Although i disagree thats some good analysis lanceroy. Theres no wrong or right answer with this series between the pistons and celtics. Heres how i see it:
Rondo vs Billups:Billups is clearly the better of the 2 but rondos speed and long arms might be able to bother Billups. I wouldnt be suprise if this series goes 7 games to see Rondo outplay billups twice. Rondos problem is that he hasnt been consistent in the playoffs, which is why i call him Raj-off Rondo as opposed to Rajon Rondo.
Billups>>>
Ray Allen vs Rip Hamilton:Hands down this one goes to Rip. Billups missed the last 2 games against Orlando. Rip came up huge for the Pistons helping them win game 4 on the road, and game 5 at home with over 30 points in each game. His mid range game is throwback and hes also a very good defender. Ray Allen has mysteriously struggled badly thus far in the playoffs.
Hamilton>>>
Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince:Prince has improved consistently since coming into the NBA but hes still not on the level of Paul pierce. Pierce isnt the most athletic player but hes very skilled. Hes tough in the low post, he can shoot, and hes a good defender. And he might not have the best vertical leap but he still gets off the ground high enough to throw it down. Prince is not the better player but his style can really throw off pierce similar to rondo and billups, but to a greater extent. Prince has long arms and hes a great defender. Pierce struggled against Prince during the season but i cant deny that pierce is better.
Prince>>>
Garnett vs Rasheed Wallace:The 2 most intense players in the league. Both Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett have said that Rasheed does the best job of defending them. This will be a fun matchup to watch. Garnett is the better player but Wallace will slow him down and make things difficult for him. Both of them seem to be passive in the 4th quarter of games as we saw with garnett in game 4 and 7 against the cavs, where he wasnt much of a factor. P.J. Brown outplayed Garnett in the 4th quarter of game 7. In game 4 Anderson Varajeo held Garnett to only 2 points in the 2nd half.
Garnett>>>
Perkins vs McdyessThey are both equal in terms of defense and rebounding, but Mcdyess is the better player on offense. He came up big for the Pistons in Game 5 against the Magic. MCdyess can score down low, and he had a mid range jumper.
Mcdyess>>>
Celtics bench vs Pistons Bench:The Pistons have been using Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, Lindsey Hunter, and Arron Afflalo, and Theo Ratliff off the bench. The Celtics have used Leon Powe, James Posey, Eddie House, Sam Cassell, Glen Davis, and PJ Brown off the bench. I have to give a slight edge to the Celtics, James Posey has been a big plus for them so far in the playoffs. No one else has been consistent for the celtics but you know Leon Powes always gonna hustle his ass off and PJ Brown is the man. One Celtic I like, hes old school with his hard fouls that prevents the 3 point play.
Celtics bench>>>
So what does all this mean? The Pistons have experience, team play, great defense, and they dont turn the ball over that much. The Celtics do turn the ball over more then Detroit, and they havent played together as long (who has?)
The celtics have been a dissapointment because of this:
Celtics: 66-16
Cavs: 45-37
Hawks: 37-45
IT took them 7 games to beat these 2 teams. The Hawks shouldve been swept and the cavs shouldve been out of there in 5 games, 6 as the most.
All 10 Espn analyst chose celtics over hawks
9 out of 10 Espn analysts chose celtics over cavs
6 out of 10 Espn analysts have chosen the pistons over the celtics
All things considered, i have to go with the Pistons in 6 games.