(1) Cavs Vs. (8) Pistons

[Lamrock]

Such an exciting game that the highlight was LeBron making a 1/3rd court shot.

[el badman]

Cavs in 5 for me. I wish Detroit could give them a tougher challenge, but LBJ is simply unstoppable and makes everyone else shine with him.
I don't like Cleveland but I really don't see what could keep them from reaching the Finals this year.

[Andrew]

Some sort of misfortune, though I don't like to say that as you don't want to wish that on anyone.

I know it doesn't make a difference but I was kind of disappointed that LeBron and a couple of others rested that final game against the Sixers. I understand the logic behind it and ultimately the Bulls might've gotten a better matchup with a KG-less Celtics (well, good enough to ensure they won't be swept and did something historically significant to the Bulls franchise) so it worked out alright in that regard but it was a bit of a wishy-washy way to end the season. Compare that to great teams from the past like the '96 Bulls, where the stars still played in the regular season finale despite 72 wins being much the same as 71 would have been (though Jordan, Rodman and Pippen did play fewer minutes in that one) or even the Lakers of this season who still had Kobe out on the floor in the final game.

It may not mean anything in the grand scheme of things, it didn't change the fact they'll have homecourt advantage through the entire Playoffs should they make it to the Finals and it's not something to be overanalysed but still...I don't know. I see the logic of it, it was an opportunity to rest their stars and it's not my place to say they absolutely must play but - at the risk of overanalysing things anyway - you have to wonder if it demonstrates an extra drive, a greater motivation on the part of the Lakers to want to get one more win and enter the Playoffs with that momentum even though it shouldn't really matter. I've never been a fan of the "switch" approach, even if it has worked out for some teams in the past.

[Modifly]

There goes game 2. The Cavs are crushing the Pistons, again.

[Andrew]

The fourth quarter was a bit of a shambles though, not quite as crushing a defeat as it could've been. Things could always change when the series moves to Detroit for the next two but I'm feeling pretty good about the sweep prediction.

[NovU]

Cavliers once again looked to be in control the whole game. Damn, Lebron is a beast. Btw, why is Hamilton guarding Bron, not Tayshaun?

[shadowgrin]

It's the "let [insert star player name here] have his way since we can't stop him and just concentrate on his teammates" defense.

[diddy]

troit has no chances, so as boston without KG, if they face cavs!

[deihatein]

I wonder if the veteran pistons really have a chance against lebron. Nah, they don't have. Why did they trade Billups for Ai anyway

[Andrew]

To make way for Stuckey to be their starting point guard and make a run at a marquee free agent in 2010. The results in the meantime aren't that pretty.

[benji]

Finally, this waste of a season is over. Time to find someone who will take Prince for nothing while telling Sheed and AI to take a hike.

Hopefully Curry gets fired too. Too bad him and Joe D are buddies.

[mshooter24]

..it's all over now..cavs sweep the pistons...hahahaha..michael curry SUCKS!!!....

[BIG GREEN]

This series was a wash.

[Oakrhum]

They will never be beaten until June 8.

[Fresh8]

The end of the Pistons was painful to watch and follow.

[benji]

It's not the end. They dump Sheed, Iverson and Prince and add some good FAs and players over the next year or so, and this is back to 50 wins next season. This was a super-bench (that Curry would never play, he's worse than Brown at pulling young guys) with a shit starting lineup. They have the big men and PG set, they just need to bring in some wing guys. I'd spend the offseason having Stuckey dribble at top of the key while Rip cuts around four guys so he knows where Rip gets open on the cut, he didn't know this, Billups did after five plus years. (Watch them the two years prior, it's basically perfect when it's done. Iverson didn't care about anything and Stuckey couldn't deliver, then Rip was sent to the bench and it killed his season then he joined Sheed in not giving a shit.)

McDyess can come back though. He tries even if he can't jump or guard anyone.

[NovU]

That sucks. Allen Iverson should have played. Ok. there I said it too many times.

Don't you think Prince is a keeper for the Pistons? I think Sheed and Iverson will be pretty much gone for sure, but i think Prince is ilke a cornerstone for the Pistons.

[Andrew]

From a salary cap/rebuilding aspect it could be quite beneficial. For all his talents, he's not really a player you'd build a winning team around.

[benji]

Don't you think Prince is a keeper for the Pistons?

Nobody who makes $10+ million a year while doing almost nothing during games is a keeper.

[C-77]

Prince a Keeper? one who is expected to defend the opponent's superstar,but fails to do it and one who hits continous bricks from downtown is that what you call a keeper?

[NovU]

I wouldn't expect Tayshaun to be a franchise player nor go to guy, but I think he's a great solid second fiddle player with all around skills. He has been a great part of last few years' Piston's success and he's not that old so I think the Pistons should keep him.

1 bad season for Detroit, and it's like some of you think he's a total garbage already but he's still a capable great team player. After all, Tayshaun as usual was the same Tayshaun from last couple years, and played all 82 games once again.

[Andrew]

It's a lot of money to be tied up in a second or third best player on the team though and with the team looking to rebuild and be a player in the 2010 free agent market it's not an unreasonable idea to try and move him for expiring contracts.

[NovU]

Well... Versatile SF with long wingspan, I think he's not that overpaid by much in today's standard. After disastrous season, I wouldn't be surprised Detroit trying to move him, but he has been by far the most consistent player for the Pistons for awhile.