Get Up Eight Times

Continued from the 2nd quarter.

Horace Grant picks up his 4th. More Dave Corzine baby, who closeup looks like an athletic version of Alex Trebek.

Four team fouls picked up by Chicago. This third quarter’s going to be a dandy to watch if this keeps up.

Paxson with an excellent strip of Isiah. I can’t believe I’ve gone two quarters without mentioning Isiah. You know Detroit is in trouble if I go more than three sentences without mentioning Isiah. I’m not sure if he’s scored.

Here come the Pistons, with five points by Laimbeer and a fast break by Isiah and layup by Mahorn…55-46. Detroit tightened up on the pick and roll defense.

Bill Cartwright has the greatest free throw stroke ever. It looks like he’s about to dive into the swimming pool.

Aguirre charging by Pippen in the post. Now you KNOW that Scottie in his prime would never let that happen.

Jordan goes away from the basket, then casually throws it across his body to Cartwright in traffic to get him to the foul line. MJ was the master of misdirection. Kobe is only slowly learning to use that art now.

Isiah dribbling into the paint and bounce passing the Mahorn layup, followed by a near steal attempt. Okay, this is resembling actual basketball for Detroit.

Laimbeer flopping in full form. Okay, now this is actual Detroit basketball.

Jordan draws four defenders, and loops a kiss pass over glass (or an accidental missed running shot)  to Charles Davis for the layup. I love those little plays MJ made–not necessarily going for the hard play, but making the smart play. He wouldn’t do this all the time though. Just not enough talent around him yet.

Cartwright goes to the center of the lane and knocks down a jumper. People forget Cartwright’s utility during the ‘91-’93 runs–he matched up on Patrick Ewing the entire time and contained him to a remarkable degree.

Isiah finding the open man in the post to cut the lead to 7. We’ve got a barnburner here.

Detroit team defense starting to close down. Jordan taking ill-advised jumpers in double teams with Laimbeer in front of him. Pippen pump faking out Aguirre. Pistons starting to make them work on that side of the ball.

Isiah starting to draw double teams, which leaves the three point side of the ball wide open. Laimbeer cuts the lead to four.

Jordan wades baseline into three Piston defenders and gets bailed out by a foul on Mahorn (which looke d a lot like a clear block). It was spectacular when he managed to weave through these defenders, but wiser Jordan would rarely do something this risky.

The twelve foot fadeaway on a pop from Paxson and screen by Cartwright? He’ll take that.

Aguirre and Davis banging around for a few seconds. There would have been seven fouls called by this point in today’s NBA. Here there’s only one.

A Brad Sellers appearance! I wonder how many times Jordan will yell at him. I count one so far.

MJ spins in between two defenders and nails a floater. Ten point lead.

Dumars penetrates into the lane and lays it in. Very good movement with Isiah only playing subpar.

Jordan attracts three defenders and dishes it to Davis on the side. I wonder if there’s a stat for assists away from three defenders. He would OWN that stat. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone other than LeBron or Kobe get triple coverage more than sparingly.

Aguirre getting double teamed and ughing is way to layups.

Isiah airball. For all their defensive DNA, this has been mainly atrocious offense to watch on Detroit’s side.

Laimbeer grabs the buzzer beater ball and hurls it at Pippen’s legs. Total class act, that Bill was.

Chicago 71, Detroit 63 after 3.