Opening night! :yahoo: I had to make a thread for this one, first night of the season baby. I'm pumped! <div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> October 31, 2006 - 8:00 pm ETGame aired on TNT</div> <span style="color:#000000">Miami Heat</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">(0-0)</span><span style="color:#FF0000">PG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Gary Payton</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Dwyane Wade</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Antoine Walker</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">PF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Udonis Haslem</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">C</span> <span style="color:#000000">Shaquille O'Neal</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Alonzo Mourning, James Posey, Dorell Wright, Jason Kapono, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Chicago Bulls</span> <span style="color:#000000">(0-0)</span><span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Kirk Hinrich</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Ben Gordon</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Luol Deng </span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">P.J. Brown</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Ben Wallace</span><span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Andres Nocioni, Chris Duhon, Michael Sweetney, Thabo Sefolosha, Tyrus Thomas, Adrian Griffin</span> Injury Report<span style="color:#000000">MIA:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Jason Williams will not play (knee)</span> Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#000000">Dwyane Wade</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Last Season's Stats: 27.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 6.7 apg, 2.0 spg</span><span style="color:#000000">Dwyane Wade is one of the most talented/dynamic players in the game, and he's coming off a great Finals MVP performance. This kid is getting better by the day, it will be exciting to see what he brings this year.</span><span style="color:#000000">Shaquille O'Neal</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Last Season's Stats: 20.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.8 bpg</span><span style="color:#000000">Shaq may be declining, but he is still a great presence on the floor. He can still have his nights where he dominates the paint. He may not get 20 and 9 again, but just having him on the floor is huge for the Heat.</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Ben Wallace</span><span style="color:#000000">Last Season's Stats: 7.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.8 spg, 2.2 bpg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Somewhat surprisingly, Big Ben turned down Detroit's offer and signed with Chicago. He provides a great defensive/rebounding presence that the Bulls didn't have before, he'll be huge for them this season. Big Ben is coming off a year where he won the Defensive Player of the Year award (he has won this award 4 of the past 5 years).</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Kirk Hinrich</span><span style="color:#000000">Last Season's Stats: 15.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 6.3 apg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Kirk Hinrich is developing into an excellent young guard and leader on the floor. He has an excellent all-around game and he is an in-your-face defender. He has a chance to be an All-Star in the near future if he keeps his play up.</span> <span style="color:#000000">Miami's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#000000">Antoine Walker</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Last Season's Stats: 12.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 137 3PM</span><span style="color:#000000">Walker was a top 3 candidate for the 6th Man of the Year award last year after adjusting from being an All-Star player (1st-2nd option). He accepted his role and did what he needed to in order for Miami to get wins. Not only did he help them win games, but Toine helped them win the championship as well.</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Chicago's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Ben Gordon</span><span style="color:#000000">Last Season's Stats: 16.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 44% from 3</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Benny Gordon is one of the league's elite 4th quarter scorers. He has a dynamite jumper and a fantastic floater. Not many people can stop him from putting points on the board when he's hot.</span> Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#FF0000">Ben Wallace</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Shaquille O'Neal</span><span style="color:#000000">Shaq has the capability of dominating a game offensively, Ben Wallace has the capability of dominating the game defensively. Now, tell me that doesn't call for an interesting matchup.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/NotesFirst game of the 2006-07 NBA season baby!!! Woooooot!!!!! I will also say that I will be wearing my Antoine Walker jersey, and I will be incredibly happy when I see him get his ring. Way to go Toine! CelticBalla's PredictionMiami fans are going to be very pumped, especially after seeing their team collect their championship rings. I say Miami takes this game due to their fans energy, plus the fact that they are still the best team in the East. Miami wins in a close one. Let's get this baby underway!
Nice Game Write Up!I look foward to watching this on fox tomrrow, it should be good \hope to see ben wallace do well to.
This outta be a fun one. I'm looking for Chicago to step up and steal this one tonight.Great game write up.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR TONIGHT! I expect a chicago victory, I'm sure that they are pumped up and ready for thsi new season w/ their great new and improved team. Get ready for a damn nice game.
I really can't see Chicago winning this one at all. Like CelticBalla said, Miami will be pumped up because they are getting their championship rings, and the banner will be raised to the rafters. Wade and Shaq will not let Miami lose this game, and neither will their fans. It'll be close, but Miami takes this game tonight.
Oh my this will be a fun game to watch. Chicago is much better then last year... this will show how they will do against the reigning champs.Nice write up bro.
Thats great celticballa!! I am so excited today dude and I think some of ya guys are wrong about chicago having no chance because yeah maybe miami is pumped up but chicago is out there to prove something.. its their first chance to do so today.. so GET JACKED EVERYONEGET READY BABY
Miami I think wants to what u cud say "chill" out. why? because shaq is going to want to win maybe more one more title and retire. I gaurantee you if he makes the Finals again, hes off to retirment.Thats later on in the season, when they develop there sense of where they are..... As for today I would like to see the Bulls put a good effort. People forget Big Ben can literally turn around teams. Defense is what wins games, not offense.If you allow your opponent to score 0 points in 48 minutes , and you score 1. Guess who whon the ball game
I'll pick the upset today. The Bulls will beat the Heat and will prove that they are going to be a contender this year. Watching the Heat getting the rings will just get them more pumped to beat them because they want what the Heat got. Ben Wallace will do well vs. Shaq.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Oct 31 2006, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Watching the Heat getting the rings will just get them more pumped to beat them because they want what the Heat got..</div>Actually, FYI, Scott Skiles selected to go back into the locker room during the ring ceremony.
Wow CB32 did you write all this? With the pictures, bold and colored text it looks professional.Nice job
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ElMaster @ Oct 31 2006, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wow CB32 did you write all this? With the pictures, bold and colored text it looks professional.Nice job</div>Yes sir. I'm going to be doing all the Celtics home games just like this, and I'm pretty sure I'm doing all of the nationally televised games (ESPN/ESPN2/TNT/ABC/etc). It's fun. Thanks though. :dribble:
Wooh, I'm pumped. I'm sure the Bulls are dying to get some revenge on us, but we won't let it happen. Time to get this season off on a good note!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaptorFan#1 @ Oct 31 2006, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Miami I think wants to what u cud say "chill" out. why? because shaq is going to want to win maybe more one more title and retire. I gaurantee you if he makes the Finals again, hes off to retirment.</div>Sorry, but you're wrong there. I saw an interview with Shaq last night on ESPN and he clarified his plans for the future. He was asked why he didn't retire on top this past season like Jerome Bettis did when the Steelers won the Super Bowl. What was his response? He's from a military family, and they are taught to fulfill their time of duty. He signed a five year contract (four more remaining), and he said he'll play these next four years and then he's going to retire... no questions asked.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigMo763 @ Oct 31 2006, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Sorry, but you're wrong there. I saw an interview with Shaq last night on ESPN and he clarified his plans for the future. He was asked why he didn't retire on top this past season like Jerome Bettis did when the Steelers won the Super Bowl. What was his response? He's from a military family, and they are taught to fulfill their time of duty. He signed a five year contract (four more remaining), and he said he'll play these next four years and then he's going to retire... no questions asked.</div>But if he wins a title in the fourth year.... hes gonna retire for sure
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaptorFan#1 @ Oct 31 2006, 07:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>But if he wins a title in the fourth year.... hes gonna retire for sure </div> Obviously... but the chances of that happening are slim. :happy0144:
The rings are out and the banner is up. Congrats to every player and person involved in the Miami Heat organization, but I have to specifically congratulate some guys on this:1. Pat Riley, you are a great coach and you deserved each and every ring you got.2. Gary Payton - you are my favorite PG of all-time. You and Zo deserved this ring as much as anyone else in the NBA.3. Zo - you are a true inspiration to stay healthy after what you have been through with your kidney's. You are the heart and soul of the Heat. Congrats.4. Shaq - The most dominant force I have ever seen touch a basketball. You for 4, I know you want 5. Get it done, big fella.5. D-Wade - incredible Finals performance. And to think, that was only your 3rd year. I can't wait to see what else you accomplish throughout the rest of your career.6. My by - Antoooooooiinnneeeee... WWWWaaaaaalkerrrrrr. You are my guy, I'm mad at Ainge for dealing you.. twice.. but I'm happy that you got a ring while you were still in your mid-NBA years. Congrats Toine!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Oct 31 2006, 08:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Is it just me or is that ball looking a little "slick"? :shifty2:</div>It's the first game of the year, everybody is excited, they just had their ring ceremony. Hey, D-Wade seems to be using it just fine. But I think the 2nd half will be a lot less sloppy and it will be more consistant play.An another note, the refs are making some interesting calls/no-calls.
