BAMAPHIN 22
FinHeaven Elite
Pistons coach Flip Saunders has updated a page from Detroit's playbook of 15 years or so ago, adapting the notorious "Jordan Rules" and applying them to James. Every time the phenom picks a route to the basket, two or three defenders converge on the intersection like cop cars working a roadblock. The tactic is designed to force James to give up the ball immediately, or absorb a pounding, the cumulative effect of which is supposed to convince him to give it up earlier and earlier.
It worked to near-perfection at the outset. James made two of his first three shots. Then, as the scheme preyed on his impatience, only one of the next seven. None of the other Cavaliers was able to pick up the slack and by halftime, Detroit was well on its way to a repeat of the blowout in Game 1.
Of course, everybody makes a run in the NBA and this was no exception. The Cavs held a players-only meeting at halftime, the Pistons eventually got bored and "a little lax" after dominating for three quarters -- as Detroit's Chauncey Billups acknowledged afterward -- and James took over.
It worked to near-perfection at the outset. James made two of his first three shots. Then, as the scheme preyed on his impatience, only one of the next seven. None of the other Cavaliers was able to pick up the slack and by halftime, Detroit was well on its way to a repeat of the blowout in Game 1.
Of course, everybody makes a run in the NBA and this was no exception. The Cavs held a players-only meeting at halftime, the Pistons eventually got bored and "a little lax" after dominating for three quarters -- as Detroit's Chauncey Billups acknowledged afterward -- and James took over.
