Every one wrote off the Pistons. Then, Ben Wallace blocked Shaq. Read more on the block here. So we definitely have two conference semis which will go to six games and the possibility of either of them, if not both going into game seven definitely exists.
The Piston’s were never as good as people thought they were? Ah the interesting debates in sport - always fascinating. My take is that they were good enough to win championships and you don’t win championships with just luck and because the opponents aren’t that strong.
Tonight is the night which promises the end of a Pistons dynasty. There are weaknesses about the Pistons the experts are speaking about and fans are irritated over but I am just going to say that the Heat have been that good. I was watching the Heat-Pistons game 4 and even though it was looking close at the end of the first half with a point separating the teams, the Heat looked firmly in control.
It showed as the gap opened up in quarters three and four - gaps which looked much bigger than they actually were at points in the game. A lot has been spoken on Dwayne Wade. All the praise is rightfully deserved but more impactful for me is the combination with Shaq and the rest of the guys - that damn good for me to win the championship this year. First, the Pistons dynasty must end.
The victory for the Suns to tie the series 2-2 was important because we needed at least one series to go into a game 6 if not a game 7. Else, we could have faced the situation of March Madness - good early on only to fizzle out when it mattered most. The fear was so big that Matthew Sussman even suggested the playoffs to close when the conference semi finals ended. The Suns resurgence is very promising.
Starting this week, we have a new feature at Sportolysis. In Visitors, I invite one person each week to share perspectives on a sport, a sporting event, sporting aspects or any thing in between. This week, Jon Reed of Complete Sports joins us to give his thoughts on the NBA Playoffs 2006 till the conference semi-finals and looking ahead at the conference finals.
By Jon Reed
What have we seen so far? Try 9 OT games, lots more that were decided by 1 or 2 points, and the biggest young star in the NBA proving that he can get the job done in the playoffs. Ah yes, the rebirth of the NBA.
We’ve seen one of the best conference semifinals ever, when we had arguably the top 2 teams in the NBA (San Antonio and Dallas) square off in an incredibly well-matched series, where only one game could be considered “not close.” We saw a series between Cleveland and Washington that featured Cleveland making 3 game-winners in the last 5 or so seconds. We’ve seen running and gunning from Phoenix throughout the playoffs, and we’ve seen tight defense in Game 7 when the Pistons needed the win.
We’ve seen countless incredible performances from stars. LeBron got a triple-double in his first playoff game. Tim Duncan did everything but drain a couple 3-pointers against the Mavs (incredibly without drawing a foul), but even he was topped by the heroics of Dirk Nowitzki. Dwyane Wade’s been knocked down many times, but he has the Heat in the conference Finals. Shawn Marion has played over 40 minutes a night, guarding guys like Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Chris Kaman, or Elton Brand, and all the while he’s been the Suns #2 scoring threat. The individual performances have been incredible.
LeBron Jones has been superb in his first play offs. Yes, it is his first play offs if you have forgotten that in all the craziness. I understand it caught every one’s fancy as James took the Cavaliers to almost eliminating the Pistons. What I don’t understand are the reactions over James.
First, people tried to compare him to Jordan and took that expectation level to the highest level possible in NBA terms. Let’s get this clear - no one comes close to Jordan. At least not any one I have seen. Actually, it is unfair on James when people even compare him with Jordan. I guess it is also the biggest compliment and he cannot help people raising their bar of expectation that high.
Now, people are ruing that he couldn’t crush the Pistons. LeBron James is just 21 years old. He isn’t yet the best player in the league for what it’s worth. People will take a Bryant or a Wayde or some one else. I don’t get why such aspects like LeBron is a king without a kingdom should be even pondered over at this stage of his career.
He has MANY more years ahead of him - and that, should be the end of that.
This year, I think things may be tilted in Detroit’s favor. They’ve basically been resting for a while now, having locked up the East a while, they have home-court advantage, and their bench is better than it’s given credit for. And not to sound like a broken record, but their offense is better under Flip. Another thing is, I don’t think Rasheed Wallace will be leaving Big Shot Rob open for anymore late shots. PISTONS IN 7.
The Detroit Pistons have certainly moved from strength to strength after Brown moved on to coach the Knicks. Not many will predict any one except the Pistons or the Spurs to win the title. Can the Miami Heat or some other team tide over these two champion teams?
