I heard the joke of the day on Dan Patrick's show

[JamStone]

you know, the funny thing about the pistons is that they just don't look like champions. i think i will remember them more for being a very opportunistic team, more than any other other thing. last year, they were very fortunate to have come out of a weak eastern conference only to meet a laker team that was already exhausted from playing the spurs and the timberwolves. if not for the fact that karl marlone was down with injury, the lakers would have deflated the pistons ego.

I don't know how many times I've heard the "Malone was injured" excuse and that if he played, it would have been different. Some people don't know their history. Karl Malone PLAYED in the NBA FINALS. He started the FIRST FOUR games. And, the only game he did not play in was the final, deciding game 5. And, he did not play "injured" until he re-aggravated an injury in game 4. Please ... the "Karl Malone was injured" card is very played out, not to mention inaccurate.

[JamStone]

If everyone of those scorers gets 25 points, on an embarrasing percentage, and we still win... I consider that a stop.

Bruce is the better defender, Tayshaun is not in the all defensive team... and he should be there, since he's in the top 2 defensive teams in the nba..

He also has 2 parts to his game, something that won't make his defense at Bowen's level.

So, when Rip scores 24 points on a very good percentage (11-23) and Spurs lose in a blowout, what does that say about Bruce Bowen's defense?

The fact is, scorers will find ways to score. And, not even the very best defenders can always stop great offensive players.

Tayshaun was second team all defense.

What exactly do you mean when you say "He also has 2 parts to his game?" When you make a statement like that, shouldn't you explain what you mean?


I would probably agree that Bruce Bowen is a better defender than Tayshaun at this point. But, what is wrong with Tayshaun having the confidence to believe that he is better? No shame in that. Like I said before, Andrei Kirilenko and Ron Artest are better than BOTH Bruce and Tayshaun.

[ZStomp]

Does it really en matter? I could care less if Prince said Steve Nash was a better defender.

SO WHAT?!

Now, if I was a pro ball player like Bowen/Prince and they asked me that question- I wouldn't even answer that question. "Next question please."

[manubili]

I really do think the Spurs were asked to throw game 3 to extend the series anyways. Pop is a mastermind at mind games and knows this series is in the bag.

I had the same feeling. It makes sense, long series = more money. But, that's possible? I started to feel this way seeing Manu not trying any shots, when in the previous game he was almost perfect in every aspect, free throws, 3, etc. Besides: there were no D, Tim was absent... Pop making strange decissions... It's like to much! If this is true, have this ever happen before?

Detroit was good, and they have a lot of credit.

I'm not saying I'm sure, but I'm su ious about it.

I'm still waiting to see both teams in their real shape.

[Jimcs50]

I see nothing wrong with what he said at all.

[CosmicCowboy]

JamStone...

just a great series of posts...I sincerely hope you hang around after this series is over...despite some of the knee jerk emotional responses you have gotten in here we actually do have a large core of objective posters in here that enjoy good "basketball smart" dialogue from fans of other teams...and a lot of the flamers disappear during the off season...

[spur219]

Prince is really an overrated defender. And he is not better than Bowen.

[td4mvp21]

Do you honestly believe Tayshaun is going to say publicly that Bruce Bowen is a better defender than him? Part of being a professional athlete is confidence. The majority of NBA players feel they are better than they probably are. Erick Dampier thinks he's the second best center in the league after Shaq. I'm sure Bruce Bowen feels that he's a better defender than Tayshaun. And, Tayshaun makes an interesting point about his length, but who's to say which player is better. It's a subjective thing, and really isn't that big of a deal. To me, both Tayshaun and Bruce come after Andrei Kirilenko and Ron Artest in terms of premier perimeter defenders.

Rasheed is not the type of person to go around giving compliments to his opponents too often. He's done it before with Iverson and Kidd, but it's very rare. Rasheed is the ultimate compe or and does not like to give props. I don't think Spurs fans or Manu should look too much into Rasheed saying Manu isn't special. Everyone in the world saw how good Manu is in the first two games.

And, I think Tayshaun is en led to say that he feels Dwyane Wade is quicker and tougher to guard. He's defended both players. He's just stating his opinion. Apparently, a guy can't speak his mind if it's not praising the Spurs.

I agree that Coach Pop and all of the Spurs players have been very humble in their interviews, and have given credit where due. They have been very classy. And, that's great. What does that have anything to do with what goes on the basketball court? At the end of the day, the Spurs are great, the Pistons are great. And, the Spurs have the series lead in the NBA finals. So, who cares what the players say or don't say??? I think all of it stirs more crap with us fans than it does with the players. Media just wants human interest stories, controversy, and things to report on. Is it really that big of a deal?

The Dwayne Wade part wasn't bad, I guess, I was just angry about the rest. They still don't give the Spurs any credit for anything. Just read the comments.

[SpursWoman]

And, by the way, during the game, Coach Pop is known to come down on the referees as hard as any coach in the NBA. In game 3, Tim got a technical foul for yelling at a ref. Robert Horry stood in front of a referee two inches from his face, arms flailing in whining disagreement. Or, do you only see it when a Piston player or coach does it???

Why around with the middle-man?

[samikeyp]

Prince is a great defensive player, and he was all over Kobe in last years playoffs.

He had me sold when he ran down Reggie in last year's playoffs.

[TheTruth]

I had the same feeling. It makes sense, long series = more money. But, that's possible? I started to feel this way seeing Manu not trying any shots, when in the previous game he was almost perfect in every aspect, free throws, 3, etc. Besides: there were no D, Tim was absent... Pop making strange decissions... It's like to much! If this is true, have this ever happen before?

Detroit was good, and they have a lot of credit.

I'm not saying I'm sure, but I'm su ious about it.

I'm still waiting to see both teams in their real shape.

there is NO WAY that the spurs threw the game.

[nkdlunch]

Bowen >>>> Prince defensively. That's a fact. Get over it.

[Ginofan]

I have been very surprised by the egotistic nature of the team. I think winning last year's le got to their heads, because they don't give the Spurs ANY respect.

I don't think it's egotistical at all...what Tay said. Bruce was on BDSSP this season and was asked who the better defender was between himself and Artest. Bruce said himself. Was that egotistical? Nope. Why would you want to openly admit that someone is beating you at something that is supposed to be your specialty? Maybe on the inside you feel that way, but it's not really smart to give the opponent the mental edge and let them think they are beating you.

[gocanes719]

You imbelished the crap out of that.

Not to mention, I'm sure Bowen would say the same thing about himself. Its compe ive nature.



another newsflash: Wade IS faster than Manu. Manu might be a better all-around player, but Wade is quicker off the dribble, and he's a better slasher.

Harder to cover? I'll have to defer to Tay on that. Both of them are nearly impossible to guard. However, occasionally Manu will settle for the jumper, while wade drives non-stop.

That is exactly what he said. You say what you want, your a Pisons fan.

[Browns_shadow]

He had me sold when he ran down Reggie in last year's playoffs.

Prince can be a great defensive player, given a favorable matchup and when he gets it going can dominate. I think the difference is that if Prince gets going offensively his defense drastically improves, where I think for Bruce it starts on the defensive side of the ball.

Spurs are

[Chris4]

Well, what would you like him to say? Why would he say that Bowen is a better defender? All he spoke was the truth. Get over it.

[MiNuS]

I heard the interview and just imagine Bowen in the same interview.
Bowen is a more polished and intellectual defender.NO,he doesn't have
a longer wingspan but Bowen uses everything(knees,hips,arms,even
flying kicks)in his defense.Hustle.
I am very curious but after the game and 10 minutes later we see Bowen
in a very nice suit and looks ready to sell you something.PROFESSIONAL!
I would expect for Bowen to say that he goes to work and gets paid to defend the other teams best perimeter player and then totally give the credit
to Prince and say he has the most potential. (and then shut the trap up!)

[td4mvp21]

I don't think it's egotistical at all...what Tay said. Bruce was on BDSSP this season and was asked who the better defender was between himself and Artest. Bruce said himself. Was that egotistical? Nope. Why would you want to openly admit that someone is beating you at something that is supposed to be your specialty? Maybe on the inside you feel that way, but it's not really smart to give the opponent the mental edge and let them think they are beating you.

It's not all that. Just read the comments or look at how they act during the games. You can completely tell winning a championship has gone to their heads. They are a good team, but they think to much of themselves, much like every other team in the NBA. I hate it when the Spurs get y. BTW, its just my opinion. Some people may not view this as arrogant, but I do.

[SoundTheToll]

As a die-hard Stones fan I hate to admit this: Prince is overrated defensively. Sure, he's the best defensive player in the open court. He can help grab boards and contest shots. However, he only really is able to lock down certain players: jump shooters. For example:

Players Prince has locked down
T-Mac
Kobe
Korver
Stephan Jackson
AI


Player who play well against Prince
Artest
RJ
Wade
Ginobili (TBD, so far Manu has him 2-1, but I have confidence Tay can do better)


Tayshaun succeeds against people who prefer the jumpshot over the drive. This is because Tay can get up on them and still has the quickness to keep them in front. However, pure slashers seem to play very well against Tayshaun. Jefferson always lights him up because he's looking to drive everytime. Don't get me wrong: I believe Tay deserves his 2nd team all Defense. But that's it. He isn't the complete lock down player that some (Patrick) make him out to be.

[mrpach]

prince guarding AI??
i didnt watch those seires but it seems unlikely

[PistonsNation]

Here Spurs fans I'll give ya want ya want by playing the role of Tayshaun being interviewed

"Actually Dan, I'm glad you brought that up. Bowen is a lock down artist. He's so smooth and clean I'm embarresed you'd ever compare him to me."

"If a guy has an off night while I'm guardig him it's simply coincidence, and I hope people don't read anything more into it. Like our championship last year my defense is a fluke".

[Kori Ellis]

Here Spurs fans I'll give ya want ya want by playing the role of Tayshaun being interviewed

"Actually Dan, I'm glad you brought that up. Bowen is a lock down artist. He's so smooth and clean I'm embarresed you'd ever compare him to me."

"If a guy has an off night while I'm guardig him it's simply coincidence, and I hope people don't read anything more into it. Like our championship last year my defense is a fluke".

I was thinking the same thing. A player, especially during the postseason, is not going to say anything in the press negative about himself.

[SpursWoman]

Anyway, he has the right to be egotistial to a certain degree....his team is in the Finals and he helped a great deal in getting them there.

"Actually Dan, I'm glad you brought that up. Bowen is a lock down artist. He's so smooth and clean I'm embarresed you'd ever compare him to me."

"If a guy has an off night while I'm guardig him it's simply coincidence, and I hope people don't read anything more into it. Like our championship last year my defense is a fluke".

Tell me a response like that wouldn't have been ed up. I would have laughed my ass off.