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I know the NBA isn't exactly big here with 'Poly sports fans, but we really ought to have some thread about it.
Especially since it is shaping up, thus far, to be perhaps the best Finals since the first Detroit-L.A. matchup way back in '88.
The Lakers, the prohibitive favorite, get pushed around in Game One, and then again appear to be defeated in Game Two before coming up with one of the greatest :40 comebacks in NBA history, capped off by one of the greatest clutch shots of all-time. Even as a diehard Pistons fan for my whole life, I can not help but admire what an incredible game that was last night, and what an amazing performance that was by Kobe Bryant.
Still, I was nigh-despondant after that game; we had a 2-0 lead in our grasp, in a series that many said would be a L.A. sweep. That hurt.
BUT, there is another way to look at this. The Pistons could be, perhaps should be, very encouraged. It took nothing short of a miracle for the Lakers to salvage even one game on their home floor, going back to the Palace for the next three. After Detroit controlled most of the first two games in L.A., they have to feel confident that they can win at least one more game at the Staples Center if the series goes to a game six and/or seven. If the Pistons can win two of the next three at home, you have to think that they have an excellent chance of winning the championship in L.A.
The flip of that is that a loss like that can be psychologically crushing to the Pistons, and uplifting to the Lakers. The Lakers got a huge boost out of their last (four-tenths of a) second win over San Antonio a couple rounds ago. However, this wasn't the first crushingly disappointing loss for the Pistons. The dropped a triple-OT classic to the Nets in a Game Five a couple rounds ago, and they managed to come back and win the next two deciding games, both blowouts, Game Six being at Jersey. Game One against the Pacers was another game that just got away in the closing seconds, thanks to a Reggie Miller three, and they came back to win Game Two thanks to Tayshaun Prince's highlight-of-the-year blocked shot. So, at best, the psychologically consequences of last night's game have to considered a push.
Whatever happens, it has been an incredible series thus far. If you haven't been watching, I highly recommend it--you'll become a basketball fan all over again.
At the very least, the way things have gone thus far should finally silence all the talk about the "Leastern" Conference and that the East is simply the JV to the West. The Pistons are probably the best team the Lakers have faced in the playoffs over the past five years, with the possible exception of last year's Spurs.
Especially since it is shaping up, thus far, to be perhaps the best Finals since the first Detroit-L.A. matchup way back in '88.
The Lakers, the prohibitive favorite, get pushed around in Game One, and then again appear to be defeated in Game Two before coming up with one of the greatest :40 comebacks in NBA history, capped off by one of the greatest clutch shots of all-time. Even as a diehard Pistons fan for my whole life, I can not help but admire what an incredible game that was last night, and what an amazing performance that was by Kobe Bryant.
Still, I was nigh-despondant after that game; we had a 2-0 lead in our grasp, in a series that many said would be a L.A. sweep. That hurt.
BUT, there is another way to look at this. The Pistons could be, perhaps should be, very encouraged. It took nothing short of a miracle for the Lakers to salvage even one game on their home floor, going back to the Palace for the next three. After Detroit controlled most of the first two games in L.A., they have to feel confident that they can win at least one more game at the Staples Center if the series goes to a game six and/or seven. If the Pistons can win two of the next three at home, you have to think that they have an excellent chance of winning the championship in L.A.
The flip of that is that a loss like that can be psychologically crushing to the Pistons, and uplifting to the Lakers. The Lakers got a huge boost out of their last (four-tenths of a) second win over San Antonio a couple rounds ago. However, this wasn't the first crushingly disappointing loss for the Pistons. The dropped a triple-OT classic to the Nets in a Game Five a couple rounds ago, and they managed to come back and win the next two deciding games, both blowouts, Game Six being at Jersey. Game One against the Pacers was another game that just got away in the closing seconds, thanks to a Reggie Miller three, and they came back to win Game Two thanks to Tayshaun Prince's highlight-of-the-year blocked shot. So, at best, the psychologically consequences of last night's game have to considered a push.
Whatever happens, it has been an incredible series thus far. If you haven't been watching, I highly recommend it--you'll become a basketball fan all over again.
At the very least, the way things have gone thus far should finally silence all the talk about the "Leastern" Conference and that the East is simply the JV to the West. The Pistons are probably the best team the Lakers have faced in the playoffs over the past five years, with the possible exception of last year's Spurs.
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