Pistons beat Lakers?? At home??

[huskerdru]

Of course I'm overjoyed. I've been saying for days that the Lakers are in for a big surprise when they score only 80 or fewer points in a game. Well it happened last night!! I'm not getting ridiculous and thinking sweep or anything, but I certainly think the Pistons have a legitimate shot. Still I was extremely disappointed at most of the stories and columns this morning that said something like "Hand some credit to the Pistons' defense, but the Lakers just beat themselves." C'mon!! :mad: I suppose it had nothing to do with Detroit team and individual defense that only two players scored more than 5 points for the Lakers...

[Crash Course]

It will be interesting if the Pistons stick with the Game 1 plan for Game 2, or go with attacking Shaq and Kobe instead now. Chess at it's best.

[pathogan]

...then in the previous 20 combined, and have enjoyed the playoffs.I was quite surprised at how well detroits defense harrangued the Lakers, especially with Oneal doing whatever he wanted. He is extraordinary to watch. That huge and what quickness!Astonishing...

[huskerdru]

He is extraordinary to watch. That huge and what quickness!Astonishing...

I agree, Shaq is a spectacle. Now, imagine how good he'd be if he was in the kind of shape he was with Orlando (7'1" 300 lbs. and 3% body fat :eek: ). He's still the best post player in the game, but he could be oh so much more...

You're right about last night, too. Shaq threw it down whenever they got him the ball, which they didn't do enough.

[sweaver]

It was quite a shock. I assume Phil Jackson will have an answer back in Game 2.

[huskerdru]

It was quite a shock. I assume Phil Jackson will have an answer back in Game 2.

It was a shock, for the Lakers and analysts anyway, but shouldn't have been. I think the Lakers themselves (and the Zenmaster) started buying into the conventional wisdom that no team from the East, no matter how good its defense, can hang with the prolific scoring offenses in the West.

On your second point...you're probably right, and it scares me!!

[mgoettsche]

After acquiring Rasheed, the Pistons played absolutely killer ball the 2nd half of the season, and I thought they could beat any team out West, including the then red-hot Spurs. They stumbled a little in the playoffs, looking downright dreadful at times, but they showed their character in polishing off NJ and Indiana, two very good teams.

LA has looked so-so. Apart from the stellar play of Kobe one game and Shaq the next, as a team they have not looked that great. Yes, they've won up until now, but I seriously doubt they would have beaten Minnesota with a healthy Cassell...the guy is Mugabe in the playoffs. Detroit is the best team they have faced so far.

To beat Detroit, both Kobe and Shaq will have to have monster efforts EACH game...the glove and il postino just don't match up with their counterparts right now. I think the Pistons will win in 6.

[WiredTiger]

It should be an interesting series. The pistons will have to adjust to whatever changes the Lakers make for game 2. The pistons aren't pushovers and the dominate on the defensive end.

If you look at the matchups the Lakers have a clear advantage at SG with Kobe and at Center with Shaq. The Pistons hold the advantage at the other spots and on the bench. I doubt Larry Brown will get outcoached so it's up to Kobe (who was mediocre in game 1) and Shaq to carry the Lakers.

If Kobe and Shaq are on it will be tough to win for the pistons but if one or both play lousy then the Pistons will have a good shot at winning.

[mgoettsche]

Just a couple thoughts to chew on:

1) The Kobe/MJ comparisons are just a bit premature. I believe Kobe's the closest thing to MJ since MJ, but Kobe just has not figured out how to do *anything* against the Piston's D. You've gotta believe MJ would have figured something out by now...

2) The Pistons are getting very little credit, which is a shame. There are a lot of token mentions of the Pistons playing good ball, but its mostly focused on the Lakers' dysfunction. Totally unfair to the Pistons...they are pistol-whipping the Lakers now, and I'm not sure things would be much different if Malone was healthy...Pistons are just too athletic and too good defensively to let anyone get off.

3) God, wouldn't it be fun to see Shaq vs. Wilt. Its criminal that LA hasn't made Detroit adjust to Shaq...throw the ball to him every single time until the Pistons are forced to double or triple him.

Same recipe...LA's only got a chance if both Shaq and Kobe dominate, but I think its too late.

[Crash Course]

This one reminded me of the 2003 World Series.

[mgoettsche]

Extremely apt analogy...

[Ytown Tribe fan]

What really impressed me was that, up by 20+ with 3 minutes to play, Detroit was still shooting 3's. They took nothing for granted and really took care of business. This Cavs fan congratulates the Pistons on a great run.

This is the best thing to happen to the Lakers. Next season they can expect a new coach and some highly motivated players.

[KCBOOMER]

It sure looked like a young, athletic, and hungry beat the snot out of an old, slow, and declining team.

Congrats to the Pistons.