What's that snapping sound? It's the sphincters of Piston fans.

[trumad]

I really didn't have a dog in this fight---but damn I want to see the Bulls rally just to hear the whine from Piston nation.

[genie_weenie]

1. I hear a hiss

It's the Pisstons blowing a 3-0 lead...

[LisaM]

2. What's not to like about the Pistons, may I ask?

They play with the spirit of a real team, no superstars, from a lunch bucket city. From a blue state! Not much to dislike.

[trumad]

3. snap

[LisaM]

4. Ah, can't come up with an answer.

So you've just basically admitted how loveable they are. Thanks!

[trumad]

5. SNARF--

You obviously didn't get the meaning of "snap".

[LisaM]

6. LOL, sure, just like in "Legally Blonde 2" - Red White and Blonde

It means that you're giving props (or, "snaps") to the person or persons in question. That's what you meant, right? Ha ha ha.

I thought you got it out of Elle's Snap Jar.

[trumad]

7. No---not quite...

It has something to do with the original OP.

[northzax]

9. sure, lovable

so were the Bad News Bears.

what's not to love? the fact that they are having trouble beating a team they should have spanked like a nun disciplining a catholic school boy.

[spoony]

24. Hey that "school boy" team had just dispatched

the defending champions in a sweep. They're going to be a presence in the East for many years to come. Of course, so will Detroit.

[1gobluedem]

8. Series isn't over yet

Pistons have to win one of two games. It can be done. It has been done. Same sort of thing happened against the Cavs last year.

[genie_weenie]

10. The NBA gave the series to the Pisstons

The rules state no arguing with referees. Period. That is the rule. And since the NBA is all about enforcing the EXACT letter of the rules, Rasheed Wallace should have been kicked out of every frickin' game of the series. Including Game 6 where he touched a ref. But it didn't happen.

Oh, that's right, the NBA only selectively enforces it's rules in order to reward certain teams. Well, have fun with another boring Detroit-San Antonio Championship. I won't be watching and neither will many fans of the game.

I only hope (non-seriously) Bruce Bowen knees Rip Hamilton in the groin and it ends Hamilton's career, maybe that will stop the dirty play of the Spurs, but probably not since David Stern is a huge fan of Tim Duncan.

[1gobluedem]

11. Well, isn't that nice

Rip Hamilton is a great player. Why not take a Spur down if you hate them so much, but leave him alone. Or why wish for an injury to end anybody's career?

Pistons have a huge fan base; sorry if it isn't exciting or interesting to you. I'm thrilled -- Go Pistons!

[genie_weenie]

13. Oh come on.

I know it's nigh-impossible to infer tone in written words but I don't wish for a real injury to Rip Hamilton. I do think from watching him play he is a dirty player.

His antics in Bulls games during the last 2 years are sometimes classified as "gamesmanship" but are in effect cheating. For instance the regular season game were he followed Tyrus Thomas around attempting to bait him into a confrontation. Thomas turned his back and walked away, Hamilton followed him continuing his cheap "trash talk". The result both were ejected. Why Thomas, who walked away, was ejected I do not quite understand.

The real problem wth Basketball is the aggressor is always rewarded. I don't know any other activity (than sports) where cheating (often called gamesmanship) is allowed and when it provokes a reaction, rewards the cheater. Dirty play, which attempts to incite a reaction, is encouraged and has taken over the sport.

The depth of the Pisstons fanbase was quite evident during the "Malice in the Palace".

[LisaM]

17. RIP HAMILTON IS A DIRTY PLAYER?

What the hell sport are you watching?

Name me one game, ONE, where anyone has gone off the court for an injury inflicted by Rip Hamilton. Or for that matter, 'Sheed or Chauncey.

Dislike the Pistons all you want (hey! it's Detroit! Easy pickings for the haters!) but please do not try to tell me that RIP HAMILTON is a dirty player.

[1gobluedem]

20. Rip Hamilton is continually hacked on the court

He frustrates opposing players because he runs them all over the court; he's a distance runner so his stamina is higher than most other players. Since they can't keep up they just hit him. It happens over and over and over and over and rarely is called. I watch every game on TV, practically, and the same thing happens in every game.

Maybe the incident you saw was frustration for numerous hacks and cheap shots and his frustration boiled over. It happens with the best of players. But to call Rip Hamilton a dirty player is a stretch.

I have no apologies or excuses for the fans who participated in that brawl. However, it was two years ago, it was dealt with in the courts, and they have all been banned from the Palace for life. It's old news and does not represent the majority of Pistons fans.

The Pistons won another series, let the Detroit-bashing begin anew...

[Longhorn]

12. If the NBA wanted to reward certain teams

then wouldn't it reward the teams that would guarantee the biggest ratings?

Personally, I think championships should be decided by the best teams at the time. Yes, it's sad when injuries and the occasional bad call has an effect on the game but that is impossible to avoid. I didn't see last night's game and I was rooting for the Bulls but I really don't believe that the NBA is playing favorites, nor do I believe that the Spurs are a dirty team! And I wouldn't wish an injury, non-seriously or otherwise, on any player or coach or even Mark Cuban. ;)

[genie_weenie]

14. The Spurs are dirty.

But, hell why not cheat? Flopping, cheap fouls with 20 seconds to go, "accidental" elbows and knees. Cheating is rewarded in sports. So, yippee, the Spurs will move on, Bruce Bowen will be though of as a "hard-nosed" player, other current and future players will see it's okay to beat up another teams star player (especially if he's small guy) and Basketball will begin to employ goons who's job it will be to beat up and attack another team's stars.

Also, since I don't believe in magic I don't think my non-serious wishing for an injury can have any effect on Rip Hamilton. Unfortunately, I also don't believe in Karma so I don't think the universe will "get him" for me either.

Cheaters prosper and the Bad Sleep well.

[americanstranger]

16. I dunno. They called some ticky tack stuff on Sheed last night.

First off, Sheed got hit with a T for arguing.

Second, the refs really seemed to want to help out Scottie's kids last night.

Third, ESPN's on-air team sounded like they worked for the Bulls.

- as

[LisaM]

18. ESPN's radio team features an ex-Bulls player

It was sickening listening to them on Sunday (it's Will Perdue).

As a Detroit fan, I'm quite used to the rest of the country hating us. Doesn't matter what sport. No one ever has love for Detroit. We aren't big market, we don't tend to have superstars on our teams, we don't have the glam stars sitting on the sidelines. Well, I'll take my hardworking teams, and I'll take having Bob Seger and Kid Rock and Thomas Hearns being the people they show in the stands, and I'll take having people like Aretha singing the national anthem. I LOVE MY TEAMS!

[americanstranger]

21. I'm a Knicks fan, but I've been pulling for Detroit.

I just like the way they play the game, and I think they're a way smarter team than people give them credit for.

I was surprised it took them so long to dispatch the Bulls - I think they fell into not respecting a young team who obviously works very hard and will be in the playoffs for years (God, it pains me to say that, but it's true).

I'm hoping for a DET-SA Finals, so they can finally confront that demon again. The TV ratings won't be the best, but I'll be watching.

- as

[LisaM]

19. You seem to have a grudge against the Pistons

Who is your team, may I ask? (I'm guessing whomever it is has a big name player).

[genie_weenie]

22. Oh "everyone" loathes the pistons

including the pistons themselves. Boo Det-riot!

[spoony]

23. Jesus, have a drink. It's a game.

[genie_weenie]

27. Sports gets more coverage than anything else in America

the most powerful Radio stations, tax dollars, discussions in bars... (hmmm)

But, I shall never stop inveighing against the pernicious Pistons!

FREEDOM!!!!

[1gobluedem]

25. Ah, it's the old Detroit is a tough, depressed, scary town...

...so let's hate their sports teams rationale.

That makes a lot of sense. :sarcasm:

[Longhorn]

26. I guess it's as good as the "Bush is from Texas so I hate every team in Texas"

rationale as has been stated here by more than a few DUers. :shrug:

[H2O Man]

15. Huh?

What was that?

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

28. Congrats to the Pistons and their fans.

Didn't have time yesterday to post, but fair play to Detroit.

It's obvious to everyone in Chicago that the Bulls need a little more experience and that will come.

When the playoffs started, I said to Mr. Wonderful that this particular Bulls team reminded me of Michael, Scottie, et al in 1989. Almost there, but not quite.

I'm not at all upset, yesterday my Cubs beat the Sox.. :woohoo: :woohoo: