[QUOTE="tharg617"] [QUOTE="Beowulf_ATX"]The Pistons fell apart after Brown and Wallace left. This is the same thing that happened last year in against the Cavs. They think their so superior to other teams that they can turn it on, and off when they want. But this is what comes and bites them in the a** when they lose...their so arrogent that they belittle teams that are below them, and just because they one back in 2004 they think their so bad. Watch if they lose, they'll end of saying something like "we didn't do this, we do that" while not giving any credit to the sixers for beating them. Beowulf_ATX
Which is why they have been a top three team in the league ever since 2004. Now explain how they have fell apart? How many straight trips to the ECF's? The only two teams that have stopped them were Miami and the Cavs. Miami won the title that year, so they couldn't have been that bad. The Cavs pulled an upset and everyone said they were too old to continue anymore championship runs. During this regular season they had the 2nd best record in the league and have beat every western conference team that's in the playoffs at least once (except the Jazz) including blowouts over Phoenix, Dallas, New Orleans, and Denver. The series is tied 2-2, (game 6 and 7 are at home) their not in that bad of shape.
As for as them underachieving I agree, however I would never say this team fell apart. That is pretty foolish counting on all that they have done. Oh and Detroit has a lot of respect for the Sixers. They have said they can't overlook this team because they are young and talented. Unlike the Cavs who depend on one player to get it done.
i went over the with saying they fell apart, but after Larry Brown and Ben Wallance left the team, their defense wasn't as good. They don't shut down teams like they use too, I still remember when they went 10 straigth games where they shut teams down under 80 points. Also they failed to reach the finals twice after both brown and wallace left (i know they reached the ECF's 4 years in a row 03-06, which just goes against me about saying they falling apart...whatever) I do agree, that they are still an elite team and one of the most consistent teams in the NBA, but they are also the most cocky team right now in the NBA. By the way, in the NBA you can't overlook teams just because they are a one man team or a young inexperenced one, especially in the playoffs. Like back in the 2004 finals, with the laker and pistons. Everybody I knew thought it was going to be a sweep, the heavy favorite laker "all-star" team against the Pistons, and who came out on top..ya the underdogs. I like the Pistons but their so arrogent that its hard to like them sometimes.The bottom line is, If they just play to what their capable off night in and night out like Boston and the rest of the Elite teams, they wouldn't be in the position they are now.
I'll agree that their defense is no longer what it used to be. However Ben Wallace isn't what he used to be either. I don't know if it's because he fit in Detroit so well or if he is just getting older. But I think Mcdyess and Jason Maxiell combined equal to what Ben Wallace was and in a couple years Maxiell might be even better than Wallace but who knows.
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