5/7/26 7:00PM RD2 GM2 Cavs (0-1) @ Pistons (1-0)

[Tigeraholic1]

Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI

Watch: Prime

[Tigeraholic1]

 

 

[Hongbit]

I’m interested to see what kind of adjustments the Cavs make after game 1.  We all know what JB’s will be.    

Also wondering about the status of Sam Merrill.  He can be crucial for them as another shooter that can hit wide open 3’s when the defense crashes to help on whoever cooks Duncan.

[Deleterious]

According to Cavs fans.  Find refs that don't cheat and Cleveland wins 4-1

[Tigeraholic1]

 

 

[DTroppens]

I always consider the Tigers my top Detroit sports team, and because the Lions have never won anything in my lifetime (not even made it to a Super Bowl and let's not talk about the NFC title game a few years back) I'm way more desperate urgent when their seasons go on, so a lot of people think they are my No. 1 when they aren't. 

But... in my lifetime, when the Pistons are good and start having deep playoff runs (hoping this one is), there has never ever ever ever been a team that is more fun to watch in the postseason than the Pistons for me. There's just something super cool every time about each era. I don't think I will ever experience anything like the Bad Boys' Pistons moving forward each season (and usually each stepping stone had a season-ending depression moment like no other team), watching the Going to Work Pistons just burst in about two seasons to the level they did and just being so much fun to watch. And now we have this team going from the bottom of the dumpster to where they are today. Will they win this series? Who knows. I put them at probably 55 to 60% right now, with game 2 having the ability to move that percentage up at least 10% either way. But, the resurgence that started a bit into last season's regular season and then just kept growing this season has been incredibly fun. The playoffs are feeling that magic vibe right now as well with what happened in the opening round, particularly game #6. 

Again, I don't know if they are going to win this series and advance. We'll find out in due time. But when the Pistons are good, I really don't know if there is a better Detroit sports team that I enjoy when they are good. The Wings' progression during the Yzerman era was fun as well. The Colorado rivalry and all that. But, something always captures my imagination when the Pistons are good.
 

A lot of it probably extends to it was much easier to be part of those rides, getting to games. Even if they were getting to the Palace right when the doors opened for road playoff games to get the best seats for PalaceVision games for something like $2 or $4, you always felt like you could be part of it. Heck, one of the years when the Bad Boys won the title we had NBA Championship tshirts at the Palace about 20 minutes after they won the title - and the game wasn't even at the Palace. With the Wallace Pistons, the team was so poor for so long, the corporate people didn't swallow up the entire Palace immediately, and it was always easy to get regular season tickets and playoff tickets right up to the season they won the title. And kids could get them as well, and gosh did having 18 to 25 year olds that could afford tickets and be enthusiastic make those crowds magic. 

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree (most probably), but at least for me, nothing beats when the Pistons are good as a Detroit sports fan.

[Deleterious]

 

[RedTeamGo!]

2 hours ago, Deleterious said:

According to Cavs fans.  Find refs that don't cheat and Cleveland wins 4-1

NBA fans complain about refs: story at 11

[gehringer_2]

14 minutes ago, DTroppens said:

Again, I don't know if they are going to win this series and advance. We'll find out in due time

for me that's the difference for this team as opposed to Isiah's or Chauncey's, I thought those teams should win the championship, whereas I think we all have a good deal of doubt that this team, despite the regular season record, is at the same level as OKC or SAS, which does make it a little more fun in a way.

[DTroppens]

2 hours ago, Tigeraholic1 said:

 

It's nice playing a team that has more turnover issues than the Pistons do at times. 

The Cavs definitely have a playoff trend of this as the post proves, but I think the Pistons' defense just made life unbearable for them most of that game. They had a hard time breathing for super long chunks of that game.

 

[DTroppens]

1 minute ago, gehringer_2 said:

for me that's the difference for this team as opposed to Isiah's or Chauncey's, I thought those teams should win the championship, whereas I think we all have a good deal of doubt that this team, despite the regular season record, is at the same level as OKC or SAS, which does make it a little more fun in a way.

True. Once Sheed came, that last title team just took it to another level. I think people forget sometimes that before that trade the Pistons had that same feel. Gosh, they are so good, but this feels like what happened in the playoffs a year ago could very easily be the end result for what ended up being the third title season. But about two weeks after that trade for Sheed, I think most of us here knew this was going to be a tough team - at least until the NBA Finals. It's easy to forget there was a lot of doubt in this area that the Pistons could beat LA at the time. 

[Hongbit]

This team is so hard for me. I like many of the players and want them to win.  I’m excited they are back playing meaningful games again.  

But the only thing this organization has in common with the one that won the 3 titles is the name and uniform.  

I hate the coach.  He’s  so poor in the technical aspect of the game.  That’s the most important attribute for a head coach in the playoffs.

I don’t hate the GM (yet) but I hate that he did absolutely nothing at the deadline.   They had such an advantage being top in the East in a season with damaged contenders.  He wasted a huge opportunity.  

I really hate the owner.  He seems like such a self absorbed asshole.  Private Equity firms do need to market themselves to the public.  The only reason he puts Platinum on the court is because he can’t put Tom Gores.  

All of those Pistons won again videos they put on social are in front of the individual team murals they have on the hallway leading to the locker room.  Of course, Tom has been included as the very first one.  The owner is plastered on the wall like he’s the most important player on the team.  Is there another owner in the league that does anything like this? 

I love the Pistons and am big fan of Cade but there’s just no way they can maintain any success with such poor quality at all levels of leadership.  

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Hongbit

[Deleterious]

One thing that concerns me for game #2.

Most felt they would put Mobley on Ausar so he could roam and spy on Cade.  With Allen in foul trouble all game they weren't really able to do that since Mobley had to guard Duren while Allen was out.  They still handled Cade fine.

I wonder if that gave them enough confidence in their ability to guard Cade without Mobley spying on him.  If so, they could take Mobley off of Ausar and have him guard Harris instead.  Going from Harden guarding you to a former DPOY winner guarding you is a big change.  

Harden guarding Ausar would likely see Thompson go crazy on the offensive glass.  Harden is 5 inches smaller and can't jump like Thompson.  But I doubt Thompson can do much scoring wise to hurt Cleveland, just get Detroit extra possessions.  

[Sports_Freak]

6 hours ago, Hongbit said:

I’m interested to see what kind of adjustments the Cavs make after game 1.  We all know what JB’s will be.    

Also wondering about the status of Sam Merrill.  He can be crucial for them as another shooter that can hit wide open 3’s when the defense crashes to help on whoever cooks Duncan.

The Cavs need to stop turning the ball over and committ less fouls. It sounds simple but....we'll see.

[Sports_Freak]

2 hours ago, Hongbit said:

This team is so hard for me. I like many of the players and want them to win.  I’m excited they are back playing meaningful games again.  

But the only thing this organization has in common with the one that won the 3 titles is the name and uniform.  

I hate the coach.  He’s  so poor in the technical aspect of the game.  That’s the most important attribute for a head coach in the playoffs.

I don’t hate the GM (yet) but I hate that he did absolutely nothing at the deadline.   They had such an advantage being top in the East in a season with damaged contenders.  He wasted a huge opportunity.  

I really hate the owner.  He seems like such a self absorbed asshole.  Private Equity firms do need to market themselves to the public.  The only reason he puts Platinum on the court is because he can’t put Tom Gores.  

All of those Pistons won again videos they put on social are in front of the individual team murals they have on the hallway leading to the locker room.  Of course, Tom has been included as the very first one.  The owner is plastered on the wall like he’s the most important player on the team.  Is there another owner in the league that does anything like this? 

I love the Pistons and am big fan of Cade but there’s just no way they can maintain any success with such poor quality at all levels of leadership.  

 

A sign of good coaching is halftime adjustments. This Piston team is known for their strong 3rd quarters. Its hard to get players to buy in on adjustments during the game but halftime adjustments has them come out and running teams out of the building. Now, some of JB'S player usage, I dont agree with.

[Deleterious]

Cavs are 0-4 on the road in the playoffs