It's the playoffs and the Heat's depth is really starting to show. When Pat Riley made the trade this offseason, everyone's immediate reaction was "if the players on this team can get on the same page and play like they're capable of, they're in a great position to win it all.". TeamUSA has had great success just by assembling the best players in the NBA. We don't have all the best, but out of all our playoff roster, we have 2 of the best, 4 all-star type players, and 2 great blue collar players who do all the dirty work. After Shaq and Wade, any of these guys we have are capable of stepping up and having big games. I mean, just look at the names: (*Past prime but can still play and are key contributers.) *Alonzo Mourning: Premier shotblocker, alters even more shots, gives us second chances, put backs, points in the paint, rebounds, provides defensive intensity and sparks us when our defense is bad. *Gary Payton: At the Guard position, he does a great job of putting pressure on his guy to make or recieve a pass. He's not the same offensive player but is able to contribute in double digts. With reduced minutes he's all of a sudden playing a couple years younger effectively in the 4th where we need him. His defense is gonna be crucial if we're gonna go all the way. Antoine Walker: Swiss Army Knife type player. 6'9 Point Forward that pushes the tempo, can score in a variety of ways, likes to run on the fast break, passes well, rebounds, breaks down the defense, and as of lately has been showing up defensively and putting pressure on the ball pn his defensive assignment (big steal in game 5 when RJ was trying to post him up). James Posey: The guy that everyone on this team needs to learn from. This guy impacts the game more than the stat sheets have shown yet he's starting to produce making him much more valueable. Posey is a very good and fundemental defender. He puts a lot of pressure on his player to make a pass or to accept a pass (G5 vs Nets, look at how tough he made it for JKidd to inbound, great fundamental defense). He's also one of our best at boxing and out has grabbed a lot of critical rebounds. He's just a very fundemantly sound player. A lot of people said he was the real reason Memphis was winning despite not the stats suggesting otherwise and that he was easily the best acquisition in the trade. We brought him here in hopes that he can do for us what he did for Memphis, and while he hasn't quite gotten back to his prime self, he's definetly showing signs in the playoffs that he's capable of being that player again. If he can do this, I think that alone will make our team a LOT better. Jason Williams: One of the best passing PGs in the game and can break down defenses. We brought him in cuz we love how he looks to push the tempo and look for easy points. He's improved his outside shot to where it's the best it's ever been and can score in a variety of ways. Offensively he's the perfect backcourt compliment to Dwyane Wade. He leaves more to be desired on defense and rebounding but he's trying and that's a step in the right direction. Even Udonis Haslem can get streaky with his jumpshot and has improved his handle to where he can now put it on the floor and get easier shots (last season he couldn't dribble well and our offense wasn't as versatle as this season because of it). He also hits the boards hard and has saved our sses many times in late games with his offensive rebounds and put backs. Don't even need to mention the intangibles that don't show up on the stat sheet. And guys like Shandon Anderson, Michael Doleac, Jason Kapono and Wayne Simien have provided some offense and energy when their numbers have been called. We're one of the few teams in the NBA that have the luxury of versatility and numerous possibilities with our roster. Here's another thing that people don't realize: The Heat can have so many options on offense that they have a player that they can use to exploit another team's lineups. The only thing that we've been waiting for is this team of great players to find their chemistry and use their strengths to play like the dominant force we know they can be. Our best offensive unit is in the starting lineup and our bench is where our defense is at. Remember, this is the reason Riley brought these guys in. He figures if we can get it where these guys are all producing, playing together, and playing good defense, we can win it all.
One of these games, Kapono will come in and knock down some 3s. Key 3s I don't think Simien will play at all but who knows. Btw, what happened to D Wright???
of course they have depth but now that its coming through its starting to show. we have a great player at every position. we have a great team and i think we will beet the pistons.
Yes i think are team is very good, we have a chance to win the championship, our back up players are also really good,
Great post Heat4life, we really do have great depth. We defintely have the roster to win it all, we just got to make it happen. We have been playing really good lately, and hopefully that can carry on to the ECF, This year is our year boys, GOOO HEAAAAT!
