NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons

[Starbreaker]

Tonight was going to be my night to assess whether this NBA Finals series would be, in reality, a series....or a romp. Meaning, as any ESPN reader, or basketball media follower would probably know: whether the Pistons are going to make things interesting, or the Lakers are going to ride high to their next Championship.

Happily, I can say after Game One....it's going to be a damn good series. Some people might say, "Well, it's only one game. You can't predict a series by that." And that's true, in some respects. But the reason I believe Game One was so important, is because of the format the NBA Finals have.

This year:
Games One & Two in L.A.
Games Three to Five (if necessary) in Detroit
Games Six & Seven in L.A. (if necessary)

With this format, Detroit really needed one of the first two games. Preferrably the first, because if L.A. got their footing right off the bat, it probably would be ten times more difficult for the Pistons to come back. This is evidenced by Phil Jackson's 44-0 (Can I get a "HOLY SH**?") record when up, at any point, in a Playoff series.

But the Detroit Pistons did it. Game One is theirs, despite Richard Hamilton's poor performance, and Rasheed Wallace barely playing in the first half. This game goes to the roleplayers, in my opinion. Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace led the squad, while guys like Tayshaun Prince, ELDEN CAMPBELL (WTF?), Corliss Williamson, and even Lindsey Hunter contributed more than usual. These guys pulled things together for Detroit tonight, and held it together.

As for Game Two? I expect Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton to adjust. Wallace had a decent game, but he needs to shy away from fouls. Hamilton needs someone to get Kobe off of him, defensively, as his pure speed and agility (great as they are) won't be enough to shake Kobe this series.

Granted, I think the Lakers will probably come back and win Game Two. But I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Detroit kept it tight, and maybe even won Game Two.

I can have a little wishful thinking, at least. heh.

Congrats to the Detroit Pistons for getting their business done in Game One, though. Should be a series for the strategists and counter strategists, with Phil Jackson and Larry Brown at the helms of these two teams.

 

[ShawnHartXXX]

As a big fan of Payton & Malone, as well as Larry Brown (Die Phil Jackson!! DIE!! Go Jazz.) and the Pistons as a whole, it's just fun to watch for me regardless of who wins. The Pistons have effectively stolen the home court advantage in the 2-3-2 format by taking game 1. After the next game in LA, we're looking at 3 straight at the Palace. In game 2, I'm thinking Rip will get his shots, but Karl Malone and Gary Payton will probably get going as well. Should be the best NBA Finals series in several years.

 

[Steve]

So tired of the Lakers

And the alleged rapist forces OT. Did anyone not think that shot was going in? He's clutch. As much as i hate the Lakers. That shot was as good as in before he took it. You almost have to run 2 guys at him, force him to pass. Do something. Maybe throw an underage girl at him.

Turned off the tv and didn't watch OT. If the Pistons came back from that, they should have gotten the title right there.

O'Neal's foul shot was the death blow, cutting it to three. I think the Pistons will win at least one at home, but I'll hold off on the "We have a series" hype until Game Three. Detroit HAS to win game three. L.A. will have their "okay geez i guess we have to play good now" start in Detroit, the Pistons have to stick it to them. If they can beat L.A in game 3, they'll go back to L.A up one game.

As often as the Lakers have been outplayed in every series, this 4th title in 5 years looks to be destiny. The Spurs were just weakened enough by Robinson, Jackson, and Claxton's departures to allow L.A to win that series. And Fisher's miracle 3 was a joke. That was pretty much game, set, NBA title there.

They'll win and Phil will be given a key to the city. A sextape of he and Jeanie will be released to favorable reviews. Kobe spends the offseason healing the inner 8, and Shaq reveals he's been gay since his freshman year in college. Malone signs for one last season with the Jazz, threatening to kill anyone who boos him, and Payton signs with, suprisingly enough the Clippers. Citing, "While I hated that Buddist sh*t, the weather here is unreal."

All this, after admitting in the ceremony "It wasn't what the Pistons did, it was us. We finally came to play."

Seriously folks. They'll win this, but it wasn't pretty.

I don't remember a recent NBA title run so dependent on a series of key shots.

Jackson's 3 in game one of the Houston series, if that goes..you never know. Watching Yao play Shaq was a treat. If they steal an early game on Jim's end of game 3....the wheels might have fallen off.

Fisher's 3, in addition to Tony Parker laying enough bricks to build a new stadium.

And in the conference finals. Kareem Rush losing his head for a game.

And now..Luke Walton?

The Lakers are great, but this team isn't near as good as the 3peat squads, and to me its been pretty disgusting watching them limp to the title all year. Almost begging teams to knock them off.

It's a shame Detroit couldn't quite finish it. Be interesting to see how they respond. In their favor...O'Neal can't possibly be this good from the foul line on the road, and Malone's laughable right now. As is Payton.

Where's Wallace? They need Sheed to win this thing.

There's no way they're taking 3 straight at home, but they have to win 3. If they can go back to L.A with a lead, you've got two shots to make the Lakers buckle up and get it done.

As i said, it's destiny. A digusting one at that. But, the stars are aligned.