Eh, life goes on
But before it does :-)...
Four Lessons The Pistons (Should Have) Learned This Series
1. Their heads were too big.
After Game 6, Rasheed said something to the extent of, "They thought they were cracking the bubbly tonight, but we're gonna' crack it on Thursday." Something like that, at least.
After Alonzo Mourning's comments before the East Finals, about the Pistons not being unbeatable, Chauncey reacts with something like this: "We're not invincible...But we are the champs." With a sly little smile on his face.
It's hard to provide more examples, but just their voice tones, their swaggers, their utter denial that anything was wrong when they played like crap. Their constant whining to the refs, much of it for good calls.
And I hate to bring this up again...But Ben's childish reaction to a little foul by Ron Artest...Clearly the result of mere frustration and anger...
Perhaps this was a much-needed deflation.
2. They should have never complained to the officials.
I said this in my last entry, but the Pistons acted this whole playoff as if it was a sin by the NBA or any referee to apply the rules of the game to them. And as if their complaints were supposed have the same effect on the refs as the Hand of God would.
The truth hurts: you will never, ever, ever get a referee to change a call unless you are another referee or you are packing heat. And the second will (hopefully) never happen on an NBA court.
3. They should have focused more on the regular season.
It was clear at points in the season that they weren't playing that hard, perhaps a result of #1. It was almost as if they were getting bored and just wanted to get to the playoffs.
And tonight, having to play Game 7 on the road...That's where it comes back to bite them. I don't think they'll have those same lulls next year. That is, if they really want another championship.
4. They shouldn't wait until they get in tough spots all the time to play their best basketball.
It works against New Jersey, Indiana, and Miami, but after so many trips to the cookie jar, it'll be empty. Driving close to the edge of the cliff is a thrill, but eventually...One of those bumps in the road is going to be too big, and finally send you over the cliff. After the first few bumps, you think they are harmless.
I think they're watching for the bumps now. At least, I hope.
Yeah, that sounds like more of a rant than anything, but truth be told, these are things I've been pondering for a while, and wondering if any of them would come back to bite the Pistons. They all did tonight.
But no worries. As the title says, life goes on :-). San Antonio is a great team with class and character, and they were the better team. I just hope the trophy doesn't stay in Texas long enough for Bush to spit up another pretzel on it.
But I'll conclude with some interesting Kid Rock irony...
Listen to his song "Cowboy" when you get a chance.
"...guns slingin, SPURS hittin the floor..."
"...mack like mayors, ball like LAKERS..."
Some strange foreshadowing that he would mention the Pistons last two NBA Finals opponents in a hit song.
But Kid, I'm sorry, go home and let the true die-hards like Bob Seger rock out the Palace from now on. You too, Eminem.
But truthfully, I am taking this loss much better than anticipated. Heck, I was able to joke about stuff at the end of the game.
Die-hard since '93.
(The fairweather fans head home.)
This'll be a fun weekend :-).
Four Lessons The Pistons (Should Have) Learned This Series
1. Their heads were too big.
After Game 6, Rasheed said something to the extent of, "They thought they were cracking the bubbly tonight, but we're gonna' crack it on Thursday." Something like that, at least.
After Alonzo Mourning's comments before the East Finals, about the Pistons not being unbeatable, Chauncey reacts with something like this: "We're not invincible...But we are the champs." With a sly little smile on his face.
It's hard to provide more examples, but just their voice tones, their swaggers, their utter denial that anything was wrong when they played like crap. Their constant whining to the refs, much of it for good calls.
And I hate to bring this up again...But Ben's childish reaction to a little foul by Ron Artest...Clearly the result of mere frustration and anger...
Perhaps this was a much-needed deflation.
2. They should have never complained to the officials.
I said this in my last entry, but the Pistons acted this whole playoff as if it was a sin by the NBA or any referee to apply the rules of the game to them. And as if their complaints were supposed have the same effect on the refs as the Hand of God would.
The truth hurts: you will never, ever, ever get a referee to change a call unless you are another referee or you are packing heat. And the second will (hopefully) never happen on an NBA court.
3. They should have focused more on the regular season.
It was clear at points in the season that they weren't playing that hard, perhaps a result of #1. It was almost as if they were getting bored and just wanted to get to the playoffs.
And tonight, having to play Game 7 on the road...That's where it comes back to bite them. I don't think they'll have those same lulls next year. That is, if they really want another championship.
4. They shouldn't wait until they get in tough spots all the time to play their best basketball.
It works against New Jersey, Indiana, and Miami, but after so many trips to the cookie jar, it'll be empty. Driving close to the edge of the cliff is a thrill, but eventually...One of those bumps in the road is going to be too big, and finally send you over the cliff. After the first few bumps, you think they are harmless.
I think they're watching for the bumps now. At least, I hope.
Yeah, that sounds like more of a rant than anything, but truth be told, these are things I've been pondering for a while, and wondering if any of them would come back to bite the Pistons. They all did tonight.
But no worries. As the title says, life goes on :-). San Antonio is a great team with class and character, and they were the better team. I just hope the trophy doesn't stay in Texas long enough for Bush to spit up another pretzel on it.
But I'll conclude with some interesting Kid Rock irony...
Listen to his song "Cowboy" when you get a chance.
"...guns slingin, SPURS hittin the floor..."
"...mack like mayors, ball like LAKERS..."
Some strange foreshadowing that he would mention the Pistons last two NBA Finals opponents in a hit song.
But Kid, I'm sorry, go home and let the true die-hards like Bob Seger rock out the Palace from now on. You too, Eminem.
But truthfully, I am taking this loss much better than anticipated. Heck, I was able to joke about stuff at the end of the game.
Die-hard since '93.
(The fairweather fans head home.)
This'll be a fun weekend :-).