The Pistons never use the phrase “must-win game” unless they’re literally at risk of being eliminated. A lot of fans don’t agree with it, but now I see why they do it. From the MetroWest Daily News (via CelticsBlog):
While no one was particularly happy with the Game 4 effort last night, the attitude seemed to be that the Celtics did their job - get one back in Michigan - this weekend. That job becomes more urgent in tomorrow night’s Game 5.
“Definitely, it’s a must-win,” Pierce said following an hour of mostly film work and some shooting. “Right now, Detroit has the momentum. The team that gets the win is the team that gets the momentum. We’ve got to find someway, somehow to get a win at home and bring that momentum back to Detroit.”
He’s backing himself into a corner with a statement like that. If the Celtics lose tonight, he’s essentially already admitted they can’t comeback to win the series. I know he’s trying to motivate his team to take advantage of their home court, but there’s a fine line between creating a sense of urgency and panic.
I know, I know; I’m being a homer fan reading too much into a boilerplate quote from the other team, but give me supreme cockiness over a star player fretting about “someway, somehow” winning at home any day of the week.
Motivating your squad is one thing, “someway, somehow” is quite another. Sounds more like a plea than a rally call, let’s hope the Stones come proper tonight.
Count me as someone who prefers that only elimination games are called “must-win”. Down 0-2? Then game 3 is “very important” or something like that.
Well, obviously Game 5 is a must win for both teams. It gives momentum and the opportunity to close things out.
I dont see how “somehow, someway” is any different from leaving it all out on the floor. I think people are reading into it too much. He obviously means they gotta make the adjustments, which the Pistons should be aware of. As great as our defense was, I expect Boston to be more aggresive and draw fouls and not pass up 12 footers like in Game 5. I hope Detroit is aware of that.
I think Boston is gonna try to be aggressive early and get the Pistons into foul trouble. If that happens, its a wrap. The trend obviously is the team with more quicker aggressive start wins.
Although Rip and Dice have said its important to win Game 5, I wonder if people like Chauncey and Sheed know that. I was a little concerned when I read this today:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/SPORTS03/805280387/1051
Knowing Boston will make a slight adjustment at home, should the Pistons not prepare in someway? I get momentum and all that but this is two grind it out teams who have similar game plans and each must counter with anticipate their next move, which neither had really done following a win. I can already see this as being an excuse if the Pistons lose.
I’d like to see them win another grind it out game on the road, but you suspect Boston will win big tonight. Lets hope not though….
* Edit: I mean not pass out 12 footers like in Game 4.
Where’s the edit button when you need it? You know if anyone needs it,its me. lol
It’s pretty late here so I will leave with this. I have worn my Pistons jumper to bed before only 3 games so far: Game 4 of Philly and games 2 and 4 of Boston. I ‘m a superstitious guy so I hope it works for me again. Go Stones!
I think this is, in fact, reading too much into a boilerplate quote. Even if we were to analyze it seriously, Pierce has a point. If Detroit wins, that means Boston has lost home court advantage again, has to win two straight after losing two straight, and can’t even be confident about winning at home.
Sure, I would love to think this shows some level of panic and/or not-being-mentally-tough-or-experienced-enough. But frankly, if Boston was going to lose a game for that reason, it would have lost game 3, when the big “we can’t win on the road and our role players are especially bad there” thing was on everyone’s minds. They overcame that, so I don’t think this comment signifies much.
I believe Flip said it best, the team that has its shots goin down will win the game…game 5 is not a “must win” in the literal sense, but psychologically it is more of a ” must win” for the Cs than it is for the Ps
Uh, every game is ‘must win’ for both teams.
Perkins garunteed a Game 5 victory.
Intresting……
Perkins, like Jameer Nelson, has nothing to lose.
I’d like to see our team just keep quiet and show everyone a victory.
I’d like them to practice…
I mean, I know maybe there isnt a need given the flow of the series, but if they get shell shocked from an easy counterable Celtic adjustment, I’ll remember that.
I hate the Celtics.
I also hate the Celtics. Maybe 1 more than Sauce1977.
Also, here’s a neat link to a SLAM story:
http://slamonline.com/online/2008/05/are-the-pistons-using-red-auerbachs-old-tricks-on-celtics/
Haha, I can totally picture Flip pretending to unbutton his collar, stifling his giggles, and going, “Man, our locker room was SO HOT! How about yours, Doc?”
i don’t know, garrett. i think sauce once threatened to burn the entire city of boston to the ground in these very comments.
Perkins is guaranteeing a victory? Seriously? I mean, the guy has played all right (read: dirty), but how is he the one guaranteeing it? Is he planning on waiting more than 26 minutes before fouling out tonight? What a douche.
I hope the Pistons packed their own lunches from Detroit.
Perkins guaranteeing a victory is like Cheikh Samb guaranteeing a victory.
There’s a nice youtube clip of Perkins screaming, “Fuck these fools” after a dunk. I love his perma-scowl. It’s cheesier than Lebron’s.
Dude stays scowling. Its hilarious. I want him and Chris Webber to have a scowl-off
the angry turkey, thats a serious scowl. but, in the end, its just an angry turkey.