Pistons.com goes behind enemy lines to interview Veteran NBA analyst Conrad Brunner of Pacers.com.
Pistons.com and Brunner discuss some serious (and not so serious) questions, issues and concerns about the Pistons and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
What has been the biggest play in the NBA Playoffs so far?
Let's see... how can I answer this one without naming Tayshaun Prince’s block?
This wasn’t a guided question.
Sure it wasn’t. Let me think. How about we say, not involving Tayshaun Prince, Reggie Miller’s tiebreaker in Game 1 (vs. Detroit).
What was the biggest play in the final 60 seconds of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals?
Richard Hamilton's two free throws!
How many games will the series last?
14
Other than the Pacers, which is your favorite team in the NBA?
There is a team other than the Pacers?
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Which of the starting five is the best match-up?
It's got to be Rasheed vs. Jermaine because they
know each other and battle each other with an
incredible fierceness.
Are the East Finals finally a more exciting match-up than the West?
I don’t know if everyone else would agree, but I think so. All the games are going to be close and they are all going to come down to the last minute, and I can’t say the same thing about the West. Big scores don’t mean good games.
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Who would win in a game of one-on-one: Ben Wallace or Ron Artest?
I'm not sure either would last until the end. If these two guys go one-on-one against each other, I’m just not sure either player would make it all the way to the end of the game. They would beat each other up.
Who would win in a game of one-on-one: Hooper or Boomer?
I would have to say Boomer because he has the ups.
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Who’s a better coach: Rick Carlisle or Larry Brown?
You’re kidding, right? They’re both geniuses.
Who would win in a game of horse: Chauncey Billups shooting or
Mike Vangerjagt kicking?
Mike Vangerjagt kicking of course! He’s a good all around athlete, not just a one-sport guy. He was a basketball player in his younger days, so I’ve got to stick with Vandy.
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What do you think would happen if Ben Wallace shaved his head?
Didn’t that happen to Samson? Ask Samson. And I don't mean Ralph.
What would happen if Jermaine O’neal let down his hair?
Perhaps you should ask Ben.
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What are the main differences you see between Reggie Miller and
Richard Hamilton?
There are differences? Hmm... age.
What about their style of play?
Age.
So you think they are pretty much the same player?
Watching Richard Hamilton now is so much like watching Reggie Miller in his prime. I never thought I would see anyone that played like that again. It’s almost like an incarnation.
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Admit it, when the Pistons acquired Rasheed Wallace, the Pacers got scared, didn’t they?
Of what? I don’t think scared is the word. I think they gained a new level of respect for the challenge that Detroit was going to present. Scared? Nah. I don't think the Pacers are scared of anything.
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Name your favorite East Finals moment?
Reggie’s 25-point fourth quarter against the Knicks at
Madison Square Garden in '94. That was the Pacers'
first trip to the Conference Finals. That was an incredible moment.
If you could face any player in a game of one-on-one, who would it be?
I have no fantasy about even being able to walk on the same court as the training staff of an NBA team, let alone the players.
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What’s the biggest difference between Indianapolis and Detroit?
In Indianapolis everything is centrally located. Detroit is all over the place; it’s very spread out.
What about similarities?
I think the fans are very similar.
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What two NBA teams have the biggest rivalry going?
The Lakers vs. themselves. Other than that, I don't
think there are that many really good rivalries going
on right now. I will say this: I suspect this series (between
Detroit and Indiana) will spawn one. I think the Pistons
vs. the Pacers is going to be a good rivalry from here on out.
If they made a movie, which Pistons player would be the villain?
Well, gosh… there are just so many candidates, I’m not so sure I could single out any of them. I would have to say the Pistons themselves represent villainy to me.
So, that means the Pacers are the hero?
Yes, who else?
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The Pacers are a pretty young team - do they remember watching Larry Bird when they were growing up?
Most of them have ESPN Classic, so I think they’ve seen him play. Those who haven’t seen him play certainly know of him. I don’t think he’s quite reached the distant memory stage yet.
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Overall thoughts on the series?
No one on either side should panic about any game that is lost or
stolen. I don’t think anyone doubts that this series is going to go
down to the final 60 seconds of Game 7. Up until that point, everything that happens is going to fuel the drama of what could very well be the most memorable series any of us have seen in quite some time.
If the Pistons do defeat the Pacers this round, will you secretly cheer for them in the Finals?
I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don’t consider it to be possible.
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Pistons.com goes behind enemy lines to interview Veteran NBA analyst Conrad Brunner of Pacers.com.
