Is this the last game for the big 3 to play together? I am afraid it is. Bosh may get traded for a bigger Center. Dwayne is on the bottom end of the "bell curve" and I hope somehow they can pull this out.
Game 7
- Thread starter BAMA CANE.
- Start date
I have to believe the Heat is invested in the Big 3
Its not their fault
Wade is hurt
Ray Allen has been terrible this series.
Bosh can obviously play better but he has hit some timely 3s
Game 4 was a home job by the refs
Birdman was out for Game 6 which left a big void inside
Get it done tonight and all is well in Heat land
Its not their fault
Wade is hurt
Ray Allen has been terrible this series.
Bosh can obviously play better but he has hit some timely 3s
Game 4 was a home job by the refs
Birdman was out for Game 6 which left a big void inside
Get it done tonight and all is well in Heat land
You all keep forgetting this is the absolute worst matchup for the Heat and it's all about matchups. Watch, they will win tonight because they aren't losing game 7 on their home court and then they will run all over the spurs because the Spurs defense isn't good enough to slow us down to half court like the Pacers have.
Many of you have short term memory. We are in a better position now than we were last year and Wade was also hurt and stuggling. Remember Boston had us down 2-3 and we had to go on the Road facing elimination to bring it back to our home court. We haven't been down this how series. Last year after we struggled with Boston and most thought OKC would destroy us after what they did to the Spurs, down 2-0 they ran off 4 straight on them. We all know what happened in the finals 4-1 baby. Similiar situation in regards to a tough ECF but the Spurs are a better matchup and their Defense isn't even in the same stratesphere as the Pacers and with the long layoff we will be the more crisp team as I think with the long 10 day layoff the Spurs will be rusty as hell in the beginning.
This post was edited on 6/3 11:45 AM by bkalish77
This post was edited on 6/3 11:48 AM by bkalish77
Many of you have short term memory. We are in a better position now than we were last year and Wade was also hurt and stuggling. Remember Boston had us down 2-3 and we had to go on the Road facing elimination to bring it back to our home court. We haven't been down this how series. Last year after we struggled with Boston and most thought OKC would destroy us after what they did to the Spurs, down 2-0 they ran off 4 straight on them. We all know what happened in the finals 4-1 baby. Similiar situation in regards to a tough ECF but the Spurs are a better matchup and their Defense isn't even in the same stratesphere as the Pacers and with the long layoff we will be the more crisp team as I think with the long 10 day layoff the Spurs will be rusty as hell in the beginning.
This post was edited on 6/3 11:45 AM by bkalish77
This post was edited on 6/3 11:48 AM by bkalish77
Way too early to be calling for the collective death knell.
Wade will get healthy in the off-season and re-tool his game like all the great ones have. People have short-term memories when it comes to Jordan, but after getting injured and worn down early and often in his career, he developed his mid-range game, and then became prolific from beyond the arc.
Bosh is a four, not a Center, and the main reason he's not going anywhere is because the Heat are not built to play around a big in the middle. Bosh is the key to their spacing, and he's a jump shooter, not a post player. Their entire Offense is predicated on spacing the floor, penetration and kick outs to the plethora of shooters. Problem with that scenario(in this Series) is that LBJ is the only one who consistently breaks down the Defense, with some Chalmers & Cole mixed in, but no Wade getting to the rim relegates the shooters to spectators. The other problem is that the 3-pt. shooters are not hitting their shots. Two best shooters from the outside have been LBJ & UD(in two games), so their whole Offensive identity is discombobulated. Lastly, overextending on the Pacers perimeter players is the usual key to their Defense, but this has left guys like Hibbert & West to get into excellent Offensive position on the block or in the paint. Consequently, the Heat has seen less of getting out on the break and more of easy inside baskets on the Defensive end.
The only thing that has bothered me all series long---especially when your shooters are cold---is why this team(collectively) is not attacking the paint, and by proxy, Hibbert. The worst thing in the world you can do against a shot blocker is give him too much respect, and enable him to get distance between himself and the ball/player with the ball. Except for early in Game one, he's never been in foul trouble. If you attack him enough, he will get his share of blocks, but also pick up some fouls, as well as have to pick his ogreish body off the floor a lot more than he's done. The same thing with West. It's appalling that these two have been continuously unchallenged both physically and mentally throughout six games. Only good things happen when you attack the rim, and it's like the Heat has just conceded the paint which is possibly the most ridiculous thing I've ever posted and then had to re-read. SMDH over how tentative the Heat has become.
I really believe it is a great thing to have good pro teams in town with stars. It helps the town and the home town teams such as the Canes. If i am not mistaken weren't some of the Heat players at the Canes BB games this year. Doesn't that help recruiting, support etc. I have always believed that you should root for and support your hometown teams. I know how mad Canes fans get when the ahole fans in South Florida root for the gayturds or the criminoles.
The hell with the haters on this board - GO HEAT !!
The hell with the haters on this board - GO HEAT !!
bkalish I have nothin' but respect for you and I agree about the many people who predicted our doom at OKC's hands last year. But a key difference imo is that San An has that championship pedigree. Usually our greatest advantage is our ability to close down the stretch, w/ LBJ (and even Wade and Bosh) not scared to take the big shots in the clutch. So many teams have played us close but wilt down the stretch w/ indecision and fear, while our guys put the pedal down and close it out.
This was even our advantage w/ OKC last year but it won't be the case w/ the Spurs. Parker, Manu and Timmy been there, done that, and won't have a bit of fear or hesitation down the stretch. Throw in a major coaching advantage for the Spurs and I don't think we can win w/out either Bosh or Wade playing great b'ball. I'll admit I don't get to watch many games outside the Heat and haven't seen much from of the Spurs this season, but I have a hard time believing they're not at least a good defensive team under Pop.
I agree w/ a ton of this but I think we're not penetrating more b/c we're not getting rewarded, whether by baskets or fouls. The league has taken this "verticality" rule to new levels this playoff series and it's hurting the Heat. I'm not saying those are bad calls b/c I agree that the defensive man should be able to jump straight up w/out getting automatically called for a foul. The old way of officiating was one of the many things I hated about the NBA and also one of the reasons we struggled so much in int'l ball - our stars were so used to penetrating, throwing themselves at defenders, and getting the foul call that they literally didn't know what to do when int'l officials didn't give them those calls.
BUT, the reality is that's not how the league called games this and previous seasons, and it's forcing the Heat to change from what has worked all season. While I like the rule, I think it's pretty sh!tty to start calling it this way in the playoffs and not from Game 1 of the NBA season. Throw in the respect officials are giving Hibbert in particular (we're not always getting the same benefit of the doubt w/ these "verticality" calls) and it's made this a pretty stiff uphill climb for us.
Another thing that's killing us in this series IMO, aside from Wade's complete uselessness, is the fact that Bron can't pull Indy's defenders when he drives to create open looks from 3. Indy is the only team I've seen that can support whoever is covering Bron w/ just 1 guy (Hibbert). They have enough confidence in George's defensive ability and Hibbert's size that they keep everyone else w/in 1-2 steps of their man, so even when Bron kicks it to a shooter they can't get the wide open looks that allowed us to shoot such a high percentage this year.
That IS what our offense is all about and it's been stymied by Indy's ability to force tough, contested 3's, or deny the shot altogether. That's what's happened to Shane and to a lesser extend Ray (Ray has missed a few wide open looks to, adding to our troubles). The only one who usually supports on Bron's drives is Hibbert and that's why Bird and UD are the guys who have had big games.
Indy would rather allow the occasional LBJ drive and finish than the constant open 3's we usually get, and I think that's been very smart on their part. Bron will get his points either way but we're a much more dangerous team when Ray, Battier, Cole and the gang are knocking down 3's left and right. Our team feeds off that energy and it's been lacking.
That IS what our offense is all about and it's been stymied by Indy's ability to force tough, contested 3's, or deny the shot altogether. That's what's happened to Shane and to a lesser extend Ray (Ray has missed a few wide open looks to, adding to our troubles). The only one who usually supports on Bron's drives is Hibbert and that's why Bird and UD are the guys who have had big games.
Indy would rather allow the occasional LBJ drive and finish than the constant open 3's we usually get, and I think that's been very smart on their part. Bron will get his points either way but we're a much more dangerous team when Ray, Battier, Cole and the gang are knocking down 3's left and right. Our team feeds off that energy and it's been lacking.
Nothing to argue with here, State, and per usual, you and I see eye-to-eye. However, the only way to combat the lack of rewards is to keep banging your head against the great wall of Hibbert. If you have five identical plays like the one where LBJ drove on Hibbert and got called for the Offensive foul, you're bound to get 2-3 calls also against Hibbert. Same against West. You just can't concede the paint. Bosh has proven, on occasion, that he can use his quicks to get to the basket, but he's so damn timid that he makes himself not only easy to defend, but wholly immaterial. The other problem with Bosh is he doesn't trail the penetrating Guard to the rim, so when Rio or Cole beat their man, save Birdman, there's no one to dump off to. And this is not germane to the spacing concept because those penetrating Guards are kicking out to the corners, while most of the time Bosh is on the perimeter in the wing area. Also, it would be nice if these fckng guys crashed the Offensive glass. They usually send one guy to the glass. You're not gonna outrebound Hibbert, West, George & Stephenson---alll excellent boarders---with just one guy. If you're worried about transition Defense, then drop your two Guards and send the other three guys to the glass.
Obviously Spo knows a lot more than I ever will, but I see so many things in this series that frustrate the shyt outta me. I acknowledge he's not actually out on the court, but they've been exploited in so many different ways, and ironically, none of them the least bit surprising. However, as much respect as I had for Indy's Defense, size, athleticism and excellent coaching, I never thought Bosh & Wade would disappear at the same time, let alone do so when Battier & Allen have completely lost their stroke. In all honesty when you look at the way the Pacers have dominated---huge advantages on the glass, in paint scoring & FT attempts---any other team would've been knocked out already. I still think the Heat pull this out, but I honestly don't know where the Offense will come from. I actually think Wade cracks 20, but LBJ may have to go for 40 if all the other trends continue. Someone, whether it's Cole, Rio, Miller, UD, Bird or Allen, or some combo amongst them, will have to step up with some complimentary scoring or the Heat is gonna be watching the finals on TV.
Don't think the Heat can trade Bosh or Wade. I don't know who would take their contracts.
Bosh has a max locked up through 2016, wade through 2015 with an early termination option after next season.
If they play poorly in this game 7 it will look terrible for their value. Wade is clearly hurt and bosh may be as well, but they still aren't worth max deals.
No team will give up even their star center for chris bosh, and the Heat don't really have the prospects to package.
Just don't see it happening. Riley has done crazier of course, but who knows, HE may not even be around to deal with this. His time is running out as well.
Bosh has a max locked up through 2016, wade through 2015 with an early termination option after next season.
If they play poorly in this game 7 it will look terrible for their value. Wade is clearly hurt and bosh may be as well, but they still aren't worth max deals.
No team will give up even their star center for chris bosh, and the Heat don't really have the prospects to package.
Just don't see it happening. Riley has done crazier of course, but who knows, HE may not even be around to deal with this. His time is running out as well.
Same here, but I am torn, the Heat winning makes the city of Miami more popular and can only help the U, IMO, at least from a basketball stand point.
The dude got hurt man. It happens. It isn't the end of the world. He can still get it done although he isn't 100percent. He is a former finals MVP. This isn't too big for him. Lebron is the king...and Bosh is not going to get traded. I have no idea where you got that crazy idea. You don't make decisions on a few bad games. That would be crappy management. There are only about 3/4 people that bring it every single night in this league. It is just too competitive. They are fine.
Agree, agree, agree. And luckily for us the Heat have heeded your call to take it to the rim. We have to put the pressure on the refs and see if they can really swallow their whistle all game in Game 7 in Miami. No way imo. They started down that path but have started to loosen up. And finally something from Ray. We don't need them all to get hot - just 1 (or hopefully 2) from Ray/Miller/Rio/Cole/Battier.
I like that we've finally doubled Hibbert now too. We keep the charge up and have that blitz coming from all angles - you can see they've not been sure where to go w/ the ball at times. Keep it up Heat!!
Unfortunately it doesn't quite work that way. It would be nice for fans but it ain't happening and if you are watching the NBA finals tonight you are seeing why it doesn't work like that.
It is at this stage of his career he is paid to win championships. Period. Tonight is what he is paid for. Nothing else. If he wins, he gets his money and rightfully so.
It's this thing about life called being afraid to fail, but if you never try(in the first place), you'll never even get to the point of failing or succeeding. If you fail 7/10 times as a batter in baseball, that means you're a really good hitter only succeeding 3/10 times. Kerr's post-game comments were along this same methodology, stating that the Heat taking the ball at Hibbert not only changed the complexion of the game, but left Hibbert out of sorts on the Offensive end. You saw exactly what kind of Center he is when he has real pressure applied. The guy is a good Center, and perhaps one day he'll be great, but he's not there yet. However, by anointing him the next Wilt, the Heat gave him way too much respect, cowered in his shadow and rarely challenged him. I kept hoping that LBJ would just go full speed and try to dunk on him, if only to bring Hibbert back down to Earth and give him something to think about. He literally played five stress-free games, with the other game where he began to question himself was when UD was on fire the first time.
I don't have all the answers, in fact, not even some of them, but you have to throw common logic out the window when you ask why the Heat's efforts(in attacking Hibbert, the paint & the Offensive glass) did not look in games 1-6 the way they did in game 7. Anyone who knows an iota about BB would've just assumed it as a given that the Heat would continue to attack, but they didn't. Even more troubling is the fact that an attacking Heat team is their exact identity, so not only did you play right into the Pacers hands, but you ignored your identity. It's why Spo talked about getting back to their identity in pretty much every post game presser. Hibbert & West were way too comfortable all series long, and sure it's easy to play Monday morning QB once we've seen what the game was supposed to look like(with the Heat constantly on the attack), but none of this stuff is revelatory.
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