91-86. Puts us 1.5 behind them. They have same amount of losses, but 3 more wins. We are 2 games behind the Celtics.
I was going to start a thread about this. I'm ready to pronounce the Heat as dead. James, Wade and Bosh are genius basketball players who made the same mistake as the early 2000s Team USA officials. You can't just throw together talent, no matter how brilliant that talent may be, and expect it to form a cohesive, winning team. All three of them need the ball in their hands to create buckets. I feel kind of sorry for the players and all for the basketball community in general. It's really too bad that they've created the mess instead of working toward a championship with other teammates. I'm expecting a first or second round playoff exit, depending on their seeding. New York played an awesome game last night and are instantly one of my favorite teams to follow. Anthony, Amare' and Billips all make each other better, as well as their other teammates. I'm not certain how good they'll be -- better than expected regardless -- but they're a joy to watch. Their instant chemistry only underscores how difficult a time the trio in South Beach have had trying to fit their skills together.
I think Amar'e and Anthony are going to greatly improve defensively. The Heat aren't winning anything this year. Give them some MLE-level pieces and let them gel as a team and then we'll see. There is too much talent on that team for them not to at least make a Finals. If I was Riley, I'd shop Bosh in the off-season for a PG or a defensive minded big man.
I agree with you about the defense. Amare' has been great all season though. I think that many times players get reputations for things and people are slow to re-evaluate long after their outlook is no longer true. Anthony is going to be better and his rebounding provides the Knicks with a whole new angle. As per the Heat, you're probably right about them eventually finding a way to be successful. It's really fun to pronounce them instantly dead, but they have many years to figure out how to mesh together. They just play so stupid and so undisciplined. I think the primary problem is that Wade and Lebron don't mesh well together. Bosh may be the most flawed of the big three but I can see him working alongside either of the other two in a way that is conducive to winning.
Bosh wont be dealt. Remember when Wade came to Chicago a second time on a friday during the summer? That was to send a message to Pat, sign Bosh or he would come to Chicago. It worked. Wade wants him there. End of story. That being said, I would trade him if I could. As for a pg, looks like Bibby is going there. They really dont need a pg, wade and James are pg/pf
Interesting tidbit as a result of last nights game. http://twitter.com/#!/ProBskbllTalk/status/42197455667867648
Here's the solution: next year, the Heat trade Bosh for a major improvement at point guard and a center.
Miami would still need a center. Dampier, anthony, and Z do not instill fear. Guess they could get a defensive center with MLE, if the new CBA had such a thing.
Bosh isn't the problem there. The problem for the Heat is Wade and Lebron do nothing at all to complement each other and it shows on the court. I'd guess part of it is chemistry, but just as basketball players they're fundamentally replacements for each other. Replace either one of those guys with Chris Paul or Deron Williams, and I think the team is better, even though, in isolation, I think Wade and Lebron are the two best players I mentioned.
Lebron, it really was dumb to go to Miami! Well, I might end up having to eat those words. But how can anyone come to any other conclusion than that he blew it by not going to Chicago. Well, however it ends up, I'm having fun following the Bulls, which is all that matters, to me, anyway.
Bosh is complaining that he isnt getting the ball. 40 minutes 7 points 4 rebounds in their loss to the Blazers. Well Mr. Bosh complain away...Wade and James are all about Wade and James. You want the ball? Ask for a trade.
Of all people Kenyon Martin summed up the Heat's struggles best. "It's not doubles tennis. You still need 5." Simple as that, folks. http://twitter.com/#!/MrMichael_Smith/status/45326549553127425
While it's still premature, if they don't get out of the second round everybody's going to view them as a failure. You could fire the coach, but that isn't going to solve the fundamental problem which is the fact that their skill sets don't overlap in a productive way. So who do you trade? Personally, I'd dump Bosh, who is a giant waste of space if he isn't getting 12 boards a night. But depending on the new CBA, I'm not sure you could get enough for him to make it worthwhile. Plus he has the biggest contract. So the question is Wade or Lebron. Lebron is the bigger talent and better, younger player, but that means dumping the Wade, the greatest player in franchise history, the only "real" Heat, and the guy who brought them all to Miami, not to mention a great player in his own right.
The sad thing for basketball fans is that I don't think anyone gets moved unless it's under their own volition, and I can't see any of them, for various reasons, asking to be moved. It's Wade's home so he isn't going anywhere. Bosh isn't really their problem and you get the feeling James is too proud to leave. Asking for a trade is tantamount to admitting defeat and you get the feeling he's too proud to go there. I think the Heat are just going to be a mediocre team unless they find a way to pull it all together and we all look stupid.
The coach will probably be fired first, but ya, Bosh is the logical one to go imo. They need more parts, more than just aging vets trying to chase rings. James and Wade are the best at their positions. Bosh is not. He is not even #2 or dare I say top 5. He made an arguement that he was not getting the ball. Well, offensive rebounding is one place where he can get it. James and Wade will not pass to him, especially during this losing streak. Super stars want to carry the team when it struggles. As for either Wade or 'Bron. James would bring more. It has always been Wades team. He will not be rewarded for his loyalty to the Heat by trading him in this off season. And as for James, who in their right mind trades away the best player in the game? Now if he demands a trade, that is different. Miller is really hurting them. Been injured. Wonder if he will ever be the same from here on out. Read on a twitter last night that Mike has fallen out of favor with Wade. Wade wants to see more Jones and House and less Miller. He may be right. All of this being said, the coach is not in control of the team and never has been. James and Wade call the shots. That is not good.
