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Start the "Why the spurs won" thread
You will need that one Pistons fans
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we had a stretch from 12/4-12/8 that we did not play. A 5 day break I guess is nice, but that just means we squeezed more games into shorter stretches to make it up. We just finished an 8 game in 12 day stretch (Dec 9th-Dec 20th). We started the season w/ a 3 games in 4 days stretch. Then faced a second 3 in 4 days. Then 3 in 5. Then another 3 in 4. And then yet another 3 in 4.
Not an easy schedule. The Spurs have played 3 more games than us....and yet have 3 more losses.
Granted....we could lose our next 3 ( Spurs, Miami, Cleveland) to equal the # of losses of the Spurs...But I doubt it.
Start the "Why the spurs won" thread
You will need that one Pistons fans
It appears even if Manu is out, Pop will shorten his rotation to only 8 other players against the Pistons. Only Horry, Barry and NVE saw any quality time against the Raptors. It was clear Pop wanted his top eight players to get a good run and get their timing down playing extended minutes together in the first real test of the year.
The Pistons have no doubt been sharp, with only three losses this season. However, with the Pistons having the same starting five the entire year AND limited bench minutes from the bench, this should be a no brainer to understand why. The vast majority of their minutes are being played by complete units that have been together for over 150 games.
The Spurs on the other hand, have had several games missed due to injuries to Finley, Barry, and Manu AND have had Duncan slowed with a nagging injury for several weeks, all while working THREE new pieces into the regular rotation since last years playoff run. Yet they still have the 2nd best record in the NBA. Go figure?
Excuse me if I am not too impressed by the Pistons slight advantage in sharpness early in the year. The reasons as to why, are quite clear.
Pop has shortened his rotation to limit the turnovers AND to keep at least two of his best three scorers on the floor at all times. This will have a huge impact in the teams sharpness and productivity.
I think Manu may try to go a few minutes off the bench, if he can play without risking injury, despite the latest reports that he will not play. No matter if Manu playes or not, I expect a tough game on the Pistons' home floor. AND I expect the challange of playing the Pistons and shortened rotation to keep the Spurs focused and again demonstrating who is the best team in the league. Spurs 103 - Pistons 92.
I think the biggest difference in sharpness between the Pistons and Spurs is very easy to explain. The Pistons have had the large bulk of their minutes from the same team returned from last year AND no games missed to injury by the starting five. The Spurs have had many games missed to injury by starters and front line bench AND a nagging injury to Duncan, while working THREE new players into the regular rotation different than last years playoffs. With the injuries, the Spurs have done a great job of working Rasho back into the rotation, while also learning how to use Finley and NVE with the returning core so the team is strongest in crunch time.
You do know that we have a new coach right? IMO that is a little more difficult to adjust to than inserting Fin in Manu's place for a couple of weeks.
As far as injuries go, they can always affect you. However, Rip and Ben have been battling nagging injuries for the last week. We are not imune to that. Not to mention that Hunter has not been available all year. He was our second most used bench player last year. Now we have Evans, who we are adjusting to slowly but surely. Not to mention that Delfino was injured almost all last year. Also, LB refused to go further than 8 deep into the rotation. So we are likewise learning on the job to work in our other guys.
Lots of excuses or explanations can be made for any teams record. IMO many people are over-reacting to the Pistons record. Yes we have played some games well....but we have also had our lapses. We've had 2 double OverTime games this year, and a buzzer beater in regulation vs. Boston. We could very easily be 18-6 so far this year.
But....the one thing that this team does well, is finsih (w/ the exception of game 7...arrgghh....though I still blame LB). We've taken care of buisness when we had to, and that's all that matters.
We'll be "Goin' To Work" on Sunday.
Who gives a , it's a game...
Too much hype for December.
I think it will be a close game,if Rasho steps it up like he did against the Raptors, or Perhaps Tony gets into a crazy mode and catches fire we will win. Honestly, I think Deeeeeeeeeeeetroiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit (basketball) we be adding a "W" come Christmas Day.
Good Luck to the Pistons, looking forward to a GREAT GAME!!!!!
'against the Raptors'Not makin' fun of you, just found that a bit humorous.
Anything can happen in one game so I'm not gonna put my foot in my mouth with a prediction. Pistons will obviously be favored and I'm a fan so I want a win.
after the raps sspurs game
I think the spurs were looking forward to christmas hopefully it is the christmas game not partying for christmas
Simple question.
Spurstalk.com = Spurs fans website to talk about team
So why are Pistons fans here?
At least be objectionable, and have a little compassion. From what I see, all Pistons fans do here is disagree and talk .
I guess I can't match the immaturity. Oh well
That's not true at all. The Pistons fans rarely talk crap here. It's mostly just normal discussion of the teams and most of them are pretty objective. XFactor talks crap but he's not really a Pistons fan -- he's a troll.From what I see, all Pistons fans do here is disagree and talk .
By the way, when the odds come out on this game (over/under, spread, etc) can someone post it in this thread and then I'll make the vBookies when I get back from the Saints game.
Where do you usually get your odds from? if you send me a link, I'll take care of it.
For the Pistons, the effects of the coaching change were minor, and perhaps benificial to early season success. When a team returns all FIVE starters from a championship level team, and those starters all average 34+ minutes per game, most coaches would just roll the ball out, as Flip has mostly done. And since most of Flips changes have been in allowing a more open offense style, this has perhaps been benifical to more early season success for Detroit.
This is not to downplay the Pistons success, but early season has often favored teams who played more up tempo on offense as opposed to the second half of the season where the defenses traditionally have more impact. The difference is, the Pistons, like the Spurs, can play it either way, almost at will.
I usually get them from sports.com but they aren't out. If one of the guys here has a bookie or something, they might have them. Thanks.
You bet - have fun at the game!
Spurs 22-6, Pistons 21-4 will be the results.
Spurs and Pop is going to test their capability onPistons.
I don't think the Spurs are playing well enough together, yet to beat the Pistons in Detroit City. I hope I'm wrong.
This is interesting... we are the underdogs for once this year. We were expected to blow out games against the Hawks/Hornets/Bucks/Raptors, etc., but most are expecting to lose against the Pistons. I doubt we're going to see any of those bottomfeeders in the playoffs this year, so this is going to be the best test for us to see where we stand at this point. Time to nut up and see what we're made of. That goes for fans as well.
5ToolMan,
1. Injuries are part of the game, and the Pistons have had injuries to several players. They just haven't missed games because of those injuries. That in itself should be commended. Both Ben and Rip could have easily missed multiple games due to injury, but played through them. Fans from other teams have been claiming the reason that the Pistons have played so well is because they haven't had any injuries to their starting five. That's just not true. While it's true the success has definitely been partly attributed to the fact that the starting five have been together, The Pistons' HAVE HAD several injuries to the starters, just not enough to sideline them. And, the fact that they can play through injuries and have conditioned their bodies well enough to avoid a lot of injuries is commendable as well. I'm not saying that serious, freak injuries couldn't happen to any of the Pistons starters, but since they haven't in two and a half years, that should be impressive in itself. You should be impressed by the fact that the Pistons haven't had many serious injuries to deal with to its core players, because most teams have to deal with those kinds of things.
2. There were many people, including some Spurs fans, who claimed that the coaching change would hurt the Pistons, that losing Larry Brown's adjustments and defensive emphasis would make them a less effective team. Learning a whole new system isn't easy, even if you do bring back the same starting five. Getting acclimated to a new head coach does not assure success.
5ToolMan,
I couldn't discredit or dismiss the start the Spurs have had the way you do the Pistons' start. Considering Duncan's nagging foot injury and Manu's absence as well as the implentation of Finley and Van Exel into the rotation, the Spurs should be very proud of their record. Despite the couple of hic-cup games against clearly infrerior teams, I've definitely been impressed with the Spurs, especially Tony Parker, and I've been one who has not thought that highly of him as a point guard in the past. But, Parker has been balling this year. The fact that you aren't "too impressed" with the Pistons' success so far is fine. Some people are stubborn when it comes to giving due props. It surprises me, but you can NOT be impressed all you want.
Just be a little honest with yourself and think hypothetically if the Spurs were 21-3 and completely healthy and the Pistons were 21-6 and a little banged up and lost to a few of the worst teams in the league, how you would laugh at a Pistons fan trying to discredit the Spurs' start. Look in the mirror and go ahead and laugh at yourself.
you are an ass The X Factor
maybe since you share the same user name as a real Pistons' fan who is a mod on the Pistons.com message board. Be original and stop trying to copy off of me you loser. Or at the very least learn something about basketball so you stop making yourself look bad.
I disagree with that...
Pistons vs. Spurs: NBA Finals rematch could be a preview
By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer
December 24, 2005
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Chauncey Billups sounded more nonchalant than y.
The Detroit Pistons guard was discussing Sunday's game with the San Antonio Spurs, and needed no time to answer the question: Will this NBA Finals rematch be a preview of the 2006 Finals?
"I would be surprised if it wasn't," Billups said.
The Pistons are an NBA-best 21-3 while the Spurs are 21-6.
"They're playing very well, probably the best basketball in the league right now," San Antonio center Tim Duncan said. "We're going to their house where they are even tougher and we haven't been that great on the road. So we're up for one heck of a challenge, and it will be a great time for it."
This game is the first part of the NBA's annual Christmas doubleheader. Even though it features the last two champions, the Shaq-Kobe story line gives the Miami Heat-Los Angeles Lakers game top billing.
"They've got all the drama and hype -- we have the great basketball game," Detroit reserve Maurice Evans said. "Detroit and San Antonio might not be glamour cities like Los Angeles and Miami, but both teams play pure basketball the way its meant to be played."
The Spurs and Pistons kept their starting lineup together, and made their benches stronger after last season. San Antonio added Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel while Detroit signed Evans and Dale Davis.
The Pistons also parted ways with coach Larry Brown, and hired Flip Saunders.
"They have strong starting units, and they're deep teams," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "If you're picking two teams to come out of the West and East, definitely a lot of people would pick San Antonio, and I think it would be split between Miami and Detroit."
The Spurs beat the defending champion Pistons 81-74 in San Antonio six months ago in the NBA Finals' first Game 7 since 1994.
Detroit bounced back from two early routs in the series by winning twice, then splitting the next two games.
The Pistons had won 10 straight postseason games with a chance to eliminate their opponent, and were trying to become the first team in NBA history to win two Game 7s on the road in a postseason.
"A part of our success so far is tied to losing the way we did in Game 7 last season," Pistons reserve Antonio McDyess said. "It made us hungrier."
After winning a championship in 2004, the Pistons acknowledge they struggled to stay motivated through the monotony of an 82-game regular season.
That's not the case this season.
"Our whole focus is trying to get home-court advantage throughout the playoffs," Billups said. "We play every game focused on the big picture, not against our opponent that night."
That is, until the Pistons face San Antonio.
"It's going to be a good opportunity to play against the other best team in the league," Billups said. "It's always good and fun to have games like this."
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