tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post4228797481931209981..comments2023-12-11T06:36:57.237-05:00Comments on Random Thoughts: Cleveland 101, Detroit 97Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210862608619471273noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-90518754184585785352007-03-09T16:32:00.000-05:002007-03-09T16:32:00.000-05:00The Cavs-Pistons series (Mark Price/Mahorn) was a ...The Cavs-Pistons series (Mark Price/Mahorn) was a little bit before my time. My first real basketball experience was the 91-92 season (Cavs won 57 games and lost to the Bulls in the Eastern Conf. Finals).<BR/><BR/>I never really hated the Pistons, by the time I developed by basketball following, the Pistons were already on their way down.<BR/><BR/>I hated the Bulls with a passion. God damn I hated Jordan and I could not, for the life of me, figure out how anyone from Ohio could root for that asshole.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17210862608619471273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-73919597237780259122007-03-08T11:53:00.000-05:002007-03-08T11:53:00.000-05:00It's all coming back to me now. The only team in t...It's all coming back to me now. The only team in the NBA I truly despise is the Pistons.<BR/><BR/>The Bulls, sure they were easy to hate with Jordan, but since then ... meh.<BR/><BR/>But those Pistons. It's all coming back to me. Rick Mahorn felonious assault on Mark Price. Bill Laimbeer's mouth (when a Cleveland reporter asked him for an interview during the 1988-89 season, he told him "Fuck you, you fucking asshole.")<BR/><BR/>Rodman before he became a freak. Isiah Thomas' perpetual smirk. Come to think of it, the only Piston I really liked was Joe Dumars because he shut up and played the game.<BR/><BR/>Now, we have more of the same. Rasheed Wallace, who looks like a braying mule, guaranteeing playoff series wins and making good on it, Chris Webber. Chauncey Billups. I can't stand them.<BR/><BR/>And don't get me started on "DEEEEEE-TROIT BASKET-BALL."<BR/><BR/>I didn't really have a chance to loathe the Pistons during the playoffs last year because everything happened so fast. The Pistons and Cavs were just getting to know each other again.<BR/><BR/>But now, with two home losses and this win last night, I'm starting to remember it all. I was as fired up as I've been watching a game this year. In the fourth quarter, I was down on all fours in front of the TV yelling "You WANT this, LeBron! You WANT this!" A little psycho, maybe, but that's what Cavs-Pistons does to me.<BR/><BR/>I think it's finally under LeBron's skin, too. He's starting to really hate losing to the Pistons. You saw it during the game. No diplomacy. No giggling on the bench. LeBron was as cutthtroat as I've seen him this year.<BR/><BR/>Maybe we are finally starting to see a little streak of MJ in LeBron. He wasn't going to be a champion until he slayed the Detroit dragon. He had to learn to hate losing to them. Now LeBron is starting to do the same thing.<BR/><BR/>A Cavs-Pistons rivalry renewed. I'm loving it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-41555530531801824362007-03-08T11:34:00.000-05:002007-03-08T11:34:00.000-05:00I've been down on Marshall the entire season. I ha...I've been down on Marshall the entire season. I hate the way the offense looks while he's out there and the lack of offensive boards bug the hell out of me (3 of the 4 big men crash the O boards very well. Marshall might be able to, but he's 25 feet from the hoop).<BR/><BR/>I hope Mike Brown praises Sasha after the game (in private or one-on-one) because he gave a great effort on both sides, but his stats (and Hamilton's stats) don't really show it.<BR/><BR/>I think the East is definitely up for grabs and right now it's just a matter of the Cavs keeping their intensity up. I'm not scared of Miami in the playoffs (especially with a hurt D.Wade) and Orlando is good but unproven. Detroit will still be formidable (the Cavs won despite their FTs this time) and for some reason NJ scares me in a short series. NJ has given the Cavs trouble with their run and gun style over the years and they match up well against the Cavaliers (James has to actually play defense and the Cavs have to defend a PG- not good). <BR/><BR/>Basically, the Cavs control their own destiny- if they keep up this level of play, they should have no problem winning the East. But we've been down this road before this season...Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17210862608619471273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-45895924715430158132007-03-08T07:45:00.000-05:002007-03-08T07:45:00.000-05:00Good wrap up Benny. I was about to call last night...Good wrap up Benny. I was about to call last night when Lebron hit that game winner, but you could tell on TV it was late coming out of his hand. Anyways, hows this for productivity: Marshall missed 2 spot up 3's and had a BAD turnover late in the game. UGH. Not pretty. Im not really sure if his style is going to fit in now that we have Hughes running the point. If we are going to run a high motion offense, sitting in the corner and waiting to shoot is not going to work. Sasha played great defense down the stretch. I know Rip had 10 straight at one point but that was because he was the only one doing anything and he got a couple of really cheap fouls. How many times does Webber travel? I seriously believe the guy has as many pivot feet as Gary Payton or dare I say, Kevin McHale. Bitch about Detroit aside, what an amazing game. That was one of the best regular season games Ive ever seen. Definately a playoff atmospheere. I got a ? for ya Benny. If Detroit keeps slumping and we keep Hughes at the 1, think we can take the east? Also, who would you rather see in the 1st round: NJ, Miami, Orlando, or Indiana. It seems like Miami is hitting its peak and NJ keeps hanging around. Any way i see it, Miami, NJ, and Orlando give us fits and Id like to see a D-Wade Lebron matchup later in the playoffs. Heres to playing Indiana if they can keep the pace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com