04/24/24
June 15, 2005
Detroit Rebounds: The key factor in the newly competitive NBA Finals may not be Manu y La Mancha but the hair of Ben Wallace, who unleashed the best 'fro in sports and a 15-point, 11-board performance in a 96-79 victory for the Detroit Pistons over the San Antonio Spurs. "Makes me feel lighter on my feet," explained el jugador de pelo gigante.
posted by rcade to basketball at 06:24 AM - 21 comments
Yup, Duncan and Manu looked pretty human last night. Stevie Wonder certainly looked like he was having a good time--He liked what he saw?
posted by daddisamm at 09:32 AM on June 15, 2005
I still say, from a basketball standpoint, that Game 2 has been the high point, where one team executed well for an entire game. Game 3 was similar to Game 1: road team surprisingly has an early lead through the first and second quarters, neither team executes their offense well in the second and third quarters although the home team starts building some momentum, and then in the fourth quarter the road team collapses, while the home team puts on a clinic. Ginobili's injury and lack of energy - in the fourth quarter, you could tell that he had no lift because both his threes and his layups were falling short - was the primary reason the Spurs lost but not the sole reason by any stretch. Brent Barry was godawful during the fourth quarter when he gave the ball away on 3 straight possessions. That was the collapse right there. He definitely is not the missing piece that the Spurs thought they were getting - his ballhandling and decision making were atrocious. Mohammed has bricks for hands, coated with butter, because he couldn't hold onto balls that came right at his palms. Duncan played way too slow and soft against the double teams. When your best offensive player is Bowen, you know you have issues. On the other side, Big Ben showed up: his offensive boards, spin moves to alleyoops, and filling his lane on the fast break were impressive, not to mention his D to start off the game. Chauncey also showcased his spin moves, postups, and dagger 3s, not to mention an uncalled intentional flagrant on Parker at the end of the first half. Rip had his curls off screens, 1-2 jumpshots, and upfakes going. McDyess has been a pleasant offensive surprise this entire series - I loved his up-and-under to a bank shot, then cool smile while he trotted back to the defensive end. The Pistons will have made it a series if they win the next game, but I still stand by my original prediction made a month ago: Spurs in 6. I was wondering if the Spurs had finally made the leap to dominant team after Game 2, but no, last night showed that they still can't put up a string of dominating performances in a row.
posted by platocave at 09:33 AM on June 15, 2005
daddisamm, I'm going to join you in hell for laughing so hard.
posted by platocave at 09:35 AM on June 15, 2005
I meant nothing mean about Stevie Wonder. Its been my experience that most blind folks "see" better that sighted folks. Stevie wonder is an amazing person, I would never slam him-my remark wasnt meant as offensive or mean. If I offended anybody I am sorry.As for Hell, I plan on going the other way...
posted by daddisamm at 09:52 AM on June 15, 2005
OK, I took it as a joke, a tongue-in-cheek joke rather than a meanspirited joke, but my fault for misinterpreting.
posted by platocave at 10:05 AM on June 15, 2005
And my fault for misremembering as well: I looked at the play-by-play, and it was Beno Udrih and not Brent Barry who was the primary cause of the bad ballhandling and turnovers at the end of the 3rd.
posted by platocave at 10:09 AM on June 15, 2005
I have no doubt that Stevie dug it as much as anyone. And you know, he's made out okay. I'd be smiling too if I were him, with or without my eyesight. As far as the game, well, the Spurs did dominate two games in a row against a team that simply hasn't been manhandled like that in years. That in itself was an accomplishment. The Pistons were going to come back, of course, but they had to scrap out that win last night, whereas the Spurs, when they were running the floor, were flat-out better. The Pistons are going to have to raise their game again if they want to have any chance to pull this out. Much as I like them, I don't know if they've got another gear on top of last night's effort.
posted by chicobangs at 10:12 AM on June 15, 2005
Dunno platocave, both Barry and Udrih looked pretty bad handling the ball last night. And rcade, I am all for the Don Quixote references in game threads. Just call me Sancho. Stop looking at my Panza!!
posted by lilnemo at 11:14 AM on June 15, 2005
I mistakenly took the last comment to be posted by lil_brown_bat and became briefly titillated by the panza reference. Sorry to all concerned.
posted by rcade at 11:34 AM on June 15, 2005
I feel dirty. Or Do I? *bum bum bum*
posted by lilnemo at 11:43 AM on June 15, 2005
The pistons put out a great effort last night, by forcing turnovers, and being more aggressive, not to mention their shots were falling for them. I must say that they have won 1 game out of 3!!! Is that not the truth, (YES), In a way Im glad this happened because now they got the SPURS attention, and this I like. Remember the SPURS are the best road team, it was the SUNS, but look what happened to them. I also predicted and agree with platocave, SPURS in 6. If you want to put some money on it DADDYSAMMBO, Ill take it from you!!! PEACE OUT
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 01:20 PM on June 15, 2005
Great game by the Pistons last night,but i still say Spurs in 6 maybe even 5.
posted by HOE.O.K. at 01:56 PM on June 15, 2005
I'm still holding to my original prediction: Pistons in 5.
posted by rcade at 02:04 PM on June 15, 2005
hey dont hate the pistons remember they whup lakers ass the spurs couldnt beat the lakers that bad pistons in 6
posted by defrag3x at 06:09 PM on June 15, 2005
I'm still holding to my original prediction: Pistons in 5. You go, rcade. Pistons were just pleasantly aggressive from the start and held on to their energy throughout, whereas the Spurs jumpers stopped falling late in the game. Good to see Detroit make the hard effort.
posted by avogadro at 11:27 PM on June 15, 2005
All you PISStons lovers , you are in for a big surprise when those SPURS decapitate those pisstons in 5 or 6 games!!! You dreamers are better off goin for the tigers or the lions!! hehehe.. BETTER YET THE RED WINGS if they ever play again..
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 03:17 AM on June 16, 2005
No matter how many times I see the "Pisstons" "joke", it's just as funny as the first time.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 08:16 AM on June 16, 2005
Or hey, there's the Shock, one year removed from a championship themselves.
posted by chicobangs at 09:25 AM on June 16, 2005
OMFG. He means Pisstons as in piss! LMFAO. A/S/L check plz.
posted by rcade at 09:42 AM on June 16, 2005
You forgot "!!!!!!!!!!111"
posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:15 AM on June 16, 2005
I love Big Ben. So of course I forgot this game was on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. Mierda!