RealGM

Detroit is free-falling in the playoff seedings. Imagine if the Pistons fall right out of the playoffs? Further, what if Detroit were to flipflop positions with Chicago and are now the eighth seed. That could be a tough first round series for Cleveland with Detroit still being a good, veteran team when healthy. Not to mention, Iverson as a X-factor off the bench. With that said, who do you believe has the hardest road to the NBA Finals if the following were the scenario for both Cleveland and Boston?


Cleveland by rounds

vs CHI or DET
vs ATL or MIA
vs BOS

Boston by rounds

vs CHI or DET
vs ORL (or @ORL)
@CLE


For Cleveland, what I notice right away is the potential match-ups in the back court. Both Detroit and Atlanta have tall starting guards. LeBron might have to guard Hamilton and Johnson should they meet both teams. This would put West on the opposing point guard or small forward. In any case, deciding on the right defensive assignment will be important for Cleveland to figure out.

I would think neither Cleveland nor Boston would be thrilled to face Detroit this early in the playoffs. Remember, before trading Billups, Detroit was still a formidable opponent. They do still have Prince, R. Wallace and Hamilton. The keys are McDyess and Stuckey and the bench play of Iverson, Maxiell and W. Bynum.

I really hope Marbury is playing better come the end of the regular season. The guard play of the Celtics will be vital. That is, scoring and/or defending. Both Chicago and Detroit pose problems with their guards. Moreover, the player that posses the most concern for Boston from Detroit is Wallace. His inside/outside game is tough to stop when he's on. Will be imperative for Perkins to neutralize him. McDyess is still an effective player that you sometimes forget about. His rebounding is solid. As for Orlando, I'll say that the thorn in Boston's side is Turkoglu. Creates mismatches whether he's playing forward or guard. He has become a clutch shooter.

I think the reserves for the Cavaliers and the Celtics will go a long way in deciding whether or not they dominate in each round. The sooner the series ends, the more days to rest if your next potential opponent is still playing in their series. Especially, for Boston. Rivers needs to keep the starters fresh so the back-ups must enable them to rest by playing well and consistently. Rely on your team mentality. While LeBron will probably play forty plus in each round. It begins and ends with him.

I'd rather play the vet team that is unraveling than the young squad with something to prove.

I don't see how Detroit even stands a chance against you guys, or us. Especially when considering both of our teams are flat out better then Detroit, AND both of us would have homecourt against them. This simply is not the same Detroit team with Stuckey (and AI coming off the bench) in Motown instead of Billups. Have you seen the teams the Pistons have lost to this season? This is the worst time of the season to implode, and that is exactly what the Pistons are doing. They are not going to hit a switch, and be a better playoff opponent then say....Atlanta...or even Chicago for that matter.

"How does Detroit's descent affect either CLE or BOS?"

By making it possible for ether team to sign Wallace, McDice and maybe even AI to a MLE deal this summer.

I would preffer not to play Detroit, because they will still be out there to win.. and playing Detroit will take more of a toll on the team physically than playing Chicago or Philly IMO

I dont think we would lose, even remotely close to losing tbh, but we saw what Rip and Co are capable of on defence

I wouldn't underestimate Detroit. There's still such a thing as pride. The Pistons are a proud franchise that knows that it wasn't that long ago that they were one of the elite teams in the eastern conference. I don't think they can beat either Boston or Cleveland. But, I think if you write them off, they'll steal a game on your floor.

Detroit did begin to play better after Iverson got injured. But, then Wallace and Hamilton got injured too. I think they'll still make the playoffs by default. Everyone else who's within reach of the eighth seed are beginning to fade. Charlotte might be there, if not Detroit.

If detroit is Healthy... they still have a solid starting line up, and AI is a huge question mark

I dont want Rip scratching at Rays arms again for a series and running him off the court on D, I dont want Sheed potentially baiting Perk into Tech's, I dont want to run the risk of AI exploding for 30 point games.... id preffer Cleveland or Orlando to have to deal with them, i dont think the Pistons beat any of the 3 to be honest, but they arent going to be fun to play

Boston having to beat both Detroit and Orlando in a 7-game series seems like a much harder task than Cleveland having to beat both Miami and Chicago in a 7 game series.

Detroit, Orlando, and then Cleveland would be an insanely tuff Playoff series order for the Celtics. I dont see how this is even a debate.

infinite11285 wrote:I don't see how Detroit even stands a chance against you guys, or us. Especially when considering both of our teams are flat out better then Detroit, AND both of us would have homecourt against them. This simply is not the same Detroit team with Stuckey (and AI coming off the bench) in Motown instead of Billups. Have you seen the teams the Pistons have lost to this season? This is the worst time of the season to implode, and that is exactly what the Pistons are doing. They are not going to hit a switch, and be a better playoff opponent then say....Atlanta...or even Chicago for that matter.

Just had to say I love your signature quotes infinite, classic stuff.

floyd wrote:I'd rather play the vet team that is unraveling than the young squad with something to prove.

Absolutely. Detroit was never quite the powerhouse they or the media have made themselves out to be, though they were DAMN good...we roll them in 5 games if we play them, no more...

tundraknight wrote:Boston having to beat both Detroit and Orlando in a 7-game series seems like a much harder task than Cleveland having to beat both Miami and Chicago in a 7 game series.

Detroit, Orlando, and then Cleveland would be an insanely tuff Playoff series order for the Celtics. I dont see how this is even a debate.

Not easy to argue against that but if Cleveland meets Atlanta in the second round. I don't see the Hawks as an easy out. Their series might go six. They're the one team no one's really talking about because of what's going on up top of the seedings and at the bottom. It's the middle teams that you've to keep in the back of your minds, Atlanta and Miami.