Pistons
You never give up on your team, right? True, but there are times when you know when you just aren't going to win. With ten minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, I knew the Pistons weren't coming back. Chauncey Billups was at the free throw line and just hit the first of his two free throws. He went to slap hands with his teammates, and only one of his four floormates slapped his hands (similar to Andrew Bogut, which Bill Simmons once pointed out in one of his old columns...kinda funny shit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc11PUnFgkQ). Chauncey ended up slapping air for the other three, but in my opinion, that said it all about how this game was going to be. We weren't together, there was no energy, and to put it bluntly, we weren't ready. For shame.
Interesting debate between Mark Jackson and Van Gundy: Should the home team fans be allowed to boo? Normally I would say no, and I cannot remember the last time Detroit fans booed the Pistons, but for tonight's game I think it was well deserved. I don't think the fans were booing the results of plays (missed shots, Celtic made shots, the score), but rather the effort of the team. I think the fans of Detroit are intelligent enough to recognize when their team is playing poorly and when they aren't trying. And tonight they weren't trying. And I would boo them too if I was there. I most certainly did from my couch.
The only positive I can take away from this game was the fact that they started to show life in the 4th quarter, and maybe that will carry over to game 4. Other than that, burn the tape.
Red Wings
While the P's were sucking, the Wings played a great game. I tried to take in as much of both games as I could, and it was certainly more fun to watch the Wings tonight. I really love this Wings team. I had a really good feeling about this team compared to other past Wings teams because I feel like they've started a new chapter of Wings hockey. The old guys- Shannahan, Hull, Yzerman (love you though)- are gone, and now the team is in the hands of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Franzen. They have the perfect blend of old with new, which I think is key for a deep Stanley Cup run, because as previous years have shown, having just old will not get you far.
But back to tonight's game. Samuelsson, Zetterberg, and Cleary with goals. Osgood gets a shut out. We shut down Crosby and Malkin. And we didn't even have Franzen! Could you have asked for a more perfect start? I think not.
And isn't playoff hockey wonderful? You hardly ever see teams give a lack of effort. I think that's what makes it so great, and one could argue that's what makes the playoffs in the NHL better than any other sport's playoffs.
Tigers
Oh yeah. They were playing in Detroit, too. A 19-3 victory nonetheless. I guess they wanted some attention in the papers as well. Two home runs for Magglio, which was surprisingly the only two home runs in the game for the Tigers (By the way, although the Tigers' season hasn't been that great thus far, Magglio has been the shit: .330, 9HR, 35 RBI. Vote for him on your All-Star ballot).
Nate Robertson got the win...but is anyone else ready to give up on him? He was terrible all last year and has been terrible this year. At some point you just have to give someone else a chance (anyone) and send Robertson down to figure himself out. Just saying.
So 2 out of 3 ain't bad, right? Except that one was really bad and it's leaving a sour taste in my mouth right now. Sigh.
~Mikey D
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2 comments:
The Pistons are destined to swap games with the Celts - they'll win game 4, lose in Boston, and save their asses in game 6. Game 7 will be a toss up. Haven't we seen this before???
I loved the Redwings' 5-0 victory over the Pens. I disagree, though, that we haven't seen poor effort in the NHL playoffs. In 2001 and 2003, the Redwings were a two seed and lost 4-2 to the Kings and were swept by the Ducks respectively. In 2006, they won the Presidents Trophy and lost in the first round to the Predators 4-2. I agree they're much more rare than the NBA, but lest we forget the Wings reputation for playing well in the regular season and shrinking in the playoffs.
What did the Tigers have to do to get any attention yesterday? Score 19 runs. I am excited for the continuation of the dual playoffs on Mon. and Wed. Main tv on the Redwings, small tv on the Pistons with the sound off.
See, I don't think that it was as much poor effort on those past teams as it was getting worn down by the end of the year and having to play the same team multiple times in a row. Experience can take only so far.
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