It's Over

It took the Boston Celtics one more game to finish off the Atlanta Hawks then it did to beat the Detroit Pistons. Detroit's Bigs (Rasheed) killed them this game, and while the guards played great, it wasn't enough to beat a determined Celtic's team.

I imagine this will be the last we see of the Detroit Pistons as they are now. I doubt Joe Dumars will keep a group together who flame out yearly in the Conference Finals. Flip will probably get fired, but I'm not sure that this year's defeat was his fault. Flip doesn't throw the ball away on offense, Flip doesn't let Ray Allen go full-court for uncontested lay-ups. But ultimately, he will get blamed. Anyway, it's gonna be a long summer for the Pistons. They have alot to think about. But there is a bright side, two actually, and their names are Rodney Stuckey and Jason Maxiell. If Amir keeps coming along and Tayshaun (not the best series for Tay) keeps improving the Pistons have a bright future ahead of them. Maybe even a few more Conference Finals appearences.

But, the opportunity to contend for a title doesn't come easily or often in the NBA. It's a shame the Pistons couldn't have made more of their chances.

NO MORE EXCUSES

Dice has been giving his all this series and Boston seems to have no answer for him. He led all players last night in scoring (21 pts) and rebounding (16 reb). It's a whole new playoff now, best of three, but Boston still controls the homecourt. No more excuses for the Pistons. It's time to put some pressure on Boston, pressure they haven't felt so far this post season. Big game tomorrow night. Stay tuned...

ALMOST THERE

Only 2 more days of school left this week. Then I'm off to Miami for our annual Puerto Rican Memorial Day Extravaganza.

I have to got start the grill for burgers tonight. Burgers and fries, burgers and fries...

My pics for tonight are the Lakers and David Cook(sorry Archy).

Speaking of grills, mine has taken a beating since we moved from our apartment to our home. I think it may be because instead of sitting in a covered lanai it now sits in the wild and dangerous back yard.

Driving home from work the other day my friend John and I saw an obese man sitting in front of a gas station in a motorized wheel chair wearing nothing but what looked to be a hand towel over his danger zone. It was one of those moments when you both see something at the same time that is so unexpected you just stare and then look at each other in shock/disbelief while simultaneously shouting, "Did you see that?" We laughed but it wasn't a derisive laugh it was a nervous laugh because here was a puzzle we could not figure out. I thought I saw him motoring down the street in a black choir robe but without the hand towel it was hard to tell.

-Peas

NICE

Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy on ESPN The Magazine online writes,"Fans spend an inordinate amount of time analyzing the mental makeup of their favorite players, so you can only imagine how many hours I've spent thinking about Garnett. After all, I'm the same guy who once wasted an entire afternoon trying to figure out Hickory High's box score in that final game in Hoosiers. (If you care, I had Chitwood down for 30 on 14-of-18 shooting.)"

APATHY KILLS

I sometimes think that we destroy ourselves because we honestly think that we have nothing better to do.

It's Settled

Boston finished off the LeBrons tonight in a hard fought game 7. Personally I was glad that Boston won. Why? I'll tell you.

1. No LeBron
What more can I say. The guy is a force of nature and he gets calls. Now, when I say he gets calls I mean that LeBron may put you in the Walls of Jaricho while you go in for a lay-up and YOU will get called for charging. Or, LeBron may slap the ball from your hands and then hold your jersey as you try to recover it all the while winking slyly at the refs who shrug and wink back with impish grins and "thumbs ups". I know, I'm exaggerating...a little. But if you asked me, "Hey, would you rather play LeBron and have homecourt in the Conference Finals, or would you rather play Boston whose mainstays have never been this deep in playoffs as a unit?" I'll take the Celts everytime, thanks. Let's not even get into the bad memories from last year that would haunt my dreams. "Zzzz...No Lebron, no, not another and-1 layup...zzzzz."

2. Experience
I already touched on this but it has been made more apparent that the Celtics really haven't got alot of deep playoff experience from their starters, at least when compared to Detroit. I'm not ready to give Boston the "backs against the wall" moniker that has followed the Pistons for years, but doesn't it seem that Boston only wins when it really has to? Like in Game 7's against the Atlanta Hawks? I think experience, as a whole, is a bit overrated (see Rodney Stuckey). But just a bit.

3. Fatigue
Boston vs. Cleveland was a brutal, physical, emotional, defensive grind. LeBron and Co. took alot out of a Celtics team that had already endured a long series with Atlanta. The Pistons took care of business vs. Orlando and are fresh. If Detroit is aggressive coming into game one they could steal homecourt from Boston.


4. Matchups
I'll try to be as objective as possible here:

Point Guard: Billups vs. Rondo
Advantage: Billups
Chauncey wins this battle by virtue of his size, strength and experience. Rondo, however has the speed advantage and finishes well so Chauncey will have to be on his a-game defensively. To me this is the most exploitable mismatch on the floor for Detroit.

Shooting Guard: Hamilton vs. Allen
Advantage: Hamilton
This matchup was close before the playoffs started and Ray Allen was replaced by a well disguised Mateen Cleaves. Hamilton was such a force vs. Orlando when Billups went out that if he can carry some of that energy over to this series this matchup may overtake Billups/Rondo for the "Most Exploitable" award. Allen's defense has been porous and if his shooting woes continue we may see alot more of Eddie House being posted up by Rip Hamilton.

Small Forward: Prince vs. Pierce
Advantage: Even
Now, you might say, "Come on MW, you are clearly showing bias by calling this matchup even. Didn't Pierce carry the Celtics in Game 7 going toe-to-toe with LBJ?" And I would have to concede the point that Pierce was magnificent vs. LeBron but that we also have to take into account Prince's performances (both offensively and defensively) in these playoffs. AI-Neutralized, Hedo-See "The Block II". The aforementioned are the go-to perimeter players on their repective teams and Prince came up big against them both all the while shooting nearly 60% from the field and sharing ball handling duties. This is where not playing Cleveland really helps Detroit because Prince matches up with Pierce much better than with LeBron. Prince is taller than Pierce and Pierce, though he is a great player, is not nearly as physical as LeBron. This is going to be the key matchup of the series and if Prince can truly keep the advantage even then the Pistons will go to the Finals.

Power Forward: Wallace vs. Garnett
Advantage: Even
Even? There I go again, huh? As with Prince vs. Pierce this matchup is going to be key. Size wise they are nearly even with Wallace being a bit heavier and Garnett maybe a tad taller, but pretty even. I like this matchup, again, for Wallace's experience vs. Garnett's energy. They are both great scorers and great defenders (Rasheed is really underrated)and are mobile big men with range on their jumper. This will be a real battle and one I am looking forward to.

Center: McDyess vs. Perkins
Advantge: McDyess
Experience, mobility, outside shooting, and perhaps most of all, drive give 'Dyess the advantage in this matchup. Perkins is taller and heavier ( 6'10" 264 vs. 6'9" 245)and could cause problems in the post for the smaller McDyess. But if the Orlando Game 5 McDyess shows up and begins nailing jumpers and ripping away rebounds Perkins will quickly find his way to the bench with foul trouble.

The Bench: Detroit vs. Boston
Advantage: Detroit
I have to go Detroit on this one. I had the benches as even, but the more I thought about it, the more I think back on the preceding series I have to go with DP. The Celtics reserves are no slouches. Powe is nice, Big Baby has given DP trouble in the past, House is instant "O", Brown is a cagey vet, and Posey has alot of experience vs. the Pistons in a playoff atmosphere. But the Pistons counter with a deep bench of their own. Maxiell is a beast, Stuckey would start for the Celtics, and the list goes on. One thing that I noticed about Detroit during the Orlando series is that they wear you down. You might get on a roll and make some shots but Detroit just keeps pushing, keeps coming at you, patiently, keeps throwing fresh guys at you, guys who can play( Stuckey), althletic guys (Walter, Max, Theo,) stoppers( Lindsey, Aaron) scorers(Jarvis and Juan). They play physical, they create matchup problems and more often than not their energy changes the face of the game in the Piston's favor.

There you go, there's my matchups. Of course what really matters to these teams is drive, focus, energy and will. Who is driven to win? Whos is more focused on the goal each game? Who brings the most energy? Who will impose their will on the series?

It's gonna be fun.

A Balmy Sunday

Here's a Happy Mother's Day Pic of Yuisa and William.

I do a little bit of writing at absolutewrite.com/forums. It's free to sign-up and a great place to network with and learn from other writers.! And it's fun.


Here's my latest post on the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Forums in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy First Line Game.

Erasimasterus, Lord of Oakenwood and High Protector of the Holy Tree, stood before his gathered legions and holding an acorn high above his armored head screamed a battle cry that for countless generations had rallied the Squirrel Clans to war, "Protect your nuts!"

Yeah, it's balmy here. Windy, overcast and 84 degrees? That's balmy.

I'm hungry and I think I'll go grab a pouch of fruit snacks. We get them at Costco in the whoppin' 84 pouch box! That's what I'm tallkin' 'bout.

I went over to Homestarrunner.com cause I haven't been there for a while. It made me miss my Strongbad T-shirt which got ruined somehow (moths?) and my Cheat Commando's T-shirt (stolen?) ah well I always have my wife's Teen Girl Squad T-shirt (which I wore last night to Macaroni Grill thank you very much).

Smell that? It's summer, and it's right around the corner. Next week only four days o'school. Cambridge Christian's Varsity Baseball Team is going to the State Final Four in Sarasota and so we are only having school until 10:30 on Monday so people can make the game. Thanks baseball team.

I'm anxious to get started on my new project.

-Later.

The BIGS

Rasheed Wallace is not just a good player. He is great. He is nigh unstoppable when he gets it going in the post and because of his range he is a constant threat when he runs the high pick and roll with Billups. How many times have you heard this, "Rasheed shoots to many threes"? Wrong, Rasheed is versatile. His range is much more of an asset to his game than a detriment. He stretches defenses with the three ball. You think Big Z wants to come out and guard Rasheed 23 feet from the bucket? No, no he doesn't. Pulling shot blockers out of their comfort zones allows Prince to abuse people in the post and allows the Piston's guards to drive with impunity. Rasheed's fade-away jumper is the toughest shot to defend since the Skyhook. He's 6'11" his release is high and he's fading away. That's no slouch defending him in the pic, that's All-NBA 1st Teamer Dwight Howard getting torched. Despite the potentcy of his offense Rasheed is key to the Piston's title run because of his defense. He (along with the other Piston's Bigs)kept big Dwight out of his comfort zone and forced him into bad shots and turnovers. I like 'Sheed, always have. His emotion is his biggest strength and biggest weakness. But he is a great player and if you ask the Pistons, a great teammate. Ask them what they think of his outbursts and they just reply, "'Sheed's gotta be 'Sheed." Amen to that.

I have to be honest when McDyess began shooting jumpers in the 4th quarter each shot was preempted by a sharp inhale from your's truly. When 'Dyess get's rolling his jumper is nasty, but when he's off...well he's off. He was rolling in Orlando. McDyess brings alot to the team. His jumper, strength in the post on both D and O and hunger. He has got to be the hungriest vet on the team. He wasn't there for '04 championship and he tasted the bitterness of Game 7 in San Antonio in '05, the Heat debacle in '06 and the LBJ dismantling in '07. That hunger is important and I hope 'Dyess continues to motivate the team the way he did after he donned the mask this year. He was an absolute beast in Game 5 vs. Orlando. The Magic looked helpless as he flew all over the court grabbing rebounds, hitting shots, snagging loose balls and, along with the rest of the squad, playing suffocating D. Every player on the team plays a key roll but if McDyess continues to bring the strength and energy (particularly on the boards) that he brought vs. Orlando it will make the Piston's bid for the title that much stronger.

Tayshaun, the unsung All-Star, the Stopper, Mr. Consistent. Tay has more upside than any other vet on the team and it is easy to imagine him leading the team in the future. Flip moving him to point-forward was a nice move. He handles the ball well, makes good decisions and is another match-up nightmare. Where can't he score from? He pulverizes smaller players in the post and drives past bigger players to the bucket. His jump hook is very tough to defend and when he gets by his man he dunks the ball with authority. He shoots the three at 33% and is shooting inside the arc at a scintilating 56% in the playoffs. Of course he does all this AND draws the opposing team's best perimeter player where he becomes a walking migraine for the opposition. Just ask Andre Iguodala and Hedo Turkoglu.

I was going to include J-Max in this edition of DP Today but I will include him in my next segment: The Zoo Crew and You.

-Peace

You, Me and DP

This play stupified me, in a good way. The degree of difficulty, the implications of the game...there I go again. Prince, adding to his legend.


Here we are, You, Me and the DP. Back in the Eastern Conference Finals. Back to where we were humbled last year by a Cavaliers team that went on to get massacred by the San Antonio Spurs. The Magic series was a good one. After Detroit turned it around vs. Philly I began to take notice of their focus, their energy level and their aggressive play. Let's be honest, that's what it comes down to at this point for the Pistons. They have been to the Conference Finals 6 consecutive times, 6 times! They know they can score. They know they can pass and rebound. They know they can get stops. The question is will they be focused and make their shots? Will their energy level power them to secure rebounds and recover loose balls? Will they be relentless on defense? Will they be physical and force their will? If they do the aforementioned they will win the NBA title this year. There, I said it. There is not a team out there that can match up when the Detroit Pistons are focused, sharing the ball and locking things up on D. Not LA, not San Antonio, not New Orleans, not the LeBrons or the Celtics.

First of all the backcourt (and Chauncey getting the chance to rest will be key) is a match-up nightmare. Billups is not terribly quick (though I have been impressed with the way he had been finishing at the rim before the infamous "stretch") but he is strong, he doesn't turn the ball over and he is a versatile scorer (in the paint on a post up or 26 ft. from the basket on a pull-up three). Besides that, Chauncey brings a stablizing effect and on-court leadership to every game he plays. No matter what the score I never feel like a game is out of reach when Number 1 is on the floor for Detroit.

Rip is hitting his stride at the right time. In game one versus Orlando he was hitting his jumper with such consitency that I nearly broke down in tears for the beauty of it all. He also reminded me during the Orlando series that he is 6'7", fast, and able to post up better than I thought he could. He was an assassin from the free-throw line allowing him keep the pressure on the Magic even when his jumper wasn't falling. Now throw in Stuckey at 6'5" with 15 pts., 6 assts. and 0 Turnovers in a close-out playoff game AND Lindsey, (what is the guy, like 80?) who can still lock people up and has a knack for hitting shots when the team needs him to, and you have the makings of a championship backcourt. (Rodney, you can consistently shoot over smaller, quicker, players and drive past bigger, slower, players.Plus you are money from the line. One of these days you will realize that you really cannot be stopped and I hope I'm around to see it).

By the way, if I had to pick a player of the game last night 'Dyess would edge out the rest of the team for his 4th quarter performance. 11 points and 9 Rebounds in the fourth quarter of a close-out playoff game after you just heard that your grandma who pratically raised you had died back in Miss.? Guts, heart, drive, focus. 'Nuff said.


Next: The Frontcourt, More McDyess, Uncle Rasheed and the Incredible J-Max.

My Main Man

Billups will not be denied. I hope that they don't push him to play to early.