Im ignorant then.
I dont think its ridiculous. Theyre not really showing elements of a championship team, theyre not even really showing elements of a playoff winning team. Sure they have the talent in two and a half guys, but they have a scrubtastic second unit that has proved over and over and over again that they cant get it done against quality sides.
They may well be RIGHT THERE at the end of games, but they arent winning them. And what if they CANT get it together?? Its entirely possible that they wont get it happening and nothing will change.
I never said I GUARANTEE a first round loss. I said I can see a first round loss, as it stands Knicks or Hawks, in my opinion, would beat them. The Heat's next five or six games will say alot about where they finish post season, they have a freaking tough run.
Kobe will smell blood today and pounce, reckon Lakers by 10+. And he has Xmas day to make up for.
Well it was Heat by 6 but a fair prediction. I agree that the Heat have not been showing elements of a championship team but questions were answered today.
1) Heat can't beat playoff teams.
Lakers are #2 in the West and had won 8 straight games (including Portland, Atlanta twice, OKC & San Antonio). This wasn't the Lakers at Christmas, this was the defending champion playoff-intensity Lakers.
2) Chris Bosh is soft.
Posted 24 and 9, beat Pau Gasol routinely on the block and outplayed every Lakers big on the floor. If he continues to get it in the low-post he's going to provide that element that the Heat have missed, AND if he can do it against the most talented frontcourt in the NBA - he can do it against any team.
3) Heat have no depth
Miller had 12 points, Chalmers and Bibby combined for 15 points and 5 triples. The Miami bench looks a lot better when Miller is playing like he should, not averaging 5 PPG as he has. Plus Udonis Haslem will be back for the Playoffs. It cannot be said enough how much of a difference Mike Miller can make. He is the teams 4th or 5th (depending if you like Haslem above him) best player, and when your 4th/5th best player is averaging 5 PPG, especially when he's meant to be your 6th man, your bench is going to look crap. For example - what if Lamar Odom averaged 5 PPG? If he can play like he did today, which is what is expected of him so it's not unrealistic, the Heat bench will be a LOT better.
4) Heat can't close games
Wade with a clutch bucket at the 50 second mark, LeBron with 2 clutch free throws and a clutch defensive possession.
And I'll add in that LeBron and Wade shot a combined 16/40 in this game, and we still don't have Haslem back. The Christmas day blowout against the Lakers was meaningless, because we overpowered them with our stars, but today the better TEAM won.
That makes you laugh does it??
You need to get out more.
Well I must say, that was a freaking surprise today. I honestly thought the Lakers would do today pretty easily. As someone else in the thread said, they match up well with the Lakers, but they have 3 sides to beat in the east before they can even think about them.
Maybe Boshs crack the other day worked, although he seems to have a game like this every 12-15 or so. If he can play like that consistently, then the Heat are a way better side.
A big test will be when the Thunder come to town, up against Westbrook, another quality PG. But if Heat can put it together like they did today, then they are a better side.
Murkke3, yeh I am writing them off, and I still think a first round exit is a possibility. They beat the defending champions, but they got routinely destroyed by the best team in the West (Spurs) and lost many other games against playoff teams. Todays vistory was a surprise, but I havent changed my mind about them.
Anyone that expected the Heat to win a championship this year (and during pre-season, there was alot of people) was/is delusional. There's no way you can just throw a team of stars together and hope it mashes into a title. It takes time, roster experiments, chemistry, trading for minor pieces, finding the right FA's and all that stuff to create a winning franchise. There is no such thing as an instant Dynasty. I think the Heat are on par for what they realistically would have expected - a top 4 finish in the east and maybe push to get into the 2nd round of the playoffs. Anything else is a bonus. I still say they need a C who can actually bang in the paint. Bosh is not the man - plus he is the true definition of the modern day PF, as opposed to for example Blake Griffin, who is a retro 80-90's PF. Another big body in the paint and this is a seriously dangerous team. All they need from a PG is spot up 3's because they certainly wont be bringing the ball down the floor, no matter what name is stitched on the back of their jersey.
Not true about Bosh, and this is what makes it seem like you are just looking at statistics - and don't actually see what's going on in game.
This is one of the first games this SEASON that Bosh got probably 70% of his touches if not more posting up.
Stats show that up to this point, 50% of his points came on spot-up jumpers. In effect, he simply wasn't being aggressive enough or demanding the ball in spots where he can help the team.
If he simply shoots mid-range J's than he's not being that useful, he's just being a bailout option for double teams that Wade/Bron will get. If he's posting up though, he's not only getting higher percentage shots, but when he gets going and doubles come, suddenly Bibby or Miller are open on 3's and Wade/Bron are wide open on cuts.
So yes, maybe statistically this kind of game he has every once in a while, but in terms of what he actually did basketball-wise, his possessions, shot attempts etc - this is something he hasn't done the entire season.
---------- Post added 13-03-2011 at 05:03 PM ----------
Not convinced a pure power guy would be the answer though. I think the type of PF that is needed is one who can stroke the long-ball and play with finesse as well as go to the block.
If Bosh can remain aggressive than I think he's going to be able to be that guy.
This kind of reminds me of when Gasol was labeled soft, then he came back and added more power and more force to his game.
I actually meant they need someone to work along side Bosh. He can spot up mid-long range jumpers, which opens the floor up nicely. I think they need an anchor in the post more than they need a playmaking PG. An example of the type of player that can make them better is one that has been talked about alot lately - Kendrick Perkins. They need a defensive anchor to man the paint, and someone who can grab offensive boards. They are so close to an elite team, its only a matter of time.
Mike Bibby is a GREAT signing for the Heat. people dont realise the difference he can make for the team...
I also like Eddie House.
hope Udonis comes back soon.
Mike Miller looking awesome.
Pat Riley is smart!
Eddie House really only need 10-15 minutes to be effective. He is an awesome spark off the bench, not only nailing big 3's but he also brings an energy like no other, and the crowds love him (Im obviously referring to the Boston version of House, but Im sure its not much different in Miami).
The big question is, who will win a ring first - Bulls or Heat? Its only a matter of time for both of them.
Eddie House really only need 10-15 minutes to be effective. He is an awesome spark off the bench, not only nailing big 3's but he also brings an energy like no other, and the crowds love him (Im obviously referring to the Boston version of House, but Im sure its not much different in Miami).
The big question is, who will win a ring first - Bulls or Heat? Its only a matter of time for both of them.
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