MVN - Most Valuable Network

Pistons Even The Score in a Big Way

After “shocking” most of the world, everyone expected the Pistons would play close to their best and they did. Detroit played angry and blew out the away team 105-88. The Sixers shot 9-27 in the first quarter. Chauncey Billups’ 9 points prevented all Detroit starters from scoring in double-figures.

Andre Iguodala continues to struggle finishing with 4 points on 1-9 shooting. Tayshaun Prince is an exceptional defender with his length but when you are “the man”, you can’t continue to shoot contested jumpshots and only shoot 9 attempts. He has to have the determination to get to the line no matter what. I expect him to bounce back in a big way in front of the home crowd though.

The normally aggressive and pressure defense applied by the 76ers was used by Detroit and the Sixers defense looked bad. The pick and roll needs a lot of work before Friday’s game. When Reggie Evans “shows” on the screen, that leaves Sheed open for a three (with a late contestion from a late rotation) or an open Antonio McDyess for a baseline jumper.

Penetration by guards was also deadly. Louis Williams got the normally mild-mannered coach ready to do some screaming as he allowed 3 straight layups in the 2nd quarter by Rodney Stuckey. Again, what makes him so unique is while he was mad, he left Lou in there and he ended up being the team’s leading scorer. Rip, Stuckey and Chauncey got the lane way too easy and didn’t receive the proper playoff greeting when they arrived. That’s what Reggie Evans is supposed to do, right?

The game was pretty much over in the 3rd quarter when the Pistons made a run to begin  the second half.  In garbage time, Rodney Carney played great and should receive a look for earlier minutes next contest. Louis Amundson even got some run. It was a playoff game and some could debate whether Mo threw in the towel too early. It is a very long playoff series and if Philly has any shot at stealing this series, they need to give 100% for 48 minutes of every game and the starters will take any rest they can get.

Game 2 is friday on ESPN2. I have a little problem with that. They give us a shot at primetime with TNT and we give them their only upset if the postseason. In return we get a NBA TV and ESPN2 games? Anyway, it will be a white-out at the Wachovia Center and the crowd should be fired since this is their first playoff experience since the little guy kept them standing for 48 minutes in ‘04. If the proper adjustments are made, the Sixers could really turn some heads by taking a 2-1 lead.

Note: Larry Brown resigned as Executive Vice President of the Philadelphia 76ers. He may be in the coaching ranks as soon as next year. 

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 7:26 pm and is filed under Louis Amundson, Louis Williams, Mo Cheeks, Andre Iguodala, ESPN2, Reggie Evans, NBA TV, Wachovia Center, Sixers, Rodney Carney, Rodney Stuckey, TNT, Larry Brown, Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons, Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Philadelphia 76ers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.