The Official DETROIT vs MIAMI Thread

[Drex]

I'm still a little unsure about this series. I don't have a favorite to win the ECF. I'm not voting in this poll

[Matt]

In the first matchup, it was Nov and Miami was still figuring things out, Wade was still figuring out his role w/ Shaq on the floor. At this point, Shaq got most of the touches and he simply abused Wallace with 24 points 17 rebounds 4 blocked shots 4 assists in a 1 point loss.

Actually, Ben Wallace did not play that game, he was suspended or away from the team. McDyess was guarding him. And, that's the Pistons gameplay, let Shaq get his, make everyone else work. Remember last year in the finals, Shaq scored 34 on 13-16 but Lakers still lost.

Although, you made one small error - the season series went to Detroit 2 games to 1.

i noticed that after i made the post, haha, thought they played 4. I was just going off the top of my head.

One more thing i have to note, Wade averaged 17.7ppg against Detroit in the reg season.....only one other team held him to better. no doubt he'll increase productivity but he might not carve up like he's done so to NJN & Washington...teams with less than stellar perimeter D and no interior D.

[iKe7in]

if shaq stays healthy, heat in 6, if hes not,, pistons in 6

[Andrew]

I say this one will go six or seven, regardless of who wins. It's hard to pick against either team, since the Heat have had a great season so far and have handled themselves well through the first two rounds. Detroit on the other hand are the defending champions and they haven't exactly struggled so far in the post season. They're playoff proven and they're ready for a tough series against the Heat. They've also got the advantage on paper.

That said, right now I'm leaning towards the Heat. They handled their business with Shaq not at 100% and also for a couple of games without him. They also have the home court advantage. I won't pretend I'm completely confident in my pick, but for now I'll say Miami in six or seven.

[Boyk]

im with you matt, Detroit in 7, hopefully 6 games.

[dinocarlo]

Shaq scored 34 on 13-16 but Lakers still lost.

The best defensive gameplan is really to let the opponent's star player score as many as he wants but don't let him get support from everyone else.

[Matt]

it's 46% for Detroit and 53% for Miami.

[Jackal]

Although last years team just couldn't buy a shot. Lakers had an inside outside plan, that's how they won the previous three rings. To Shaq, draw the double, pass & shoot. Last year whenever he passed it was to the following: George, Payton, Bryant, Malone/Medvedenko.

George used to show up for one game and the other he was absent, Payton couldn't hit an open shot given the fact he's just not a spot up shooter, he's a driver/creator. Bryant was the other half that could shoot it or drive it. Alas his acrobatics didn't work for shit & the refs just refused to give him the acrobatic shots/fouls because he was initiating contact. Malone wasn't there for some of the games. Medvedenko, well..it's Medvedenko.

That's why they had guys like Horry, Fox & Fisher. Fox could hit his three's when needed, Horry could hit a 20 footer quite nicely, not to mention three's, just ask Sacramento about that. & Fisher was also a good spot up shooter. Last years team just wasn't.

If they play the inside-outside game against Detroit this year, it'll be tougher. Both Jones' are good shooters. Haslem, well, I'm not too sure about him & Wade has just replaced Bryant in the driving/getting to the hoop.

I don't know, I think if LA's players could've made a shot last year, they'd have won, Bryant just couldn't buy a basket because Prince managed to stay in front of him the whole time & Bryant was pooped from chasing Rip behind screen after screen. If Prince guards Wade and manages to stay in front of him with his long dangling arms, it'll be tough for Miami. If Rip will be guarding him Wade might do all right. Just my guess but I'm sure we'll see pretty soon.

[J@3]

Some of you Heat fans neglect to remember EJ's defense on Carter he shut half man half amazing down (Andre Aldridge from NBA TV Daily calls him)

We're familiar with the nickname, as is everyone in the World not living in Uganda.

[Jackal]

Hey, don't diss Uganda eh, Mackdollah lives there and he knew that too. Besides, he doesn't have time to post anymore since he's like a famous rapper now. He's a sensation.

[Strike Freedom]

Heat's Win depends on Wade Offense and Mourning+Shaq's defense.

[Ripper]

According to Eric Pincus over at hoopsworld.com:
"Speaking of Shaq, word out of Florida is that Miami doctors told O'Neal that rest was the best path to healing his bruised thigh. I'm told that Shaq acted against the wishes of the Heat and had a doctor outside of the organization drain a pool of blood from within his thigh. The result of the procedure has Shaq barely able to support his own weight, which has led to the first missed playoff games of O'Neal's career and could jeopardize the Heat's chance to win a championship."

If Shaq really is in as bad shape as is suggested, the chances of Miami winning are very slim. By the way, I'm really starting to hate the pistons, just like I hated the Lakers and many people hated the bulls...not a good sign. Even with Shaq healthy, I still think the Pistons have the edge, because the chances of Shaq redeeming him self after last years perfomance against the Pistons are growing very slim. Shaq has to step up big, if he's going to win the battle against the Wallace's and Antonio.

I'm rooting against the Pistons and the Suns...somehow I think they are going to be in the final. crap

[Indy]

Some of you Heat fans neglect to remember EJ's defense on Carter he shut half man half amazing down (Andre Aldridge from NBA TV Daily calls him)

We're familiar with the nickname, as is everyone in the World not living in Uganda.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Matt]

Half Man Half Injured these days....

"Speaking of Shaq, word out of Florida is that Miami doctors told O'Neal that rest was the best path to healing his bruised thigh. I'm told that Shaq acted against the wishes of the Heat and had a doctor outside of the organization drain a pool of blood from within his thigh. The result of the procedure has Shaq barely able to support his own weight, which has led to the first missed playoff games of O'Neal's career and could jeopardize the Heat's chance to win a championship."

i guess that's bad news for Miami, even worse if the series goes for long. I guess the Pistons should legally bang up on Shaq now.

[beau_boy04]

Wade is much much superior than Prince in everything. He might have longers arms and all that, well let me tell ya Wade is one of the toughest players on the league and he will continuosly put Prince back to the bench because of personal fouls.

[Blue Nugget]

Miami 4-1, 4-2 at worst.

I'll second that.

[dan_suth]

Wade is much much superior than Prince in everything. He might have longers arms and all that, well let me tell ya Wade is one of the toughest players on the league and he will continuosly put Prince back to the bench because of personal fouls.

Wade is a great offensive threat just as Kobe is a great offensive threat.. but Tayshaun Prince is an EXCELLENT defender. If he can keep up with Wade and his quickness, he can easily defend him (Prince has like 6 inches on him and counting wingspan, more like an entire foot!). Don't count Tayshaun out- he has shut down Kobe and other great players in the past. However, I don't think the Pistons are gonna stick Prince on Wade, at least not from the start. They are probably gonna explore the Rip-Wade matchup, and if it doesn't work, throw in Tayshaun.

[Matt]

^^^ that sounds right. RIP will have to deal with Wade first off and Prince will lakely take him in the 2nd half.

[Indy]

I would love to see Miami in the finals, but unfortunatley, i see them running in to a lot of problems with detroit. Especially with Shaq not 100%. Detroits team game will eventually wear Miami out, here's how I see the series going:

Game 1: Miami 97 Detroit 93
Game 2: Detroit 85 Miami 80
Game 3: Detroit 90 Miami 87
Game 4: Miami 91 Detroit 88
Game 5: Detroit 78 Miami 74
Game 6: Miami 90 Detroit 89
Game 7: Detroit 89 Miami 86

But, I could see Detroit winning in 6 too, because I don't see them collapsing on their home court, in fact, I could see Detroit winning in 6 more then I could see them winning in 7, but this just seems like it should be a 7 game series to me.

[Alcoholic]

I want Miami to win but I think Rasheed will be a handfull. Rasheed is taller then Haslem, has longer arms, and when he shoots he has the ball waaaaaaay over his head, if Larry Brown gives the ball to him I don't see how you can stop that.

[Drex]

But he's sometimes inconsistent. Also, they could start Zo at PF

[Matt]

That wont help much, not unless Sheed plays inside.

Wade, though, fouled out of two of the three games played between the teams because Detroit will make him work at both ends.

from ESPN

[Alvin]

pistons take game 1. man, the heat were outplayed and outhustled. wade played poorly, prince covered him well. and sheed's intensity... wow.

[J-Smoove]

wow.. pisses me off to see detroit..

FUCK DETROIT!! THEY'RE TOO GOOOOOOOOOD!!

crap mr. prince was all over wade. eddie jones' offensive foul was questionable imo.. still a good game for him. will probably be all over the newspaper for F-ing them over.

[cyanide]

That was a good game. The shooting was bad, but Detroit's defense is amazing If Tayshaun can keep up his defense against Wade, I really don't see Miami getting anywhere in the series.