Does anyone want to talk about

[JoMal]

It probably is safe to say that both Joe and Wow are right regarding Peja.

The return of Webber certainly affected how Peja played the game, but that feeds right into what WOW is saying about how Peja played so much more tentatively going into the playoffs.

Peja was constantly looking at the refs for bailout calls and he looked much more uncertain. But then that also seems to be how he started to play once Webber came back and his shots started coming to him outside the flow of the game, unlike they did before Webber's return.

But WOW is right in that Webber and Peja should be feeding off each other more then they looked like they did in the playoffs this year.  

[westkoast]

It probably is safe to say that both Joe and Wow are right regarding Peja.

The return of Webber certainly affected how Peja played the game, but that feeds right into what WOW is saying about how Peja played so much more tentatively going into the playoffs.

Peja was constantly looking at the refs for bailout calls and he looked much more uncertain. But then that also seems to be how he started to play once Webber came back and his shots started coming to him outside the flow of the game, unlike they did before Webber's return.

But WOW is right in that Webber and Peja should be feeding off each other more then they looked like they did in the playoffs this year.

JoMaL, Even when Webber was in Peja has been non-existant other times before.  As much as everyone wants to say it was all Rick Fox, we've seen Peja do the same thing against lesser defenders.  So I don't know how much it was Rick Fox and his bodying as it was Peja not being able to respond to bodying period.  Forget looking at the refs constantly, he seems like he cannot stay at a high level each series.  What that has to do with I dont know because in the regular season hes down right deadly.

The Lakers benefitted from injuries in their playoff runs to but I dont believe the Pistons were accidental champs.  Just like I dont believe the Lakers got lucky by having some of their opponents not at 100%.  Injuries are part of the game. Getting lucky is part of alot of playoff runs too.  You have to have the drive, the talent, and luck on your side to finish with the trophy.  Some would say that the Lakers were lucky to see AI after he pulled all the weight for Philly for 95+ games and was suffering from a  few injuries that came during the playoffs.

[rickortreat]

I thought this thread was about the Pistons!

IMO, If they played the same LA team they would win again.  But the Pistons were fortunate to get to the finals and fortunate to play LA in the series.

A very good defensive team is no match for a team with 4 or 5 shooters that can pass the ball.  Minnesota, Sac-town and Dallas could have all beaten the Pistons, and San Antonio too.  

The Pistons have a good core, but to ensure a return trip to the finals may be impossible.  If they could get Shaq, that might clinch it, but other than him or TD, there aren't that many pieces that could fit the Detroit puzzle.  

Who cares though, Detroit isn't a dynasty in the making, just a team that stopped a dynasty.  The Lakers are collapsing from within, and probably would have reguardless of what happened in these finals.  As a Sixer fan, that's just fine with me.

[Joe Vancil]

JoMaL, Even when Webber was in Peja has been non-existant other times before. As much as everyone wants to say it was all Rick Fox, we've seen Peja do the same thing against lesser defenders. So I don't know how much it was Rick Fox and his bodying as it was Peja not being able to respond to bodying period.

Well, I, for one, don't think it was Rick Fox - especially given the fact that Minnesota - not LA - eliminated Sacramento.

It's more than just the defense.  Stojakovic *ALWAYS* disappears when Webber is on the court - or really, with the team...and *ALWAYS* plays extremely well when Webber isn't with the team.  Makes you wonder if Webber didn't bring a few habits from Washington with him...and share 'em with Stojakovic.

[JoMal]

It's more than just the defense.  Stojakovic *ALWAYS* disappears when Webber is on the court - or really, with the team...and *ALWAYS* plays extremely well when Webber isn't with the team.  Makes you wonder if Webber didn't bring a few habits from Washington with him...and share 'em with Stojakovic.

Sounds more like imposing his will on Peja. While denying to the media that he is anything more then just a cog of the offense, it certainly appears that Chris demands the ball go through him. That is fine if a shooter like Peja really felt most comfortable in that type of game, but he does not. Peja should be the trigger.

Before Webber returned, I expressed the hope that Chris would come back to fulfill two functions for the Kings during the stretch run. Provide better interior defense and rebounding - the two areas the Kings needed to shore up. Instead, he ran the offense, taking the flow away from Vlade and the scoring transition game away from Peja. His rebounding was just okay and let's not even discuss his defense  :cry:

Meanwhile, Peja was left like a flounder on a hook, dangling out there at the three point line and starting to stink up the place.  :crazy:

But Peja could have suggested he was better suited getting the ball instead of just feeding Webber - he has a voice.

I do agree with your point of view, Joe, that Webber did more damage then he should have, exspecially as Peja's scoring touch disappeared. But someone, somewhere had to step up and express the problem to the team as well, instead of feeding the media the company line that Webber made the team better for the playoffs. In hindsight, they clearly were wrong, and I feel they knew it and played accordingly.  

[Guest_Randy]

I'm not sure that I understand why you think that Peja should take the mantle of leadership on the court away from CWebb when it's clear that it has been given to him by Rick Adelmann.  As I have stated many times before, the Kings are better WITHOUT CWebb if he doesn't fit into the offense -- the motion offense is a thing of tremendous beauty and it is extremely effective -- but that motion offense stagnates the second that CWebb steps on the floor -- and there are only TWO people to blame -- CWebb and Rick Adelmann.

I really think the Kings would benefit from not running the motion offense all the time but allow Adelmann to call the play as it goes down the court all the time -- in the motion offense CWebb is VERY skilled in passing and moving so he COULD fit in if he (and Adelmann) could change their mindset.  I think they should run the motion twice as many times as they move into the halfcourt set with CWebb -- it keeps defenses guessing (well, not to much) and, IMO, it will make the halfcourt set even more effective.  

The problem, IMO, is that the problems on the basketball court have begun to make it's way into the lockerroom and begun to polorize players at either end (Peja and Vlade, Bibby and CWebb).  It's the reason that CWebb wants a trade (that and the fact that he's a big baby like Shaq  :rofl: ).