DieMrBond
06-20-2005, 01:23 AM
Charley Rosen: Horry's shot leaves Pistons in tough spot
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3703270
The trouble with the Pistons in Game 5 was that they thought the series was already over.
Right out of the chute, the Spurs had more energy and were even more physical. Instead of immediately grabbing the game by the throat and not even allowing San Antonio to think about winning, Detroit's attitude seemed to be this: We know that San Antonio will come out smoking, so we'll hold ourselves back just a little bit, take their best shot, then steamroll them when they've lost their energy. It was the same light-switch mentality that routinely prevents reigning champs from successfully defending their titles — and that plagued the Pistons for much of the regular season.
Even though the Pistons' bigs came alive midway through the opening quarter and eased the home team into a narrow lead, Detroit continued to operate on cruise control. Until, with 6:30 left in the second quarter and the Spurs sitting on a 9-point lead, the Pistons took advantage of several San Antonio mishaps: Tony Parker's interior passwork continued to be shaky — he committed a pair of turnovers in tight quarters and was debited with another one when Nazr "What A Pair of Hands" Mohammed flubbed a highly catchable pass out-of-bounds. But there were more mini-catastrophes to come — a missed layup by Robert Horry, a driving flip by Horry turned back by Ben Wallace, and then an airball unleashed by Tim Duncan.
Meanwhile, led by Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups, the Pistons went on a 14-5 scoring binge and looked to have a secure handle on the game. Ah, but then came a pair of misplays by Hamilton — an offensive foul and a traveling violation — and their momentum was stalled.
The score at the half was 42-all, and both teams considered themselves fortunate.
Remarkably enough, the Pistons had the same holstered-gun approach to start the second as they did to start the game. After the Spurs fumbling finish in the first half, they were sure to go belly-up for the duration. Right?
Did somebody say "killer instinct"?
There were several key developments in the third quarter: Duncan was more active than he'd been since the scene shifted to Detroit. And immediately after Bruce Bowen was nailed with an offensive foul for clearly elbowing Hamilton, the Pistons came right back with a screen-and-curl play for Rip — knowing that Bowen would be at least temporarily leery of risking another foul so quickly. On the play, Hamilton banged home one of his trademark mid-range jumpers. A terrific call by Larry Brown.
Another in-the-lane pass by Parker went awry, and the Pistons were out and running. Hey Tony, when you zip your way into the paint either shoot it or toss it out to a perimeter shooter!
The fourth quarter showcased even more surprises: Antonio McDyess continued to step up his game at both ends of the floor. Rasheed Wallace and Hamilton bagged clutch buckets. But Billups seemed to be the horse that the Pistons would ride to the finish line. Not even Bowen could slow down Mister Big Shot.
For the Spurs, Mohammed's clang hands and failure to box out were nearly fatal. Manu Ginobili made a nifty move in driving toward a screen offered by TD, but then changing direction and plunging headlong to the rim for a 3-point play the hard way. (Notice how often Ginobili uses the ball to push away his defender.)
But the biggest news was Duncan's clutch-time choking! In the last 7:13 of regulation time, he missed six of seven free throws! Even worse, just before the final buzzer, TD missed an easy tip that would have won the game then and there.
It was no surprise, however, that Horry's transcendent play — 3-pointers, rebounds, and free throws — managed to keep the Spurs alive.
In the extra period, Duncan continued to fire blanks — missing a pair of short jump-hooks, and then fumbling a perfect entry pass from Horry.
At the other end, the Pistons were also struggling: Billups drove on Bowens, was squeezed by Duncan and shot an air ball. Rasheed got only his second post-up opportunity of the second half and swished another jumper. Billups missed a wide-open 18-footer. And the game came down to two plays.
With 9.4 on the clock, the Pistons led 95-93, and the Spurs in-bounded the ball from the sideline. That's when Rasheed blundered. Instead of staying in touch with the in-bounder — Horry — R. Wallace sagged into the pivot to prevent and entry pass into Duncan. The right play was to let Duncan receive the pass, then quickly foul him and put the pressure on him to make two-of-two free throws. We all know who wound up with the ball, and what he did with it. Horry's been there, done that.
Brown chose to call Hamilton's number for the win-or-lose shot. Not Billups, not Rasheed. Hamilton drove, he and Bowen fouled one another several times, and the shot was off.
BUZZZT!
This was a game that the Pistons took for granted. By underestimating their opponents and overestimating their own capabilities, they've just about sandbagged their season. The truth is that the Spurs are tough to beat at home under any circumstances — and Ben Wallace always plays smaller on the road than he does at the Palace.
So forget about the Pistons' backs being to the wall. Their backs are to the abyss, and their heels are suspended over the edge of the cliff.
Is there anybody out there who still thinks the series is boring?
Charley Rosen, former CBA coach, author of 12 books about hoops, the current one being A pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA, is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3703270
The trouble with the Pistons in Game 5 was that they thought the series was already over.
Right out of the chute, the Spurs had more energy and were even more physical. Instead of immediately grabbing the game by the throat and not even allowing San Antonio to think about winning, Detroit's attitude seemed to be this: We know that San Antonio will come out smoking, so we'll hold ourselves back just a little bit, take their best shot, then steamroll them when they've lost their energy. It was the same light-switch mentality that routinely prevents reigning champs from successfully defending their titles — and that plagued the Pistons for much of the regular season.
Even though the Pistons' bigs came alive midway through the opening quarter and eased the home team into a narrow lead, Detroit continued to operate on cruise control. Until, with 6:30 left in the second quarter and the Spurs sitting on a 9-point lead, the Pistons took advantage of several San Antonio mishaps: Tony Parker's interior passwork continued to be shaky — he committed a pair of turnovers in tight quarters and was debited with another one when Nazr "What A Pair of Hands" Mohammed flubbed a highly catchable pass out-of-bounds. But there were more mini-catastrophes to come — a missed layup by Robert Horry, a driving flip by Horry turned back by Ben Wallace, and then an airball unleashed by Tim Duncan.
Meanwhile, led by Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups, the Pistons went on a 14-5 scoring binge and looked to have a secure handle on the game. Ah, but then came a pair of misplays by Hamilton — an offensive foul and a traveling violation — and their momentum was stalled.
The score at the half was 42-all, and both teams considered themselves fortunate.
Remarkably enough, the Pistons had the same holstered-gun approach to start the second as they did to start the game. After the Spurs fumbling finish in the first half, they were sure to go belly-up for the duration. Right?
Did somebody say "killer instinct"?
There were several key developments in the third quarter: Duncan was more active than he'd been since the scene shifted to Detroit. And immediately after Bruce Bowen was nailed with an offensive foul for clearly elbowing Hamilton, the Pistons came right back with a screen-and-curl play for Rip — knowing that Bowen would be at least temporarily leery of risking another foul so quickly. On the play, Hamilton banged home one of his trademark mid-range jumpers. A terrific call by Larry Brown.
Another in-the-lane pass by Parker went awry, and the Pistons were out and running. Hey Tony, when you zip your way into the paint either shoot it or toss it out to a perimeter shooter!
The fourth quarter showcased even more surprises: Antonio McDyess continued to step up his game at both ends of the floor. Rasheed Wallace and Hamilton bagged clutch buckets. But Billups seemed to be the horse that the Pistons would ride to the finish line. Not even Bowen could slow down Mister Big Shot.
For the Spurs, Mohammed's clang hands and failure to box out were nearly fatal. Manu Ginobili made a nifty move in driving toward a screen offered by TD, but then changing direction and plunging headlong to the rim for a 3-point play the hard way. (Notice how often Ginobili uses the ball to push away his defender.)
But the biggest news was Duncan's clutch-time choking! In the last 7:13 of regulation time, he missed six of seven free throws! Even worse, just before the final buzzer, TD missed an easy tip that would have won the game then and there.
It was no surprise, however, that Horry's transcendent play — 3-pointers, rebounds, and free throws — managed to keep the Spurs alive.
In the extra period, Duncan continued to fire blanks — missing a pair of short jump-hooks, and then fumbling a perfect entry pass from Horry.
At the other end, the Pistons were also struggling: Billups drove on Bowens, was squeezed by Duncan and shot an air ball. Rasheed got only his second post-up opportunity of the second half and swished another jumper. Billups missed a wide-open 18-footer. And the game came down to two plays.
With 9.4 on the clock, the Pistons led 95-93, and the Spurs in-bounded the ball from the sideline. That's when Rasheed blundered. Instead of staying in touch with the in-bounder — Horry — R. Wallace sagged into the pivot to prevent and entry pass into Duncan. The right play was to let Duncan receive the pass, then quickly foul him and put the pressure on him to make two-of-two free throws. We all know who wound up with the ball, and what he did with it. Horry's been there, done that.
Brown chose to call Hamilton's number for the win-or-lose shot. Not Billups, not Rasheed. Hamilton drove, he and Bowen fouled one another several times, and the shot was off.
BUZZZT!
This was a game that the Pistons took for granted. By underestimating their opponents and overestimating their own capabilities, they've just about sandbagged their season. The truth is that the Spurs are tough to beat at home under any circumstances — and Ben Wallace always plays smaller on the road than he does at the Palace.
So forget about the Pistons' backs being to the wall. Their backs are to the abyss, and their heels are suspended over the edge of the cliff.
Is there anybody out there who still thinks the series is boring?
Charley Rosen, former CBA coach, author of 12 books about hoops, the current one being A pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA, is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.