Allow me to start the "fire Flip Saunders" thread...

[Connor4501]

The Stones were absolutely not ready to play, and that is on Flip. I have said it since they hired him, Flip couldn't get it done in Minnesota with a ton of talent, and will never get it done here...We need someone like Avery Johnson here to get into these player's faces and show who's the boss. As long as the players run this team, they will not be successful...

[greelhappy]

you have a veteran starting five. You have a tested bench. Your in a Conference Championship situation. You have had a very successful season. "Hey guys, were playing Boston at home, satureday, at 8 o'clock, please be on time", should do it.

[ahasiec]

You can blame Flip all you want, at the end of the day it is the responsibility of the players to be ready to play....Chanucey and Sheed kinda walking through the motions...I WIll give RIp some credit, he seemed interested...the sad part is they had Garnett and Allen in big time foul trouble and got blown out by the Celtics bench....what can you do...they need a Larry Brown on the bench, otherwise they can care less....welcome to the Buffalo Bills of the NBA

[U of M Fan]

I'm sorry but Avery Johnson????? You did see what he did in Dallas right? I have never liked Flip and probably never will. The Pistons will only win another championship when they start playing solid defense. They dont shut teams down like they used to.

[Due51]

This is the 6th Eastern Conference in a row for the Pistons.

In my opinion, it's up to Chauncey and Rasheed to lead this team to the Finals. Unfortunately, it seems to me they're just coasting through the game. I get the sense they feel like they just have to arrive at the arena and the game is "theirs" . Well, news flash boys, the Celtics are fighting to get there, too. IT'S THEIR FIRST ROAD PLAYOFF WIN THIS YEAR for Boston!!!! The stinkin Atlanta Hawks never let the Celts beat them on their home court.:rant:

Flip has done a better job this year than he did in the past. Maxiel and Stuckey are perfect examples: they've both have made tremendous contributions this year whereas, in the past, they'd have been riveted to the bench.

It's not Flip. It's definitely Billups and Wallace. Hamilton, Maxiel, Stuckey, McDyess are giving it everything they've got.

[Salmonous Maximus]

Yeah they played awful, but this series is going to be back and forth. The Pistons will win game 4, and everyone will jump back on the wagon. I only hope they can win game 5 in Boston, because game 7 might be a nightmare there.

[Can't Touch This]

Yeah, hold the phone, they lost one home game which they did vs. the 6ers and many other times before in the playoffs. Looking bad, the Stones really aren't the best home team, but, probably the best road playoff team in recent memory.

They just need to play under pressure, with their backs against the wall. They came out of Boston with a split and with an advantage, and they let up. I will say game 4 will be a blowout by the Stones.

Yes, Billups angers all of us sometimes, yeah, he is not 100% but he is definitely not slowed too much by the injury.

[bucko12pt]

Win or lose, after the season, Dumar's needs to package Wallace and Billups and let someone else have them. Stuckey is ready to play and they can replace Wallace thru a trade or free agency. Both their attitudes suck and it permeates thru the entire team and there is no one else that will step up.

My $.02

[William H Bonney]

You can blame Flip all you want, at the end of the day it is the responsibility of the players to be ready to play....Chanucey and Sheed kinda walking through the motions...I WIll give RIp some credit, he seemed interested...the sad part is they had Garnett and Allen in big time foul trouble and got blown out by the Celtics bench....what can you do...they need a Larry Brown on the bench, otherwise they can care less....welcome to the Buffalo Bills of the NBA

Larry Brown is the only reason they won the one title anyway and I honestly believe Flip,, and even Carlisle had done amazing jobs. I mean seriously,,, this team has over-achieved since day one. The were real fortunate that the Lakers laid down for 'em in the Finals that year and I still believe that was one of the biggest upsets in sports history and then they got lucky that the Heat laid down in games 6 and 7 of the Conf. Finals the next year. Other than that, they get bounced by the better team every year.

[Can't Touch This]

Larry Brown is the only reason they won the one title anyway and I honestly believe Flip,, and even Carlisle had done amazing jobs. I mean seriously,,, this team has over-achieved since day one. The were real fortunate that the Lakers laid down for 'em in the Finals that year and I still believe that was one of the biggest upsets in sports history and then they got lucky that the Heat laid down in games 6 and 7 of the Conf. Finals the next year. Other than that, they get bounced by the better team every year.


Your saying the Pistons didn't lay down the last two conference finals? Especially last finals, your saying the Cavs were the better team? If you are, i strongly disagree. I think the Pistons should be attempting to go to their 5th straight final, they disappeared the last two when they should've clearly won both series with their team, they just lost their legs. I do think they would've beat the Mavs, but, i do think the Spurs would've beat them last year. However, Shaq and Dwade HAD to win at least one.

However, if they do get past the Celts, i am not sure about their chances vs. the Lakers. I think this is just Kobe's year, they play great team ball and they have a good overall team, it is not just Kobe or Kobe and Shaq anymore. I think it will go 7 with the Pistons winning cause of homecourt. However, again, we got these pesky Celts to get by first, game 5 is gigantic.

[William H Bonney]

Your saying the Pistons didn't lay down the last two conference finals? Especially last finals, your saying the Cavs were the better team? If you are, i strongly disagree. I think the Pistons should be attempting to go to their 5th straight final, they disappeared the last two when they should've clearly won both series with their team, they just lost their legs. I do think they would've beat the Mavs, but, i do think the Spurs would've beat them last year. However, Shaq and Dwade HAD to win at least one.

However, if they do get past the Celts, i am not sure about their chances vs. the Lakers. I think this is just Kobe's year, they play great team ball and they have a good overall team, it is not just Kobe or Kobe and Shaq anymore. I think it will go 7 with the Pistons winning cause of homecourt. However, again, we got these pesky Celts to get by first, game 5 is gigantic.

How do you think the last few years woulda played out if LB was still here?? Again,, it's just my "opinion" but I just don't think they're that good. Their "style" has alot to do with it,, I find it flat out nauseating to watch,,, no big man, noone can take it to the hole and it's not because they don't want to,, they CAN'T,, jumpshot after jumpshot:dizzy: The only reason I watch is to see if Sheed will come unglued,,:lol: dollar for dollar he might be the best "entertainment value" in the NBA.:lol:

[MEL]

How do you think the last few years woulda played out if LB was still here?? Again,, it's just my "opinion" but I just don't think they're that good. Their "style" has alot to do with it,, I find it flat out nauseating to watch,,, no big man, noone can take it to the hole and it's not because they don't want to,, they CAN'T,, jumpshot after jumpshot:dizzy: The only reason I watch is to see if Sheed will come unglued,,:lol: dollar for dollar he might be the best "entertainment value" in the NBA.:lol:

Dam, Billy B. im not feeling the love here!!! You do have some valid points here. #1, I do think they would have at least one more title if LB was still the coach. But im glad he's not...he's a freakin drama queen. #2, Ive said it many times, with Sheed you'll never know what you'll get. For a guy who's been there and is so highly regarded
he seems to take a lot of days off. When your team needs
its stars to step it up and carry them, Lebron, Kobe and others can do it....but sheed disappears to many times.
Ive seen him have some big games. But its the PLAYOFFS
and when we need him, he needs to show up. His head is also an issue (see last years Cavs series)
The nauseating comment is well earned. Hell the NBA is hoping that the Celts win the series cause they dont want another Spurs/Pistons series. To freakin boring. I mean who wants to watch 2 teams play D??? Personally, I look at that style as their trademark. And i do like a team that can play D. While the Suns might be more exciting to watch, where has their run and gun style got them? Sure they make the playoffs, but cant make stops when needed, so their lack of D has kept them from the Championship. I also noticed that when i go to games and see the "World Champions" banners hanging from the rafters they dont mention that it was a boring team.
It just says WORLD CHAMPIONS....enough said.
And yes, they are a jump shooting team. Ive never been really happy with that over the past few years. I like a player who will drive to the basket. Good things happen.
Like easier points (higher percentage). chance for 3 point plays, and chance to get fouls on the opposing teams players, and it would help get the jump shooters get open shots by having the opposing D protecting the paint.

[William H Bonney]

Dam, Billy B. im not feeling the love here!!! You do have some valid points here. #1, I do think they would have at least one more title if LB was still the coach. But im glad he's not...he's a freakin drama queen. #2, Ive said it many times, with Sheed you'll never know what you'll get. For a guy who's been there and is so highly regarded
he seems to take a lot of days off. When your team needs
its stars to step it up and carry them, Lebron, Kobe and others can do it....but sheed disappears to many times.
Ive seen him have some big games. But its the PLAYOFFS
and when we need him, he needs to show up. His head is also an issue (see last years Cavs series)
The nauseating comment is well earned. Hell the NBA is hoping that the Celts win the series cause they dont want another Spurs/Pistons series. To freakin boring. I mean who wants to watch 2 teams play D??? Personally, I look at that style as their trademark. And i do like a team that can play D. While the Suns might be more exciting to watch, where has their run and gun style got them? Sure they make the playoffs, but cant make stops when needed, so their lack of D has kept them from the Championship. I also noticed that when i go to games and see the "World Champions" banners hanging from the rafters they dont mention that it was a boring team.
It just says WORLD CHAMPIONS....enough said.
And yes, they are a jump shooting team. Ive never been really happy with that over the past few years. I like a player who will drive to the basket. Good things happen.
Like easier points (higher percentage). chance for 3 point plays, and chance to get fouls on the opposing teams players, and it would help get the jump shooters get open shots by having the opposing D protecting the paint.

:lol: Good post as always.

Yeah,, you won't feel too much love from me,, cause I just don't care,,:lol:
It doesn't matter to me if Sheed scores or not,, I just like it when he gets fouled or fouls someone else,:lol: As for LB,,, I hated him, but damn he is a good coach,, same with Carlisle and Flip. I think you're on to something though,, with the banners. 2004 World Championship(but man was it ugly):lol:

[DE82]

Doesn't matter if they get past the Celtics anyways, the Lakers will take them apart.

[pescadero]

They dont shut teams down like they used to.

The rules changes after the 2004 season regarding hand checking and the general emphasis on calling contact has made shutting teams down like they used to against the rules.

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lp