Would Heat fans still consider the year to be a success if the Heat don't win a title this year? What will you be satisfied with to consider this a successful season for the Heat? Winning the Championship and nothing less? Making it to the NBA Finals? Making it to the Playoffs and being the #1 seed? The Heat are in the driver's seat in the East, and the only team capable of beating them in a 7 game series appears to be the Detroit Pistons. The Shaq window of opportunity is only guaranteed for two years, unless the Heat re-sign him. So with the Heat sacrificing a futue with Odom and Butler, is it a MUST for the Heat to win a championship with Shaq in the next 2 years?
I think it is a must win within the next 2 years. The first year of the Wade-Odom-Butler combo made it to the 2nd round and nearly made it to the ECF. They had a bright future, but Riley broke them off. Plus, Shaq promised Miami a title, so he'd look pretty bad.
Lets get one thing straight, I dont think that Riley sacrifices the future we had with this team for a 2 year window with Shaq. I think Shaq retires a Heat. As far as this team winning a championship, I think we win at least one. Im not convinced that what we see this year, as far as roster wise, we will see next year. I still think Riley has some ideas up his sleave, especially over the offseason, and I think he will improve the team even more. As far as this season goes, it is a championship or bust IMO. They will add the final piece in Zo in the next few days, and should cruise to the first seed in the East. IMO, we are the best team in the NBA. I believe that by the time the playoffs come, we will be running on all cylinders and will be ready for a great run.
It has to be a bust if they do not win. Shaq promised a title and anything short of that would be a failure. They had a great, young core with Butler, Wade, and Odom that was broken up for an older Shaq. Do I think they will win the title? Nope. I don't think they can beat the Spurs or the Suns in a 7 game series.
We all know the heat will come out of the east the question is what will happen if the heat dont win a title. I think the same thing will happen whether the heat win or not. They will make trades but keep shaq and wade together. we know shaq will show up during the finals the question is will wadew show up. If he does the spurs are in for some trouble. Especially after the Heats latest win against them.
Why should anything happen if we dont win a title? I would LOVE to see us win one but if we don't, we go home and prepare for the next season just like other 29 teams that didn't win it. And yeah, I don't think Riley would sacrifice much for 2 years of success. I hope Shaq would retire in Miami. Please, to all the Shaq haters, don't give me crap like "Shaq will go somewhere else cuz he's yada yada" We can't see the future, can we? But as far as winning a championship, just like other fans, I would love to have one in Miami. Although I still think that some west teams have better chance and more solid roster than us, I won't stop praying.
I think the only teams that can beat them in a 7 game series are the Spurs, Suns and a healthy Kings. In the East the only teams that I think are threats are the Cavs and Pistons. The Pacers would be, but Artest is their fire, and they need that if they are to be successful. So those are the teams that I think have a legitimate chance. That said i think the only team that is probably favoured to win a 7 game series against the Heat would be the Spurs. Shaq will retire a Heat player, after finishing a 3 year extension for 20mil, 16mil, 12mil a season. I predict the Heat win 2 championships before he retires.
Expecting a title in Shaq's and Wade's first season togeather is wishful thinking. You need heartbreak before you become a champion. I firmly believe that. The Heat this year are a very good team that doesn't quite have the experience to win it all. Next season they will have a better chance with an improved Wade, a chance to bring in another impact player and the young guys like Haslem will be a year better. This year I don't think they can beat the Spurs or the Pistons in a 7 game series, two teams who have playoff experience and teams who know how to win championships. Only one guy on the Heat truely knows how to do that. When the game is on the line I just don't see the Heat as a team being able to handle the pressure to knock of a Detroit or a San Antonio. Obviously people are buying into the hype of the Heat, mainly the media but the fact remains great defense wins along with balenced offense and to me the Heat only have 1 of the two. If the Heat win 55 odd games and make the conference finals then the Heat fans should feel happy about their season and realise they can build on that next season. Kind of like the Pistons did.
I think they will make the finals i really do, and while i would love for them to win it all and they may very well do just that, i would not bet my house on it. However, Shaq has all the playoff and finals experience they need. Dwyane Wade came up MEGA in the playoffs for them last year and he was a rookie. Now, he is more mature, his game is improving and he has the guiding hand of Shaq Daddy on his shoulder. Do not count them out, i truly believe they have the best shot out of the East. They will meet the Suns in the finals and if they get hot? Anything can happen!!!
The Shaq trade will be a failure if the Heat do not win a championship while he is here for the next two or so years.
I believe they will win the title this year...you can call me crazy, but its only half way through the season...the Heat will acquire ZO and they still have Qyntel Woods to take off their injured list. Shaq even said he's trying to take it slow during the season..he will really pick it up during playoffs. Palm Beach Post on acquiring ZO: MIAMI ? For Pat Riley, this move is a "no-brainer.'' Shaquille O'Neal believes it makes the Heat "almost a damn-near perfect team.'' ~G~
I really do beleive the Heat will make it to the finals against San Antonio. I think they have a really good chance but San Antonio will beat them in 6 or 7 games. The Heat might surprise me though. If they don't win it all this year Shaq and Wade will be back next year and I do beleive they will win it then. As for Shaq if they win a championship this year or next he will get a contract renewal for two more years. If they don't win I beleive he will retire.
If I were the Heat, I'd almost expect nothing less than a title. That's the only reason why they brought Shaq over. He was supposed to be what put them over the hump and making them a championship contender. If they don't win, I don't know if it'd be a very satisfying season for Miami and it's fans, cause that's the only reason why Shaq is in Miami, to win a title.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">If I were the Heat, I'd almost expect nothing less than a title. That's the only reason why they brought Shaq over. He was supposed to be what put them over the hump and making them a championship contender. If they don't win, I don't know if it'd be a very satisfying season for Miami and it's fans, cause that's the only reason why Shaq is in Miami, to win a title.</div> Youre right. It will be a let down because it seems like the whole reason Shaq was trade is so he can come into Miami and win one or 2 titles with them. To me it seems like this is a do or die situation in Miami and that they might only get one chance at this. There has been so much expectation that anything less that a title will be a waste.
Thats right he was brought over to make them a championship contender and he has done just that. It would be nice for them to win it all, but if they take out the eastern conference and lose in the finals, is it still a waste??
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting fatballer_10:</div><div class="quote_post">Thats right he was brought over to make them a championship contender and he has done just that. It would be nice for them to win it all, but if they take out the eastern conference and lose in the finals, is it still a waste??</div> I think it will be. It just seems to me that Miami cares nothing aboutt he regular season and their main goal is to take out everyone in the playoffs. I know that it's every teams goal to win a title but if Miami doesn't win it will be a waste due to all the hype and attention.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting fatballer_10:</div><div class="quote_post">Thats right he was brought over to make them a championship contender and he has done just that. It would be nice for them to win it all, but if they take out the eastern conference and lose in the finals, is it still a waste??</div> Yes, it is a waste. It boils down to this. Shaq came to Miami to win. In the eyes of the Miami organization, anything short of an NBA Title, is losing. No matter how far you make it, if you fall short, you've failed. I don't care if you lose by one point in OT of game 7, it's still a loss and you've still failed cause you didn't take the title. That's the sole purpose for bringing Shaq to Miami. To win the title. That's what it boils down to. And if they don't bring the title home, it's a failure.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, it is a waste. It boils down to this. Shaq came to Miami to win. In the eyes of the Miami organization, anything short of an NBA Title, is losing. No matter how far you make it, if you fall short, you've failed. I don't care if you lose by one point in OT of game 7, it's still a loss and you've still failed cause you didn't take the title. That's the sole purpose for bringing Shaq to Miami. To win the title. That's what it boils down to. And if they don't bring the title home, it's a failure.</div> I completely agree.
