Reply With Quote
The Pistons have dodged the injury bullet for the entire season. You all think it's likely to continue that way? If it doesn't, do they know how to respond?
Where is that Derek Fisher fan who started this post? Big props to that guy for calling this one. All of you who doubted him lookED like fools. I am cracking up over here. This Derek Fisher fan had more guts than a lot of people in here and all of you laughed except for a few. Once again, huge props to this guy who called it.
The Pistons have dodged the injury bullet for the entire season. You all think it's likely to continue that way? If it doesn't, do they know how to respond?
A serious injury could happen to any player on any team at any time. Do I think the Pistons core players will dodge the injury bullet for the entire season? Sure, why not? They've basically done it for two seasons previous to this one, with one or two minor injuries.
If injury does occur to one of the Pistons core players, does the rest of the team know how to respond? Depends on who it is. If Tayshaun or Rasheed get injured, I think they could still be a pretty good team. If Chauncey, Rip, or Ben go down, I don't think the Pistons can be even remotely as good.
If any of the five starters is injured for the remainder of the season, I don't think there's a very good chance at all that the Pistons will contend for a championship this year. Is that what Spurs fans want to hear? Admitting that the Pistons core five players are all necessary in order to have a chance at a le? Well, there it is.
It's the same for any of the contenders EXCEPT it's not all five starters in other teams' cases. Can the Spurs win a le without Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, or Tony Parker? Sure, they can survive for part of the regular season and be relatively successful. But, win a championship without one of those three? Can Miami contend without Shaq or Dwyane Wade? The question is just silly to ask. Of course they cannot. Can Dallas go deep in the playoffs without Dirk Nowitzki?
It just so happens the Pistons have FIVE guys that are that important to their team. But, key core players to any of the elite teams who would get injured would have the same problem.
12-6 over the last 18 is a serious slump? 6-2 since the All-Star break is a serious slump? Are they playing like they did earlier this season? No. But that's why you go through most of the season with a 70-win pace - to allow you to be in a good position entering the playoffs and to insulate against pedestrian play and injuries.
Their schedule is about to get a heck of a lot easier. So we'll see if this is a mini-slump or something that is newsworthy. Last month, they started 2-2, dropping games in Atlanta and Indiana, and finished with a 10-3 month. Their only loss after Atlanta was that fourth quarter collapse against the Heat (8-1).
Last edited by Darrin; 03-06-2006 at 02:54 PM.
I'm one of those fans that hate late-season injuries - I would rather the two best teams play each other at full strength. It makes for less cop outs by the losing team at the end of the series (but people still find 'em) and makes for better basketball.
Your point is taken, however I was unclear on something: My only concern with the Pistons is catching them for HCA in the finals. There would certainly be a drop off the team would take in the regular season, say, if they lost Ben Wallace. I don't think, however, that would automatically rule them out of the playoff picture because the East is so weak.
Ya'll basically have a cakewalk until the finals unless Miami gives you trouble.
me when i saw that the pistons lost to the lakers
The Lakers.
Just thought this thread needed a summary/bump.
Makes one of us, huh?Schadenfreude: it's a two-way street.
But if it makes you feel better, you could always try blaming the refs.....
yeah we have the best strength and conditioning coach, and our players take care of themselves maybe that's why. you can't get lucky 2-3 years in a row
Yes you can. Luck has a lot to do with it. The best strength and conditioning coach can't prevent or rehabilitate quickly a broken nose from an elbow. Or, like Joe Johnson last year, when he landed on his face and broke the orbital bone around his eye. There are no orbital bone strength exercises.
Now, a lot of sprained ankles, back spasms, thigh bruises, and other more common aches and pains have been more preventable and quickly attended to.
But, that doesn't mean the Pistons haven't also been lucky.
Having said that, often times, LUCK is when PREPARATION meets OPPORTUNITY. Or more simply states, you make your own luck.
But, yeah, the Pistons have been rather fortunate over the last three seasons to not have had a REALLY SERIOUS injury to any of its core players.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
