BruceW

As far as Hack-a-Ben, it is not necessary during the game because he is not a scoring threat. At the end or near end a coach would probably foul Ben just to take the ball out of the Pistons offense. Ben would probably only make 1 of 2; so the strategy is TO LIMIT THE PISTONS TO ONE POINT ON THAT PARTICULAR OFFENSIVE SET OR POSSESSION and at best, two points if Ben gets REALLY HOT but never a 3 or a 3+1. You can expect Coach Riley to recognize this. Depends on the score and time left. He is brilliant. (Oh, I guess I am too ) The Hack-a-Shaq is risky but does have the same effect. Shaq can make 2 at any time BUT, if fouled, the team cannot shoot a 3 or possibly get a 3+1. Thus you always save 2 possible points on the Hack-a-Shaq and Hack-a-Ben. This ploy has developed into a time-of-possession also. You get the ball back and can hopefully use up 24 seconds thereby further limiting the opponent from maintaining momentum and overtaking your score.

If Pistons win tonight, Heat in big trouble.... If Heat wins, Dallas or Phoenix in big trouble... Either one would have to deal with Shaq and Wade. Shaq is ready to hit people (on the sly of course) (what we call "playoff Finals fouls") Dirk is just not ready to be hit like that nor Howard. Nash and Diaw aren't ready for that either, let along Barbosa. They have no idea.

MAVS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT... I'm not in running; didn't pick Mavs or Suns and if Heat wins, I am really cooked.

If Mavs don't win tonight, they will have blown it.

Damn Noj, you're probably right again on this particular statement... However, since the game is not played that way or should I say ref'ed that way, then we as observers have to acknowledge when we are crying and when we are not..... hee hee It did sound like you were all for Shaq (even though I know you are a Laker fan) and he is no longer a Laker. How you doing on points in the pool anyway.... I lost track of mine when the Clippers got knocked out.

That is crap, Shaq is murdering people when they get in the paint. NO MORE CRYIN' Shaq has been elbowing the shit out of people and using the wrap around arm on his close in spin moves. :bwallace2:

Deeetroit Baaasketball :bwallace2: Try again $$1

Geez, I just posted a multiple quote post and it did not take. Too long to do over, so I will just reply to SS1. Stop trying to use that reverse wish in order to eliiminate the Pistons. As much as I hate it, they will probably self destruct again so they can stop playing this year. In my heart I hope they right the ship tonight and stay alive. :bwallace2:

Don't know why you would shake your head in wonder/disgust about Ben. Ben did not "all of a sudden" become a bad player. Who do you know that can even attempt to guard Shaq a whole game by himself??? There is something drastically wrong with the Pistons as a whole and Flip Saunders has changed something sutle enough to affect their whole game. Don't know for sure but he seems to have lost the confidence of the team and they are "consciously or unconsciously" quitting on the coach. And like I said before, those trades earlier in the year affected their chemistry. Something happened to the Pistons when Larry Brown became a lame duck coach last year. They have not been the same. Tried to get their swagger back during the regular season but the playoffs have been disastrous. I predict multiple changes at end of playoffs and before next season starts. Bruce

That is a cold pic.... THE FLYING SHAQ

NO, Miami is NOT the better team. The Pistons are shooting themselves in the foot. Surely you don't believe Dallas is better than the Spurs. They shot themselves in the foot also, especially Ginobli, remember. Anyway, I agree the Pistons stunk if up tonight. Like I said before, there is trouble in the lockeroom.

DAMN, Pistons playing like shit again. I know you guys are going to let me have it. First half is atrocious for Pistons. What prey tell, is Flip thinking??

too bad you won't get the chance! Soooo Bright Moments, which team exactly are YOU for. You never seem to state you are for the Heat, although from your geographical location underneath your Avatar, it would seem that way??? :bwallace2:

I don't know what kind of bets you make with darko20/20 but... There are no teams better than Pistons. They only require getting their shit together. I will never admit there is a team better than Pistons this year. :bwallace2:

OH YEAH There are a few people on this board who seem to think Pistons made a mistake in trading Darko. Well, I Agree, I always said Darko just needed playing time and look at him now. :bwallace2:

GO PISTONS I'm willing to bet there was some real ass kicking talk going on in the Piston lockeroom after the loss Saturday. I'm willing to bet there was some real heavy finger pointing (although everyone denies that happens on good teams) going on also. I'm willing to bet the stars of the Pistons clashed with Coach Saunders also about his substitution rotations. I'm willing to bet you will see a different team (the team that won the season record) come out for today's game and kick some real Shaq butt. And do not feel any pity for Wade, they are going to give some "playoff" defense (translation - knocked on his ass again if he keeps driving to the hoop). :bwallace2:

YOU ARE RIGHT, BUT DON'T COUNT ON THAT MEANING THE HEAT WINS hACK-A-bEN IS A GREAT STRATEGY BUT THAT IS NOT WHY THE PISTONS LOST...They played like shit. I'm not eating shit.. Just got back to the board today. This Piston is always here and no matter how shit you say we are eating, the Laker fans ate that much more.... The Pistons are having a lot of problems and even I suspect the problems are in the locker room which is affecting their play on the floor. Sheed did not even acknowledge Coach's "atta boy" at one point in the game. Something is grossly wrong with the Pistons right now. They do not appear hungry. They appear to have the same attitude the Lakers had when they got blown out a couple years ago. They seem to think they can turn it on at any time and that is just not working. ZERO Energy, absolutely right.... Walker could be wildcard, BUT I DOUBT IT. He just is an overrated player. Shaq looked focused, you bet your ass he was, unstoppable... Where the hell was hack-a-shaq??? Big Ben should NOT give up his trophy. He earned that MF and now he is facing a focused Freight Train. Absolutely right again. That my friend, is bullshit... :angry :bwallace2: :bwallace2: Bruce

Uh what was that again, Shaq needs some beef out there... 350 lbs and he needs some beef out there to help... He is knocking the crap out of everyone now..

Pistons playing like Nervous Nellies in 4th quarter, what's up with that???

MAVS will win next game for sure. Look for them to "manhandle" Nash a little bit more. PISTONS WIN TONIGHT :bwallace2:

Noj, you are right again. Given serious thought, a person can never count out the Pistons until the fat lady sings. Very good SS1. Sheed must still be having problems with foot (and not talking about it)? Hell, I agree with that. There is no reason for a professional player to shoot so badly.

Comon guys, you can figure it out, it isn't that hard. The ploy Riley was using was to keep the ball out of the Pistons guards hands and reduce the time the Pistons would have the ball late in the game, thus really protecting the Heat lead. 2+2 duh! Lame or not, that was slick and I am for the Pistons. No, here we are and the only thing I am upset about is that the Pistons did not get an extra day off after the 7 game series. They will have to bounce back Thursday before they get an extra day off to recuperate. If they don't, it is over. :bwallace2:

Why not?? because he has Eva and you don't?? Jealousy rears its ugly head again.

You remember that Kermit Washington assassination attempt?? Man, exactly how old are you Noj? Ginobli really blew it. Pops talked his head off in the time out about "DO NOT FOUL." Spurs had the game. Mavs capitalized on it in overtime. Good for them... Sorry my Clips played so badly, not that they lost but that they played so badly... OK on to the Pistons and Heat..... I got no points for Spurs and Clips, so I guess I still have 91 points. :bwallace2:

Didn't know Kurt was back but it doesn't matter now, Gamin' Kaman will get to dominate the post. Kurt has to have some rust. Generally trying to come back in the 7th game of a series does not work out for the player.