ok spur fans instead of bashing the piston fans

[SouthernFried]

Someone already mentioned it, but MANU GINOBILI.

If Manu is healthy, the Pistons have no one who can contain his slashing ability, not even the long arms of Tayshaun Prince. So, in order to counter that, the Pistons coaching staf have to design defensive schemes to either limit Manu's touches from the top of the key where he can set his defender up for a one-on-one move, send different looks in order to trap and force Manu to pass the ball earlier than he wants to, or find wrinkles in the Spurs' offensive sets that will allow the Pistons to run different help defenders when Manu breaks down his defender.

While Tim Duncan is generally the source of success for the Spurs, and both Tony Parker and Chauncey Billups have had wonderful seasons, I really do think Manu v. Tayshaun is the match-up that will be the most decisive in determining the winning team, should the two teams meet in the finals. Tayshaun will not only have to try to contain Manu, but he will also have to be aggressive on offense, since Bruce will be covering either Rip or Chauncey, the two main offensive options for the Pistons.

Should the Spurs win, I suspect Manu Ginobili will be one of the more important determining factors.

Couldn't agree more.

If everything else is equal. If TD, Sheed, Ben, Bowen, etc...all are playing their games (and healthy)...I think Manu is the X-factor in the Spurs favor.

On the other side of the enchilada...I think Billups is the X-Factor for Detroit.

Listen to us...we ain't even at the all-star break, and we're predicting key Detroit/SA matchups in the finals.

It's good to be us, eh?

[carina_gino20]

Tim Duncan (no explanations needed).

Manu Ginobili - There's no limit to what this guy can do. He's the kind of guy who gives it all out and not just do things half-heartedly, healthy or not. And it's also what he expects from his teammates. What's more, he is a guy who thrives in pressure situations so he will be big in clutch time.

Tony Parker - As many have said, he has a lot to prove. He said in the beginning of the season that he is on mission and there couldn't be a more important one than winning another le with the Spurs.

Pop - crazy genius

Now, do I really have to enumerate the rest of the Spurs' lineup?

[Jame Gumb]

What's funnier?

The number of threads created about the Pistons on a Spurs forum
or
The fact that the most pro-Piston homer in these threads is a Mavericks fan

how about an ex spur fan turned Mavericks fan talking Pistons smack

[nkdlunch]

The mavs though are 4 games behind the pistons for the top spot in the league. Still alot of games to be played but the pistons haven't wrapped up homecourt totally.

Dude, don't u get it? This is big boy conversation between Pistons fans and Spurs fans. If we want the opinion of losers, we'll call u.

[SAGambler]

instead of bashing the piston fans

lets be men or ladies and list reasons why you think the spurs can beat the pistons in the finals if they meet.

Because Flip doesn't seem all that interested in developing a bench.. A few nights back, with game in hand, up close to 20 points the entire 3rd, and yet the starters do almost 40 minutes each on the floor...

82 games, plus games to get to the finals takes it's toll.. If Flip don't find a way to rest his starters when he can, they are going to be in trouble...

Maybe he just has his mind on that 70 game win, instead of looking at the big picture and what really counts in the end...

[itzsoweezee]

reasons why you think the spurs can beat the pistons in the finals if they meet.

1st reason:
larry brown is way better than flip saunders. we'll see just how capable flip is when the playoffs come around. regular season, no pressure games are not a good gauge.

2nd reason:
our bench is better and deeper

3rd reason:
rasheed is falling back in love w/ shooting the three

4th reason:
parker is shooting much much better this year

5th reason:
prince still can't guard ginobili

[TheTruth]

In a (hopefully) Pistons/Spurs finals matchup the Spurs are going to have to revert to last years playoff team, and defend the 3 point line like crazy. The Pistons live and die by the 3 (as last nights game proved). If we shut down the 3 point shot, I don't think the Pistons can create enough offense against our D to win, IMO.

The next most important thing is Manu's health. If he isn't 100% going into the series, the spurs have no shot. He is the only Spur that has a decisive edge over a Pistons defender. Tim always has trouble with Rasheed, and Billups should be able to handle Tony for the most part (and if he can't, ben won't let Tony have many free trips down the lane).

[Warlord23]

Yep, as shown in last year's playoffs, the key player in a series is decided by the match-ups.

Key vs Pistons: Manu (his slashing game will be difficult for Detroit to defend, if they play off him to deny the drive, he can pop the jumper)
Key vs Phoenix: Duncan, and our 3-pt shooting (ultimately they have no choice but to double Tim, plus Tim can get a boatload of offensive rebounds against their bigs)
Key vs Dallas: Parker, rebounding (Parker is too quick for Terry, so it depends on what adjustment Avery makes; also Dallas is a better rebounding team than the Spurs so far this year)

[cheguevara]

U guys still don't get it after last year????

#1 reason: Big Shot Rob

[mavsfan1000]

Dude, don't u get it? This is big boy conversation between Pistons fans and Spurs fans. If we want the opinion of losers, we'll call u.

There's only one big boy team. That is the pistons. The spurs are in the middle of the pack.

[LilMissSPURfect]

Manu Ginobili. That's the reason.

4ShhhoooR

[LilMissSPURfect]

There's only one big boy team. That is the pistons. The spurs are in the middle of the pack.

Looks like the TOP to me ............

[duncan2k5]

Manu Ginobili...please lock, and delete thread from existence now

[boutons_]

"mavsfan1000"

That more than enough from this "s"ucking troll, plonk!