Pistons or Jazz -- Who's tougher?

[Cry Havoc]

Since it's likely that the Pistons will beat the Cavs (by no means a certainty, since Cleveland finally has a 3 point shot and has found it's defense, but oh well), if we make it past Utah we will likely have Detroit in the Finals.

I'm curious as to who Spurs fans feel like will present a better challenge.

The Pistons don't seem quite as dominant on the defensive end of things as they did 2 years ago, and without Ben Wallace in the post they are going to have a hard time containing Duncan (not like that helped anyway). I seriously doubt Webber will contain him, and while Sheed plays him as tough as anyone, when Duncan wants to take over....

Utah on the other hand, is loaded with decent bigs. Deron Williams has both size and speed, and great court vision. However, the Pistons have people to contain Tony Parker -- Utah doesn't have a chance in hell of stopping him outside of shifting to a zone D.

When all is added up, I think it's a deadlock. Strange as it sounds, Detroit is no longer the most physical team in basketball, so that gives Utah a bit of an edge, but that is eradicated by the Pistons playoff experience.

Either or both series should be a blast to watch. Personally I have the Spurs in 6 in both, but anything could happen from here on out.

Note: This does NOT mean I'm looking past the Jazz. We have to take care of business first. I just think that since both teams are defensive stalwarts and neither has a player who is considered an elite penetration threat that it would be interesting to see who Spurs fans feel is a bigger threat to our title hopes.


This will be a poll.

[ThomasGranger]

Pistons hands down. They have been there before and gone the distance. The Jazz, while impressive so far, are basically young and inexperienced by comparison.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Since it's likely that the Pistons will beat the Cavs (by no means a certainty, since Cleveland finally has a 3 point shot and has found it's defense, but oh well), if we make it past Utah we will likely have Detroit in the Finals.

I'm curious as to who Spurs fans feel like will present a better challenge.

The Pistons don't seem quite as dominant on the defensive end of things as they did 2 years ago, and without Ben Wallace in the post they are going to have a hard time containing Duncan (not like that helped anyway). I seriously doubt Webber will contain him, and while Sheed plays him as tough as anyone, when Duncan wants to take over....

Utah on the other hand, is loaded with decent bigs. Deron Williams has both size and speed, and great court vision. However, the Pistons have people to contain Tony Parker -- Utah doesn't have a chance in hell of stopping him outside of shifting to a zone D.

When all is added up, I think it's a deadlock. Strange as it sounds, Detroit is no longer the most physical team in basketball, so that gives Utah a bit of an edge, but that is eradicated by the Pistons playoff experience.

Either or both series should be a blast to watch. Personally I have the Spurs in 6 in both, but anything could happen from here on out.

Note: This does NOT mean I'm looking past the Jazz. We have to take care of business first. I just think that since both teams are defensive stalwarts and neither has a player who is considered an elite penetration threat that it would be interesting to see who Spurs fans feel is a bigger threat to our title hopes.


This will be a poll.


It's funny how some people think the Pistons just don't play good Defense anymore. First of all go ask Tim who he doesn't want to face who he has trouble playing he will tell you it's Sheed. Second on the O it will be five on Five this year if we both make it that is. Good luck to The Spurs I think you will take out the Jazz in five or six games max.

[timvp]

They're both pretty damn good. The Jazz are as physical as any team in the league and Detroit is as talented as any team in the league.

If I'm not mistaken, the Jazz have had with the Pistons over the last couple seasons ... and most consider the Pistons to be the tougher team for the Spurs to face. So I think it's safe to say both teams play hard.

[Cry Havoc]

It's funny how some people think the Pistons just don't play good Defense anymore. First of all go ask Tim who he doesn't want to face who he has trouble playing he will tell you it's Sheed. Second on the O it will be five on Five this year if we both make it that is. Good luck to The Spurs I think you will take out the Jazz in five or six games max.

I never said that. I said they aren't as dominant on the defensive end. Earlier today I made a post that said of the 4 teams left, 3 of them are in the top 5 defensively in the league. The Pistons are by NO means weak there, but you can't tell me that losing Ben Wallace made them stronger on that end of the court. He was a freaking rock while they were there, and as good as Sheed is, he can't swat shots like Big Ben. Parker will have his way in the lane that series if we can screen Billups.

[misterx91578]

Pistons

[ShoogarBear]

both teams play hard.:smokin

[duncan228]

They both make me nervous for the reasons people have already said. The Jazz are physical, Duncan will get beat up inside. And I've also heard Duncan say the Rasheed defends him as well or better than anyone in the league.

One step at a time. Let's get game 1 while we feel them out and adjust to the style of the Jazz (more like ours than the Suns were.)

I would love to see a Pistons/Spurs rematch. But first I want to watch them beat the Jazz.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

I never said that. I said they aren't as dominant on the defensive end. Earlier today I made a post that said of the 4 teams left, 3 of them are in the top 5 defensively in the league. The Pistons are by NO means weak there, but you can't tell me that losing Ben Wallace made them stronger on that end of the court. He was a freaking rock while they were there, and as good as Sheed is, he can't swat shots like Big Ben. Parker will have his way in the lane that series if we can screen Billups.

I wasn't really calling you out even though I did highlight your post. I have been hearing how they lost a step slower not good on Defense and so on. I do agree we are not better without Ben for sure but our best defender even when Ben was here was and is Sheed. Ben is not a good man on man defender he is a help weak side shot blocker. I do think Parker can beat Billups off the dribble but he won't be able to stop Billups either should be a wash.

[Brutalis]

Detroit for now

[Cry Havoc]

So I think it's safe to say both teams play hard.

Man, we gotta take their Viagra away from them at some point.

[Cry Havoc]

I wasn't really calling you out even though I did highlight your post. I have been hearing how they lost a step slower not good on Defense and so on. I do agree we are not better without Ben for sure but our best defender even when Ben was here was and is Sheed. Ben is not a good man on man defender he is a help weak side shot blocker. I do think Parker can beat Billups off the dribble but he won't be able to stop Billups either should be a wash.

Yeah, Parker = Billups for the series. That would even be a win for the Spurs, I think. The difference is that with Ben in the game, he could get to the rim so quickly that it was pointless to have Parker penetrate -- he blocked far too many shots.

Now, I wonder how the Pistons will counter Parker in the lane, provided we both win our E and WCF matchups.

[ATXSPUR]

I have not seen much jazz at all but I dont understand how this is even a close debate. Pistons easily.

[Agloco]

The Jazz are in the WCF by default. Neither the Rockets or the Warriors gave a true picture of how Utah will perform against SA. Lets be real, whoever won that first round matchup between Houston and Utah was getting to the conference finals.........

I'm taking Spurs in five simply because I believe Utah will not be able to win any here in SA. The Spurs are good for one of the two up there though.

The Pistons are easily the harder matchup. The way they play is truly scary sometimes. If Sheed can contain Timmy, that would be a problem indeed.