funny how at the beginning i thought there might not be a pistons-spurs rematch.

now there's a very good chance both teams won't even MAKE it. (the little good news is that both teams still aren't dead yet)

all those TINY things that i had against flip saunders' coaching is starting to come out as i stunningly find the pistons 1 game loss away from ending their chances of going back to the finals. and not even against the heat or nets. spurs possibly losing to the mavericks isn't so bad of a stunner, because everybody knew dallas was THAT much better this year. the fact that pistons are getting beat by a team they should've routed in 5 games though is rediculous.

but going back to the afterthoughts i've had about flip's philosophy:

for instance, i've always had afterthoughts about double-teaming, considering how good each of the pistons can play 1-on-1. if each of the pistons are that good, why double-team when you know it'll just leave a gaping hole open? it's hurting them, because it's not even really containing lebron, and all these role-players are beating the pistons. i'm not even too sure prince is doing that good of a job containing lebron. in my opinion, billups, hunter, even rip have done better jobs, because it seems that prince's big weakness on defense is he's too frail to fight through screens and still keep pace.

charles barkeley is right in that sometimes detroit feels that they can win games alone with their OFFENSE this year. this is showing in 2 ways; sometimes they rush their shots, and they are STILL a jump-shooting team. they're not being aggressive offensively. and they're looking at offense as a way to beat the opponents, rather than a supplement to their defense.

that being said, maybe the injuries to rip and sheed are what are hurting this team the most this series. rip's been off, and sheed's been off, which gets rid of MANY 3s that could've been hit. with that, you put the majority of the pressure on billups and prince to play your offense, along with antonio coming off the bench.

i still don't see the urgency and desire detroit needs to exhibit in order to win this series. cleveland has been containing lanes much more better on defense and playing their game on offense. lebron james has been nothing short of spectactular, as he has basically been unguardable, and finding open guys that easily. on top of that, his teammates when they get the ball DO finish.

i've had afterthoughts about what type of impact flip would have on the pistons at the beginning of the season like many, but it was quickly squashed in the season by their wins. now, at least to me, larry brown's coaching is looking VERY good.

pistons just don't seem to have that fire that they had in the past. the good news is that they have gotten out of a 3-2 hole on the road before. let's see if they get complacent or not.

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on a side note, duncan looked VERY, VERY, good.