"I just moved here from Florida."
That sentence contains at least five follow-up questions she WANTS you to ask. Where in Florida? What brought you here? How long have you been in the area? What do you miss? How does it compare to here?
She handed them to you on a silver platter. And you said, "Oh cool. I come here every week. I love this band. Ummm... pretty crowded tonight."
She smiled politely. Nodded. And never texted you back.
I was that guy for years. Talking too much. Listening too little. Panicking about my next sentence while she was literally feeding me the answers.
Then I found 22 rules that fixed the whole thing. Rule number one: shut up and listen. She'll tell you exactly what to say.
Miami Heat vs. Detriot Pistons
- Thread starter Bling
- Start date
"The Coffee Shop Girl You Never Spoke To"
You've replayed it a hundred times. She stood three feet away, scrolling her phone. You had an opening. You composed the perfect line — after she was gone.
For all you know, she's married now. To some guy who said something. Anything.
Openers are cheap. Almost any sentence works when it's delivered within three seconds. The expensive part is the standing there, drafting and deleting, while the window quietly closes.
The "22 Rules" stripped out my hesitation. What to open with, how to keep it alive, and the one habit that costs guys more women than anything else: waiting for perfect.
The Bartender
Senior Don Juan
Cmon...we ARE from Detroit
:box:
MindOverMatter
Master Don Juan
- Joined
- May 21, 2004
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However, Spurs are still the most boring thing to watch on tv... Suns vrs Heat would be amazing, but i feel Spurs will take it and If heat shows up... well you never know..
One thing for sure, Heat beats Pistons they will accomplish something great.
Come on, the Heat aren't the Suns... I didn't know why people were calling our dismantle.
Unfortunately, we need to win a game in Detriot now.
Hopefully we can win the game on Sunday, and gain the momentum back."I'm Not Looking for Anything Serious Right Now"
When a woman says it, guys hear a confession. A heads-up. A scheduling conflict.
Here's the translation: I don't feel anything. Right now. With you.
Watch what happens when a man triggers actual attraction. The busy career, the recent breakup, the "not in a place to date" — all of it evaporates instantly. The same woman who was guarding her freedom is suddenly free every night.
The "22 Rules" explain why. When the right switches flip, her timeline rearranges itself around you.
MindOverMatter
Master Don Juan
- Joined
- May 21, 2004
- Messages
- 1,887
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Suns have no defensive skills, they never get rebounds and their whole game revolves around outscoring opponents. Vs teams with weak defense such as Mavs and Grizzlies, that works because no one can run like the Suns.
Spurs on the other hand have had the best defense in the league this year, giving up the least amount of points. They control the pace of the game with Suns, and slow the Suns down. They capitalize on every play, collect mad offensive rebounds. There is no way Suns basketball can compete against this type of ballplay. They won 2 games in the regular season, but this is the playoffs.
Also, as soon as Steve Nash sits down to rest, Suns lose their lead. They cannot keep their pace without the guy.
Spurs, Pistons, Heat...ALL have defense that can stop the Suns. If for some reason Suns manage to beat the Spurs (i.e. tim duncan injury), winner of heat/pistons will beat them easily.
As for heat, if Wade keeps playing like this, they have a very good chance of beating the Pistons. I'd love to see a Heat/Spurs match up, Shaq hasn't seen Duncan in a long long while.
Bonhomme
Master Don Juan
The main reason the Heat won game 2 is a big coaching blunder on the part of Larry Brown. Who is a great coach, mind you, but has one big Achilles heel, in that he sits players down for "foul trouble" way, way, way too long.
If I recall correctly, the Pistons were ahead by 3, or something like that, when he sat down Tayshaun Prince (who had contained Wade up to that point), and Rasheed Wallace for just about the entire 2nd period, even though they had only 2 fouls each.
I was amazed he didn't put them back in when they got down by about 6 or 7. They found themsevles down by 11 at the half, and burnt themselves out playing catch-up in the third. By the end of the game, they were so beat most of their shots were clanking off the front of the rim.
Not taking anything from Wade. He played a hell of a game, and was a man on a mission. But, aside from the last minute, when the Pistons were playing strategically desperate ball, they were about +10 with Sheed and Tay in there.
MOM (mindovermatter) - haha, MOM,
Anyway. Spurs score 43 freaking points in 4th quarter... that is not good defense, that is insanely lucky offense. My money is on the Spurs becuase they seem to get points easier... where suns cant do sh1t without fastbreaks and nash's midrange game.'Spurs are not playing their regular game.. i remember the announcer say "Spurs are playing Sun's game, and doing a better job!"
Bonhomme, didnt Prince have 3 when he sat down? I was surprised to see Sheed sitting down in the 4th however they way he started clanking 3s wasnt too impressive
I used to loathe Pistons, now watching how quick those guys are i am gaining more and more respect... honestly it is scary that everyone except Ben can hustle 1vs1 and get a good shot... Prince is quick for being so tall... Rip is amazing at mid range.. Billups is nuts.
I dont know about that desperate ball you are talking about... 7 fukking three pointers in a row! that is either crazy or Sonics playing
MindOverMatter
Master Don Juan
- Joined
- May 21, 2004
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- 1,887
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I disagree. The reason Spurs scored so many points is not because they're a better offensive team (but their offense is amazing) but rather by the fact that Suns have NO defense. under those conditions, it's easy to score this many points.
They have no way of stopping Parker / Ginobili from getting to the net and scoring easy layups. Spurs have no problems finding openings in Suns defense.
Suns on the other hand can't do the same. Parker is dominating Nash. Nash had *3* assists in game 3 man. 3! I'd say Parker is by far the mvp of this series. He's been hounding Nash for every second of the game, never giving him an easy inch of space. Marion, who was an exceptional scorer vs Dallas was shut down by the Spurs. Unlike Spurs, Suns have an impossible time getting to the net. Spurs are still playing their defensive game, I mean come on in game 3 Suns had 36 pts at half.
To me, Spurs are still playing the same ballgame. It does look as if they're playing amazin offense, but that's only because Suns have nothing in the defensive department.
I can't wait till Spurs/Pistons or Spurs/Heat. Both of those match ups will be amazing. With Pistons, I get to see how two similar teams measure up against each other and which team has better defense. With Spurs/Heat, I get to see a Shaq/Duncan championship reunion. Either way, those games will be badass!
Bonhomme
Master Don Juan
Even if Tay had 3 fouls, it's still better to stop the bleeding when you're getting whupped. Rule #1 is not to keep doing what isn't working. How many fouls did those guys end up with, anyway? 4? Better to stay in the game, and if they foul out, they foul out. I guarantee they wouldn't have fouled out with a full quarter remaining, which was how long Brown effectively fouled them out.
It's like failing to approach a gal for fear of rejection. You're guaranteeing the same result as a rejection yourself. Not smart.
Anyhow, we'll see what happens in game 3. They'll adjust to Wade.
And yes, the Pistaons are definitely underrated as an offensive team, but tend to be very hot & cold.
"She Laughed All Night. Then She Ghosted You. Here's Why."
Dinner ran three hours. She laughed at everything. You walked her to her car thinking this one's locked in.
Then: nothing. Two texts. No reply. What happened?
You did what most men do on a great date. You filled every silence, answered every question, and left her with nothing to wonder about. No mystery. Nothing to sit with when she got home.
Rule 3 of the "22 Rules" changes the ending: tell her a little, hold back the rest, and let her imagination do the chasing. The ghosting stops too.
You never know what happens man, but i agree that in desparate situation you should not sit your man down untill he gets that 5th foul. (unless it is last 4-5 mins)
If Shaq picks up his game, adjusting to Wade wont help much. Game 2 was Wade carrying with Zo helping, Shaq didnt seem to do much. If he starts giving it 100% im seeing 2-1 heat (unless pistons go on a hot streak)
MindOverMatter
Master Don Juan
- Joined
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- 1,887
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Bonhomme
Master Don Juan
It looks like Miami's figured out how to beat the Pistons' D. They were hitting like mad except for a few short dry spells. Gotta give 'em credit for getting off their asses and playing good, tough, hustling ball.
Miami just looks like the better team, but not by much.
They must have been lulled to sleep by too little competition in the first 2 rounds. The contrast of playing a real contender shell-shocked them in game 1. Now they've adjusted.
But the Pistons have been down before. Indiana had 'em down 2-1, but Detroit won 3 straight, and took it in 6. That ain't gonna happen this time. The Heat ain't the Artest-less Pacers.
The home advantage ain't an issue at all. The Pistons played their best game at Miami, and Miami played their best game at Auburn Hills.
Detroit has to stop losing their sh1t about the officiating, and get down to business. MOM was right on about that one.
And they can't afford any of their lapses in game 4, or they're gonna be watching the Heat play the Spurs.
"She Wants a Man, Not a Boy"
You asked her if she wanted to grab coffee. Then you asked if the time worked. Then you asked if the place was okay. Then you asked if she'd prefer tea.
Four questions. Four chances for her to say no. Four signals that you're terrified of making a decision.
Plan it. Pick the place. Pick the time. Tell her where to meet you. She'll either show up or she won't.
Either way, you look like a man instead of a scared little boy.
I thought that was happening yesterday. They need this one....but don't expect to get an easy game. If you ask me, I think Wade and Shaq totally explode or implode game 4. If they put up mad points, it's bye-bye Detriot.
Bonhomme
Master Don Juan
Wow, this one's a real dogfight. Bets are off for game 5, though I'd say there's a bit more pressure on the Heat. Detroit's record as a "finisher" is spotless in the last 3 or so years. Miami will be playing with high intensity, you can bet on that.
Detroit's defensive adjustments worked: putting Hamilton on Wade, and rotating him out every now & then, with Hunter picking up. Wade was too fast for Prince; Rip & Hunter can keep up better. Wade had to play a helluva game to get what he got, because he didn't have a single easy shot from the set offense. He made some great shots under strong defensive pressure.
2nd stringer Eldon Campbell defended Shaq better than any other Piston, too. He's the only one with the size to do the job. Expect the Pistons to rotate him in a lot, and rest Ben and Sheed.
It will be interesting to see how the Heat adjusts to this. Wade is going to have play one hell of a game, and they somehow have to draw the attention off him. A big game from the supporting cast is essential.
This one can be very interesting, unless the Pistons have one of their lapses, and the Heat blows them away.
The Bartender
Senior Don Juan
"You'll Never Feel READY to Walk Over"
Next Monday you'll feel more confident. After the gym you'll feel more confident. After one more drink you'll feel more confident. After you get a better haircut, a better jacket, a better job.
You've been "getting ready" for two years.
She's standing ten feet away right now. She'll be gone in four minutes. No amount of preparation will manufacture the courage that only comes from moving your feet.
Walk over. Stumble through the first sentence. Let it be clumsy. Let it be imperfect. You will feel more alive in those ten seconds than you have all month.