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In a tough playoff series, I have my doubts about the Pistons. I still do not think that they have overcome their perceived offensive weaknsesses that plagued them in their playoff losses last season.
One of their main weaknesses, is their overuse of the jumpshot. Especially from their backcourt, in Billups and Hamilton. These guys are streaky and in a tough playoff series, can they come through in the big time and hit clutch shots?? Hamilton has not been to the post season before, so it will be interesting to see how he goes.
At then end of the day, the weakness will be Ben Wallace. Hear me out.
One, no plays are run for him. Secondly, he is not going to get the ball out of set plays. So, other teams are going to use his defender to clog up space, so that the Pistons offensive weapons are limited. It is the same situation that the Raptors used last season in that playoff series against the Pistons, whereby they had some success.
Antonio Davis left Wallace unguarded and was instructed to clog up space in the lanes, so Stackhouse will not drive and force him to hit jump shots. You know the rest of the story. He shot terribly, in that series and in the loss against the Celtics.
Same with Cliff Robinson, a jump shooter. They are not going to get any easy points in the playoffs. The defensive intensity is going to be extreme and you need to get as many cheap easy points as you can. I cannot see the Pistons getting these.
So, I would use Wallace's man and have him just down low, blocking the lanes, to stop penetration. Forcing the Pistons hit jumpshots.
I would think that a team like the Hornets will give the Pistons a lot of trouble. Guys like Mashburn, Davis and Wesley can get hot at regular intervals. Do the Pistons have 3 back court defenders at the same time, to stop these guys and score enough points to win??
Wallace is going to need some help on the boards, as well.You can bet that other teams are going to try and reduce his effectiveness on the boards. Such as playing a guy on him that can shoot the rock, forcing him outside, drawing him out of rebounding position and forcing him to guard that player outside his comfort zone. This will help to expose the Pistons lack of overall rebounders.
C'mon Grizzlies keep winning!!
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