it’s true. Get the W’s, and tell Joe D in private.

peace, all. Enjoy the game. GO PISTONS!!!!!

I feel nothing but sympathy for Flip. He’s given these guys so much wiggle room and freedom and this is how they repay him? Unfortunately for him, I don’t think he has the coaching style/ability to pull things together. I think it’s going to take Chauncey. He’s the guy who sold Flip to the players. He’s the guy who’s been coming up short lately (except for Game 3). We need one of those MVP-type performances, like 25 points, 11 assists. We need a series-saving performance. And they’re going to need to BEAT Miami. The Heat know how important this game is. They are not going to take it easy or come out ho-hum. This is going to be the Pistons toughest test of the season.

Man, I can’t bring myself to talk about the offseason yet. Maybe after tonight, but I hope not.

at first, it kind of bothers me that the players are second guessing their coach. then, at second glance, i’m surprised that flip isn’t giving them more input. remember: the pistons have been competitive the last 4 seasons. this is pretty much the first time flip has been competitive in the playoffs. i don’t think this stuff needs to be aired to the public, but if one of the key strengths of your team is your playoff experience, don’t you think you should be taking advantage of it?

second, and a bit more ominous. this team is starting to remind me of the ‘03-’04 lakers. brilliant during the regular season, good enough to get to the finals on talent alone. however things start to fall apart during the playoffs. i really hope it’s not like that, but the parallels are becoming somewhat apparent. just a question to ponder. if the pistons lose this series against the heat (which i don’t think they will), given the way ben has played, and given the way this team would be going out, does ben wallace stay with this team? i think he would, but it wouldn’t be as certain as if the pistons won the whole thing.

I know this is going to sound like I want Detroit to play dirty, but I say you invoke the “no layup” rule in Game 4. It’s hard to do it against Shaq, so you let Shaq get his..anyone else tho? Antoine Walker with his 10000 dribbles in the lane you knock him down when he goes to lay it in. Wade and his gliding to the basket, you knock him down and make it known that the lane is going to be closed all night.

I know it will land some guys in early foul trouble, but you take away the fouls from the stupid hack a shaq and you plant Wade on his backside…guarantee it makes him think twice about driving the lane.

This series aint even close to being over. I think we win the series and the Title and people look back at this moment between games 3 and 4 as turning point. If we don’t then trouble.

I do believe that one of the starting five will be moved this summer if the right deal presents itself– to keep that edge. Dunno who, and right now it doesn’t matter.

GO PISTONS!