When you’re a young team entering the postseason for the first time in years and up against the conference’s heavy favorites, you’re basically playing with nothing to lose.
In this state of mind, your confidence tends to go up a notch or two because no one is expecting you to come out victorious and, essentially, no one is going to be disappointed with whatever outcome you end up with.
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In the Detroit Pistons’ case, Reggie Jackson is making full use of their situation. Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald shared, via Twitter, the young point guard’s comment on facing the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Reggie Jackson on Cavs in 1st round: "I like it… I don't want to fight Goliath's homeboy or little brother. I want to fight Goliath."
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) April 13, 2016
In three games against the Cavaliers this season, Jackson fared better than usual with averages of 20.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. In those games, the Pistons won two. But in those two victories, he only got to spend energy chasing Kyrie Irving around in one game.
To be fair to him though, the numbers are in his favor, and that is the right mentality for him to have in their matchup with Goliath. But hopefully, he has a full and unclouded understanding of what his team is up against come Sunday.
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The Cavaliers are a different team in the postseason, and the Pistons are going to learn that the hard way.