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The Pistons have a easier task to get and stay ahead of the Spurs in Finals HCA because they play most of their games in EC.
I haven't confirmed these numbers but lets not forget that the Pistons play in a conference where at least 5 teams have W-L records below .400 whereas only two such teams exist in the west. The eastern conference is much improved but is still overall weaker than the west. The last two teams in playoff spots currently in the east are at .500 and .441 while no playoff team in the west has less than a .500 record. I haven't checked lately but I also believe the west has a better record vs. the east than vice versa.
The Pistons have a easier task to get and stay ahead of the Spurs in Finals HCA because they play most of their games in EC.
Pistons record against against Western Conference: 13-3 (including 9 of those games on the road)
Spurs record against the Eastern Conference: 12-5 (including 3 losses to EC teams that have losing records in Washington, Chicago, and Atlanta)
How does this have anything to do with the statement that the EC has more weak teams than the WC? The Spurs record vs. the east or the Pistons vs. the west does not alter this fact.
Pistons actually have 22 sets of back to backs this year. I'm pretty sure that's the most in the league.
And don't act like teams don't "Get up" for the team with the best record in the league, and was very close to back-to-back les. We see it everynight like the Spurs do. I feel your pain!
Well, since a great team like San Antonio already lost three games to "weak" teams in the Eastern Conference, it shows that just because there are more weak teams in the Eastern Conference, record wise, it does not mean there are more guaranteed wins in either conference.
And, the Pistons record against the Western Conference shows that the Pistons could have just as strong a record if they played the majority of games in the Western Conference.
Sorry, you could not deduce my point.
.
I'll take "Things Bob Hill would never say" for $200 Alex.
Yah, but, the Pistons are in the toughest division in the league, with EVERY team playoff-seeded. So there. Neener neener. (yeah, it's January, but still, it's the truth)
Spursreport?
This is Spurstalk.
No games in basketball can ever be considered "guaranteed wins" but statistically speaking, strong teams like the Spurs and the Pistons are more likely to beat weak teams ie. teams with losing records.
Just because the Spurs have failed to rise to the occasion against some very weak EC compe ion and the Pistons have beaten some tough WC compe ion does not change the fact that the Pistons are statistically more likely to post a better record due to more weak compe ion in the east. No one is questioning that they aren't playing better ball than the Spurs right now.
You are an intelligent poster Jamstone. I'm not convinced you can't make the distinction between a sound statistical inference and a current actual sample outcome.
True, every team in your division is playoff seeded but Chicago is a playoff team in the east and they aren't even a .500 club. Again, this bolsters my argument that the east is a weaker conference. So there. Neener neener. :p
Well THAT particular monkey is now off their backs.
Detroit is now, officially, the team to beat.
Spurs have no chance at home court in the finals (like they ever REALLY did with Detroit playing in the East, IMO).
The remaining schedule should play out just a little easier, with a little less aggressive and motivated opponents, less chance for injury while maintaining their lead in the West.
There is a thread which discusses this loss being all on the coaching.
CIA Pop.
I think you are right.
Detroit has been just as dominant against the Western Conference(15-3) as they have the Eastern Conference(13-2)...
AND despite the East being certifiably weaker, the Spurs have been much more dominant against the West than against the East - I believe that is by design.
Bottom line; if the Spurs set a goal of having a better record than Detroit - they are going to have to play like Detroit is playing; more minutes for the starters - with fire and emotion and desire, night in, night out ALL season. They have to have a goal of winning 65 - 70 games, because that is what Detroit is prepared to do to secure that all-important home court advantage (which, btw, is lost in one game in the NBA playoffs).
Tim is playing with a gimp, Manu gets hurt alot, Tony plays a frenetic pace, and Bowen is no spring chicken - also, alot of those guys spend summers playing on international teams Detroit players don't.
It is much more important to go into the playoffs healthy, rather than with HCA, especially in the finals where 2-3-2 is NOT as advantagious as is 2-2-1-1-1.
If the Spurs couldn't win one in Detroit last year, they weren't going to win the championship, same this year; and if Detroit can't win in SA, they won't win the championship. Mark it down, this ain't going 7 this year; one of these teams will have a decisive advantage over the other this time. After last night, I'm convinced it will be the Spurs with the Rings in 5.
Just like Pop sitting Manu and Tim is a "must win" game in Phoenix last year - which pretty much handed the Suns HCA (how'd that work out for them?), Pop was more than willing to let Detroit take the "Team to Beat" moniker; let them have it. Check out the lineups at the end of the 1st & 3rd quarters (when this game was decided).
Flip Saunders has coached exactly ONE team past the first round of the playoffs, and has won a total of TWO playoff series his entire career. He is playing this season as if it means something, making a statement last night and such. Statements are for the Cavaliers, Suns and Grizzlies of the world - its not for teams with multiple banners in the rafters.
Mark this:
Flip is getting worked.
What a moronic statement...
I'm sure Pop told his players to throw up those bricks in these two games by design...
...the season as a whole, not this game in particular. The Spurs throw up bricks regularly, they just usually don't face a defense as competent and energized as Detroit's.
How can Pop work Flip when he hasn't found his own rotation yet?
Pop might work him in the playoffs, but to say Flip is getting sandbagged right now is laughable...
The season is a whole work, culminating in the playoffs, and ultimately the finals and a champion.
Flip expending his player's energy and emotion, while Pop is allowing his more rest - while not divulging ANY tactic he might employ to couterract what the Pistons are doing, and still end up at the exact same point at the exact same time, is the definition of being worked, IMO.
I recognize it, 'cause Phil Jackson used to do it to Pop.
Who's he?
Flip sure looked like he knew his playoff rotation last night - what'd he play 7, 8 guys?
Anybody know Pop's rotation?
Pop doesn't either, but considering:
Finley > Robinson
And
'06 Parker > '05 Parker
And
'06 Van Exel > '05 Udrih
It will be better than last year's.
From top to bottome the East has gotten a little stronger. But The West is significantly weaker than it has ever been. When you are talking about teams like The Clippers, Utah, and even the Lakers going to the second round of the playoffs then you know your conference is weak. All those teams are hovering around .500 and they all have a chance to take you out. Out of all the teams in the West Pheonix is still in it without Amare. And you say that conference is stronger? Thats bull the West has never ever looked as week.
The funny thing is that you're serious...
When all else fails, just make up...
Last edited by DisgruntledLionFan#54,927; 01-13-2006 at 04:16 PM.
haven't seen this confirmed, so make of it what you will, but according to Flip in an interview with WDFN, our starters are playing fewer minutes now than they were at this point last year.
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