Detroit Pistons (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The call themselves the “Zoo Crew”. They are a collective of players that feel as though they have been looked over or jaded at one point in their “basketball” lives. They seem to play as though they are trying to make the varsity basketball team and are afraid to make a mistake, but they also play with a certain chip on their shoulders. Not exactly the kind of makeup that you would hinge your hopes on, but the Detroit Pistons are doing exactly just that.
The Detroit Pistons bench players have named themselves as such. They are the difference between a takedown of the mighty Celtics and capturing of their 2nd championship of this decade or another long summer of “what if” questions and that bitter taste of unfulfilled potential for this veteran Pistons team. It has been said that they still have arguably the best starting 5 in the league, but you do not win in the grueling NBA playoffs without a reliable bench, especially one that can go 10 deep. Joe Dumars knew this shortcoming was there, and has built a strong core of young, hungry players that have proved ready for the postseason wars.
The Sixers started the year out in the cellar of the Atlantic Division, but really came on at the turn of the calendar year and went on a torrid pace thru January and February to get themselves into this position. This Philly is just young enough and good enough to not know their place as the underdogs in this series. They have the confidence that they can run, score, and run some more until the Pistons can no longer keep up. They also have the veteran point guard to point them in the winning direction.
This series will be highlighted by the Sixers young legs and the Pistons “core” veterans who just know how to win. The x-factor will be the “Zoo Crew” off the Pistons bench, who the up and coming Sixers have no answer for.
Prediction: Pistons in five.
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The Players
Cheryl
Cheryl will offer “A Sistah’s Point of View” (ASPOV) to this madness, because as you will read over the next few months, it will be needed. I see connections, like Haley Joel Osment sees dead people. Connections between modern sports, culture, politics, race and racialization, art and dance, religion and myth. I will try to point these out without being too esoteric or dogmatic (but if I am, sue me). But what you can always expect is that I will be open, honest, and often catty. (That was an awfully un-feminist thing to say, huh?)”
Eboy
White Hot Eboy, or just plain E, is a polarizing figure. On the SLAM site, the place of his e-origin, Eboy seems to move between love for his regular foils to sheer unbridled hate for his detractors. Here in this blogventure, look for Eboy to speak on basketball in all forms, movies, tv, politics, sports in general and anything else that he can throw his opinion at. Besides, he's legally obligated to be truthful and forthright, so stay ready, an E-storm is brewing.
TADOne
TADOne, or just plain TAD, is quite possibly the most sane member of this blog group, although, that is not saying much. My sarcasm, or just plain lack of empathy, has been known to reach epic levels of true disdain. Because of this, I have a love of binge drinking and mindless humor. Therapy is good.
Tariq
I am a sensitive, delicate soul. I use sarcasm and cynicism as self-defense mechanisms, douchebag. I do this to protect my faberge-egg-like psyche. If only I could increase my self-confidence, maybe then I could achieve a moment of sincerity. But I can't. So instead I have to be content with writing sublime pieces which delve into the realms of basketball, football (American), football (real), literature, religion, The Legend of Zelda and Reese's Pieces. I may even occassionally shed some insight into the complexities of the human condition. No promises, though.
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AR
You may (though most likely don't) know me as commenter H to the izzo from SLAMonline.I will no longer answer to that moniker-ever.I'm retiring only to return again,but this won't be no Linkin Park collaboration.My list of lifetime achievements include being the second most foreign member.The youngest member,the least educated member.I roughly rank as the 3rd most white member and am three time Vodka chugging champion in my district.I intend to prove that basketball opinion and having little else better to do are a dangerous mix.I am usually wrong and am possessed by the ghost of Charles Oakley's right fist.
2 comments:
Detroit Basketball? Sheesh.
Well, when I wrote this preview, I kept it short because I figured there wasn't much to preview on a posible sweep and I also figured Saunders would use the bench. Silly me.
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