New Jersey vs. Detroit

[Andrew]

What makes the Nets run so impressive is the fact they're accomplishing all this after trading one of their key players in their 2002 run for a non-factor.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if New Jersey faces San Antonio in the NBA Finals, won't it be the first time two former ABA teams face each other in the final round?

[EGarrett]

You haven't seen the last of that trade.

Mutombo, who I believe is making near the max, will be in a contract year next year...making him major trade bait for us. Philly will be paying MacCulloch and Van Horn for a long, long time.

[Andrew]

But even so, New Jersey traded two starters for a player who has essentially become trade bait and a non-factor in the playoffs, and are still the best team in the East. That's a compliment, not a criticism.

[scubilete]

MacCullogh Will not ever play again EG, and Yes Andrew, knowing the franchises from the ABA (Nuggets, Pacers, Spurs, Nets -NY-) & out of those only the Nuggets hasn't showed up in the Finals, only time the pacers were in the Finals was against the Lakers & the Spurs won against the Knicks, the Nets, well we know that story, we would get the first NBA Finals between 2 former ABA teams.

[EGarrett]

It doesn't matter if MacCulloch never plays again...the Sixers still have to pay the remainder of his contract. That's why next year the Sixers are going to be in bad shape and we're going to have a pretty nice tradeable asset.

[Matt]

well as my Pistons are getting creamed 0-3 the other news is that they have the #2 pick

Pistons:)

[Colin]

The Nets are in the finals.
the stupid nets that not only eliminated boston and detroit, but swept them. Detroit will be back, with Darko/Carmelo.

[Andrew]

Detroit's experiment with the blue collar team lacking a player in the conventional "superstar" role yields a loss in the Eastern Finals. No shame in what they have accomplished this season, especially in the playoffs (Eastern Finals after becoming the 7th team to come back from a 3-1 deficit is nothing to be ashamed of). Will be interesting to see if they adopt the same strategy next season, or look to become more offensive minded.

Meanwhile, another impressive win for New Jersey, who still haven't lost since the first round. It might be a bit premature to say the Nets have a good, or even decent chance of winning it all - after all, we know how East vs West matchups generally turn out. But they definitely have a chance.

[Matt]

well Pistons got swept but i couldnt care less at this moment cos we got the #2 pick
i do think that the series would have turned out a lil differently if not for some questionable calls
oh well, it turned out how it did.........RIP played 17 games in his first playoff appearance and others added 17 games to their stat sheets and we saw Prince emerge (another "I told you so" moments) as a possible future star..........overall a good campaign but a disappointing finish

[Andrew]

Looking at the boxscores, I noticed that Prince didn't seem to have as impressive outings in the starting lineup as he did as a reserve...perhaps he would be better in a Toni Kukoc role, being the spark plug off the bench, instead of taking the starting job next season?

[EGarrett]

i do think that the series would have turned out a lil differently if not for some questionable calls

You're blaming a sweep on the refs? Just give credit where credit is due...we got swept in a series last year and I didn't make excuses...

[Matthew]

So which doubter wants to come out and admit that they're the best team in the East?

Heheh, still waiting