1st Round match-up VS Pistons marks beginning of era

[thcavs]

The Cleveland Cavaliers just gave their fans a preview to a likely first round opponent. Unlike the Washington Wizards, who attempted to create a rivalry with the Cavaliers through shenanigans and blogs, the Detroit Pistons were the real deal. They were the team that prevented the Cavaliers from winning their division, they were the team that the Cavaliers were measured against, and ultimately ranked under; they were the team that the Cavaliers faced in the semi-finals in 06, and the conference finals in 07. The Celtics bought a championship last year, and managed to shoulder their way in-between the rivalry, but fate will insist on a rubber match. The series is tied 1 to 1.

When the Cavaliers meet the Detroit Pistons, it will officially mark the beginning of one era, and the end of another. Detroit has lost it's mojo, and the only thing it can offer as a team, is a satisfactory ending, to a rivalry that could have been much better had Detroit's GM made a couple better decisions, and had the Cavaliers not had some of the hold out problems they'd experienced. Regardless of things that could have been, we are living in the "now." A Detroit announcer said that no team wanted to face the Pistons in the first round, but he is wrong. The Cavaliers would look forward to that match-up, to finally put to rest the team that has held them out of their rightful place. This will be a short series, as the Cavaliers would make it a quick death.

The king is dead...

...Long live the king.

 

[Wulfgar1224]

At this point, I'm not convinced that the Pistons will even make the playoffs. Their performance against the Cavs on Sunday was gutless and pathetic. I would love to see the Cavs humiliate the Pistons much like the Bulls did back in 1991 since I've hated them going all of the way back to the Bad Boy days.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

A lot can happen between now and when the final seeding of the playoffs takes shape. Not sure of the point of this thread.

 

[mcbeemer3]

The Pistons should fire Curry he has made awful decisions throughout the season. The man they need is Terry Porter. A man who will let the Pistons play Detroit Basketball. All in all I could care less who is the coach Curry, Porter, even Flip we would dismantle them all

 

[Green Lantern]

Curry didn't trade Billups for AI..THATS what killed the Pistons..

 

[Keith]

As much as I hate the pistons, they seemed to trade away chuncey, and this season, for a chance at contending for the seasons to come. A.I's expiring contract - 20 million off the books, they still have stuckey; and though they are far from a championship caliber team, I think in 2-3 years they will be back to top form, a lot sooner then most teams in their position - I've learned to rarely count Joe Dumars out, then again, I hope I am wrong.

 

[Jon]

The Piston's rise and falls speaks volumes about the importance of chemistry and roster balance. Even through numerous coaches (Carlisle, Brown, and Saunders) they maintained a very high-level of play, but now they're at a breaking point.

There's no guarantee Dumars will find that magic formula again.

 

[Douglar]

As much as I hate the pistons, they seemed to trade away chuncey, and this season, for a chance at contending for the seasons to come.

Part of the pistons rebuilding plan is that they hoped to see continured growth from their young core of Stuckey, Maxiell and Amir Johnson. As it is, only Stuckey looks like he's still improving, but he's still only brings a fraction of what Chauncy did for the team on the court, and provides none of the leadership.

 

[Jon]

Perhaps similar to how our young players often look good when they're on the floor with our best players, but look like crap when asked to do more?

Gotta wonder who's going to show Stuckey the ropes and help him develop as a PG now that Billups is gone. He's also had a pretty sharp drop off in February. Perhaps he's still suffering still from some injuries that occurred earlier in the month?

 

[MalTalm]

Joe D is the most overrated GM in the NBA.

 

[blank964]

I'm not counting Detroit out even though we just stomped them the other night. If this is a rivalry they should bring it in the playoffs don't forget the Knicks Heat rivalry of the late 90s.