Game #46|Cavs @ Pistons| Feb. 1, 2009| 2:30pm [et]

[wuck]

This is the kind of press that has been surrounding the Pistons for the past few weeks. Excerpt from one of the main commentators in the Detroit Free Press:

The Pistons have fallen to such a pathetic state of mediocrity that some might find solace that the NBA's hottest team didn't completely run them out of the Palace. But if competitiveness becomes the yardstick in marking this team's transitional progress, then it's pointless harboring any aspirations of playoff life beyond April.

The Pistons can't beat Boston. They aren't catching Cleveland in the Central Division. Should their erratic play continue, the only way they could possibly meet either the Celtics or Cavaliers in the playoffs might be as first-round road kill -- as either a seventh or eighth seed.

Grab a shovel and bury this season. They'll still win their share of games, but this isn't a confident team. They'll still have their singular moments of brilliance, but the consistency required for long playoff runs isn't there.

The remainder of this season is all about the development of one player.

Rodney Stuckey becomes the yardstick on which this season is measured.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090131/COL08/901310392/1081/Take+lumps+now+to+win+later

 

[blank964]

This is a huge game because even if we play them in the first round, we need to prove we can beat them on their gym.


Or just let Lebron play like it's Game 5...in all honesty I don't want this team to make the playoffs so Dumars looks like an idiot.

 

[JJ Smooth]

Or just let Lebron play like it's Game 5...in all honesty I don't want this team to make the playoffs so Dumars looks like an idiot.

He traded away his court leader and arguably best piece of the team for an egomaniac. I'd say that "idiot" ship has already sailed.

He can still keep digging himself six feet under though, which is fine by me.

 

[Jack Donaghy]

I don't like to call regular season games "must wins", but I think this might be one. Against top tier teams on the road we've come up short (Boston, LA, Nola, Detroit, Orlando), so let's show the world we're not just a home court threat. The Pistons are not what they once were, but a win here will definitely sway some of the critics (and some Cavs fans too).

Wait, no Devil's Advocate yet?

Detroit is still a top tier team? While they aren't elite, I think road wins in Denver, Portland, and Utah are more impressive than a road win in Detroit would be. Which, of course, doesn't mean I don't want the Cavs to kick the crap out of Detroit.

 

[Widowmaker]

The Cavs have came back and have beaten teams that had beaten them earlier in the year. I hope that pattern stays true.

 

[Prekazi]

1-We match up horrible against them.
2-In away games LeBron is playing really poorly against good teams.

I can't see how we win this game. LeBron has to surprise me. I think LeBron will have another 8/25, 1/7(3pt) game, we'll lose and I'll throw the laptop down the window.

J I N X M A S T E R

 

[wuck]

1-We match up horrible against them.

They match up pretty horribly against us, too. Their starters can't cover LeBron or Z, and Sasha will have a 6-inch height advantage when one of their starters is covering him.

Our starters can't cover AI or Stuckey, and Sasha will be chasing someone 6 inches shorter on defense. We'll see if Ben/AV can deal with Rasheed.

It will depend more on team effort and solid defense than the number of bad matchups.

 

[Silky Smooth]

Iverson has been bothered by a bad back lately so hopefully that slows him down.

Maybe that takes him out of the All Star game so Mo can be his replacement!!!LOL!

 

[Megamansilly]

I love how all the Det fans thing they will be getting bosh in 2010 lol.. they will be lucky to get boozer or milsap this year in FA..

 

[chiefwahoo]

They match up pretty horribly against us, too. Their starters can't cover LeBron or Z, and Sasha will have a 6-inch height advantage when one of their starters is covering him.

Our starters can't cover AI or Stuckey, and Sasha will be chasing someone 6 inches shorter on defense. We'll see if Ben/AV can deal with Rasheed.

It will depend more on team effort and solid defense than the number of bad matchups.

For some reason, Sasha's six inch height advantage doesn't thrill me... but I have to admit his decent play has extended beyond my expectations. He is playing with great confidence now which is such a key for him.

I'm not worried at all about Ben on Rashweed. As long as Detroit doesn't get red hot like they did the last time we played up there, we should be just fine. I'm eager to see how Z follows up his great shooting night on Friday.

 

[Typhoon]

at least its not on TNT

 

[-Akronite-]

They match up pretty horribly against us, too.

Woosh- the sound of his sarcasm flying over your head.

I mean, when he writes "JINXMASTER" at the bottom of the post it becomes pretty obvious.

 

[Karma]

Despite the Pistons mediocre form, any win in Detroit is a good one. Don't care how we get it, just make it happen.

 

[-KingofKings23-]

Even though the Pistons are a ton of games behind us in the divison this is still a big rivalry. The Pistons will play even harder because of or playoff battles.

 

[Pioneer10]

I really really don't want to lose to Detroit and Orlando in a span of the few games. They just got beat up by the Celtics, if we pound them too then they might really just go into a freefall: one less team to worry about for the rest of this year.