Nimbletoe

My thoughts:

Indiana vs. Detroit: Well, i'm a huge pistons fans, so this might be a little bias. But I think that Sheed and Big Ben will be able to keep Jermaine in check, and as long as we can slow Artest down a bit, we've got a good chance of taking this series. The play of Artest, Prince and both benches are going to be huge, since both teams are pretty deep.

LA vs. Minnesota: The T-Wolves have a lot of heart, and really want it this year. However, they just don't have an answer to Shaq. They aren't going to be able to guard him, and he's going to have his way every game. In order for Minnesota to have a chance, their big 3 are going to need huge games every game. They aren't going to be able to defend LA very well, so basically their only hope imo is to outscore them.

I think it will be Detroit in 7 and LA in 6.

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Halx

I agree totally about Detroit. I'm totally sad to see NJ go, but the Wallaces got shit covered over there in the Motor City.

D in 7

As far as the West goes, I think the worst is behind LA now. It's gonna take them a total of one game to figure out the Timberpups and then it'll be OVER. Shaq is gonna lay down some ownage in this one - I can feel it.

LA in 5

(and the customary SWEEP in the finals.. heh)

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sixate

Detroit will not win. Indiana is a much better team. Detroit could barely beat a Nets team which had some injuries. Kidd was playing on one leg and they still almost won, and K-Mart also has a bad knee. Detroit can't beat a healthy Pacer squad. Plus, Artest is gonna be all over that skinny pussy Rip Hamilton. Then where's their offense gonna come from?

In the west.... Look at the avatar baby! LA all the way. I think it's gonna be a good 6 game series.

Hrothgar

For me it's very simple. It's always anybody against the Lakers.

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grumpyolddude

The flaw in the Pacers' lineup will be Reggie Miller. If Indy puts Artest on Hamilton, Prince and Williamson will run all over Reggie... plus, Artest will spend most of the series out of rebounding position and an outnumbered Jermaine O'Neal will give up too many offensive rebounds. If Reggie covers Hamilton (and the refs call his clutching and grabbing excuse for defense), Rip will wear the Pacers out and the inside games will negate each other.
Detroit totally outclasses Indy at guard... starters and bench... at both ends of the floor. Now that they have an answer to Jermaine inside, they will win. 6 games. (Al Harrington has the potential to be the "X" factor and change this outcome... but I doubt that he will)

LA has woken up. Pity the T'wolves. Somebody has to put the smack-down on Karl Malone. His physicallity is the key to the Lakers right now. When he asserts himself, Kobe and Shaq can operate. And Kobe has to avoid playing selfish. When Kobe shares the ball with Shaq, Shaq works harder on defense. 'Wolves last 6 games... if they are lucky.

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magnum_xxxl

East: I like Detroit in 6, Who cares where their offense is coming from, when the other team can't score on them.

West: If LA Does to Garnett what they did to Duncan, his team mates will not choke. Payton can't hold anybody anymore. My only worry would be holding shaq (would suggest letting The Big O hack him early & get him out of rythym, who cares if the O is in foul trouble. Wolves in 6.

sixate

Amazing how two people can see things so differently. The Pacers are a deeper team. Look at their rosters.(guys who play)
Pacers:
Ron Artest
Jermaine O'Neal
Reggie Miller
Al Harrington
Jamaal Tinsley
Jonathan Bender
Fred Jones
Jeff Foster
Anthony Johnson
Austin Croshere

Detroit:
Richard Hamilton
Chauncey Billups
Rasheed Wallace
Tayshaun Prince
Ben Wallace
Corliss Williamson
Mehmet Okur
Mike James
Lindsey Hunter

Mike James and Lindsey suck nuts. So that only leaves Chauncey and Rip at guard. The Pacers have Artest, Tinsley, Jones, Johnson, and Miller all play guard. Now, exactly how the hell is Detroit deeper and how do they outclass the Pacers at guard? Also, Rip and Chauncey put in 40 minutes a night at guard. Which doesn't leave any time for the bench to play... Why is that? Because their coach has zero faith in their week ass backups. The Pacers have 4 guards averaging over 20 minutes a game, and Johnson plays about 18. Why do these guys get more playing time than Detroit's backups? Because they're better players. Period. Pacers own the guard position, and Jermaine is the best big man on the court in this series.

sixate

Shaq owns the paint. Kobe is solid as always. The Mailman outplayed the league MVP, and Fisher drains more huge shots. Malone is an under-rated defensive player. The job he's doing playing D in the playoffs is fucking amazing for a man 40 years old.

Looks like Cassell is hurt, and the T-Wolves don't stand a chance without him.

In a few weeks LA will be champs baby!!!

Cross-Over

I just stumbled across the thread after seeing tonights game, though it really didn't change my opinion on the Min vs LA series.

I think Indiana will win. They are more sound on offense, and great defensively as well. Artest poses problems for Detroit defenively. Which Det starter is going to cover him? He will outmuscle Rip and Prince in the post.
My problem with Detroit is that their offense often goes through long stagnant periods. Thats a major weakness for any playoff team. Foster will make Ben work hard, even though he normally does. Collins is a big body, but Ben outquicked him.

LA's mircale shot in game 5 last series put the title in their hands, all they have to do is hold onto it.

I hope Indy does win so I can see Artest matchup with Kobe in the finals.

Nimbletoe

I recall you saying NJ was going to beat detroit, too. Kidd was injured, but he was just missing open looks. K-Mart wasn't that injured. He just got shut down a lot by the Wallaces. He was moving fine. Rasheed's foot was at about 60% as well, and Chauncey's back was hurting him the entire series. But he still outplayed Kidd every game.

And as for handling teams, hello? Indy struggled with Miami! Detroit had to take it to 7, but one loss was 3OT that could have gone either way, and game 7 was a blowout.

Heh, I disagree about Mike James and Lindsey "sucking nuts". They both play really good D, but detroit's guards play a lot because they need to score. Jones and Johnson aren't the most solid guards either. Miller is old. Jermaine is indeed the best big man on the floor, but he's going to have both wallaces making it hell for him in the paint, assuming Rasheed's foot doesn't get worse.

It's going to be a good series, and it can go either way. Both team has weaknesses. But the one time the pacers and pistons played when the pistons had Sheed, the pacers scored 61 points. So for you to keep saying that Detroit it going to get owned, and we suck nuts, and whatever, is ignorant. Keep hating though.

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Nimbletoe

You wish.

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Conclamo Ludus

Go Pistons

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grumpyolddude

Stubborn, stubborn sixate! You'll never forgive the Pistons for not picking Carmello, will you?

You are the only person I've found that counts Artest (small forward) as a guard and gives the edge at guard to the Pacers. Maybe the reason that the Pacers give so many minutes to so many guards is that none of them have enough game to sustain more minutes?

Hunter and James command a lot of respect around the league... especially for their defense (Allen Iverson is on record as naming Hunter as the toughest match-up he has to face). Both have been starting point guards and handle the ball (and pressure) well. Meanwhile, Tinsley's rep is that he doesn't handle pressure defense well... a Pistons strength. Miller is still a great spot-up shooter, but age has eroded the rest of his game. The other guards have little impact on most nights.

The Pacers strength is their front line: O'Neil, Artest and Foster, with Harrington and Croshere off the bench. There's a lot of power and energy there. With Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, and Prince, and Williamson, Campbell and Okur off the bench, the Pistons match their intensity, plus bring more size.

It's going to be a great series, and the outcome is far from a foregone conclusion. Let's watch and see who's analysis is more accurate.

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omid

hmm with the lakers and wolves...


lakers have an all-star starting lineup. minnesota has kevin garnett. i know, i know, latrell latrell.. but honestly. if the lakers learned how to play the pick n roll, kobe can shut him down every night. anyways, lakers in 6 or 5.

pistols/pacers... wow what a great series. can't wait. very evenly matched... but the pacers have that ugly fuck reggie miller hehehe. iceman. hope it goes to game 7 so reggie can let it rain. pacers in 7.

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grumpyolddude

Pacer/Pistons game 1:
Harrington's energy saved Indy in the first half. Nobody could cover Billups or Hamilton and Ben owned the inside. As expected, Artest was too strong for Prince, but missed a few bunnies.
Turnovers, and Billups total disappearing act in the second half cooked the Pistons. Jermaine played strong, while Rasheed didn't show up at all. (Weak move by 'Sheed when he "guaranteed" a win in game 2. He's been doing a good job of staying quiet and letting his game speak. Just shut up and play!)
Foster stepped up huge when it counted, and Reggie pulled off another "Reggie moment" to seal the deal.
Outside of Harrington's first half, neither bench impressed, although Johnson played Billups rather well. The role players on both sides are going to have to play better for their teams to move on.
The Pacers need to keep pounding in the paint, forcing the Wallaces to make plays, while the Pistons need to keep making Artest and Miller chase skinny pussies all over the court.
Game 2 outta be great!

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Nimbletoe

Man, this would be a completely different series if Rasheed's foot wasn't shit. He had no lift whatsoever. Even Jeff Foster could guard him 1v1. Not to take away from him, but there's no way he could guard a healthy Rasheed by himself.

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killklaus

Go Wolves! Got the lakers to score a playoff low in points!

Jesus Malverde

Good thing for the Timberwolves that they were on fire. Shaq was pretty terrible tonight, and Kobe didn't hit alot of his shots. Now I'm thinking this will actually be a series, and Karl Malone will actually have to work hard for his ring. God I hate him. He was classic Malone tonight, charging knee first and throwing forearm shivers.

In the East, I just want to see if Rasheed Wallace looks like a fool or not for his guarantee.

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Jadedfox

Yep, I just hate that flaw when he sinks a game winning 3. REG-GIE REG-GIE REG-GIE!

This could be the year the pacers win it all!

--jaded

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Nimbletoe

That would be a valid statement if the pacers had won by more than a clutch 3 point shot... at home. Indiana could still lose in 5, so don't get cocky~

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Ripp3r

Yeah well I'm not getting cocky. Seems like Rasheed is taking care of that part by guaranteeing a victory in tonight's game!

Best of luck, should be a good series regardless.

-jaded

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sixate

No I won't. It will go down as one of the worst draft decisions ever.

I'll tell you why. When this line-up is on the floor what position does Artest play: Jermaine, Foster, Harrington, Tinsley, Artest.......

That makes Artest a guard. He plays both positions, and expect to see Artest on Rip more tonight.

Nimbletoe

Sorry, but I disagree. I think they're going to keep Artest more on Prince to make sure he stays as a non-contributor. They don't want to tire Artest by having him chase Rip around the court, because man, that guy can run full speed without the ball for 50 minutes and not get tired. It's insane.

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grumpyolddude

Shame on the Pistons for letting the game get to that point.

"Miller is still a great spot-up shooter," (...I wrote that too!)

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Nimbletoe

Amazing game tonight. It was so intense since every basket was SO important. That block at the end by Prince was unbelieveable. Can't wait for the next game.

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Halx

That WAS a great game.. they played that block over and over and over on sportscenter.

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Jadedfox

Great game! Now here's my guarantee that the Pacers will win the next!

--jaded

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Nimbletoe

Rasheed GUARANTEED the next two games will be played in Detroit. Haha, I laughed.

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sixate

If the Pacers don't change their starting line-up they will lose this series. Have Reggie come off the bench, put Artest at shooting guard to D up Rip, and start Harrington and have him D up Prince. If they don't make this chang I hope they lose. I hate when coaches don't do the obvious.

Halx

The obvious? That's what the other team would EXPECT!

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grumpyolddude

Why worry about Reggie? He and O'neal carried the team in the first half, and Rip didn't do his damage until the 4th quarter. What's hurting Indy more is the lack of offense from Artest. The guy is stinking up the gym. (I really enjoyed his cute exercise of his 1st Ammendment rights last night. I hope the league was watching, too!)

Hmmmm..... Would Carmello have made that block?

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grumpyolddude

Which LA team is going to show up tonight? The Lakers or the Fakers? Were they properly embarrassed enough the other night? Coach Phil was impressed by how hard the T'wolves played... by implication he was unimpressed with his own guys.

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Nimbletoe

I really think Artest would tire pretty quickly chasing Rip. All he does is run full speed. Every single offensive play, he's running. Prince basically shut down Artest defensivley. He made sure Artest, who was trying to draw fouls, kept getting offensive fouls, and just kept him out of rythm. He even fouled out with about 2 minutes left. Indiana has two guys that score for them lately, Artest and Jermaine. Both were all but shut down, Jermaine going 0-8 in the second half and Artest with only 13 points. They're shooting like crap, which is mostly due to the amazing D detroit has been playing.

Hell no

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sixate

Doesn't matter because it would be a completely different series if Melo were involved.

Melo>Rasheed and Prince combined.

Rasheed is on the downside of his career, and Prince is streaky at best. Prince hasn't even scored in double figures in the 2 games, and Rasheed has been terrible. The only thing those two have done well is block shots.

Nimbletoe

Melo is a better scorer, yes, but not a better defender. Sheed is only 28, and is playing on a crappy foot that would have him benched during the regular season. Prince doesn't need to score all the time for the pistons to win, obviously. And uh, I guess the defense that they played, shutting down artest and o'neill doesnt count as doing something well? Please.

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sixate

Rasheed was disposed of in Portland because he could never deliver in the playoffs, and because Randolph is a far superior player. He's not much better on a foot that doesn't hurt. Don't kid yourself into thinking he's better than Melo. There isn't a team on the planet, other than the stupid ass Pistons, that would want Sheed over Melo. Artest and O'Neil won't be shut down for the entire series, and if the Pacers are smart and do what I say Artest will own Rip, and the Pacers will win the series.

BTW, Artest and O'Neil weren't shut down in game 1. So what makes you think they're gonna be able to do it the rest of the series?

Cross-Over

I picked Indiana to win earlier in the thread, and even though I still think they will win, my reasoning has been way off thus far.

Prince has defened Artest well, and Foster hasn't played as big as a role as I imagined he would.

Indiana looks lost offensively when Oneal is being fronted/doubled in the post late in the game.

I would like to see Bender play some more minutes. Last game it appeared as if he was trying to do too much to quickly, knowing his minutes are limited.

The game before though, he had a strong Isolation play against Big Ben, and threw down a thunderous two handed to finish it.

Tinsley had a poor game down the stretch. Every possession was obviously highly contested. He made short work of two, throwing a bad pass and shooting up an air ball.

Cross-Over

Artest had 17 points and went 4-5 from the line in game 1, but by many standards going 6-23 from the field (less than 25%) would constitute being shut down/ having a bad night.

I like Indiana too, just trying to be objective though.

grumpyolddude

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....

(Ooops! I believe he's serious!)

In Detroit, Carmello would be Rodney White II, because no "D"= no "PT".

Top stories of the series: Indy's FG% and Detroit's FT%. And 19 blocks? That's just sick!

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sixate

We'll see who's laughing in a couple of years when Melo is considered a top 5 player in the league. The Pistons don't have a top 5 player in the East.