1. They get outhustled 90% of the time by Varejao, Gibson, Snow, Gooden et al.
2. Chauncey Billups. In the second half he made multiple passes, took ill advised jumpers and committed stupid fouls and then just smiled about it in a cocky way like he knew he could do better later (which is fine if you back it up). The dagger was that pull-up three he took with the Pistons down three with 40 seconds left. What an idiotic shot. Let me check his stats real quick...
37% shooting
bad decisions
2 assists in 45 minutes
5 turnovers (3 in the 4th quarter)
he had 23 pts but most of those (I would guess 16-18 were in the first half)
Chauncey was awful which is rare, but he's been bad the entire series. He and the Pistons need to turn it around and win game five or the series is over. You can take that to the bank.
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3 comments:
Let me first off say that I went to bed when LeBron hit that unreal outside shot and made it 87-79. It was like he took a sledge hammer to the back of the Pistons' collective head.
So we are getting on the blame Chauncey band wagon, eh? It certainly is easy to get aboard. I will throw blame another way and that is whoever decided to change defenses form teh 3rd quarter to 4th. It may have been Flip or it may have been the guys on the court.
In the 3rd, everytime LeBron got the ball in the 3rd quarter two guys immediately doubled him. It was histerical seeing 'Sheed come off the block and help Rip double LeBron on the wing. King James did not have a FG in the 3rd if I am not mistaken.
In the fourth, it was like the did away with this strategy. The Cavs were setting pciks and they were switching out 'Sheed at the top of the key. THis is a horrible match up. Also, if there is one guy you want guarding LeBron it is Prince, not Rip. End of game 2, Rip gets away with a major hack. In Clev, LeBron is probably on the line. ENd of game 3, Rip gives up a pull up jumper to Lebron. Game 4, LeBron has a big 4th primarily against Rip.
Rip is just not big enough. Fast enough, yes. But still, LeBron has to be licking his chops when he sees him across the way.
On top of this, it is like the Pistons wait for somebody to take over in the 4th. Same thign in game 3 and 4. They have so many guys that one of them is bound to take over, right? Wrong. It is like a bunch of outfielders going for a fly ball, "I got it", "you got it", "he's got it". Ball drops.
Just like that, its 2-2.
I really don't think the defense was an issue. I think the main difference between the 3rd and 4th quarters was the intensity. Starting the 3rd they were down what, seven? They needed a big third and they knew it, so they turned up the defense and the offense. By the time the 4th rolled around they were leading and were up most of the 4th but I just didn't see that intensity, maybe I'm mistaken.
Then, as Rob said, LBJ (Pres. Lyndon Baines Johnson or Lebron James) hit that shot to put the Cavs back up 8. What happens, Detroit turns it all back up again and gets back to within three before Chauncey really takes over to lose that game.
However, kudos to LeBron for hitting those two free throws with four seconds left to ice it for Cleveland, I really didn't think he'd make them both.
Historically game 5s when a series is 2-2 is absolutely huge. I don't have the stats here but I'd guess it something like 80% of the game 5 winners go on to win the series. Expect another tight one. Chauncey could totally redeem himself, but until he strings together a good 2 or 3 games, he and I are not on speaking terms.
I think you nailed what I was saying with the intensity. There was no intesnisty on D to look for the double team.
Let me give you an oustide perspective. Everywhere else in the country besides MI, the Pistons are getting blasted. One Chicago paper compared them to a car going down hill with no brakes, no steering wheel, talking on the cell phone and syaing to the person on the phone, "We have it all under control".
I agree with that to an extent.
Bu yes, props to King James for stepping up. He is just growing up so fast!
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