2004 NBA Finals

That is what I was thinking also. As soon as Shaq touched the ball, somebody should have fouled him. It will be interesting to see how both teams play in Detroit. After watching the first 2 games, I don't think either team will sweep the next 3 games. I wouldn't be surprised to see it go to game 7. I don't really like either team, but I am cheering for the Pistons because of former Razorback Corliss Williamson.

 

I agree, shoulda fouled Shaq when he got the ball. Then in the overtime, the Pistons fell apart. They were emotionally crushed. I think these two teams are skilled enough and well-coached enough to go to a 7 game series. The lesson to the Lakers from this game: The Pistons are for real. You gotta show up to play. The lesson for the Pistons: You can't EVER quit playing til the game is over. Kobe will get you if you do!

 

Dan,
After watching the 2nd game, I think this championship will be a real nail-biter; but, that said, the Lakers will find some way to win, just like the old Boston Celtics used to do. Pistons inexperience showed in OT period. However, I think it will go the full 7 games. Say, how about Luke Walton, I believe his hustle at just the right time gave the Lakers the spark they needed.
WallyGator

 

After seeing the Pistons decimate the Lakers in game three, will the series even make it back to LA? Game three was a thing of beauty!

 

Might have to eat my words! Don't think I've ever seen such a defensive gem as game three. Pistons were like honey bees, swarming all over the Lakers. Constant relentless pressure. If they continue to play like that, don't see how they'll lose, esp. as the series goes on, the "old men" of the Lakers are going to get tired.Lakers can't play around with with Pistons, for sure.

 

I'll offer a contrary opinion here. (Yes I know that I -now- live in California, and that most of the folks around here are Laker fans) The NBA is BORING. I could care LESS who is in, and who wins. The most BORING professional sport, even more than the PBA, is the NBA.

 

It appears that the tea leaves are wrong. No one has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the championship.

I suppose that if anyone could do it - it would be Kobe, Shaq, and crew!

 

Woohoo! Go Pistons!

 

I agree with you, Jude. The NBA has been boring for a long time now. That is why I have only watched 5 or 6 games all season. The only reason I am watching the finals is to hopefully see the Lakers crash and burn against what many (including me) thought was an inferior Pistons team. The only team I like now is the Dallas Mavericks, but I can't stand the way they stand around on defense. If they ever want to get past the first round, they need to watch how hard the Pistons play on the defensive end.

I still think the Pistons need to end it Tuesday in Detroit. If they lose and have to go back to LA, the Lakers might get their confidence back. Hopefully the Pistons will get the job done Tuesday so it doesn't come to that.

 

I hope the Pistons get it done on Tuesday, although beating LA before LA's home crowd would be OK too.

I agree that the NBA is pretty boring. To change it, the NBA needs to cut the season. They need to make it more like a football season where each team plays each other team once at home. Then they should have a round-robin playoff with a best-of-three championship series. THAT would put intensity in EACH game for the fans and for the players. Sadly this will never happen because the NBA sells out hundreds of games each year; by cutting the schedule, they would cut their income.

 

This article on Yahoo! Sports caused me to laugh: Lakers in Foul Mood After Game Four Loss

The Lakers are actually complaining about one-sided officiating. This from the team that gets more preferential treatment from the refs than any other team in the NBA. I haven't noticed an obvious bias either way in the series, except for possibly the early technical on Phil Jackson, and that is probably what they are really complaining about. They want the refs (and the Pistons) to just give them the championship instead of earning it on the court. Blaming the refs just shows what sore losers they really are. I hope they lose by 20 tonight. Go Pistons!!

 

Attention Coach Phil Jackson!

Your complaints that Kobe is being fouled is falling on deaf ears. If you want the fouls called on Kobe - you better not say anything when they call the fouls on Shaq. Over 50% of the time - when Shaq takes a shot at the basket - he has pushed his defender out of the way - in order to get that easy-uncontested dunk shot.

So - if the refs call the fouls committed against Kobe - don't complain when they call the fouls Shaq commits!

 

A tough call to make after the Pistons win (and hopefully that will occur tonight) is the choice of the MVP. There is no stand-out star on the Pistons. I think they need to give the award to the entire team...but let's not get ahead of ourselves!!!

 

Congratulations to the Detroit Pistons, 2004 NBA Champions!!

 

I will say this- it was good to see that selfish behavior will lead to failure. If young people can see the wisdom of selfless dedication through the picture of sports in examples like the 2004 Pistons, I'm all for it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/040616

You really must read this article.

 

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