12/18/24
May 23, 2006
Can Shaq do it one more time? Or is the Diesel out of fuel?: This might be Shaq's last chance at a title but with the Pistons in Miami's way nobody is predicting the Heat can advance. If the big guy comes to play though, anything can happen. Does he have enough left in his tank for one last title push?
posted by donnnnychris to basketball at 02:57 AM - 23 comments
Not in the stretch......
posted by Capt Ron at 06:32 AM on May 23, 2006
I agree with donnychris about the first game because Shaq plays well after resting for more then 2 days,BUT once the series gets into full swing and Rasheed keeps making him come in and out to the parimeter there is no way he will be effective by the 4th quarter. I think that the series falls directly on Wades shoulders. He needs to penetrate and dish and hope that his teammates (Antoine Walker and Jason Williams) play better then James' did. Expect to see guys like Dale Davis, Kelvin Cato, and maybe even Jason Maxiell come in and use there big bodies to foul and send the Deisel to the line. Remember that Flip is a bird off a different feather as coach of the Pistons. Larry Brown didn't believe in the hack a shaq but Flip will do whatever it takes to bring home the trophy. For the Heat to win Shaq will have to overcome alot of obsticles and play like the Shaq of 5 years ago. I may be wrong but I don't see that happening. Pistons in 6.
posted by bigpoppav at 07:38 AM on May 23, 2006
I think folks should be worried about whether Ben Wallace has enough in the tank. He looked awfully old in the series against Cleveland.
posted by bperk at 07:52 AM on May 23, 2006
I'm with those that say that this is bad match-up for Shaq. Wallace is going to stay out on the perimieter and Big Ben is not someone that Shaw would be effective guarding since they don't run any post-plays for him. Of course - no one can guard Shaq, but the Pistons won't have any trouble fouling him. Key to the series, as always, is Wade vs. Tayshaun. Miami has better shooting help than Lebron did, so I don't think he's an auto-double. Yes, I think Miami can win this. I just don't think they will.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:22 AM on May 23, 2006
I think the long lay off will hurt the Heat early in the series. Miami's rest will become their advantage in games 3 & on........... Still gotta go with the home team, even if it has to go 7. Detroit will be in their 3 consecutive finals……GO Stones GO!!!!!!!!!
posted by directpressure at 09:46 AM on May 23, 2006
I say Miami has a legitimate shot if they can do three things: * Shaq has to hit 50% from the not so charitable stripe * Someone other than Shaq is going to have to rebound * Toine has to hit some threes when it matters (to keep the defense honest), and generally follow up his shots (which he rarely does) If these things happen, and I think they can, then I say Miami in 6.
posted by MW12 at 09:51 AM on May 23, 2006
Ben Wallace looked old? I must have been watching another series. correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't he the guy out on the perimeter guarding James in the final 2 games of the series and then going inside to get rebounds? who won those games? wasn't he just named Defensive player of the year for the 4th time? doesn't he have a better cast of players around him for support? don't get me wrong I'm sure he's not running on a full tank but a 1/2 a tank of Wallace is a Diesel running on empty. Pistons in 6.
posted by bigpoppav at 10:45 AM on May 23, 2006
Both teams looked determined in the second round. Miami will have trouble with Chauncey and Rip. Wade will guard Rip but he will be too tired from playing 110% on both ends. Zo will get a lot of minutes in this series which I think is key. D'Wade and Diesel will play their games, and very well I might add. BUT I think it is up to Haslem, Walker, Payton, Posey, and Zo to make this a Heat series. Good luck to Miami.
posted by Snikastyle at 11:20 AM on May 23, 2006
I am torn as to who to root for. It will be a fun series to watch. As a T-wolves fan, I due have a soft spot in my heart for Flip!
posted by daddisamm at 11:25 AM on May 23, 2006
Doesn't Antoine Walker look like a smaller version of Shaq without the ability to pick up his feet, rebound, dunk or post up? But, Atoine will be shut down cause of his lack of speed, which eliminates a 3rd scorer. Jason Williams plays erratically; posey and payton are streak shooters at best. As always, Detroit will have their hands full with Fall Guy Wade and the trusty old Shaq Diesel!
posted by bkdet at 11:29 AM on May 23, 2006
Detroit in 5.
posted by bkdet at 11:29 AM on May 23, 2006
If the series comes down to Shaq, expect the big phony to Choke. He's fat, slow and doesn't give a s--t about anyone besides himself. That being said, Wade, Mourning, et al could pull this off. I'd love to see Riley have to bench his fat ass for players who give care about the game not players who think they can turn it on in the playoffs.
posted by cjets at 12:05 PM on May 23, 2006
The Desil cares about this guys. This is crunch time. Last year Shaq broke down in the playoffs. This year, he's looking healthy, stronger and better equipped to handle the pesky Detroit defenders. Pay attention to Kelvin Cato. When he played with Houston, Cato always played solid D on Shaq (holding the Desil to about 20-25 points instead of watching him rip off 30-40). He could play some kind of role in this series. Will go 7. I repeat. Will go 7.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 12:12 PM on May 23, 2006
Shaq was GREAT in his day. But he's been around for 15 years. That's 15 years of running up and down the court for at least 9 months a year. That does alot of wear and tear on a body that big. The best chance the Heat has is they can beat Detroit early. But if it goes 6 games Detroit has a better chance. But if it goes 7, forget it Detroit wins it with the home court.
posted by The Toz at 12:23 PM on May 23, 2006
Well of course it's going to go 7. The Cavs series never should have gone 7, but how does TNT make their money if it only goes 4? Remember, at TNT, they know drama!!!
posted by bgarrettatc at 12:40 PM on May 23, 2006
I agree with The Toz. Shaq is just not in his prime any longer. If the Heat doesn't win the first 2 right off then this is the Pistons to lose...and they won't.
posted by commander cody at 02:56 PM on May 23, 2006
I'M GOING TO KEEP IT PLAIN AND SIMPLE THE DESIEL IS OUT OF GAS.THE PISTONS IN 7
posted by T.MAY at 02:58 PM on May 23, 2006
THANK YOU FOR RITIN SLOW CUZ I CANT READ REEL FAST. END CARRIER
posted by yerfatma at 03:07 PM on May 23, 2006
CAPS LOCK?
posted by redsoxrgay at 05:57 PM on May 23, 2006
posted by STUNNER at 06:21 PM on May 23, 2006
Miami will expose Detroit for what they really are a bunch of unsportsmanlike sissy ball hackers. Ben Wallace will revert to his ghetto school yard sandlot playing tactics in an attempt to frustrate Shaq, won't work this time, some one in the crowd will raise a couple chronic blunts which will discombobulate Rasheed Wallace and take him out of his game. Look for Miami to win in FIIIIIIVVVVVVEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
posted by Daddy-O at 06:29 PM on May 23, 2006
I say again, if the stripes call all the fouls that the fatass commits, then he plays for three and sits for 57 per game as the Pistons romp to 4-0. Otherwise, what bgarrettatc said.
posted by Bud Lang at 06:43 PM on May 23, 2006
Before the Detroit/Cleveland series I would have said no chance. Now, I'm not so sure. Pistons still have to be the favorite, but Shaq's chances seem more likely than they once did. It helped that the daddy got lots of rest. Game 1 should be a good chance for Miami to jump all over Detroit.