How a few shots can make you win by 30.

[2centsworth]

Great post Manny! However, the spurs and their softness has given the detroit scrubs confidence.

[violentkitten]

spurs blow out pistons in sa, everyone on spurs wagon
pistons blow out spurs in detroit, everyone on pistons wagon

thats the bottomline.

[totalspurshomer]

spurs blow out pistons in sa, everyone on spurs wagon
pistons blow out spurs in detroit, everyone on pistons wagon

thats the bottomline.

That would seem to be the case right now. It'll be interesting to see what the at ude will be after game 5, depending on who wins AND the margin of error.

[myhc]

I knew when Rasheed made that buzzer beater 3 pointer at the end of the 1st quarter that this would not be our night. Then Ben Wallace proceeded to hit fade away 19 footers and Chauncy hit fadeaway baseline 19 footers. And this was with solid defense. Every time those shots went in, the Spurs would just become more and more demoralized, only accentuated by their pathetic execution on offense. Detroit deserves this win no doubt. They simply outhustled and outplayed us. But those half dozen buzzer beaters were instrumental in turning the tide.

[blaze89]

Take a look at the score one more time, no matter how disgusted you are. 102-71. All that score tells you is that the Spurs suffered a huge defeat by an incredible margin of points for an NBA Finals game.


However, it may be what it doesn't tell you that matters the most. It doesn't tell you that early in the first half Ben Wallace hit 18 footers. It doesn't tell you that in that same first half Chauncy Billups hit several buzzer beating and downright miraculous shots. It doesn't tell you of a foul or 2 that wasn't called and not only took away points from the Spurs, but led to easy scores for the Pistons.

It doesn't tell you that Lindsey Hunter - previously the worst shooter in the history of the post shot clock NBA playoffs - outscored every player the Spurs put out on the court; including a 2 time Finals MVP. It doesn't tell you that his sidekick off the bench McDyess seemingly scored a point for every one of his knee surgeries.


Any basketball game - even ones decided by 30 points - have key individual turning points. A looseball, a charge call, or a buzzer beater are all momentum killers or sparks depending on which side of the ball you're on. They can kill a team or they can ignite a team.


Make no mistake about it, if the Spurs don't fly up from San Antonio in time for game 5, they will lose another game. But before declaring that the Spurs are back to Charmin status, take notice of the rising tide of unlikely events coming together for the Pistons. Officiating will even out over the course of a series. McDyess will come back down to earth, but probably not before Lindsey Hunter leaves a crater in the ground. And Ben Wallace will once again pain the rim with 18 foot jump shots.


Sometimes you hit a Memorial Day Miracle. Sometimes Rober Horry's game winning 3 rims out. Sometimes .4 happens. The road to the Larry Obrien trophy takes a lot of heart, there's no denying that. But it also takes a lot of luck and the Spurs are due.

Very good post. The small details in big picture can really say alot.

[sa_butta]

Take a look at the score one more time, no matter how disgusted you are. 102-71. All that score tells you is that the Spurs suffered a huge defeat by an incredible margin of points for an NBA Finals game.


However, it may be what it doesn't tell you that matters the most. It doesn't tell you that early in the first half Ben Wallace hit 18 footers. It doesn't tell you that in that same first half Chauncy Billups hit several buzzer beating and downright miraculous shots. It doesn't tell you of a foul or 2 that wasn't called and not only took away points from the Spurs, but led to easy scores for the Pistons.

It doesn't tell you that Lindsey Hunter - previously the worst shooter in the history of the post shot clock NBA playoffs - outscored every player the Spurs put out on the court; including a 2 time Finals MVP. It doesn't tell you that his sidekick off the bench McDyess seemingly scored a point for every one of his knee surgeries.


Any basketball game - even ones decided by 30 points - have key individual turning points. A looseball, a charge call, or a buzzer beater are all momentum killers or sparks depending on which side of the ball you're on. They can kill a team or they can ignite a team.


Make no mistake about it, if the Spurs don't fly up from San Antonio in time for game 5, they will lose another game. But before declaring that the Spurs are back to Charmin status, take notice of the rising tide of unlikely events coming together for the Pistons. Officiating will even out over the course of a series. McDyess will come back down to earth, but probably not before Lindsey Hunter leaves a crater in the ground. And Ben Wallace will once again pain the rim with 18 foot jump shots.


Sometimes you hit a Memorial Day Miracle. Sometimes Rober Horry's game winning 3 rims out. Sometimes .4 happens. The road to the Larry Obrien trophy takes a lot of heart, there's no denying that. But it also takes a lot of luck and the Spurs are due.

Exactly, wont happen again.
It was raining four leaf clovers in D-town last night.

[nkdlunch]

The final score really doesn't mean crap. Spurs gave up waaaay too early in the 3d quarter. might as well shouldn't have come out of the dressing room after halftime.

[totalspurshomer]

What makes game 5 interesting to me is how Detroit will come out. In their playoff run this year, they've been tremendously Jekyll and Hyde. One or two games they'll have you thinking that last year's team is back. Then they'll play a game or two that leave you thinking you're watching guys who've never played together before.

I'm not surprised that the Spurs have lost two. I was expecting 7 games. I am surprised that the Spurs followed a terrible effort with an even more pathetic effort. I expected the losses, but I never thought the Spurs would lose Finals games with such a horrible lack of effort.

[myhc]

What makes game 5 interesting to me is how Detroit will come out. In their playoff run this year, they've been tremendously Jekyll and Hyde. One or two games they'll have you thinking that last year's team is back. Then they'll play a game or two that leave you thinking you're watching guys who've never played together before.

I'm not surprised that the Spurs have lost two. I was expecting 7 games. I am surprised that the Spurs followed a terrible effort with an even more pathetic effort. I expected the losses, but I never thought the Spurs would lose Finals games with such a horrible lack of effort.

Agreed. I had this going 7 games but I thought in our losses, we would at least be compe ive.

[geerussell]

The spurs came in favored and on their home court. They deserve all the respect they get for taking care of business and living up to their hype by soundly thrashing the pistons twice.

That being said, they didn't have to face any adversity in those wins. Now that they've been counter-punched and sent to the corner with a bloody nose and a cut over their eye we'll see if they are mentally tough. The pistons showed what they were made of, picking themselves up off the mat, the pressure is all on san antonio now.

If the spurs get run out of the gym again in game five the word "soft" will come up every time the spurs are mentioned and nobody will talk about this series without hearing echoes of the 04 lakers.

[Arsenal of Democracy]

funny how the pistons go home and suddenly figure things out. unfortunately for piston fan they have to win in sa. that means without their fans, their pyrotechnics and a loud black man on the mike.

.

Hey Mr Grand Wizard -

What does the fact he is black have to do with anything?


A.O.D.

[Dex]

Well put, Manny.

In the end, it only counts as one loss in the books. Despite all the turnovers, bricked shots, botched passes, bad quarters, milkbox players, etc....the score is still only 2-2.

Anyone who doesn't have enough faith in this Spurs team to win a 3-game series, with HCA, doesn't deserve to be on the ing bandwagon.

[SoundTheToll]

LOL, why didn't you just say "If the Pistons didn't rebound and make shots then they wouldn't have won."

You can only get lucky so many times. Last night the only lucky shot I remember is the Billups up and under when he was looking for a foul and got none.

You guys probably aren't open-minded enough to believe this, but I'll tell you anyway: Ben Wallace is as good a jumpshooter as Timmy is. Its just that the offense isn't centered around him, so he isn't in a position to take the shot very often. If you watch him during shootarounds and practices he drains threes with ease. Plus, he naturally fades on his jumpshot, so they weren't as unbelievable shots as you may think.

That being said; Sunday should be our first compe ive game of the series. Timmy won't allow the Spurs to get blown out again, but the Pistons should still be in must win mode. I think it'll be a great game.

[MannyIsGod]

LOL, why didn't you just say "If the Pistons didn't rebound and make shots then they wouldn't have won."

You can only get lucky so many times. Last night the only lucky shot I remember is the Billups up and under when he was looking for a foul and got none.

You guys probably aren't open-minded enough to believe this, but I'll tell you anyway: Ben Wallace is as good a jumpshooter as Timmy is. Its just that the offense isn't centered around him, so he isn't in a position to take the shot very often. If you watch him during shootarounds and practices he drains threes with ease. Plus, he naturally fades on his jumpshot, so they weren't as unbelievable shots as you may think.

That being said; Sunday should be our first compe ive game of the series. Timmy won't allow the Spurs to get blown out again, but the Pistons should still be in must win mode. I think it'll be a great game.

I'm sorry I stopped listening when you said Ben was as good a shooter as Tim. Come again?

Whats next? Lindsey Hunter wasn't really the worst playoff shooter ever?

[Spurminator]

Ben Wallace is as good a jumpshooter as Timmy is.

That would certainly be an enlightening statement, if it were true.

2004-2005 Season:
Ben Wallace
Jump Shot Attempts: 29%
Effective FG%: .233

Tim Duncan
Jump Shot Attempts: 58%
Effective FG%: .414

2005 Playoffs:
Ben Wallace
Jump Shot Attempts: 26%
Effective FG%: .289

Tim Duncan
Jump Shot Attempts: 54%
Effective FG%: .318

http://www.82games.com

[samikeyp]

Fans from both sides should just take it game by game, quarter by quarter, possession by possession.

I would agree with this.

[Extra Stout]

A lot of balls bounced the Pistons' way in Game 4. The reason the margin was 31 was because the Spurs responded by hanging their heads and quitting.

If a team continues to fight hard even when the outcome is decided, good things can happen at the end of a game that can roll over to the next one.

What happened last night was that the Spurs opened by playing like absolute crap, some calls were missed, the Pistons hit some tough shots, and the Spurs checked out of the game. At 34-17 in the second, garbage time had begun. The Spurs already had stopped fighting.

These guys have to show some pride in themselves. Detroit is taking away their manhood right now. It seems like the Spurs are just bewildered at the concept of the defending NBA champions being this good.

[blaze89]

Agreed. I had this going 7 games but I thought in our losses, we would at least be compe ive.

I'm sure Detroit fans and followers were saying the same thing after games 1 and 2.

[CosmicCowboy]

Is it really homecourt or have the Pistons just adjusted after game 2 and kicked it into another gear while the Spurs didn't? They are shutting down the Spurs defensively and getting good looks offensively with good spacing and crisp passing...This is a damn good Pistons team and I am having a hard time giving home court all the credit...I can't even remember when this Spurs team ever looked that bad two games in a row...

[HULKAROCK]

where did the pistons win those games? thank you.

I hear a lot of discussion about home court advantage, especially from this chick. Here's a news flash for ya. You can't overcome a 31 point lead in any arena, meaning if the Spurs play like they did last night, it won't matter if they're in Timbucktoo. Go home and re-think your life..

[cheguevara]

I hear a lot of discussion about home court advantage, especially from this chick. Here's a news flash for ya. You can't overcome a 31 point lead in any arena, meaning if the Spurs play like they did last night, it won't matter if they're in Timbucktoo. Go home and re-think your life..

Why do you think u got the 31 point lead in the first place??

[geerussell]

Why do you think u got the 31 point lead in the first place??

Defense.

[HULKAROCK]

Why do you think u got the 31 point lead in the first place??

All because of the fans? I was at the game. You don't see any points under my last name. I didn't make any shots. Yeah, it helps. Duh. But, the Spurs were SMOKED!!! The Pistons are in sinc. All cyliders are running. I know that has a lot to do with it so unless you have something worth reading.

[MannyIsGod]

All because of the fans? I was at the game. You don't see any points under my last name. I didn't make any shots. Yeah, it helps. Duh. But, the Spurs were SMOKED!!! The Pistons are in sinc. All cyliders are running. I know that has a lot to do with it so unless you have something worth reading.

I don't know wtf sinc is, but the Pistons did look in sync last night. If you think the Spurs are the team that got beat last night, thats fine. But there's a reason they won the West and there's also a reason they kicked Detroits ass in the first 2 games.

[geerussell]

there's also a reason they kicked Detroits ass in the first 2 games.

Easy to spot that reason. He's about 6'7, 240 and has a huge afro. I can understand your confusion because he didn't make the trip to SA for games 1 & 2. Someone showed up wearing his jersey but it wasn't him. Absent Ben Wallace the pistons are a lost and very beatable team.

He showed up at the palace and all indications are he'll be around for the duration of the series. The spurs have no answer for his rebounds, steals, disruptive defense and the energy & inspiration he brings to his teammates.

SA is in deep trouble and if you aren't fearing the fro already, you should be.