12/21/24
June 23, 2005
Hello, Larry: The San Antonio Spurs win their third basket in seven years, defeating the Detroit Pistons, 81-74, in a classic game 7.
posted by rcade to basketball at 11:09 PM - 36 comments
Great game. Rashid Wallace has one of the best turnaround moves I've ever seen. He kept the Pistons alive.
posted by rcade at 11:19 PM on June 23, 2005
'Sheed has beautiful baseline moves, and I was terribly impressed with Ben's offensive game. I wish the Pistons would get the ball into these guys more often, especially when their small game slumps.
posted by avogadro at 11:24 PM on June 23, 2005
SPURS are the NBA champions once again baby!!!!
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 11:34 PM on June 23, 2005
It really seemed like the pistons thought they had this game in the bag. Looking at their players after the game, especially Rip, they were in SHOCK. They gave it their all, and I give them all the props in the world, but the BETTER team won the game.Duncans free throws were clutch tonight along with his numbers, so he deserved his 3rd MVP. More important it was a complete team effort from the WHOLE team. What about Manu, an olympic gold medal, and now an NBA Championship.
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 11:41 PM on June 23, 2005
It would be a real treat to see both these teams slug it out again next year, and for the years to come. Two class organizations at its finest.
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 11:45 PM on June 23, 2005
great game, great series
posted by daddisamm at 11:53 PM on June 23, 2005
For a couple of minutes there in the third quarter, I thought that Isiah Thomas had struck a behind-the-scenes deal with his old buddy Joe Dumars to wreck the Spurs team by sending them Nazr's stone hands and inexplicable fouls. Every time Nazr was in the game, the Pistons seemed to go on a run. At any rate, to me, the turning point in this game occurred in the 10-minute stretch at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth where, first of all, San Antonio's offense ran through their two main guys - Duncan and Ginobili - as it should, with the sprinkling of Horry and Bowen threes off of Manu and Timmeh double teams to keep Detroit defenders honest. Second, in that ten-minute stretch, Detroit's offense was run through the last two guys that I would want running the offensel if I was Larry Brown: Rip "Anti-clutch" Hamilton and Lindsey "32% shooter for the playoffs" Hunter. Part of this was because of Pop's move of Bowen onto Billups again, but part of it was just plain stupidity on the Pistons' side. Billups and Sheed are their two main guys on offense, as was seen throughout this series and even later in the fourth quarter when the Pistons tried to mount a run off of Rasheed's turnarounds and threes, and Billups's drives, jump shots, and free throws. Overall, a Finals series that had plenty of wonderful moments. I look forward to more battles between these two organizations, so different - international versus hip hop, versatility versus toughness - and yet so similar - hardworking, classy, champions.
posted by platocave at 12:31 AM on June 24, 2005
Agreed, platocave, but at that point, Billups and Sheed were both in foul trouble, and Larry was a little short on choices. At that point, handing the ball to Rip and hoping he picks it up a little sounds reasonable. It was another awesome game. It really was a shame someone had to lose. Big ups to Duncan, who came through after all, and to the Spurs, who did what they had to do.
posted by chicobangs at 12:55 AM on June 24, 2005
I didn't really know for sure who'd win until Bowden blocked Billups's three-point attempt with 55 seconds left with the Spurs up 73-68. Duncan got MVP, but Horry saved the series for them in Game 5, and Ginobili was huge in the first two games and looked like a lock for MVP until he bruised his leg at the start of Game 3. The Pistons outscored the Spurs in the series, 607-594, and were only 2 points away from winning the series in 6. But the Spurs held them to 78.5 points per game in San Antonio.
posted by kirkaracha at 01:08 AM on June 24, 2005
but the BETTER team won the game The spurs deserve it, but you could play the seventh game 10 times and they'd probably each take 5. The spurs were the better team tonight, which is all that matters, but these two teams are evenly matched.
posted by justgary at 02:48 AM on June 24, 2005
Rip wasn't himself in this series. He couldn't create a shot for himself at all in Game 7 -- the drive where he fouled Big Charge Bob was emblematic of the whole night. I wish that the Pistons had won so we could've seen Ben Wallace get the MVP. Hard to believe they took 3-out-of-4 against the Spurs at one point in this series and went home empty-handed. The Spurs deserve props for winning the title, but man are they a personality deficient squad. I've never seen a team seem less excited during pregame warmups than that bunch.
posted by rcade at 06:48 AM on June 24, 2005
Congrats to the Spurs...they were the only team out west that I thought could truly give the Pistons trouble, and they didn't disappoint. Also, congrats to my boys...they made a helluva run at it, but they just ran out of gas in the end. Here's hoping this is what the Finals look like for years to come (of course, with the Pistons winning every so often)
posted by MeatSaber at 07:24 AM on June 24, 2005
Thoughts: Big Ben is a maniac - when he hit the fade away in the first four possessions I thought that I had seen it all. He would have been the MVP (after being blasted for the first two games in the press) if the Pistons pull it out. I thought Billups was going to be MVP again if the Pistons won going in (with Ben a close second) but last night, Wallace was unbelievable. The Spurs won despite having maybe the worst output by a starting point guard on a championship team. Parker was a non-factor, and when he was a factor, it wasn't in a good way. Horry-haters need to be quiet for a little while. There's a man who just helps teams win. Timmeh was good. Demons vanquished (if there really were any). Rasheed (despite some people thinking the opposite here) was awful. He had more fouls than points and NO rebounds up until the fourth. He could have been the difference (well, then so too could have Rip (bad) and Billups (decent, but not good enough)). Who doesn't like Manu Ginnobli? How could anyone who likes basketball not like this guy? When he ate clock instead of the rim on that inbounds play with 18 seconds left I bet more than a few viewers were totally confused and screamed 'dunk that shit!' Naw, baby just win. And for the record I had the Spurs back in November. Ya know, just for the record.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:00 AM on June 24, 2005
Horry-haters need to be quiet for a little while. There's a man who just helps teams win. You're killing me, Weedy. It isn't Horry-hating to say the guy's overhyped. As good a backup as Horry is, and as much as he's responsible for winning game 5, he wouldn't get a point without the looks he gets because of double- and triple-coverage on the real stars of his teams. And the way Hubie Brown talks about the guy, Horry should be afraid if they find themselves simultaneously in the same restroom.
posted by rcade at 08:33 AM on June 24, 2005
Great Series! Did the Better team win? good question. If "Big shot Rob" doesnt hit the shot in game 5, we may be talking about the Pistons being the Better team-- What we had is two evenly matched team. Foul trouble certainly hurt the Piston's chances down the stretch. Was Duncan really the MVP? I think he was the sentimental choice. If you really look at the series, He wasnt always the best player on the floor for the Spurs. Manu and "Big Shot Rob" were at the forefront of keeping the Spurs in the Series. Manu, IMO, should be the MVP of the series.. The Media really wanted to "Crown" Duncan as the "best ever" and he needed to get the MVP for that to happen. That said, Duncan is still not the best ever power forward despite all of the championships, MVP's etc. Malone is still in the MIx. And then there is the KG Factor. You put three championship rings on KG's Stats and he would be looking as the best ever. Both KG and Malone have/had a better all around game than Duncan. Dont Rag on me too much about my opinion. I am off to the great north for some Fishing and I cant be bothered by petty arguements. It was a fun series to watch, especially the last 3-4 games.
posted by daddisamm at 08:50 AM on June 24, 2005
Not much of a story there in your link but i liked the graphics.Spurs deserve it.
posted by HOE.O.K. at 09:32 AM on June 24, 2005
Dont Rag on me too much about my opinion. I am off to the great north for some Fishing and I cant be bothered by petty arguements. Yeah and i bet you wont check back on your comments either.Your right Duncan at times was not the best Spur on the floor,but he def. was the Most Valuable.With out Duncan the Pistons would be champs.KG and Malone havnt ever had a good enough supporting cast to make them the threat they could have been or could be.Put KG on the Spurs instead of Duncan and KG would have at least 1 title and 1 mvp.The team makes the PLayer who he is.
posted by HOE.O.K. at 09:43 AM on June 24, 2005
it was great series i still got respect for the pistons even though i wanted pistons to win it all i know spurs had a better chance b/c they have manu, tony, and rob i think manu should have been mvp not duncan they only gave it to him for last couple minutes he shot the ball in the last quarter it was always manu who brought the team back from double digit especially at the last quarter when he flew past the pistons shifting the ball from right hand to left to the hoop and his last 3pter hes the white mike in the nba
posted by defrag3x at 09:45 AM on June 24, 2005
defrag the spurs never had to come back from a double digit lead not in any of the 4 games they one.The most they trailed in their 4 wins i believe was 8 points.hes the white mike in the nbaManu is Argentinian,HIS SKIN COLOR DOESNT AND DEF. should not matter.Any ways id say olive is more fitting.
posted by HOE.O.K. at 09:52 AM on June 24, 2005
I think you could make an excellent case for Ginoboli or Duncan for MVP. Horry would be a stretch. As responsible as he was for Game 5 and as big as some of his plays were last night, that's only 2 out of 4. Duncan puts up 20 and 10 so often that it amost becomes white noise that people miss. In the series, Manu plays good Spurs win, he plays bad and they lose. Maybe they should have been co-MVPs. I think after last season, the Olympics, and then this season, Duncan looked, from games 3 through 6, like he was worn down. I imagine him, outside of the victory parade, taking a nap for the better portion of the next 2 or 3 days. When the bankshot started falling, I thought the Pistons were doomed.
posted by srw12 at 10:33 AM on June 24, 2005
You're killing me, Weedy. It isn't Horry-hating to say the guy's overhyped. As good a backup as Horry is, and as much as he's responsible for winning game 5, he wouldn't get a point without the looks he gets because of double- and triple-coverage on the real stars of his teams. And the way Hubie Brown talks about the guy, Horry should be afraid if they find themselves simultaneously in the same restroom. No, it's not 'hating', but first of all, these double and triple teams are phantoms - the Pistons didn't double Duncan most of the time (started to last night only in the second half). They relied on trying to get the ball with quick hands - one player would flash in on him, but not truly double because they couldn't leave the perimeter shooters open. And you're right, there are dozens of other similiar players to Horry, who are expected to hit their open threes - except Horry shot nearly 50% from the three this series making 15. If he was a 'hanger-on' for a few of his 6 titles I'm not going to argue - but he was an absolute key in THIS series when both teams played a 7 man rotation for the last 3-4 games. Simply put - He was not overhyped this time around. He was the Spurs 3rd or 4th best player (Duncan, Ginnobli, and maybe Bowen ahead of him).
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:39 AM on June 24, 2005
Agreed, srw12. Duncan looks like he's been running on empty for the last couple of weeks. It's a testament to his talent that even when he couldn't find the range (ask any golfer; your short game is the first thing to go when you're exhausted), he was still able to get his rebounds and assists. Duncan is unquestionable the anchor of the team, but it was a real team effort. (The Spurs' passing, especially, was breathtaking. Everyone touched the ball, and the passes were crisp and smart.) Any energy deficit was picked up by Manu, who at any given moment was the fastest guy on the court. If he'd been chosen MVP instead, I don't think there would have been a lot of complaining. And justgary is right: if they played that Game 7 a hundred times, the Pistons would take it 50. These two teams were a pleasure to watch as they learned how each other ticked. I hope this means the trend is going back to team-oriented fundamentals, and away from the WWF-style "finishing move" playground crap.
posted by chicobangs at 10:52 AM on June 24, 2005
A link by HOE.O.K. moved from the front page: It was a Series for the ages. whats to come for the Pistons and who will be their coach?
posted by rcade at 11:02 AM on June 24, 2005
I think the Pistons will have their ups and downs.
posted by yerfatma at 11:46 AM on June 24, 2005
tie game going into the fourth quarter of game 7...can't get much better than that. (unless it was 100-100 instead of 57-57) Duncan delivered...Pistons struggled a bit down the stretch. Very entertaining ending to a tough series. Congrats to the Spurs.
posted by stofer71 at 11:51 AM on June 24, 2005
(It isnt Horry hating to say the guy is overhyped) by arcade. Its not Horry hating at all, it just doesnt make any sense. The only player on both rosters to play a game 7 was Horry. The point is Horry had more points then Rip Hamilton, and Ben, and Rasheed Wallace with 15points, plus hitting 4 out of 5 threes. Now for a game 7 of the finals isnt that CLUTCH enough for you. Yes he gets openings to make shots because of Tim, but so does 28 other teams as well. Except for the fact that Horry hits his shots when it counts.
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 01:38 PM on June 24, 2005
Duncan had 25pts, 11rebonds, Manu had 23pts, 5rebounds. Ben Wallace had 12pts, 11rebounds. Now how was Ben a monster last night. Thats no monster, thats having an average game with no help from your teammates. I agree Bens offensive game has improved, but lets not get carried away. Try averaging 20pts, and 14 rebounds in the finals, now thats a monster.
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 01:48 PM on June 24, 2005
(You can play the 7th game 10 times and both teams would take 5 a piece.) from justgary. You are probaly right in that sense, but the SPURS are the better team because they won when they had to, the pistons didnt. Thats what seperates the SPURS from the pistons, hence the better team. Iknow you must be a pistons fan, but you got to see at least give San Antonio that much.
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 01:55 PM on June 24, 2005
I know you must be a pistons fan, but you got to see at least give San Antonio that much. Actually no, I'm a celtics fan, but I haven't watched basketball in years (if I had to pick I'd want the spurs to win). And I agree, the spurs are the better team because they won when they had to. That's what its all about.
posted by justgary at 02:11 PM on June 24, 2005
I think after last season, the Olympics, and then this season, Duncan looked, from games 3 through 6, like he was worn down. Umm....Ginobili played just as many games, plus carried an Argentinian team with far less individual talent to the gold medal. Duncan didn't look worn down so much as he looked psychologically battered from the Wallaces stripping the ball off him every second play.
posted by smithers at 02:32 PM on June 24, 2005
yeah I for sure wanted the pistons to win but congrates to the best team, and Tony Parker for snagging such a hottie
posted by dwrinkle at 03:21 PM on June 24, 2005
After watching this past series and throughout his career, I gotta question Rasheed Wallace's passion for the game and desire to win. Did it seem to anybody else like Rasheed could score on Duncan whenever he wanted? Whenever there was a situation that involved 'Sheed and Duncan 1 on 1 Rasheed always seemed to be able to get a good shot off. On the other hand, Duncan seemed to have a harder time scoring on Rasheed at the other end of the floor. Whenever I watch R. Wallace play, he always makes shots that just make you shake your head, but then he does something stupid like get into foul trouble or just won't look to get the ball.
posted by chamo at 04:39 PM on June 24, 2005
Did it seem to anybody else like Rasheed could score on Duncan whenever he wanted? Yup. And anyone who watched Rasheed play for the Blazers in the playoffs against the Lakers would tell you so. When comparing his performance the past few 3 seasons to those that came before, you come away feeling that he doesn't care anymore. Cut the check indeed. I think all the extra-curricular antics and on court squabbles have sapped the fun out of the game for him.
posted by lilnemo at 05:16 PM on June 24, 2005
Hello, Larry.
posted by yerfatma at 07:15 PM on June 24, 2005
The Badger?! Is this a reference to Larry's schizophrenic state of mind, or the fact that no one is sure who "owns him"?
posted by lilnemo at 07:21 PM on June 24, 2005
There were a crazy number of touch-fouls called, which prolly kept the game from becoming a total slug-fest. But it was a splendid defense-oriented game. Good to see Duncan get the monkey off of his back, otherwise he would have had to live with some level of ignominy for the rest of his career. I think we may have to get accustomed to seeing one or both of these teams in the Finals for several years to come.