In the East we have the Pistons vs. the Magic – not an intriguing series on paper, but if you take a closer look, there’s much more to it. It’s been a learning experience for the Orlando Magic team as a whole (with the exception of veteran, Grant Hill). What stood out to me the most was Dwight Howard – the man is a beast, but like Rasheed Wallace said, he’s gotta learn to do more than dunk. Howard seemed to be totally shut down in games 1 through 3 – in game 4 he finally relaxed; maybe that was a result of Dwight finally losing his playoff jitters, or the Pistons relaxed on the defensive pressure (which I highly doubt).Another interesting thing to see, especially for Piston fans, was the growth of Darko Milicic. Darko wasn’t a difference maker, but nonetheless, he was there and scoring. Some Piston fans hate the guy, but I see no reason to. Darko was an outcast – he came to the U.S. from Serbia Montenegro at 20 years old – there was really nothing he could do about his situation either. I don’t like the guy, but I also don’t hate him; actually, I am happy to see he is helping another team become successful. The guys seemed to hold no hard feelings – Rasheed and the guys were laughing with Darko all series.

Overall, this was a fun series to watch – we got to see the Pistons show their experience, and power physically and mentally. We also got to see a bench that has been huge for the Pistons – only making it possible for the Pistons to have a chance at the Championship. Even Mr. Charles Barkley himself admitted that the Pistons DO have depth to their bench. I really got into how we were almost “schooling” the Magic, literally. I saw Rasheed talking to Howard many times – probably telling him how to post up or something; one of the many reasons I love Rasheed.

Now the Pistons have to look towards the Chicago Bulls who have been surprisingly good as they swept the “defending champs” – A.K.A. the Miami Heat. I am not going to lie – I am slightly afraid of their depth, but I do know this series will be nothing like the Miami series. The Bulls almost remind me of an unexperienced Pistons team – has many great players who can all step up and score whenever called upon; the differential thing here, between the Pistons and Bulls would be experience. I was hoping the Bulls would beat the Heat in 6 or 7 games, but that didn’t happen, and the Pistons just have to go out there and play their game. It is of course going to be very interesting that the same man that drove the 2004 Pistons to a championship will be the same man that is coming to the Palace of Auburn Hills next week hoping to take his team to the championship. It’s still a strange sight to me seeing Ben in that Bulls uniform – it’s especially going to be weird seeing him playing against the Pistons in the playoffs.

In order for the Pistons to win this next series, they have to do many things:

• Keep Ben Wallace as far away from the glass as possible.
• Rebounding will be huge this series, so keeping rebounding as a priority is key.
• Play 5 versus 4 – get Ben Wallace to the line whenever he gets the ball and let him work hard to get his points.
• Nocioni isn’t as good as he’s been playing – I know for a fact Rasheed will take care of this man – especially since they had some feud earlier this season. (or last season – can’t remember)
• The Bulls score the majority of their points through jump shots (Deng, Gordon, Hinrich) – so keeping a hand in their face is key. Also, keeping the paint Bull free is important – if they think they can survive on jump shots only – fine; but no layups or dunks.
• Richard Hamilton will need to improve on his shooting – we survived without it in the Orlando series – but it won’t work against the Bulls.
• Chris Webber needs to be consistent – he really wasn’t there in the first two games, but the last two he started playing well – if he can grab 10 rebounds, and score about 10 points – that would be solid.
• Tayshaun has been great, his maturity and consistency has been great so far; keep it up.
• The bench has been good, but not great. Antonio McDyess has been struggling to get his shot – but he has been rebounding very well. If he can get his shots to fall again, we’ll be set for the bench.
• Delfino just needs to do what he’s been doing all season: hustle, hustle, and hustle.

Can’t wait for this series to start, it will be very fun to watch. I will be going to either game 1 or game 2 – so that will be even better considering it will be my first game this season!

Later guys.

RTD; Eslam Kersha.

Well, the series against Orlando has been just as expected – boring. Usually in the playoffs, the Pistons are facing someone who us Piston fans can “hate” on. What is there to hate about Orlando?    Nothing.

 Orlando is such a young team, and this series almost seems pointless a lot of the times. In both game 1, and game 2 the Pistons for the most part toyed with the Magic.

Pistons put on a big run in the 1st quarter.

Magic score 10 straight points to cut the Piston lead to 3.

Pistons score, once again to cut of any chance the Magic had.

 …etc…etc…etc…(over and over again)

That summed up both games right there.

About Dwight Howard. What happened? Is he just nervous, or are the Pistons really taking this monster totally out of the game? I think it’s a little bit of both, but I am extremely impressed by Flip Saunders for making Dwight Howard a non-factor. Before this series started, I thought Howard was just going to tear us up for 20 and 20 nights. I thought wrong because over these first two games, he has not given his team a chance to win.

8 Points, 11 Rebounds – far from the 20/20 Dwight Howard we know and love.

If the Magic have any chance of reclaiming themselves, Dwight Howard has to step up and take over the game. Other than Dwight, Hedo Turkoglu has been a huge key for the Magic – giving them consistent shooting. Another huge factor to the Magic’s game is Grant Hill. The man has traveled back in time and is playing phenomenal for his age.

Overall – I just can’t wait to move on – I hate when the Pistons begin to feel bored becuase its only then when the Pistons slip up and lose. Hopefully, the Magic can give the Pistons more of a challenge at their home – that way the Pistons will actually play to full potential – but as of now, I’m bored.

PISTONS GET READY TO FACE ORLANDO MAGIC IN THE 1st ROUND

The Detroit Pistons have once again closed out the season only hoping to play 16 more games for a Championship. We will be starting off the playoffs by playing the Orlando Magic who the Pistons have successfully swept through this season.

DEC8-@ ORL-Pistons 87 Magic 83
FEB21-@ DET-Pistons 110 Magic 88
FEB 23-@ ORL-Pistons 94 Magic 89
APR 11- @ DET-Pistons 104 Magic 99

The Pistons have consistently beat the Magic with ease – only having difficulty containing Dwight Howard from dominating the boards. Despite the season sweep, Magic guard, Jameer Nelson thinks otherwise.

“I know we can beat them. I know we can. I think we can beat them in a series. We just got to figure them out.”

–Jameer Nelson.

That’s great he has confidence in his team – but realistically, it’s a Piston win – by far.

Here is a position-position break down of this series:

POINT GAURD

vs
Chauncey Billups vs Jameer Nelson

This match-up is one-sided. A 2005/06 MVP candidate verse a fairly new addition to the NBA. I’m not taking anything away from Jameer, but Chauncey is the clear winner here. Chauncey is much taller, bigger, and stronger – every time Billups is playing a PG that is shorter he always takes advantage by either just shooting over them, or posting them up in the key. Billups is also the more experienced player here.

Advantage: Chauncey Billups; Detroit Pistons
SHOOTING GAURD

vs
Richard Hamilton vs Hedo Turkoglu

It will most likely be Hedo who plays against Richard; but regardless, it won’t matter. Richard Hamilton is a much more versatile scorer than Hedo; Rip can shoot the long shot, the mid range, whatever – he can do it. Richard is also MUCH quicker than Hedo – good luck to Hedo while running through all the screens Richard is going to get. I want the Pistons to either take advantage of this matchup, or Chauncey’s matchup.

Advantage: Richard Hamilton; Detroit Pistons
SMALL FORWARD

vs

Tayshaun Prince vs Grant Hill

This matchup might be the closest – it really could go both sides because in the games we’ve played against Mr. Hill, he’s done fairly well. If Tayshaun can take over with his youth – it’ll be Tayshaun’s matchup to win; but it could just as easily go the other way. Both have some good experience under their belts, but Grant Hill has the most; being a veteran in this league. I’ll give the advantage to Grant Hill since the Magic have not much else.

Advantage: Grant Hill; Orlando Magic

POWER FORWARD

vs
Rasheed Wallace vs Dwight Howard

This one is an interesting matchup. I was contemplating whether to take Rasheed’s killer instinct, plus his huge experience – or take Dwight Howard’s athleticism, youth, and tenacity. I believe Dwight Howard will take this matchup – but it won’t be anything profound. Rasheed is the best guy to defense him – he’ll give him a challenge physically, and mentally. This matchup was really close – but I have to give it to Dwight.

Advantage: Dwight Howard; Orlando Magic

CENTER

vs
Chris Webber vs Darko Milicic

Hometown player verses the disgruntled 2nd pick of the draft. Webber wins this matchup by a mile. To add more salt to the injury – Darko is coming off a sprained ankle – so good luck with that, Darko.

Advantage: Chris Webber; Detroit Pistons

BENCH

The Pistons will take this one easily – the Pistons bench has been terrible for the last few years, and finally I am proud to say we have a good, deep bench. We’ve seen the bench at work against some of the starters of some other teams and I’ve been impressed. Carlos has proven himself this season, Flip Murray has proved all of us doubting Piston fans wrong by stepping up his game the 2nd half of the season; and of course Antonio McDyess has been as solid as a starter.

Advantage: Pistons Bench.

I predict this series will go to 5 games.

Good luck Pistons!

- ReppinTheD