NBA FINALS "LAKERS vs. PISTONS"

[RedTorro]

I think it's kind of ironic that the Lakers big two FA signee's are almost non-factors so far..So much for Shaq the GM.

It's not ironic, we now know why these guys never got ringson their own. They choke when it's all on the line. The reason Malone and Payton will get rings will be because of Shaq and Kobe.

[Arcane]

who cares kobes so overrated shaqs just fat and gay malones and asshole gp is just a smartass on the court <--respect GP's game more than the rest of lakers but i respect detroits game and team more than the lakers

[GloveGuy]

I think it's kind of ironic that the Lakers big two FA signee's are almost non-factors so far..So much for Shaq the GM.

It's not ironic, we now know why these guys never got ringson their own. They choke when it's all on the line. The reason Malone and Payton will get rings will be because of Shaq and Kobe.

Bullshit. The 95-96 Sonics and 97-98 Jazz would do very well, possibly beat the Three-Peat Lakers in a seven game series.

Malone and Payton didn't choke; Magic Johnson didn't choke; Clyde Drexler didn't choke; Charles Barkley didn't choke. They all lost to Michael Jordan, as would Kobe and Shaq if they faced up against the Bulls of the 90s.

It's not choking when you're just not as good(though they're still great).

[.]

who cares kobes so overrated shaqs just fat and gay malones and asshole gp is just a smartass on the court <--respect GP's game more than the rest of lakers but i respect detroits game and team more than the lakers

Say what?
So if you agree with the above statements, you must agree with these:
Ben Wallace is mad overrated, he was just a All-Star because he is 1 of the very vew people to have a fro which fans like, Richard Hamilton sucks if he doesnt get the screens he gets...heck, I can avarage 20ppg if I get 3 picks every time, Tayshuan Prince needs to go to McDonalds instead of working out. And I can go on and on about this.

[Drex]

"He's a great player," Fu said later. "It amazes me how he can give me the ball, and guys that have been playing with me four, five, six years can't give me the ball."

Shaq was talking about Walton.

[Alcoholic]

Yeah thats funny.


Oh great, they just brought out Darko. It's over now. Nothing much I can say except, man, I can see why they don't bring out Darko during the game.

[kevC]

Darko was freaking awesome.

[Matt]

Tayshuan Prince needs to go to McDonalds instead of working out.[/color][/b]

lol, interesting

Anyways Lakers lost, how badly? well Milicic is in the game now

Billups and Hamilon combined for 50pnts (Hamilton 31) and Kobe and Fisher have 17, Bryant went 4-13 and had just 11pnts.
88-68 Pistons win

[HowAreYao?]

First of all, congratulations to the Pistons on a complete demolishing of the Lakers lol.

Second, all the comparisons of Bryant to Jordan need to stop. If Kobe goes to a team next season where he is the only big scoring threat, he is going to face trapping and doubling/tripling defense as he did tonight, and if this is how he is going to react (getting frustrated and losing composure), then he is going to start missing Shaq REAL quick. On the other hand, Michael Jordan was always the only really big scoring threat on his team, and continued to dominate night in and night out, year in and year out.

Other than that, I don't have a lot to say about this game except that Detroit's home atmosphere has officially become #1 in the NBA in my opinion. I saw some of the best fan signs ever tonight.

Can't wait until Game 4...damn why is it a 3 day layoff!!??! This series is like crack!

Lakers in 5? STFU.

[Andrew]

If I may state the obvious, if Detroit can maintain that effort in Games 4 and 5, they could very well be this year's championships. I'll be pretty surprised if LA doesn't bounce back though. I wouldn't count them out unless they get down 3-1...and even then, not until it's a done deal.

[Charlie Martel]

The Lakers are lucky they're not down 3-0 with the way they're playing. If the Pistons keep up the defensive intensity and the Lakers don't start playing consistently, this series should end in Detroit.

Yes, and I too hope this Kobe >= Jordan talk will stop for at least this year. I always like to compare players when their careers are over.

[Amphatoast]

1 rebound for Darko!! The guy was awsome!
--
anyway Kobe only had 1 point at the half which said a lot. Not to mention holding the Lakers under 70points for the first time in the shoot clock era in a playoff game! And once again, only 2 lakers scored in double figures...Pistons really have a good chance at winning this series after overcoming the dagger Kobe hit the last game.

[HowAreYao?]

BTW

Did anyone else see the footage of Karl Malone poke that Detroit fan in the face before the game, and then the fan slapping that dick's hand away from his face? lol

Classic.


Hmm...I just noticed the poll says 59% Lakers, 40% Pistons...looks like a lot of bandwagon jumpers coming out of the wood works!

[Jay-Peso]

Well, now that I have seen the Lakers lose 2 games, I think the Pistons can win now. The Lakers are not doing anything out there, and by this I mean, I think my first prediction was wrong. I think I'll have to say the Pistons are going to be the champions as long as they keep up the hard work

I am also glad to see an East team putting up a good fight and maybe coming out with the Trophy

[dan_suth]

Yeah, that Karl Malone clip was great

Rip scored more points than Kobe and Shaq combined tonight... and Chauncey outscored both of them individually as well. When stuff like that happens, it's definitely lights out for the Lakers, especially considering they have a weak bench.

And if you're anything like me and enjoy looking at random stats, check this out... after 3 games in this series:

Payton / Malone combined PPG: 9.7
Ben Wallace PPG: 9.7

"For the first time ever, Shaquille O'Neal does not score at least 20 points in an NBA Finals game." - just heard that from Stuart Scott. The Pistons not only stopped Shaq's long streak in the finals, but also Phil Jackson... he's never been down 2-1 in the Finals... until now.

Go Pistons!

[Andrew]

I haven't voted yet, but I did pick the Lakers to win in six or seven, only because I expected that they would. I'm not a fan nor a hater of either team. I won't cast my vote now, I've made my prediction. Speaking of which, maybe the jinx came back for the NBA Finals.

[Matt]

seems as though only me and Shane pickes Pistons to win....and after games 1 people jump on the bandwagon

[Matt]

I can't believe people actually picked Lakers bench to be better than Pistons bench. None of that would have happened if Fisher didn't hit that shot and Rush having a breakout game

[Andrew]

seems as though only me and Shane pickes Pistons to win....and after games 1 people jump on the bandwagon

I'll admit, I probably didn't give the Pistons enough credit. After the Lakers/Timberwolves series, I figured it was safer not to pick against the Lakers. I won't bandwagon though; I made a prediction and if turns out to be wrong, I picked the wrong team to win.

[dan_suth]

Nah, I had voted for the Pistons as an anonymous member before the series began. I just never really had any motivation to register until now, seeing that I'll have more time on my hands without school for a few months I've been a huge Pistons fan all my life... I have several posters hanging in my room from the original Bad Boys era, including one that just says "Bad Boys" and is signed by four of them I also bet a friend $10 the Pistons would win tonight, doubling up the $10 I had already bet on them to take the series... Anyway, that's all just random stuff - I just wanted to make it clear that I'm a real fan

I won't bandwagon though; I made a prediction and if turns out to be wrong, I picked the wrong team to win.

From what I've seen out of the few months I've anonymously viewed this forum, it looks like you're just gonna follow the norm you've created

[Andrew]

When you have the power of jinx, it's difficult to make a correct prediction. I have fared a little better in my predictions this year though.

[HowAreYao?]

seems as though only me and Shane pickes Pistons to win....and after games 1 people jump on the bandwagon

I won't lie and say I've been a hardcore Piston's fan all season or anything, but I was definitely pulling for them to come out of the Eastern Conference since the semi-finals, and I can't stand the Lakers so needless to say, I picked Detroit to win the Finals, in 7.

I've never really been an active fan of more than one team during a season, but regardless of the outcome of this series, I'm getting behind the Pistons from here on out. I just love the way these guys play (as a damn team).

So until Game 4...

Deeeeeeeeeetroit basketbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall!!!!!!!

[dan_suth]

Haha..

A few hours before gametime, a local news station here in Detroit interviewed the guy who says that. It turns out he's an elderly black man (from what my dad told me - I was at work and missed the interview), like in his 60's or so. I love his voice though... I was at game 5 in the New Jersey series (3OT anyone?) and the place went absolutely nuts every time his voice was played over the speakers. It's especially fun when he introduces the starting lineups. Richaaaarrd Haaaaaaaaaaamillllllltooonnn!

[HowAreYao?]

Haha..

A few hours before gametime, a local news station here in Detroit interviewed the guy who says that. It turns out he's an elderly black man (from what my dad told me - I was at work and missed the interview), like in his 60's or so. I love his voice though... I was at game 5 in the New Jersey series (3OT anyone?) and the place went absolutely nuts every time his voice was played over the speakers. It's especially fun when he introduces the starting lineups. Richaaaarrd Haaaaaaaaaaamillllllltooonnn!

Yes!

That guy is awesome. The announcer at Houston Rockets games is an ex dj from a radio station around here and he is HORRIBLE. He couldn't get the crowd excited if they spiked the beer with crack cocaine.

I was on my way home, listening on the radio, when the starting lineups were being done, and I was actually JEALOUS that they have such a badass announcer.

B-b-b-b-b-b-ben Wwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaallaaaace!

[RedTorro]

Kobe needs to go to court again. 11 pts?