Does anyone want to talk about

[Reality]

Should Pistons stand pat?

What are their repeat chances?

Do you Homer Simpsons care?

[WayOutWest]

The accidental champs can stand pat and MAYBE win the East again.

Barring injuries the Pistons should probably fall to the Pacers and maybe fall to the Nets.  Both of those teams had the Pistons beat until they lost key players to injuries.  Nets lost Kidd and the Pistons lost JO, Artest and Tins.

[Reality]

The accidental champs can stand pat and MAYBE win the East again.

Barring injuries the Pistons should probably fall to the Pacers and maybe fall to the Nets.  Both of those teams had the Pistons beat until they lost key players to injuries.  Nets lost Kidd and the Pistons lost JO, Artest and Tins.

But can the Pistons hope for injuries to THud and Cassell if they make the finals again and face MN?  Or can a .4 miracle help them?

Lots of trades still to come.

Did you see where Darko broke a bone in his hand in the last few minutes of mop up against the 4 HOFlame outs?  That was after the unbeatables cut a 30 point lead to 15 if you already split.

Wonder how much playing time Darko sees in 2004.

 

[WayOutWest]

But can the Pistons hope for injuries to THud and Cassell if they make the finals again and face MN?  Or can a .4 miracle help them?
 

 :nonono:  :rolleyes:  :nonono:  :rolleyes:  :nonono:  

[spursfan101]

They didn't look like the accidental champs when they trounced LA. :cheers:  

[Joe Vancil]

The Pistons won the series by being aggressive - especially toward the basket - while LA was passive.  That's no accident - that's smart basketball beating whatever it is we've seen in the NBA the past few years.

Should the Pistons stand pat?  For the most part, yes.  Obviously, they've got some trouble in trying to keep both Rasheed Wallace and Mehmet Okur.  Also, how long are role players like Elden Campbell and Okur going to be content to be role players?

It would be nice for the Pistons to add a few compatible pieces, but the question remains as to what kind of pieces those might be.  A back-up point guard would be nice, as would a back-up to Rip Hamilton.

Does this mean they win again?  In all probablility, no.  They won playing inspired basketball, and anyone who has been around the game for a while can tell you that that doesn't usually last long.  Likewise, no one is "afraid" of Detroit.  A lot of teams can look at Detroit and say, "We can beat *them*."  Teams like Sacramento and Dallas have to be licking their chops at the idea of going up against a team that is going to try to shut you down.

But you don't make moves on a championship roster just to "improve" it.  There is merit to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," and there's merit to teams that were "close" in maintaining a stable team rather than immediately trying to "rebuild."  Obviously, if there's a glaring weakness, you try to fix it, but not at the expense of destroying everything else.

If I'm Detroit, I try to stand pat as best I can.  Let the losers gamble.


 

[WayOutWest]

The Pistons won the series by being aggressive - especially toward the basket - while LA was passive.  That's no accident - that's smart basketball beating whatever it is we've seen in the NBA the past few years.

Should the Pistons stand pat?  For the most part, yes.  Obviously, they've got some trouble in trying to keep both Rasheed Wallace and Mehmet Okur.  Also, how long are role players like Elden Campbell and Okur going to be content to be role players?

It would be nice for the Pistons to add a few compatible pieces, but the question remains as to what kind of pieces those might be.  A back-up point guard would be nice, as would a back-up to Rip Hamilton.

Does this mean they win again?  In all probablility, no.  They won playing inspired basketball, and anyone who has been around the game for a while can tell you that that doesn't usually last long.  Likewise, no one is "afraid" of Detroit.  A lot of teams can look at Detroit and say, "We can beat *them*."  Teams like Sacramento and Dallas have to be licking their chops at the idea of going up against a team that is going to try to shut you down.

But you don't make moves on a championship roster just to "improve" it.  There is merit to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," and there's merit to teams that were "close" in maintaining a stable team rather than immediately trying to "rebuild."  Obviously, if there's a glaring weakness, you try to fix it, but not at the expense of destroying everything else.

If I'm Detroit, I try to stand pat as best I can.  Let the losers gamble.

Joe,

I know the point is lost on Spurs101, I think it flew over his head.  You must recognize when some teams get "breaks" to put them over the tops.  Sometimes it's ref calls, lucky shots and in this case it was injuries.  Injuries are part of the game but that doesn't mean you can just ignore injuries and the impact they have on a series.  Injuries can change a series and they have in past titles.  For the most part I analize games from a betting persons standpoint as much as I analize them from a fans perspective.

Pistons vs Nets, the series went back and fourth and the the Pistons were on the wrong end of blowouts.  Critical game 7 and Jason Kidd has the worst game of his entire career, and the Nets fall apart, and the Piston defense gets it's "props".  Turns out Kidd had a foot injury, a fracture or break, requiring surgery.

Pistons vs. Pacers, AGAIN series goes back and fourth and it seems every game is close.  Two key defensive plays is what gets credited for deciding the series but JO suffers a knee injury early in the series, Jamal Tinsley goes down with an injury and Artest suffers and injury.

Pistons vs. Lakers, the series was very one-sided and the Lakers suffered two blowouts.  Karl Malone and Derick Fisher both suffer knee injuries in game 6 vs. the Wolves.  Horace Grant doesnt' even suit up for the finals.

Lakers, as well as Mavs/Spurs, have benefited from injuries durring the playoffs as well but that's another subject.  If the Lakers were to play the Pistons against with the exact same rosters I would put my money on L.A.  No doubt they could beat the Pistons wether or not the Pistons are playing "inspired" ball.  While there's no way to do that I can bet against the Pistons repeating.  I don't think the Pistons can get through the East next year unless they make an aquisition to keep them ahead of Indiana.  Should the Pistons get out of the East they will fall to the Spurs in the Finals no doubt.  Then again there could be some significant injuries next year and their could be another "accidental" champ.

 

[JoMal]

Then again there could be some significant injuries next year and their could be another "accidental" champ.

There is no such thing as an "accidental" champ in the NBA. Injuries may occur that affect the outcome, but any team that goes through the entire playoff grind and wins does not do it with mirrors and lucky charms.

[WayOutWest]

Then again there could be some significant injuries next year and their could be another "accidental" champ.

There is no such thing as an "accidental" champ in the NBA. Injuries may occur that affect the outcome, but any team that goes through the entire playoff grind and wins does not do it with mirrors and lucky charms.

Three consequtive lucky injury breaks?  I'd like to see the Vegas odds on that!  

Speaking of injuries, do you have any info regarding the status of Webber?  Did Webber come back too soon?  Will he get better with more time to recoup or is this a permanent downgrade of his abilties?  With Miller on board the Kings seem to have extended their window of opportunity to win a title but that window will be useless if Webber isn't able to man the 4.

[JoMal]

Three consequtive lucky injury breaks?  I'd like to see the Vegas odds on that!  

Speaking of injuries, do you have any info regarding the status of Webber?  Did Webber come back too soon?  Will he get better with more time to recoup or is this a permanent downgrade of his abilties?  With Miller on board the Kings seem to have extended their window of opportunity to win a title but that window will be useless if Webber isn't able to man the 4.

Teams get "breaks" every year in winning the NBA championship, such as referees determined to make sure of the outcome of a game by giving one team nearly 30 foul shots in the fourth quarter of the sixth game of a conference championship game. Injuries happening are much less of a "fluke" then that.

As for Webber, the simple answer, in retrospect, is yes he probably should not have come back at all. But oddly enough, it was not HIS play that really messed up the Kings playoff run. It definitely affected the King's seeding for the playoffs, however.

There is the very real chance that Chris will never achieve the "lift" he previously had off his bad leg. But nothing definite can be said until the year after next, as this injury can take up to two years to fully heal. I expect him to be much better at the start of next year then he was this year, and he clearly was getting better as the playoffs evolved.

Of more concern was his implying that not all of his teammates felt the same desire he does and hurts as much in losing again. This remark was intended for Peja and probably Vlade as well. Not the "team" family attitude the Kings are always harping about, is it?

Personally, Chris was right. Peja definitely coughed up a huge playoff hairball, and it is not the first time. His engagement seemed to have taken his legs out from under his jumper. With all his talent, Peja at times is just a bit immature regarding the NBA expectations. He disappointed me.

On a positive note, Bibby, Christie, and Webber did everything in their power to keep the Kings alive. Miller disappeared, Vlade was slower then usual, and Peja needed to sit for much longer periods then he did, which was none. Bobby Jackson was questioned about his not wanting to play also, and that one is really a problem, as there is no one on the Kings who has the hard-nosed image of a competitor more.

There is talk about shaking up the core lineup in Sacramento this summer. Webber is not tradable, Miller and Bibby will be a Kings for several more guaranteed years at least, Vlade is talking retirement though Petrie is trying to talk him into coming back, and everyone wants to trade for Peja.

Christie's name keeps coming up in trade talks, and now Bobby Jackson is unhappy because of the criticism he got over chosing not to play in the post season. At least Rick Adelman has gone on record as saying everything is going to be great for next year.  :rolleyes:

What the Kings need is a backup small forward, such as Jimmy Jackson.    :cry: They got backup shooting guards in the draft, though rookies are ...well.... rookies and this draft certainly was not deep. If these two guys were the answer right out of college, they would not have been available when the Kings picked.

Shaq requesting a trade has hit the Sacramento newspaper very hard, with lots of inferences about him actually liking Sacramento and the Maloofs and not really meaning anything about him calling the team, the "Queens".  :crazy: Lots of suggestions about how he would fit in here, that he really likes that small town feel of Sacramento, and gee, King's fans all would gladly change their collective minds about him as soon as he put on that Sacramento jersey.

This last Sunday, the paper ran a front-of-the-sports page article about the odds of him becoming a King, apologizing for past affronts, moving to Sacramento, getting along with players, etc. Tongue in cheek, but a definite "what if" type of thing. :puke:

I think I will try to miss a month of NBA news every year. So much happens when I am not around.  

[WayOutWest]

The Shaq to Sactown talk came about from a chance, OR WAS IT CHANCE, meeting with the Maloofs at their casino.  Wouldn't it be something if the Lakers and Kings ended up trading centers? LOL!  Vlade would be a much better fit for Kobe's Lakers than Shaq.  Vlade doesn't want to shoot much yet has a respectable post game and he's a terrific passer.  Vlade, Webber and Peja for Shaq?  Why not, you're trading and old center and injury prone PF for an old injury prone center and Peja would be icing on the cake.

I doubt Shaq goes anywhere but the fact he put his house up for sale on the market means Shaq is raising the stakes.

[JoMal]

I doubt Shaq goes anywhere but the fact he put his house up for sale on the market means Shaq is raising the stakes.

And him coming out today and announcing quite clearly that he certainly does want to be traded in no uncertain terms just adds to that. He needs a reality check, though.  

[Joe Vancil]

I take a differing stance on Peja's "disappearance."

Oh, there's no doubt;  Stojakovic disappeared.  I maintain that the reason he disappeared is Chris Webber.  Stojakovic has always played his best basketball when Webber has been out - and I don't think it's coincidence.

I think that Stojakovic thrives on both ends of the court when Webber is out, and that the increased activity makes him a better player at the offensive end.  When Webber is in, Stojakovic doesn't touch the ball as early or as much, doesn't get as many defensive rebounds, etc.  He turns into shooter rather than scorer, and I think you need Stojakovic to be more of a scorer than a shooter.

But what should the Kings do?  It's apparent that post threats are more effective than jumpshooting teams, and it follows that it's safer to build around Webber than Stojakovic.  I don't know - I think it's just a case of mis-matched parts.

 

[WayOutWest]

I disagree Joe.  Peja disappeared because he didn't adjust to the calls in the playoffs.  It was bordering on rediculous how Peja was playing to draw a foul instead of just playing.  Peja was so focused on contact and even creating contact that he forgot he's a shooter and NOT a scorer.  When Peja finally just let it fly he was alot more succesful, most notably when the Kings had that amazing comeback against the Wolves.  The game was going back and forth so fast that Peja didn't have time to think, he just played and he had alot more success.

I actually think the Kings are a very good set of matched parts, injury and salary demands have kept the Kings out of the running for the past two years.

[Derek Bodner]

Let's not forget that Sheed was injured the entire playoff run as well.  Plantar Fasciitis is serious, especially for a big man rebounding, shotblocking and trying to get his shot off in the paint.