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Pistons players share their thoughts going into the 2002 NBA Playoffs
Learning From Experience
The Pistons are preparing for their first postseason action in two years and the first opponent will be the Toronto Raptors. This will be the first time both clubs have met in the playoffs. Detroit won the season series 3-1, but the players and coaches know that the first round will be no walk in the park. The Pistons and Raptors played four close gamesduring the regular season, with three of the four decided by 10 points or less.
The Pistons lost Game 4 by a final of 89-83 and the series is tied 2-2. Game 5 is this Thursday, May 2nd at 8:30 PM at The Palace.
Toronto got as far as the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season and was eliminated by the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia 76ers in seven. Detroit does not have a lot of playoff experience as a club, but individually, there are several players who bring years of postseason wisdom to Detroit. Clifford Robinson has made it to the playoffs in all 13 years of his NBA career, with a Finals appearance in 1990 and 1992. His teammates can look to him as a guiding tool during the playoff stretch. His advice should help the guys understand what needs to be done. “Just relax and play your game. People have this misperception about the playoffs that things have to change,” said Robinson. “Things don’t necessarily change. You play the same way and just try to minimize your mistakes.”
Corliss Williamson has appeared in 11 playoff games while with Sacramento. From his experiences, he knows what to expect. “There will be no cheap fouls,” said Williamson. “It’s going to be a physical game and each position is going to be very important.” In terms of experience, Williamson sees no problems concerning Detroit’s lack of postseason play as a group. “If you look at playoff experience, we have some guys on this team that have played in the playoffs, not together as a unit, but that have played in the playoffs,” stated Williamson. “Hopefully our playoff experience can combat theirs.”
Jon Barry has five years and 26 games of playoff experience and believes the postseason to be more of a mind game than anything. “It’s just mental, being smart, making the right plays,” said Barry. “It comes down to little plays, such as taking a charge or diving for loose balls. Most of the playoff games are tight so low turnovers is going to be key.”
Damon Jones, in his first postseason action, sounded as if he were in this situation before. “The first season is over and now we have to set our minds on new goals. Toronto is our first challenge,” stated Jones. “We’re going to take each game one at a time and just come out and play our style of basketball.”
Asked if his role would change, Jones responded as things will go on as it did in the regular season. The match-up at point guard is a concern but Atkins has earned the respect of his teammates. “My role is still the same. Chucky has done a great job all season long. He has defied the odds. Everyone said he was a small point guard, but night in and night out he was tussling and rumbling with some of the bigger point guards in the league. I am going to have his back 110 percent and my role will be the same.”
Chucky Atkins, in his first postseason is just going to continue and treat it like a normal basketball game and go for the ride. “This is my first playoff, and I’m just going to take everything on the fly and see how everything goes,” said Atkins. “I’m going to approach it like it’s another game. I’m going to play aggressive like I’ve been for the last two months and let everything fall where it may.”
The Pistons have molded together to become the second seed in the East and are confident enough that it will carry them through the playoffs, with or without postseason experience. With or without knowing what to expect come postseason, one thing is for sure, Detroit is ready to go to work Sunday night.
The Pistons lost Game 4 by a final of 89-83 and the series is tied 2-2. Game 5 is this Thursday, May 2nd at 8:30 PM at The Palace.
Toronto got as far as the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season and was eliminated by the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia 76ers in seven. Detroit does not have a lot of playoff experience as a club, but individually, there are several players who bring years of postseason wisdom to Detroit. Clifford Robinson has made it to the playoffs in all 13 years of his NBA career, with a Finals appearance in 1990 and 1992. His teammates can look to him as a guiding tool during the playoff stretch. His advice should help the guys understand what needs to be done. “Just relax and play your game. People have this misperception about the playoffs that things have to change,” said Robinson. “Things don’t necessarily change. You play the same way and just try to minimize your mistakes.” Corliss Williamson has appeared in 11 playoff games while with Sacramento. From his experiences, he knows what to expect. “There will be no cheap fouls,” said Williamson. “It’s going to be a physical game and each position is going to be very important.” In terms of experience, Williamson sees no problems concerning Detroit’s lack of postseason play as a group. “If you look at playoff experience, we have some guys on this team that have played in the playoffs, not together as a unit, but that have played in the playoffs,” stated Williamson. “Hopefully our playoff experience can combat theirs.”
Jon Barry has five years and 26 games of playoff experience and believes the postseason to be more of a mind game than anything. “It’s just mental, being smart, making the right plays,” said Barry. “It comes down to little plays, such as taking a charge or diving for loose balls. Most of the playoff games are tight so low turnovers is going to be key.”
Damon Jones, in his first postseason action, sounded as if he were in this situation before. “The first season is over and now we have to set our minds on new goals. Toronto is our first challenge,” stated Jones. “We’re going to take each game one at a time and just come out and play our style of basketball.”
Asked if his role would change, Jones responded as things will go on as it did in the regular season. The match-up at point guard is a concern but Atkins has earned the respect of his teammates. “My role is still the same. Chucky has done a great job all season long. He has defied the odds. Everyone said he was a small point guard, but night in and night out he was tussling and rumbling with some of the bigger point guards in the league. I am going to have his back 110 percent and my role will be the same.”
Chucky Atkins, in his first postseason is just going to continue and treat it like a normal basketball game and go for the ride. “This is my first playoff, and I’m just going to take everything on the fly and see how everything goes,” said Atkins. “I’m going to approach it like it’s another game. I’m going to play aggressive like I’ve been for the last two months and let everything fall where it may.”
The Pistons have molded together to become the second seed in the East and are confident enough that it will carry them through the playoffs, with or without postseason experience. With or without knowing what to expect come postseason, one thing is for sure, Detroit is ready to go to work Sunday night.
