OT - Pistons beat Warriors
A few weeks back, after Golden State's first loss of the season there was a thread here discussing whether GS (then 24-1) could reach or exceed the '96 Bulls' 72-10 record.
I thought GS would not be able to break the record for a few reasons, namely: the lack of Michael Jordan, being located on the West Coast where travel is more of an issue, and the fact that to remain on schedule, they woud have had to win an astounding 17 out of their next 19.
Flash forward to tonight and after the loss to Detroit, GS is now a game behind the Bulls' pace at 37-4. Now the Bulls got off to a 41-3 start before losing their 4th game, so if GS wins their next 4, they will be right back on pace. However, tonight was the first game in a tough six game stretch:
at Detroit (L)
at Cleveland
at Chicago
vs. Indiana
vs. San Antonio
vs. Dallas
All six teams figure to be playoff teams. What say you? Can GS still challenge the Bulls' record?
January 17th, 2016 at 12:28 AM ^
What?! Wow.
January 17th, 2016 at 12:40 AM ^
I'm fairly positive we are allowed to curse on mgoblog. Next time you can just come right out and say it... Form A Fucking Wall!!!!
January 17th, 2016 at 9:03 AM ^
the user FormAFarkingWall agrees
January 17th, 2016 at 12:32 AM ^
I say no. On another note the Ben Wallace halftime jersey retirement was awesome. Seems like a great guy
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January 17th, 2016 at 8:14 AM ^
outside of the three minutes that Tom Gores spoke. What an awkward speech. Other than that, it was excellent. Blaha narrating, Ben's family and teammates being there, and a rare (for current times) full Palace made it a really special moment and a really special night.
January 17th, 2016 at 9:48 AM ^
Couldnt have agreed more. Gores sure is an awkward guy. That speech left me feeling slightly uncomfortable. But Blaha and everyone else who spoke did a great job; loved Larry Brown's quick part.
January 17th, 2016 at 9:48 AM ^
Gores was extremely awkward. I had to put him on mute
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January 17th, 2016 at 12:33 AM ^
Big Ben is my main man.
January 17th, 2016 at 12:33 AM ^
are from or around michigan... so can anybody give me a DEE-TROIT BASKETBALL!
January 17th, 2016 at 12:43 AM ^
Big Ben played about as hard as anyone can play. Not a highly skilled player but was a force on defense and rebounded like nobodys business. Its funny how we had Rodman who was the best all time rebounder. Then we had Ben Wallace who led the league I believe and now we have Drummond who is the best rebounder in the league
January 17th, 2016 at 1:28 AM ^
Ben might be the best help side defender of all time.
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January 17th, 2016 at 8:52 AM ^
It would be easier to care about NBA basketball if the players actually did as well.
January 17th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^
You can't tell me that the 2004 Pistons didn't care. They were some of the most passionate, hard working players in the league. Even Rasheed Wallace, who up until coming to Detroit had been more concerned with getting blazed than playing ball, was a fully committed team player. That team cared. That was a team that was worth watching.
January 17th, 2016 at 10:00 AM ^
Yup, a true team that played for each other.
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January 17th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^
was also around 11 years ago. Doesn't really apply to today's NBA.
January 17th, 2016 at 1:13 PM ^
Golden State doesn't play team ball? San Antonio doesn't play team ball?
January 17th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^
I loved that team. I enjoyed that run almost as much as any great Michigan season. But over the last ten years or so the NBA has eroded dramatically. Teams barely play defense. It's become less and less of a team sport. I personally don't enjoy it anymore because that is how I perceive it. Could I be wrong? I guess so. But I know I'm not the only one who feels that way.
January 17th, 2016 at 2:24 PM ^
That's fair. I'd like to think that the new Pistons team is on a similar trajectory, with a similar mindset to the team circa 2001, but it's hard to say.
I really haven't watched NBA ball for six or seven years, due to many of the issues that you cite. But I'm starting to tune in again to see what the new generation is going to do. And I'm definitely going to tune in for retirements of the key figures from that championship team, because they were so much fun to watch and cheer for back in the day.
But I can't fault you for your current stance on the state of the NBA.
January 17th, 2016 at 10:33 AM ^
I dont understand how they dont? Maybe you dont watch enough nba but idk
January 17th, 2016 at 12:38 AM ^
I feel that there's some sort of difference between challenging it and actually doing it. Can GS challenge it? Of course! Will they beat it or match it? Probably not. I don't think GS is as good as that Bulls team. Not to mention, that schedule is brutal. Great win for the Pistons tonight.
January 17th, 2016 at 12:45 AM ^
after the all-star break, the legs will start to drag
January 17th, 2016 at 12:52 AM ^
the Spurs---their record is now 35-6, just 2 games behind the Warriors.
With so much attention on Golden State, San Antonio has stayed somewhat off the radar. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they soon overtake the Warriors for best record.
January 17th, 2016 at 12:57 AM ^
Oops---double post.
January 17th, 2016 at 12:54 AM ^
They won't beat it. Not as dominant as the Bulls teams back then.
January 17th, 2016 at 1:15 AM ^
The boys are beginning to believe. We may be about to take off!!!
January 17th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^
They are starting to look good. If they can make a couple of offseason pickups and keep this core together we could have a real playoff contender in a year or two.
January 17th, 2016 at 9:57 AM ^
The Pistons biggest problem is that they don't get up for all of their games like this. You see them beat the Warriors, the Cavs, a host of other playoff teams. But then they play teams outside the playoff picture and come out looking lackadaisical and pick up losses. This is a damn young team from top to bottom so hopefully they start to learn more about consistency and sustained/balanced effort as the season progresses.
January 17th, 2016 at 1:36 AM ^
He is the real deal and knows how to build a team up the right way. The Palace use to rock during Big Ben's run with the stones. It's time to get back to that.
January 17th, 2016 at 1:38 AM ^
Great win for the Pistons! I don't dislike Curry, but the whole story was starting to get on my nerves. Also, as Rob pointed out, the Spurs are now just 2 games behind, and no one is talking about that.
January 17th, 2016 at 8:19 AM ^
I dislike Curry more every time I watch him play. He's one of the whiniest players in the league. He earned his tech last night, and could've easily been tossed. Honestly, that whole team did nothing but complain to the refs all night.
January 17th, 2016 at 1:49 AM ^
I was at a Pistons game back in the day and warm ups were just coming to an end. All the players had gone to the locker room except Ben. One last ball remained on the court. He picked it up and launched a half court shot and got nothing but net. The small crowd watching gave him a big cheer.
Pistons played great tonight. They flat out wanted it more than Golden State and it showed. They also seemed to have a little boost in their step. The crowd and atmosphere helped.
January 17th, 2016 at 2:11 AM ^
The biggest problem for the Warriors is that the NBA is a lot deeper than it was in '95-'96, when the talent pool had been diluted by adding six teams in under a decade.
January 17th, 2016 at 2:21 AM ^
Love the Pistons. GS is my next fav team since grad school (back in the Biedrins/Davis days)
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January 17th, 2016 at 5:47 AM ^
The difference between when Curry is on the field and when he is not, is too much. GS does not have the supporting cast that Jordan had. And Curry is not Jordan, even though I like Curry. Great player.
Hope Pistons elevate their game to take the next step. I am amazed at how well they play even with two key players not playing majority of the season.
January 17th, 2016 at 7:55 AM ^
The Warriors won't be able to challenge the Spurs yet alone break the win record. They've had a good run but their schedule has spaced out challenging games up until this point.
January 17th, 2016 at 8:23 AM ^
that Spurs team should be the story. They're on pace for a record Def. Eff. and are outscoring their opponents by about 14 PPG and just under 15 point per 100 possessions. Plus, as good as Steph Curry is offensively, I truly would rather build my team around Kawhi Leonard.
January 17th, 2016 at 8:25 AM ^
Green got schooled by Ilyasova and Drummond.
January 17th, 2016 at 8:41 AM ^
It was a beautiful thing.
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January 17th, 2016 at 9:29 AM ^
i woke up this morning to find that detroit beat g.s. went to espn.com to see highlights and the first 2/3 of the recap was about step curry and not about the fact the pistons were beating them..... it was almost an after-thought -- steph curry this... steph curry that.. oh and by the way, the pistons won....
January 17th, 2016 at 9:39 AM ^
Unfortunately the Pistons have no national draw. Nobody gives a squat about the team outside the Detroit market. The success of the 04-05 teams was a terrifying prospect for the NBA. I think the Pistons/Spurs final was one of the lowest rated in the modern era.
The NBA and ESPN know where their bread is buttered. They will always market a handful of big stars to the exclusion of all other stories. Right now Curry is a hot commoditiy. They can sell a lot of commercials, jerseys, and shoes as long as he wins. Keeping him front and center in peoples' minds helps to build the narrative and to keep the cash registers ringing.
January 17th, 2016 at 9:47 AM ^
Sad, but true. That is one of the reasons why I don't watch much NBA anymore. It is sickening how much star worship goes on in NBA and in the media. I will say that Detroit is a bigger name than many of the other NBA teams such as Bucks, Timberwolves. I don't think anyone cared about Miami before Wade went there. Anyway, reduce the number of NBA teams and force a level playing field. NBA is becoming more and more like MLB.
January 17th, 2016 at 3:58 PM ^
Is that really an NBA-specific issue? ESPN always over-promotes stars. Every sport.
January 17th, 2016 at 1:20 PM ^
Jesus, how early do you go to bed?
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January 17th, 2016 at 9:34 AM ^
It wasn't just they beat them, it was how they did it. Outside of a stretch where GS had a three point lead in the first half, the game was all Pistons.
The environment was great. For some reason Floyd Mayweather was in attendance which was quite random. Unless someone can fill me in on the connection?
January 17th, 2016 at 9:40 AM ^
That's weird
January 17th, 2016 at 10:28 AM ^
or maybe he was confused and thought he was in Vegas. I get it mixed up with northern Oakland County all the time too.
January 17th, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^
Uh he is from Grand Rapids? He likes big time events and the Warriors in town were just that...?
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January 17th, 2016 at 10:34 AM ^
He's from Grand Rapids and also support GSW. Not weird
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