I have a few points to make about this series that does not intrigue me at all. On the other hand, I have almost completely converted you into somewhat of an NBA fan. Just think about it, would you have dreamed six months ago that you would be breaking down the Eastern Conference Finals with me? Anyway here goes:

1. This series is essentially Lebron vs. the Pistons. 5 vs. 1? That is why this series should go no further than six games.
2. The matchups do not favor the Cavs whatsoever. Besides that matchups you mentioned, the size AND speed of the Pistons should make this series no problem. On the Pistons, Flip Saunders has a power forward in Rasheed Wallace who has range out to the three point line. Also, Chris Webber has range to the free point line, and no matter how maligned he is, he's probably a top five passing big man in the league right now. The Cavs have the lumbering Ilgauskas who does not have a chance on any pick and roll the Pistons choose to run, Drew Gooden, and Anderson Varejao. Out of that group, the only big that has any form of athleticism is Drew Gooden with Varejao just being an energy type guy off the bench. However, Rasheed and C-Webb also have solid post play. That way when Gooden and Varejao are on the floor, they can go down low and when Ilgauskas is on the floor, they can stretch him out and let Billups and Rip Hamilton do the work in the paint.
3. The only possible way Detroit can even make this series interesting is if they do what they did for two games against the Bulls; beat themselves. I guess the true battle is, is Detroit gonna phone in more games than Lebron? Wow, I love Eastern Conference Basketball.
4. All of these games are going to be low scoring which would favor the more defensive minded Pistons.

I don't know, I really don't care for this series nor (gasp!) the NBA playoffs anymore. The four teams remaining are the Spurs, Jazz, Pistons, Cavs: all predominantly half court teams that really don't get up and down the floor. Whether viewers disliked the lack of fundamentals the Warriors showed, they were sure fun to watch. With the Suns, they were even better to watch because they were the less turnover version of the Warriors. I guess if not watching pure athleticism at its highest level (besides Lebron) is your thing, then the 2007 NBA Playoffs are as well.

In other news:
The NBA Lottery. YES!!!!! Oden vs. Durant. A topic of EPIC proportions. But for later. It could also be moot, if the team that wins the Lottery desperately needs a big. But if the team is in that "in-between" area, Sportscenter and I will explode. In all fairness, David Stern probably has it rigged and somehow the Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, or Bulls will land the first two picks so the two will not be relegated to places such as Toronto and Memphis.

Riles, you better be able to blog in Amsterdam or wherever you're going. Also, you better know what you're talking about too because no internet access is not an excuse.