Blackman said:
Scott you are right, you're always right. Thanks for clearing that up for all of us.
No, not always. I don't understand why you feel the Pistons had a killer instinct with last years team vs this years team. Didn't make much sense after looking at how the Pistons played last year. Lack of killer instinct shown was a reason you felt Pistons "might" not win this series.
Coug LJ
It is hard to know the outcome of the series until we see how Miami and Shaq fare in Detroit. My feeling is that Miami has a much better mind-set than the Lakers of last season. If anything, I think the Lakers may have been overconfident. Miami seems much more grounded.
I agree we have to see how Miami plays in Detroit. Playing and beating Wizards and Nets on road isn't even close to playing and beating Detroit on road. We saw Pistons didn't have much trouble beating and competing with Miami on road.
I disagree with you about your Laker comment. Lakers did not have role players. Laker role players repeatedly would miss wide open shots.
In addition to that, Lakers 3rd best option and consistent option was Karl Malone. He was playing severly injured against Detroit and even sat out a game. Kobe was hurt as well. Pistons beat an injured Laker squad with no role players. Shaq and Kobe, thats it. Not to mention a slow/aging PG (Payton) who let Billups run all over him.
Put Eddie Jones and Damon Jones on Lakers squad and Lakers beat Pistons in 6 games or less.
Heat have role players and they are athletic. Eddie Jones played big in game 1 and Damon Jones played big in game 2. Christian Laightner* was 2-2 FG's and that was huge. Maybe the difference along with Pistons 2 great foul shooters missing so many free throws.
Idiana gave Detroit a much harder time than I ever imagined - especially with an injured Jermaine O'Neal and no Ron Artest. I was surprised how ineffective the Pistons could be on Offense during the series.
I was surprised as well but I think Detroit lost some focus. Just like Spurs against Sonics. Much easier to keep your focus playing in conf. finals against respect opponent. Also playing games 3 and 4 at home.
IF Shaq can supply firepower early and D.Wade late, Miami has a formula that has proved to be effective. Plus, there is the Mourning factor. ...Again, it comes down to what Shaq can provide. If he is getting better rather than worse, health-wise, than this could be a series. Mourning cannot replace Shaq, but he could be a very nice complement.
I think Miami's formula is to get role players stepping up. Having Shaq and Wade on your team you will give your role players open shots. Damon Jones played great in game 2, Wade had monster game in game 2, and Shaq played average. Miami won! I think it all depends on Miami's role players. Detroits defense can slow down a superstar but having Shaq and Wade on same team, you will get your role players open shots. Big games from Shaq and Wade alone will not win for Miami especially on road. Its always about the role players. They will keep you in games or lose games for you. Star players just need to step up late! Suns can't beat Spurs despite Nash and Amare dominating.
Does it change anybody's thinking if Miami gets a split in Detroit? That would make it 2-2 going into Miami.
YES! Right now I heavily favor Detroit and I think they win both games 3 & 4. If Miami gets split, then I think series goes 50/50. Like Jalen45 said, Detroit won on road against Miami, and competed in game 2 against Miami despite having off night.
Playing and beating Wizards and Nets on road is nowhere near playing and beating Pistons on road. Miami should struggle especially since they had such a tough time beating Detroit at home. I was surprised to see Detroit hang in game 2 despite playing poorly for 1h and huge games by Wade and Jones.
