So, anybody have anything to say about game 6?

Or the impending game 7?

Game 6 was ugly. Very ugly. Resembled mud wrestling more than basketball.

I'm disappointed the NETS couldn't get over the hump after falling behind so
big.

Am I the only one noticing that Aaron Williams looks totally overmatched out
there? This may be the worst I've seen him play during his stint with the
NETS.

Guess Larry Brown finally came to his senses and realized Okur's size might
actually be able to help the Pistons.

Now for another of the patented 4 day NBA playoff vacations. It's going to
be a loooong week.

TC - off formulating his predictions for game 7

"topcat" wrote in message

>
> "jslater" wrote:
> >

> > The game wouldn't have been as close as it was if the Pistons could
> > shoot free throws better. I sometimes wonder why, in close games,
> > opponents don't use a "hack-a-Ben" strategy.
> >
>
> I think it's because the Pistons are smart enough to not give Ben the ball
> that much in that situation.
>

Before the 2 minute mark they could foul him off the ball.
More likely because it has not been proven to work, even though on the
surface it looks like it should.

All of the times used against Shaq it worked once that I remember, and then
he was fouled twice before the 2 minute mark to *protect a lead* and stop
momentum when Kobe was taking over the game. I do not even remember a team
closing the gap much when behind including the Spurs in game 6.

Ben too at 48% in the playoffs is likely to make at least one. Like Shaq if
he knows it is coming he may make a higher percentage after the first trip
to the line.

And the main reason it does not work when the team is behind is it hurts the
offense...especially a running team.
With a team like the lakers or pistons, with a very good half court defense,
you are giving them the opportunity almost every possession be set up
defensively and are reduced to a half court offense.
It takes all chance of early offense or a fast break except off a long
rebound from a missed FT. And even those long rebounds have a problem as the
pistons or lakers may get the rebound and an added possession

So you instead of trading 2 for 1 you may even be reducing the average of 1
point per possession on your team's end and using more clock, while likely
giving Shaq or Ben's team that average 1 point with the clock stopped.


--
Laurel T
"I told him, 'Coach, there's an ocean out there.
Let me go swimming,"' Bonzi Wells