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When reading over the game quotes it seems like the Pistons were in the collective heads of the Orlando Magic. It’s only one game in and they’re already whining about how physical Detroit plays. Reminds me of the politicking Phil Jackson and the Bulls did in 1991.

Here’s Dwight Howard on the Pistons D:

“We know they’re going to be physical, pushing and holding, and we have to expect that.

Stan Van Gundy on the the Pistons defense of Howard:

“They play him the most physically of any team, it’s hard for him to get great position, he always has bodies on him, they are always pushing him and he has contact on every play which kind of takes him a little off balance. They did a very good job of this tonight, and I also think they do a pretty good job of keeping him off the glass particularly in the second half.”

Hedgey also said something to the effect that the Pistons have been playing this way for so long and they’re allowed to get away with a lot of things when he was interviewed by Pam Oliver at the half. Didn’t he do a lot of complaining back in ‘05 as the Heat’s head man as well?

I think it’s a mistake for them to start with the Detroit is too physical talk. As savvy as the Pistons are you don’t think they’re going to play on the Magic’s frustration? The Pistons will have this young Magic team trying to prove they’re not soft more than they’ll be trying to prove that they’re not the same team they broomed last year.

That’s the kind of cerebral intimidation the Bad Boys thrived on. It’s a Pistons tradition.