Lakers are going to put the smackdown on the Pistons tonight!

[MadHound]

Don't get me wrong, the Pistons have a hell of a defense, but the Lakers proved equal to the challenge in Game 2. And quite frankly, I don't think that the Pistons are going to get much of a bounce from being at home.

Lakers on the other hand are HUNGRY. Malone, Payton and Phil Jackson WANT this ring. No further example is needed than watching Malone the other night, gutting it out through pain that would bench a normal player in a normal game. Malone refuses to go down.

And while some may dismiss Koby's last second shot to tie as simple luck, don't be fooled. Koby, as with all the greats, practices those shots time and time again, just for those moments when the game is on the line. Not luck friends, but sheer talent.

It will be a good game, a close game, but I've got a feeling that the Pistons are going down tonight, and the Lakers will retake home court advantage.

[trumad]

1. I hope not...

The most overpriced team in History will go down.. Sorta like the Marlins taking out the overpriced Yankees...

[Tempest]

2. You're dreaming

Fisher is injured.

Malone is injured.

The only question is, how badly will the Pistons whomp on the Lakers?

[MadHound]

5. Luuuuuuuuuuke!

Sorry, but the Lakers have more arrows in their quiver than Malone and Fisher. Besides, both Fisher and Malone are still going to play, and still are going to be effective. They might be slowed down, but they can't be stopped.

And then there is Shaq and Kobe, can't forget them;)

All the Lakers need to win is for somebody to step up and produce besides Shaq and Kobe, last game it was Luke Walton, couple of games ago it was my hometown hero, Kareem Rush. Tonight, we'll see:evilgrin:

[Tempest]

6. Double digits

Final score will have the Pistons winning by 10+.

You heard it here first.

[catzies]

22. Bench was pivotal in the game 2 win. Great energy. Balanced attack.

And is it just me, or does the 2nd unit outplay some of the starters? Gary Payton, I'm talking to you. ;)

[MadHound]

25. Oh I hear you

Payton just frustrates me. I respect his talent, and what he has done, he will go to the Hall of Fame. But the man simply isn't a good fit for Laker ball. I would rather they stick with Fisher or Rush. But Payton is a big name player, and he will whine if he doesn't get his minutes. Luckily he gets in foul trouble a lot. And occaisionally he does show up big.

[catzies]

14. Karl Malone will play unless they remove his spinal cord

or amputate a limb.

Karl has played through worse injuries than this. In '02 (IIRC) he went through the postseason with a broken hand.

[MadHound]

18. You are correct

Karl is facing retirement and the man is HUNGRY. He wants at least on ring.

He will play, and he will be effective.

[Tempest]

20. He'll play, but will he be effective?

I'm betting he'll hurt the Lakers more than help them, just like in game one.

[MadHound]

23. Trouble was, he was hurt in Game 2

And was effective. Granted, he won't have the footwork, but he still has great hands and a fine B-ball mind. Can you say assist, assist, assist? I can:evilgrin:

[catzies]

26. He has turned out to be a fine passer, hasn't he?

Wonder who he learned that from. God, do I miss him.

[catzies]

24. True, that remains to be seen.

But I've been watching Karl play since the 80s. He helps more often than he not. He's also not to go-to-guy anymore. If his shot's off, he helps out on D. He's not a low-post threat at all anymore and doesn't even command the double teams, but you still gotta respect him.

[ChompySnack]

3. Go pistons

I normally don't like the Pistons, for for this series I will make an exception. The only thing better than watching the (new and improved) Blazers win is to watch the Lakers loose.

Maybe Rasheed can help redeem the unholy collapse (aided by questionable non-calls) in the WCF several years ago.

My prediction: Pistons in 6

[adriennel]

4. ahem...

the Pistons are a team, the Lakers are a handful of superstars.
no doubt the Pistons need to follow through more on the offense and Kobe despite everything is still a damn fine basketball player. but sorry, basketball should be a team sport, the next three games are in Detroit (where the fans don't boo their teams, as they did in LA) so it will be the Lakers licking their wounds....

[MadHound]

7. LOL friend!

The Lakers are a TEAM of superstars, that play as a team(at least as much as can be done in this day and age of the NBA).

And quite frankly, I don't think the Pistons have anything left to follow through with on offense. They gave it their best shot the other night and lost. How many times did they go ninety plus in the regular season? Not many, yet that is the prospect they are facing every time they every time they play the Lakers.

Pistons got Game 1 due to great defense and unfamiliarity. Don't count on that again.

[adriennel]

9. we'll see

TEAM of superstars? Kobe and Shaq can't stand each other and need 41-year old Malone to run interference for them? doesn't sound like a great team effort to me.

Detroit is used to being underestimated. see you back here next week, huh? : )

[MadHound]

13. Granted, they aren't friends off the court

But on the court, they're golden. As evidenced by the three rings they carry, each. And how many rings do the pistons carry? Oh yeah, that's right, the three that Campbell carries, from his time as a LAKER ;)

[HuckleB]

8. You mean some of you are actually watching this series?

The few, the proud!

LOL!

:)

[MadHound]

10. Yeah, about the only time I watch pro ball anymore

I've been a Lakers fan since back in the days of Elgin Baylor, Jerry West. And as the years have gone by, the pro game has gotten progressively worse. I don't watch at all during the regular season, and only watch during the playoffs if the Lakers are playing. No Lakers, no watch, it just drives to frustration to watch the horrible refereeing.

I much prefer the college game, and football. But this is my slack sports season, as I will only watch baseball in person or listen to it on the radio(watching baseball on TV puts me to sleep), can't stand golf, so I sportsjones for about three months. Oh well.

[mede8er]

11. 818 baby.........

Go Lakers.......

[catzies]

17. Valley representin'!

What up from da 805! :hi:

[mede8er]

31. Yo.....

My northern buddy..........:toast:

[bif]

12. Detroit nearly took the 1st two games in LA

And you think LA is gonna spank 'em? Dream on!

[MadHound]

15. Almost only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and

Hydrogen bombs friend. Pistons had a great chance and whiffed on it. The more familiar the Lakers are with Detroit, the quicker the Pistons will go down.

[KamaAina]

29. Don't forget pResidential elections

Almost only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and...

[nini]

16. Go Lakers..

one thing is for sure this is going to be a wild series and most of it depends on which Lakers team shows up and how effective the Detroit defense continues to be.

But, the play of Walton and Kareem Rush is vital. If Walton can keep it up and Rush kicks in.. the Laker's should have an edge but that means the kobe and Shaq have to be on the money too.

Unfortunately I think Malone will be limited and that kills me because I know how bad he wants this. Bad time to be hurt.

[salinen]

19. I have a fin

says "yo goin down Kobe"

put up homey.

[Dying Eagle]

21. NOT

Go Pistons!!

[Lefty48197]

27. Lakers nearly lost two at home.

I'm sure they'll do much better in the "friendly" confines of the Palace.
Hide your daughters Detroit, here comes Kobe!

[Arbustosux]

28. Up the dosage!

Lakers are toast!

[Paragon]

30. This is brilliant satire

The part about Malone, Payton, and Jackson being motivated...and the misspellings of "Kobe"...

Genius. :7

[Tempest]

32. I'M THE MAN!!!

See my posts #6 and #20.

[Forkboy]

33. Lakers didn't even show up tonight

[Paragon]

34. Yeah, that's it

They beat themselves. The Pistons have no talent.

:eyes:

[Forkboy]

36. Lighten up Gunga Din

I never even said anything like that.The Lakers played like shit,that doesn't mean the Pistons have no talent.I hate the fucking Lakers,why would I diss the Pistons?

It's a game.No need to take it so seriously.Jeeez,try some fucking decaf :eyes:

[Tempest]

37. Lakers played like the Lakers

The problem is, for L.A., the Pistons played like the Pistons.

And their defense is too much for the Lakers.

Pistons have been doing this to opponents all season.

[x-g.o.p.er]

35. You need to edit the title

Lakers looked old and disinterested tonight.

Sucks to be an NBA mercenary like Malone or Payton, huh?

[hiphopnation]

38. Who cares?

After that spanking last night, I hardly care what happens. Didn't I hear something about "first time in Laker franchise history that they were held under 70."?

AAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

:thumbsup:

[kmla]

39. I think the Pistons will take it in 5.

The Lakers are a lucky 3 pointer away from smelling faintly of 'skunk' right now.

They haven't faced a defense like this since... never. Those Pistons are nasty when it comes to playin' d-fence. Ask us Pacer fans. We know firsthand.

Right now, the Lakers are perplexed. Puzzled. Befuddled. They just don't know how to deal w/ the 'Wallace Brothers'.

Just my take.