The Pistons are in denial
Published by The Cavalier May 16th, 2006 in Predictions, LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Juice Cards
We’ve read roughly 47 articles and columns on the game last night, and one thing is clear - as we’ve said for some time (and been mildly criticized for), the Pistons have an overinflated sense of self.
We were willing to concede Game 3 was complacency on their part…until Game 4 went pretty much exactly the same way. At some point Detroit (and their fans) are going to have to accept a few things, including that they’re not the four-time defending world champs, and that Cleveland is playing tough defense and making plays when it matters.
This is three straight fourth quarters the Cavaliers have outplayed the Pistons. Does that count for something? Does it matter? Is it significant? Has anyone learned anything? Apparently not.
“No way in hell are they going to beat us in this series,” said [Rasheed] Wallace, who finished with seven points on 3-for-13 shooting. “They beat us tonight, which is good for them. That is something that they needed to do. They did what they were supposed to do, take care of home. So can’t take nothing away from them for that. Even the sun shines on a dog’s ass.”
“I ain’t worried about these cats,” he said. “There’s no way in hell they beat us in a series. They played well. I give them credit. We lost. We shot 30 percent and they had to play their best to beat us.”
Rasheed has an interesting definition of “best”, since scoring 74 points wth 18 turnovers isn’t really all that good. Especially when LeBron puts up only 22 on 34% shooting. He’s clearly a smart guy, though - who knows?
Look, we’re not going to come on here and make all kinds of crazy guarantees or predictions. The Pistons are still the better team. They’ve got the more experienced team and the more experienced coach in Flip Saunders, who’s been out of the first round once before.
But y’know…? They won 64 games this season, not 70. They won one title two years ago, not nine in a row or something. Most people gave this series five games, with Cleveland getting one when LeBron goes off for 45 or 50.
That hasn’t even happened.
Yet.
Oh, but no, no, no. These are the Pistons. All they’re worried about is getting enough rest before the Miami series.
That’s cool - they are the 18-time defending champs and all.
That game was AWESOME! And sorry about Sheed’s ankle. That whole thing has been overblown. The crowd was at full throat 95% of the time (including whilst cheering for DiGiorno pizza and rocket dogs during commercial breaks). And LeBron had just scored. I was cheering for the points. And continued to cheer because we were starting to get the feeling the Cavs might win it. I’m sure some people were cheering for the injury, but at least they weren’t throwing beer on him or challenging him to a fight on the court. (I had to clap a little for Sheed when he acted like he was going to kiss Billups for the kiss cam deal. That was hilarious.)
It’s still a big hill for the Cavs to climb to WIN the series, but the NeedforSheed right now is a sports psychologist. The first step to conquering a problem is admitting you have it. And at the very least, the Cavs are a problem.
Damn I would kill to be there.
Somehow the “WE WANT THE CAVS” chant has to happen before Game 6.
Apparently the crowd was chanting that for a FULL HOUR before the Miracle of Richfield.
Every Piston’s starter except for Rip is a completely arrogant. Sheed is obvious, but did you listen to Billups after the game? He NEVER gives the other team any credit. Those guys better wake up or they’ll be singing “Gone ’til November” really soon…
Come on, Cav.
You were ceding the series before it ever began. Are you really allowed to sandbag for all but four days calling the series a learning experience, a stepping stone, essentially a formality — and then get offended when the opposition expresses a similar opinion?
Underdogs always hate favorites. It is a respect thing; I get it. But the complaints of Cavs fans would ring truer if they themselves had given the Cavs any shot of winning from the very beginning.
As it stands, your team is playing great ball and giving the NBA Title favorites more than they ever wanted. But that’s not enough? You want the Pistons to cower too? Well, I doubt that happens. The Pistons are staggering, for sure. But I doubt they are scared yet.
I’m from Detroit, and although I can completely believe that Sheed guaranteed a series victory after looking foolish with that 1-game guarantee, I’m pissed. The Pistons have that overinflated sense of self because they need that. They have to maintain that because the media has blown them up to that level. EVERYONE comes out gunning for them, and have since early in the season. After those kind of expectations have been heaped on your shoulders for so long, it’s no wonder you feel the need to pump yourself up. That being said, SHUT UP RASHEED!! You sound like that little punk kid on the playground who talks a bunch of trash, gets beat, then says, “Oh yeah, well I’m gonna beat you next time for sure! There’s no way you’re gonna beat me again!” C’mon Sheed? What ever happened to good, old-fashioned inner anger and turmoil that gets silently unleashed on unknowing, unexpecting opponents. No billboard material? Sheed, you don’t think you’re creating billboard material? Just cause you say, “This ain’t billboard material!” doesn’t mean it automatically ceases to be such. Use your head. As a die hard ‘Stons fan, I’ll feel lucky to get through this round.
Ian I don’t expect them to cower, but once you call your shot and miss, you don’t get to call it again, with almost the exact same words, and expect your callee to not say “hey, wait a second, now.”
Sheed aside - they were all saying “well yeah they got one, that was our wake-up call” after Game 3. Well, we got two, so in my eyes, they don’t get to pull the “wake-up call” line again.
Detroit fans should be more pissed about what they’re saying than any Cleveland fan is, shouldn’t they? (Note Charlie above.)
This was, and still is, an absolute learning experience series for Cleveland, but all of a sudden LeBron is cutting his learning curve again.
Any fan the believes in their teem sticks by them no matter what. As for Sheed’s comments… I love him because he says what everyone else want s to but doesn’t. He could care less about being a media darling, he’s the guy you love to hate and we love him for that.
I will give the Cavs credit they have done a great job, but I have total confidence in the Pistons.
NOT being a Pistons fan Sheed’s guaransheed’s used to make me nervous, but the more he talks the more his guaransheeds don’t mean guanansh*t anymore! Go CAVS!
NOT being a Pistons fan Sheed’s guaransheed’s used to make me nervous, but the more he talks the more his guaransheeds don’t mean guaransh*t anymore! Go CAVS!