Lakers/Pistons Game 5

[cly2tw]

One more remark about Lakers' (inherent) problem: With Shaq not effective outside the paint, there were not much room to get Kobe to post up his defenders. Prince is quick but thin, thus potentially vulnerable vs. Kobe posting him up. Also, there sure are many ways via screens to get Kobe matched with Billups or Hamilton downlow. The Pistons won by using an offense that heavily relies on screens and exploiting matchup advantages.

The reason other lost to the Lakers was that most of them could not contain either of Shaq and Kobe one-on-one to a reasonable level, while the Pistons did it to both!

 

[George O'Brien]

One more remark about Lakers' (inherent) problem: With Shaq not effective outside the paint, there were not much room to get Kobe to post up his defenders. Prince is quick but thin, thus potentially vulnerable vs. Kobe posting him up. Also, there sure are many ways via screens to get Kobe matched with Billups or Hamilton downlow. The Pistons won by using an offense that heavily relies on screens and exploiting matchup advantages.

The reason other lost to the Lakers was that most of them could not contain either of Shaq and Kobe one-on-one to a reasonable level, while the Pistons did it to both!

Malone was not a total cripple when playing the Western teams. Right now I'm not sure than more than three teams in the East would even make the playoffs in the West. NO was fifth seed in the East and will have to have a major turnaround to even get into the playoffs in the West.

But there is little doubt that Detroit and Indianapolis both have very fine teams, but rest of the converence is just not that strong.

 

[cly2tw]

Malone was not a total cripple when playing the Western teams. Right now I'm not sure than more than three teams in the East would even make the playoffs in the West. NO was fifth seed in the East and will have to have a major turnaround to even get into the playoffs in the West.

But there is little doubt that Detroit and Indianapolis both have very fine teams, but rest of the converence is just not that strong.

With Wade and Odom in place, Miami is catching up quick. If Jones gets healthy, Wade and Odom a bit more experienced in a winning environment, their core emulates that of the Pistons, lacking only a defensive dominance in Ben Wallace and depth of bench.

Yes, with Malone they'd have had a much better chance against these Pistons, but this is sweet justice as I see it. And our own Williams had greatly contributed to the satisfaction of us loyal Suns fans while he was with the Suns early in the season. For Malone, it's true to the proverbial: What goes around, comes around.

 

[LakeShowMan]

Congrats to Larry Brown, Joe Dumars, and the entire Detroit Pistons TEAM. I love Ben Wallace,and everything he brings to the floor. I am glad 'Sheed has kind of leveled of his antics somewhat and fulfilled some of his potential. Rip Hamilton is Reggie Miller Part 2, without the clutch shotmaking (at least not yet), and Larry is a terrific coach. That was a complete butt-whipping, and they were by far the better team in the series.

The Lakers were a completely different team with the Mailman out, and I hope he can make one more run next year. I think Kobe will stay (as long as he is found innocent), especially if Phil doesn't come back. I think the team needs a new voice, and someone who is less rigid in his style of play, and is more willing to tailor the gameplan around the talent he has then try to force a square peg into a round hole. Phil has done a great job in L.A. and if retirement is what he wants to do, I wish him the best.

I wouldn't mind having Gary back, but I would much rather get someone who is a little more athletic and a better spot up shooter (I would love to get Brent Barry somehow). I think the Lakers have some young guys with potential, and hopefully we can tweak the team enough to give us another shot next year. When you look at the trials and tribulation that the team has endured (a lot of it is self-inflicted), I think the team had a pretty successful season. Of course, in L.A., any season that we don't win the championship is considered a failure, and that is just the way it is.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

My guess is I'll wake up tomorrow morning about 5:00 a.m., turn on the news and see upside down ice-cream trucks on fire in L.A.

Guys will be running down the street with those TV/VCR combo's just looted from some pawn shop. It's going to be ugly tonight.

Dude - it's LA...not Detroit.

If there are any riots/looting it will happen in Detroit...just like it did during their Bad Boys run.

The only time LA had trouble was after a WIN. Damage to a couple of cop cars, etc which Shaq stepped up and helped pay for.

I know you're into movies, but can the drama.


BIM's take:

It's been a different type of NBA season for me...I was not convinced signing Malone and Payton would guarantee a title as many predicted...and I was pro-Lakers/anti-Kobe all year.

As much as I wanted my team to win the title, I didn't want Kobe to win another. (Still not too bad - my NBA team is 14-14 in the Finals, second in titles, etc.)

Props to Detroit for kicking butt. Should have really been a sweep.

Big props to former Lakers' player Elden Campbell. (Phil Jackson took over the Lakers just after Campbell and Eddie Jones were traded away...Phil was ticked at the time...he wanted Eddie and Elden on the team rather than Glen Rice...)...

Personally, I miss the teams of the 80's. Showtime rules compared to the triangle and the ugliness of the Threepeat, in my opinion.

I'll be glad to see this squad broken up and a new coach, etc...a new direction.