The Optimist
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Sorry for the late post, but as you know, following Tuesday night’s 24-point smoting of the Nets in New Jersey, the squad had to travel back through Cleveland to exchange the Team Bus for the EM-50. The Team Bus is a formidable vehicle in its own right. But when you’re rolling through Detroit – exspecially during “Michigan Week” – the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle is really the only way to travel.
We could tell that tonight’s battle in Auburn Hills was big. Piston fans pelted us with rocks and garbage the minute we were north of Toledo. That’s fine for the trip up here, but if we encounter any monkey business outside the arena, I’m warning you people: Coach Brown put J.J. Hickson in charge of the flame-thrower this year – and that kid is nuts!
Let’s keep it clean tonight, Pistonistas. I know you’re expecting a rumble in the jungle. And that’s alright by me. But the Cavaliers have been putting teams away with skill and precision during their eight-game win streak. They’ve been tough and efficient – playing rock-solid defense, while scoring 101.5 points per contest. This is not knuckle-dragging Eastern Conference basketball.
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A.I. – the man who did for the word “practice” what Jim Mora did for the word “playoffs” – is notorious in his hatred of the Cavaliers. Joe Dumars didn’t get him for the Celtics – to whom, I believe Iverson is fairly indifferent. He got Allen Iverson because he hates the Cavaliers’ guts and has from the moment he was able to pick up a basketball.
Before making this move, I thought about extending an olive branch to the Pistonistas. But I knew the minute I turned my back, they’d try to shove it where the Good Lord split me. And I was right.
It’s war tonight, Pistonistas!
Tayshaun Prince does a nice job on TheBron in the first 24 minutes of action in Auburn Hills, but in the second half, the Chosen One resumes his reign of terror – dropping 14 points on his Olympic teammate in the third quarter alone. Allen Iverson finishes the third leading all scorers with 33 points – still 26 points below his career average against Cleveland.
We brought Mo Williams and everything. |
On the ensuing possession, TheBron surveys the defense, and as the clock winds down, wheels around a Wally Szczerbiak screen as ... three … two … one … BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!
The Chosen One splashes home the game-winner at the buzzer as the Cavaliers bench goes berserk! The Cavaliers don’t score 100 points, but they do score one more than the Pistons – 94-93 – winning their ninth straight in dramatic fashion.
We blast our way out of the Palace in the EM-50, headed south on 1-75, hellbound for C-town and a Saturday night shootout with the Hawks.
These folks up here in Michigan don’t like what they get on Wednesday, but it’s a walk in the park compared to the brutalization Ohio State puts on their college team this Saturday afternoon down in Columbus. Despite ranking 84th nationally in total offense, I still see Beanie Wells and Co. putting up triple-digit points on Rich Rodriguez’s squad. Jim Tressel’s never lost to Michigan at the Horseshoe. It ain’t happening this year.
In the meantime, gird up good and proper for tonight’s Showdown in Motown. We’re going to need every man, woman and child on this one. I know it’s only November, but it’s never too early to …
Keep the faith, Cleveland
Your pal,
The Optimist
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