jslater

OK, I'm a Pistons fan, but this will be an attempt at an objective
preview of game 2 on Friday.

Things the Pistons should worry about. The Nets aren't going to shoot
27% again. Richard Jefferson isn't going to shoot 1-12 again. Kenyon
Martin will be, I assume, more emotional and involved. The Nets will
obviously try to run more, and they did well when they could run in
game 1. I can't see their fast break being held in check as much as
it was in game 1. The Pistons lost at home after spanking the Bucks
in game 1 of the last series. Rasheed Wallace's foot is hurt in a way
that could really limit his effectiveness. Off the bench, Corliss
Williamson is obviously hurting too, and if he's ineffective, it would
leave Detroit's second unit with few offensive options. And Detroit
still can go through long scoring droughts where they look totally
lost as to what they're even trying to do. Generally, the Nets pride
is on the line: they are the two-time defending champs of the east,
and they were embarrassed on Monday. But if they win Friday, they've
won home-court advantage and completely changed the momentum of the
series.

Things the Nets should worry about. First, two things Kenny said.
One, it's not just that the Pistons are a good half-court defensive
team, it's also that they do an excellent job getting back on defense.
So sure, the Nets will get some break points, but they won't have
nearly as many opportunities with 1 or more man advantages as they do
against other teams. Two, the Pistons frontcourt really is taller
than that of the Nets. Martin got a lot of mileage in the season and
in the first round overpowering and outmuscling folks, but he has a
much harder time doing that with either Wallace guarding him, and
Rasheed and Okur can shoot over him. Jefferson seems to have a
strength advantage over Prince, but Prince has been on fire throughout
the whole playoffs. If Prince plays better than Jefferson or even if
he plays him to a standoff, it will be tough for NJ to win. Plus, the
height advantage is probably part of the reason for the huge
rebounding discrepancy. Third, the Nets seem lost when Kidd is
out--Hunter and James have devoured whoever is handling the ball when
Kidd is on the bench. Also, mentally, the Pistons have *killed* the
Nets in the two games with Rasheed; so while I'm sure the Nets will
come out strong, if they lose this game, especially if they are beaten
badly again, you have to think deep doubts will start to creep in.

Bottom line. Obviously, the Nets have to figure out a way to run and
rebound better, which will let them get better shots. They need to
have Kenyon run past the somewhat-hobbled Rasheed and/or Ben instead
of trying to go over or through them. If they can do that, have some
high-flying dunks, get the Pistons rattled and tentative on offense,
then the Nets have a good chance to steal game 2. Obviously, Detroit
needs to keep up the defensive intensity and rebounding.
Specifically, the Pistons need continued good play from Prince (again,
if he is as good or better than Jefferson, I think Detroit wins) and
Okur (to spell Rasheed and to provide offense off the bench). If they
get that, I think the Pistons go to NJ up 2-0.

Having said all that, I'll close with this: I wish these games
weren't spaced so far apart.--Joe

randyg

I agree with everything in this post, as a Nets fan. The only thing i
generally dont see as a huge problem is rebounding. While yes, the Pistons
killed the nets in total rebounds, offensive rebounds were very low for both
teams. This shows that both teams were really attacking the defensive
rebounds and holding hte other team to a single shot. The main difference,
the Nets shot terribly and there were so many more defensive rebound
oportunites for the Pistons than for the Nets. if the nets pick up their
offense a little bit and hit more than 27 % of their shots, i see the
rebounding numbers to fall somewhat into place, or at least not be as huge
of a blowout as it was in Game 1.

topcat

The NBA really has to do something about the scheduling. It's ridiculous to
have teams sit around for 8 days, then play once, then sit around 4 more.

TC

terraholm

Google "the Alson theory" from asbnll.... It tends to prove true. Teams
blown out in a series tend to return the favor next game is the gist of it.

Go 'Sheed =)


--
Laurel T
"New Jersey is completely different from
Utah. 'Brother' in Utah and 'brother' in
New Jersey are entirely different concepts."
Rick Majerus on Van Horn being drafted by the Nets

jslater

Now here is one point on which TC and I agree.--Joe

topcat

Next we'll have dogs and cats living together! :-)

TC