At Phoenix Feb. 24th, 2:30 PM TV - ABC The Pistons begin a stretch of seven games with six on the road, with a stop in Phoenix. Shaq has two games with his new team and looks somewhat lost, however, he did have 14 rebounds and 2 blocks in 26 minutes in a win against the Celtics on Friday.
We are two-thirds of the way into the season and even though Suns are trying out new parts, this is still a statement game for both teams. As you can see, the NBA still likes Shaq. Not to say that these games were previously scheduled for commercial broadcast, but the Suns get three straight games on ESPN and ABC with the Lakers, Celtics and Pistons. They lost to their rival and beat one of their potential finals matchup. if they can beat the Pistons, then their concern should be beating the best in the west. The Pistons need to win and establish to themselves and the NBA media that some team east of the Mississippi can knock off a so called retooled western power. The Pistons need to play defense!!! Inside and out. Don't be afraid of Shaq. Don't let Nash beat them from the inside or outside. The suns are second in scoring and third in 3pt%....but they also give up 104 ppg so as long as we take care of business and play smart, we can win and silence those media ex jocks...
I watched the beginning of the Suns/Celts game. Shaq didn't look lost to me at all. The Celts looked completely lost. They get the run and gun going with Amare----LOOK OUT!
My two cents: I depends how well pistons will be able to execute from start: hitting shots after using 20 sec from 24sec or getting offensive rebounds will be crucial. Rebounding battle decides outcome here.
Phoenix is the team to send waves of players at. Play big and use lots of guys 6' 10" and taller. Make Shaq think twice about having success against our team. Amir should get 30 minutes and START next to Sheed. Make sucking for air Shaq's new hobby..........
I saw the Celt game. The Suns got up 21 to 5 then it was 28, 28 then 50 to 40 Suns etc. Celts couldn't get over the hump. P's need to stay close, period. 9.3 DR.
Got to take care of Amare and the treys from outside the arc. I'm not worried bout Nash and Shaq. CB has always bully Nash, so there won't be any problem here. Shaq, well he is the 'old' Shaq, Not much to worry about. Really got to watch out for Amare and the 3 bombs. If this is being taken care of, we will win.
One thing is for sure we won't get tired legs running back on D. Shaq should maintain us a comfortable pace.
He hasn't thus far. If anything he has sped them up, due to the Suns not struggling to get defensive rebounds and starting the break when he is in the game like they used to pre-Cactus.
Keys to a win 1/ Flip needs to realize we must pick -n- roll Shaq to death. 2/ Amir NEEDS to play and play alot. Might be a good game to try him at SF as well. The running game is perfect for him. Shaq/Amare should not scare Flip into DNP him. 3/ Stay big 4/ Sheed's gotta play well. Chauncey needs to play well. 5/Stuckey needs to attack 6/ Afflalo should get major PT. His defense will be key 7/ Rip can't let Raja Bell get into his head 8/ Don't abandon the bench If we do all that we should have a chance.
The only statement that matters is Flip Saunder's committment to playing the bench. The rest is window dressing. Whether we win this game today matters not in the slightest. It could not be more unimportant. In reviewing those two losses we just had this week for instance, all I really care about it that Amir, Stuckey, Afflalo, and Maxiell ended up playing a lot in those games, which will go toward us winning a championship.
ooopS...i REALIZED i PUT THIS UNDER THE mILWAUKEE GAME instead of hErE: Dont worry about trading for a small forward. Here's my crystal ball to the playoffs: EASTERN.....................WESTERN 1. DETROIT..................DALLAS 2. BOSTON...................PHOENIX 3. ORLANDO..................UTAH 4. CLEVELAND ..............SAN ANTONIO 5. TORONTO.................LOS ANGELES 6. CHICAGO.................HOUSTON 7. ATLANTA.................NEW ORLEANS 8. NEW JERSEY............DENVER ROUND 1 DETROIT > NETS..........MAVS>NUGGETS BOST>ATL...................PHOE>NEW O ORL >CHICAGO.............UTAH>HOUS CLEVE> TOR................SPURS> LAKERS ROUND 2 DETROIT>CAVS...........SPURS>MAVS BOST>ORL..................PHOE<UTAH ECF............................WCF DETROIT>BOSTON.........SPURS>UTAH FINALS DETROIT OVER SPURS I will be watching Sunday very closely. There shouldnt even be a chat so we can all FOCUS on the game; rewind, pause, etc...Cause this will be the most diverse playoff in history. So the minutes u all desire now will be diminished come round 2.We arent playing the rookies to get them 'ready' for the playoffs. They are playing to get our starters 'ready' for the ECF's! So when the starters come out in the 2nd quarter for 8 minutes and for the 4th quarter for 4 minutes, we can have a +/- of at least 6. Because I truly believe the Pistons are 9 pts better than anyone in the East and 4 pts better than any team in the West. tO lEE: iTS NOT IMPORTANT w-l WISE, BUT its important to test our strenghts and weaknesses. We know Shaq,Pt 4 as well as anyone, so we know we know we must attack him on offense and pretty much ignore him on defense. He'll tire HIMSELF out. I worry about Stoudamire's game more. Sheed will be on him and Sheed hates high-octane guys. Overall, Billups plays well against Nash, but I hope he doesnt get all 'ABC" on his teammates and not move the ball around. I say"RELEASE THE HOUNDS" and let the Zoo CREW go ape on the Suns today. Remember, this is NOT a young Suns team: SHAQ IV and Hill are what ..60? Nash is in his 30's...Diaw is fat...bench, sans Barbaro, are weak. Pistons like to prove a point(right, Milwaukee?)...115-102!!!!
You know, I have a tendency to agree with you guys that think the ZooCrew ought to play. Give them more PT and experience against the better teams.
60 minutes of Zoo. That's 4 x 15. If the half court gets bogged down. Run and shoot and leave Shaq at the half court line. Layup city man.
