Detroit still has to be happy........

[snoozer]

Let me preface this by saying I am a piston fan... but I think I am pretty even keeled.

I think there seems to be a lot of flopping on both sides. Unfortunately, the ref's (IMO) are ruining this series. When Darvin Hamm is playing center against Doleac, something is wrong. I think they are calling the games way too tight for 2 teams that like to bang and play tough defense.

I think the next few games could be tough for Shaq and Zo. They have had a lot of time off, between the sweep with wash and the big break between games 2 and 3. Now the series is every other day. Zo is playing a lot more minutes that he is used too and Shaq looks tired at the end of the games. The do have a BIG advantage by having 2 games at home.

 

[Scott4USC]

the pistons benefit from the calls more than any other team. they consistently make contact with the def and they are rewarded for it at the FT line. det backers should be happy- shaq does not get the respect akeem used to get

Not sure about Pistons benefiting from calls more than Miami. As you said, if Pistons are making contact, at least it is contact. Wade is getting fouls when a Piston defender did not even touch him. Wade is getting more respect than anybody I have seen. Now that is absurd. Wade is getting royal treatment from game 2-game 4.

I understand superstars get benefit of calls, but in each of games 2, 3, and 4 there are at least 3 bogus fouls (some even no contact) that go in Wades favor. Superstars should get benfit when they drive in lane and contact is made etc. Out on perimeter Wade is getting royal treatment.

I think the next few games could be tough for Shaq and Zo. They have had a lot of time off, between the sweep with wash and the big break between games 2 and 3. Now the series is every other day. Zo is playing a lot more minutes that he is used too and Shaq looks tired at the end of the games. The do have a BIG advantage by having 2 games at home.

I think you are right. Ben Wallace needs to be a lot more productive on offense. Maybe he can contribute more with shaq/alonzo a tad winded.

You said you are an even keeled Piston fan. Would you agree games 2, 3, and 4 have been slanted towards Miami in terms of refs and calls? Bad calls have been called on both teams, but IMO more bad calls been called in Miami's favor. I bet you were happy refs finally started calling traveling on big man but why didn't they call it in games 1,2, and 3?

 

[Jalen45]

snoozer i agree with you.

i am also a pistons fan. i may seem a little biased sometimes, but like you said, darvin hamm should not being playing any minutes in this series. game one has little fouls in it. since then the fouls for both teams have gone up each game, with the exception of last night, but they were still pretty high. it seems to me, that almost every time down the floor when someone drives to the basket, there is a whistle. there is a lot of whistles off the ball as well. ill admit that some calls last night that favored the pistons were NOT really fouls by the heat. the one where arroyo was hit in the face, and the one called on i think eddie jones against rip. those were incidental contact and the pistons were shooting free throws. the same is said the other way on a few plays. there was a fast break by rip hamilton, he made the layup and was hacked, no call. ive been disapointed by the calls in this series since game 2, and it seems like its not even basketball. i wouldnt be surprised if rasheed wallace gets tossed out of one of these next couple games for earning 2 technicals. almost every single call on the floor is an arugument from either team. terrible/

 

[snoozer]

It is very tough to get Wallace involved... in my opinion Miami would be better off taking a step back and letting him shoot. He is not accurate at all and everytime he touches the ball I get nervous.

I do think the fouls have been slanted against Detroit, but with the in your face defense they play, I think sometimes they get away with a lot. I think last night was pretty even (even as in bad calls both ways).

Detroit seems to be playing like they feel they should be getting calls. They argue everything... it is amazing how many techs they have drawn this year. Last year, if things were going against them, they played through it and kept quiet (except sheed). This year, every player on the floor (except maybe Tayshaun) whines about every call. I can't say Miami is much better, they whine a lot too. At some point, the players need to realize this is how the series is going to be called and deal with it.

So far, I am dissapointed with the series, the refs have played a big role in everygame. I think for the most part, the more aggressive team has got the benefit of some calls. I think the better team has won each game so far. Detroit had no business winning game 2 or 3 and Miami had no business winning game 1 or 4.

 

[Coug LJ]

I thought Detroit played GREAT in game #4. I cannot imagine them playing any better than that and if they do, they win the series. That said, the single biggest factor was Shaq getting in foul trouble - and some of those calls appeared suspect. Certainly for a superstar.

USC Scott, there is no way Shaq is playing "great." We are seeing a shadow of what Shaq can do. He is player who can score 40 points and grab 20 rebounds a game and has not approached those numbers. Wade has had two great games and two below average games. He certainly isn't playing any better than he did than in the previous series.

I agree that the refs have played too big a role in the games. A thought is that they or the league might be nervous about things getting out of hand, especialy in Detroit.

The series appears to be a barn-burner. I applaud Detroit's players for not getting caught up in the Larry Brown mess. They were terrific last night. Miami was terrific the game before. Anyone who says they know what's going to happen in this series is not telling the truth. It's up for grabs.

The plus is Shaq is moving better. Fouls are what killed him. Haven't seen much from Damon Jones, but I heard he had planter faciatis. Not good. He can hit five or six tres in a game.

 

[pt1gard]

scott, about you and your foul theories ... you used that LY ad naseum when Deet pommeled your beloved Lakers and made Kobe look like a loser, trying to penetrate seams, when the fact was LA was too slow to play good defense and stay in front of people like Deet could ....

One thing I have maintained, you will never see a coach say in a post game conference or espouse in blaring headlines: REFS WON US THE GAME! YAHOO!

Umm, no, it's always the opposite and you perpetuate that every year to foist your myopic diatribes and make things bend your way like fading light into a blackhole ....

 

[Scott4USC]

snoozer

I agree with you about Wallace. I never feel confident when he shoots. If I were the Heat, I too would let him shoot outside shots all day. Best player for Pistons is RIP and he carry's the team but these commentators keep talking about Rasheed.

USC Scott, there is no way Shaq is playing "great." We are seeing a shadow of what Shaq can do. He is player who can score 40 points and grab 20 rebounds a game and has not approached those numbers. Wade has had two great games and two below average games. He certainly isn't playing any better than he did than in the previous series.

I said Shaq is playing great given the circumstances. Didn't he miss 2 games last series? Is he 100%? Not too many people, including his coach and teammates, thought Shaq would be this productive. Therefore Shaq is playing great given the circumstances.

scott, about you and your foul theories ... you used that LY ad naseum when Deet pommeled your beloved Lakers and made Kobe look like a loser, trying to penetrate seams, when the fact was LA was too slow to play good defense and stay in front of people like Deet could .... ....

If I remember correctly, I said Lakers were getting short end of stick in terms of fouls but did admit that Pistons were the more aggressive team. So I felt Pistons should get more free throws but not 3 times as many free throws as Lakers. I think both Lakers and Pistons shot same shooting % and the difference in series was free throws. If you like watching a team to win the championship shooting 3x as many free throws, then you loved last years finals.

Put Kobe on Heat instead of Wade and I think Heat beat Pistons soundly. Wade doesn't create open shots for teammates. Pistons never had to guard Laker role players and took advantge of Payton as Lakers PG who lacked quickness. Dooling is much better than Payton. Kobe did that a lot for Lakers driving and kicking out but his role players would miss open shots consisttently so often Kobe took matters in own hands shooting with 2 men in face. Last year Pistons doubled Kobe more than Wade. In fact, Pistons are not really doubling Wade.

I call it as I see it. This year I have the benefit of TIVO and I can play back anytime I want and go slow motion etc. I can see whether it was a foul or not. Anytime I think a foul was wrong or see player whine, I usually will play it back. These refs are human so of course they will make errors (both ways) but Miami clearly is benefiting more.

One thing I have maintained, you will never see a coach say in a post game conference or espouse in blaring headlines: REFS WON US THE GAME! YAHOO!

Who cares. I can say it and I will. :director: