9101170279
DETROIT FREE PRESS
910425
Thursday, April 25, 1991
METRO FINAL
9C
MITCH ALBOM; MICHELLE KAUFMAN; STEVE KORNACKI;
Copyright (c) 1991, Detroit Free Press
HOW THEY SEE IT
The Free Press team that will cover the Pistons' playoff run goes out on a
limb:
Mitch Albom
Every year, they tell you hunger is the key. The Pistons are hungry, but
mostly to get healthy and play like their old selves again. Deep down, I
think they feel a birthright to this championship, that they are destined to
win it. That's not the same thing as being hungry. Regretfully, I see them
bowing out in the Eastern Conference finals. And it might not matter, because
Portland should win it all.
Michelle Kaufman
Before the season started, I envisioned a Pistons-Phoenix NBA Finals. After
82 games, I'm not so sure. Yes, the Pistons have Isiah's wrist back. And
they've got Laimbeer's elbows, Rodman's pogo-stick legs, Dumars' sharp eyes, a
solid bench and loads of experience. Maybe I'm wrong, but what I didn't see
this year was an insatiable desire to win, and when it comes playoff time,
heart often takes over. The Pistons will make it to the Eastern Conference
finals and lose to Chicago. Then, Magic's Lakers will beat Michael's Bulls in
the Finals.
Steve Kornacki
Three-peating as a third seed will be difficult. The last No. 3 seeds to win
the title were the 1978 Bullets and 1977 Trail Blazers. The Pistons are
capable of the improbable as long as Isiah Thomas can play effectively. But
it's asking too much to expect his wrist to hold up through three or four
playoff series. Detroit will beat the Hawks and upset the Celtics, but the
dream ends in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals at Chicago. The Bulls
will be in for a rude awakening in Portland. The Blazers have learned their
lessons well, and will pass this NBA Finals exam.
Corky Meinecke
The Pistons repeat as Eastern Conference champions, due largely to Larry
Bird's aching back and the failure of the Chicago Bulls to come up with new
and improved Jordanaires. As for the Finals, the Pistons make it three in a
row if any team except the Portland Trail Blazers shows up. And then they
never win it again.
Drew Sharp
The prospect of winning on the road doesn't frighten the Pistons. They're
12-5 on the road in the last two playoffs. They can win in Boston and Chicago
to get to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year. But the road will end
in Portland. The Blazers remind me of the 1988-89 Pistons, a year after they
lost in the Finals. They won't let anything stand in their way. Blazers beat
Pistons in six.
Charlie Vincent
Atlanta is still intimidated, Larry Bird is hurt and Chicago still isn't sure
of itself, so the Pistons are my favorite to once again win the Eastern
Conference playoffs. But what of the West? The NBA's best teams are in the
West, but they'll beat up on each other in the early rounds. If Portland or
the Lakers get to the Finals, it will beat the Pistons; if anyone else makes
it, the Pistons make it three in a row.