1987 ECF Pistons vs Celtics

[Da_Realist]

Game 1

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...705190BOS.html

[Da_Realist]

Game 2

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...705210BOS.html

[Thorpesaurous]

I was at both of those games.

[Da_Realist]

I was at both of those games.

NICE. Always wanted to visit the old Boston Garden. Such an iconic stadium. It was sort of like baseball stadiums in that the venue itself was a destination.

[Da_Realist]

Game 3

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...705230DET.html

From ESPN
A defining moment for Bill Laimbeer, the versatile big man whose game was similar to Rasheed Wallace's, except for a difference in the direction they cast their wrath (opponents versus referees). In this one, Laimbeer sends Larry Bird to the floor with authority in the Pistons' 122-104 victory.

Laimbeer, called "the dirtiest player in the league" by Michael Jordan, gets the heave-ho along with Bird. "It's like Michael said, and I think everybody knows it," Bird said. "I wish they would have parted the sea, cleared the court for about 15 minutes and just let us go at each other. We would have seen who the real man is. He was backing away from me and didn't want any part of me." Think Bill got under Larry's skin much?

[magnax1]

I watched some of these games and then watched some of there finals apearances. After that I felt that the teams before they traded away dantley were better even though they lost those years. The fact that they won probably has as much to do with the celts and lakers getting older than the pistons getting better. I always felt sorry for Dantley. Doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

[Da_Realist]

I watched some of these games and then watched some of there finals apearances. After that I felt that the teams before they traded away dantley were better even though they lost those years. The fact that they won probably has as much to do with the celts and lakers getting older than the pistons getting better. I always felt sorry for Dantley. Doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

That 88 team was good. Isiah calmed down a bit, Rodman and Salley matured a little more, their defense was even better and Dantley was still a very good low post player. Everybody's roles were better defined as it took them a few years to transform themselves from a purely offensive team to a defensive one. I think 88 was their best team overall.

[magnax1]

That 88 team was good. Isiah calmed down a bit, Rodman and Salley matured a little more, their defense was even better and Dantley was still a very good low post player. Everybody's roles were better defined as it took them a few years to transform themselves from a purely offensive team to a defensive one. I think 88 was their best team overall.

I just wish they won over the lakers. Dantley Deserved a title. And the team winning after he left made him look bad and seemed to hurt his image pretty bad. How is it that he took so long to get into the hall of fame? Why is it that the Jazz retired his jersey only last year? That guy is a top five 80's player to me.

[Shep]

That guy is a top five 80's player to me.

ahead of larry bird, magic johnson, michael jordan, kareem abdul-jabbar, or julius erving? dantley isn't even a top 5 small forward of the 80s

[Rekindled]

ahead of larry bird, magic johnson, michael jordan, kareem abdul-jabbar, or julius erving? :lol dantley isn't even a top 5 small forward of the 80s

[Shep]

[Fatal9]

That 88 team was good. Isiah calmed down a bit, Rodman and Salley matured a little more, their defense was even better and Dantley was still a very good low post player. Everybody's roles were better defined as it took them a few years to transform themselves from a purely offensive team to a defensive one. I think 88 was their best team overall.

Thanks for the games. Do you know if there was a reason behind Bird's horrible series in 1988? It seems unbelievable. The game logs aren't up on any website, but I have him at the following shooting numbers:

game 1 - 8/20
game 2 - 6/20
game 3 - 6/17
game 4 - 7/15
game 5 - 9/25
game 6 - 4/17

I've watched all six games, and it is just unbelievable to see Larry f*cking Bird shoot that poorly over a 6 game playoff stretch. The defense was good, but he still got the shots he wanted (kinda like MJ vs. Sonics). Everything just fell apart for Boston in that series. Ainge and DJ were injured (Ainge shot 1-11 in the final game). Parish got injured in the elimination game (maybe game 5). Team was old and tired. And that's really the only thing I can think of. Bird just being exhausted as he came off a 7 game series, and then game 1 and 2 were on back to back nights. Here's a quote from Isiah: ''I haven't seen Larry shoot this badly since he had that bad elbow in the 1985 championship series against the Lakers,'' Thomas said. ''True, we're putting a little extra defensive pressure but that never has stopped Larry before. I would be curious to know if his elbow was bothering him again. But you never know with Larry, he never lets on about injuries.''

[magnax1]

ahead of larry bird, magic johnson, michael jordan, kareem abdul-jabbar, or julius erving? dantley isn't even a top 5 small forward of the 80s

Ok, so I didn't count how many better players there were in the 80's. Though I'd put Dr. J in 70's and MJ and 90's. And you must be smoking something if you think hes not a top five Small forward. Hes a top five small forward of all time.

[chitownsfinest]

Man you are spoiling us NBA fans with all these games you have been uploading. I can't thank you enough for all this.

[Shep]

Ok, so I didn't count how many better players there were in the 80's. Though I'd put Dr. J in 70's and MJ and 90's. And you must be smoking something if you think hes not a top five Small forward. Hes a top five small forward of all time.

if he is a top 5 small forward of all time surely he'd be in the top 5 small forwards in the decade he played in, but he isn't, infact he wasn't even top 6.