The OFFICIAL DET VS SAN Thread-Spurs 2005 NBA Champions

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 3:33 pm

The first four games weren't that great for someone without allegiance to either team, at least in my opinion. The games were blowouts with one team playing well and the other team playing poorly, Game 4 all but decided during the second quarter. That changed in Game 5 and 6 though, hopefully Game 7 will be a similar dogfight.

San Antonio really should have won this game. I can't believe how poorly Duncan's playing in crunch time though. Sure, he made a couple of easy baskets late in the fourth including that drive around Sheed to cut the deficit to 87-86, but free throws were an issue once again. His stat line suggests a decent game aside from the free throw shooting (though 5/10 isn't too bad considering some of his performances this postseason) but his play in the fourth quarter was once again shockingly subpar. As well as the missed free throws he also blew a few attempts right at the basket that shouldn't have been that difficult even with Detroit's interior defense. I was hoping for some Horry heroics, but he didn't have the touch tonight. The three missed attempts from downtown were all ugly.

Still, credit to the Pistons where credit is due. They won a tough elimination game on the road, shot nearly 50% from beyond the arc and basically did what they had to do to get the victory. I'm still not certain they can win two straight on the road to get the championship - obviously we won't have to wait long to see if they'll prove me wrong - but I agree they've got a really good chance. Right now I still think San Antonio will prevail, though if it's a close game in the final minutes I think they'll be in trouble, especially if they trail. Horry might be able to bail them out again but I'm really starting to doubt Duncan's abilities in the clutch.

I was hoping the Spurs would wrap it up in six to prove my prediction correct, but the first Game 7 in an NBA Finals in over a decade does make it a little more interesting. I really hope it won't be an anti-climactic contest like the first four games of the series, the last two games have been great to watch from start to finish.

by **COOLmac©** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:15 pm

An interesting stat: Detroit committed only 5 turnovers in this game.

that's the product of mr.Brown's coaching my friend 8-)

by **Fresh8** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:13 pm

If the Spurs lose the series, Duncan's reputation will go down... but would he known as a choker?

by **COOLmac©** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 6:01 pm

i'd say he's a deep throat choker :shock:

nah i dont think poeple will gag about timmy's non performance at the clutch..i saw him as a tired player lately...remember detriot is a dirty team, they can wear the star player down without them realizing it 8-)

by **AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 6:03 pm

If the Spurs lose the series, Duncan's reputation will go down... but would he known as a choker?

A two-time league and finals MVP a choker? Give me a break, anybody who seriouly makes that claim should insert his foot in his mouth immediatelly and rethink it...

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:01 pm

Not necessarily. After the Lakers lost a Finals series in the early 80s, Magic was labelled "Tragic" Johnson for a time. It's not a reputation Duncan might keep for long, but depending on what happens he might have to wear it for a while. It's a story that wouldn't go away quickly, unfair as it might be.

by **J@3** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:10 pm

He's brought it on himself really... he has the talent to step up, it's just a matter of him actually doing it.

by **Matt** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:18 pm

my Pistons in 7 prediction stays alive

anyways, i pick Detroit....they are simply much tougher mentally than SAS, they are an excellent closing out team....

even if they dont win, NO ONE can doubt them and put them down as a fluke champion last year.

EDIT: i get the feeling Billups will be Finals MVP

by **Strike Freedom** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:32 pm

Duncan is not as good as he used to... (like 2 years ago..) maybe because Robinson was there.

by **J@3** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:40 pm

SO wrote:Duncan is not as good as he used to... (like 2 years ago..) maybe because Robinson was there.

Didn't you say Robinson sucked :lol:

by **Jugs** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:27 pm

COME ON SILLY SPURS BOYS

i know they can do it

by **Strike Freedom** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:28 pm

Jae wrote:
SO wrote:Duncan is not as good as he used to... (like 2 years ago..) maybe because Robinson was there.

Didn't you say Robinson sucked

i did..

Duncan was so good shooting off the board..
what happened now.. ?

by **Fresh8** on Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:54 pm

he's getting old.... and keeps staring at that eva chick...

nah.. i was mucking around...

by **Rip32** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:25 am

he's getting old.... and keeps staring at that eva chick...

lol

All the Pistons have to do to beat the spurs is execute offensivly and bring the inexpieriance of a game 7 come out of those young Spurs (Ginobili & Parker). I like how the defense was making parker do tooo much, he was out there flipping pancakes everywhere and the pistons took advantage and ran all over them. Bowen having too gaurd Chauncey is big to cuz Rip can score on Brent Barry and Tony Parker at will.

by **AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 4:42 am

All the Pistons have to do to beat the spurs is execute offensivly and bring the inexpieriance of a game 7 come out of those young Spurs (Ginobili & Parker). I like how the defense was making parker do tooo much, he was out there flipping pancakes everywhere and the pistons took advantage and ran all over them. Bowen having too gaurd Chauncey is big to cuz Rip can score on Brent Barry and Tony Parker at will.

Well, I'll tell you one thing: Should the Pistons manage to win 2 straight in Alamo and grab the rings, I'll bandwagon them for life... I'm already mightily impressed by their poise and capability in do-or-die situations, and I love how they have been standing up in the Finals, despite me rooying for the Spurs... This is a pledge... (Y)

by **maes** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:45 am

Detroit was no fluke last year but this year that whole Ron Artest suspension thing still puts a big * on their East Conf championship. With a healthy JON and Ron Artest in the lineup and a Indiana playing together all season with Reggie still blazing away, would they have gotten past Indiana? If so, would they have gotten past a Miami without BOTH superstars injured?

They get full credit for this Spurs series...but quite honestly most experts out there had the title being won in the Eastern Conf Championship which was disappointing due to injuries & supsensions.

by **dan_suth** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:00 am

The Pistons are one game away from proving themselves for two years straight and still people are whining about them being "lucky" and not deserving to play in the Finals. This nonsense is never gonna end. :roll:

by **Bang** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:31 am

The chances of them winning this game are VERY VERY low...historically anyhow.

by **air gordon** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:05 am

big shot sheed!

by **Drex** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:09 am

And Bad Shot Parker...all alone in the corner for 3...and just air... (N)

by **dan_suth** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:16 pm

bangyounh wrote:The chances of them winning this game are VERY VERY low...historically anyhow.

The chances of them winning game six were VERY VERY low...historically anyhow.

They are only the second team ever to win game 6 on the road while facing a 3-2 deficit in the Finals.

by **Matt** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:48 pm

it's silly to make predictions on PAST history in basketball because every team writes their own history.

Detroit was no fluke last year but this year that whole Ron Artest suspension thing still puts a big * on their East Conf championship. With a healthy JON and Ron Artest in the lineup and a Indiana playing together all season with Reggie still blazing away, would they have gotten past Indiana? If so, would they have gotten past a Miami without BOTH superstars injured?

i believe so but i guess we'll see what happens next season.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 4:28 pm

Matt wrote:it's silly to make predictions on PAST history in basketball because every team writes their own history.

True, each team is in control of its own destiny. But facts and figures do have historical significance; the history of certain situations is relevant because what happened in the past happened for a reason. In this instance, homecourt advantage in the 2-3-2 series benefiting the home team in the final two games as most teams play much better at home. While it's merely a statistic, not a rule, it's still significant as there's a reason for the outcome that's remained the same throughout the history of the 2-3-2 format.

But as far as defying history is concerned, the Pistons already joined the select few teams that came back from 3-1 and have their own history of coming back from 3-2 deficits. They're making a habit of being the exceptions, the small percentage in historically significant facts and figures.

by **Fenix** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 4:38 pm

And that's why I love them

.

by **Jackal_** on Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:53 pm

Well shit, I don't know what to say anymore..seems everytime I say San Antonio is gonna win they lose! So for fucks sakes this time... GO PISTONS! (N)

(hopefully pistons lose)

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