Pistons Need to Ask WWLBD

By Craig Kwasniewski

On the brink of losing in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row, the Pistons need to ask themselves what would Larry Brown do.

Would LB sit back and single-guard LeBron James in the final two minutes of regulation?

Would LB continue to run isolation plays for Rip Hamilton, ignoring his bread-and-butter motion offense? (Which also tires out the man guarding him with the constant motion and contact from screens.)

Would LB set-up a potential game winning shot with "Mr. Big Shot" dribbling out the clock and hoping to draw contact on a three point heave at the buzzer?

Look, I'm not a huge fan of Larry Brown (he's an egotistical ass and a con-man who, before the Knicks debacle, knows how to play the press in his favor), but I do know one glaring fact: Larry Brown would not have lost last night's game.

Granted, LeBron was very impressive down the stretch and in the 2 OT's. This was one of those games that takes the quotes out of the word "superstar" separating the great from the anointed/promoted greats. (What I mean is, players like Carmelo Anthony or Tracy McGrady are "superstars" but they're not a Superstar.)

Anyway, as impressive as LeBron was, those two dunks in the final minutes of regulation came on some of the worst defense in playoff history. Everybody in the gym knew that LeBron was driving the lane, so why not double him at the top of the key? Who would you rather have taking the final shot, LeBron or Eric Snow? LeBron or Pavlovic? LeBron or Donyell Marshall?

So why do the Pistons wait until LeBron's five feet from the hoop before even thinking of rotating over for a double-team?

Those two dunks were embarrassing.

Why not double LeBron as he's crossing the halfcourt line, forcing him to pass the ball? How the hell did Jason Maxiell get LeBron in a one-on-one at the top of the key without some random Piston rotating over to help BEFORE LeBron drives the lane? Why did Tayshaun Prince literally sprint out of the lane as LeBron's throwing down a mosterous dunk? (So in a two week span Prince goes from defensive maven to "I'm not getting Youtube-ed by LeBron." This was the same guy who held Kobe in check in 2004.) Whatever happened to the playoff mantra of no lay-ups or dunks?

Oh yeah, Flip Saunders is squatting along the sideline... that's what happened.

Five Eastern Conference appearances, two NBA Finals and only one title... the Pistons are looking more and more like the dynasty that never was.

Comments

[Brett]

Has there ever been a Conference Finals featuring two coaches worse than Flip and Brownie? You're kidding me with trying to guard LeBron one on one with Chauncey or Tayshaun, right? Jesus.

[dave]

it seemed like the pistons just gave up the lane in the last ot. it was any teams game to win and the pistons couldn't get it done. jason maxiell? wtf was that? if you're gonna just give up, at least let nazr mohammed give it a go. he plays defense, i know, i've seen him do it. flip saunders has no defensive strategy. the pistons are operating on what tiny little bit of defensive knowledge they can retain form larry brown. they need a reminder. how embarrassing would it be for flip to call larry for advice?
mike brown isn't that bad of a coach. he's just inexperienced. it's a good thing he's got hank egan on the bench. it's looking like a spurs reunion for the finals. i wonder if brownie thinks he can pull a nellie on the spurs?

[Craig]

Good point on Nazr. What the hell happened to that guy? Last summer he was Ben Wallace's replacement and now he's dropped behind Dale Davis' rotting corpse on the depth chart.

At least Nazr would know how to rotate over to help when LeBron's driving the lane.

"flip saunders has no defensive strategy."

Yes he does! It's called, "let LeBron drive the lane at will and by Game 9, he'll be tired."

[the fluidics]

People kept talking about how Lebron dominated that night. I was there, and while he did rack up against the stones, that had more to do with a lack of effort from Detroit, than domination by James.
Wade in the conference finals the year before dominated, this time, the Pistons just rolled over.

[Asics Shoes]

I don't know how to receive my responce. Waiting for your reply, tks!