Title Contender

Whats your views on Miami winning the title this year?
I think when i the play offs come round they will give it up to shaq i think wade will handle the pressure well like he did in the olympics..
whats your viewS?
Peace Hame#32

 

Well....If the playoffs were to start today here is what the matchups would be:
GB
1. Miami 0.0
2. Detroit 4.5
3. Boston 12.0
4. Washington 9.0
5. Cleveland 10.0
6. Chicago 11.0
7. Orlando 12.0
8. Indiana 13.0
----------------------
Philadelphia 14.5
New Jersey 16.0
Toronto 17.5
New York 17.5
Milwaukee 17.5
Charlotte 28.5
Atlanta 31.5

*Bolded teams are wildcards for the 8th spot.*

Projected 2005 Playoff Matchups

Round 1

Miami-----------Miami
Indiana

Detriot----------Detriot
Orlando

Boston-------------Boston
Chicago

Washington------------Washington
Cleveland

If the playoffs were to start today, the Miami Heat would most likely face the Indiana Pacers. However, the Sixers and Nets also have a shot of making it so the 8th seed is a toss up. However, the Heat are fully capable of beating all three of these teams so I don't think the first round will be a problem for them.

However, moving on to the second round, we see that, according to this pace, they would be matched up with the Pistons in round II. (Assuming that the winner of the 1-8 battle faces the 2-7 winner right?)
Now, in all realistic possibilities, I don't think they can beat the Pistons. This series could stretch to seven games but everytime the Pistons are involved with Shaq I keep thinking of last year. Larry Brown will most likely apply the same strategy as the 2004 playoffs where he will not double team Shaq, let him score at will but shut the rest of the team down. And when that particular thought comes to mind, I just picture Kobe and the rest of the Lakers struggling. If the "superpower" Lakers of last year struggled like mad with that strategy what makes people think that this Miami Heat team won't?

Of course I could be wrong as well but the way I look at it, whether they face the Pistons in the 2nd round or not, they will eventually HAVE TO face the Pistons before they get to the NBA Finals. The Pistons are basically their only challenge in the East and I cannot see the Heat defeating them through a 7 game series. However, if they do beat the Pistons or avoid facing them (assuming Detriot loses a playoff series), I don't think they have much challenge in the East. If the Spurs come out of the West though, I expect the Heat to lose in 5 games.

 

The Heat have Enough Pieces for the Title

The Key Difference between this years Heat and last years Lakers is a person willing to give the ball to Shaq on every possesion in Wade & a deeper bench.
I would not really compare this Heat team to last years Lakers. <font color="Red">The Heat has a SOLID team where everyone has accepted a role.</font> That was NOT the case with Lakers last year. Kobe & Shaq could of won the next 4 Championships if Kobe wasnt the greedy player he is.

In today's age of teams struggling to put together solid teams considering the salary cap, the HEAT is as good a team as you will find.
With that said:
<font color="Red">The MIAMI HEAT WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR</font>. Shaq has been pacing himself during the season & he will explode in the playoffs. The Heat have all the pieces they need to do it this year.

The Pistons are a great team, but they are not better than the Heat especially in a 7 game series. I really like their addition of Carlos Arroyo but they are NOT better than the Heat.

The addition of Alonzo Mourning gives the Heat an extra defensive presence. And a solid big man to add to the deepest center rotation in the NBA.
Shaq, Mourning, Doleac, Laettner.

The Spurs are the best team in the West but they do NOT have an answer for SHAQ. It should be the Spurs & the Heat in the FINALS.

You guys might think I'm biased because I'm from Miami, but I would NOT BET AGAINST THE HEAT THIS SEASON.

 

Shutup man....you already know the Heat is good...so no doh your going against them...we have nothing more to say.

 

I think Miami is the best team in the NBA. I think San Antonio is second best in the league. I just believe that we havent even seen what this Heat team can do when they are rolling on all cylinders. I think this team is a lot more than just Shaq and Kobe. They have a good supporting cast, and a good bench, even better with the addition of Zo. We saw what they did to San Antonio a couple of weeks ago, and even then I didnt think that the Heat played there A game. I think they match up well against the Spurs and they could very easily beat them, as much as the Spurs could beat the Heat.

 

I can't believe San Antonio and Detriot are not getting the nod over this Heat team. Both teams are deeper and not only that, they both play defense. Miami plays defence as well but do you really think they play better defence then San Antonio? Not only that, San An also has better offensive lineup. For every Shaq move, there's a Duncan move. For every Wade basketb, there will be a Tony Parker basket, A Manu basket, a Bren Barry basket. Really, I want to see Dwyane Wade suceed but just because you can pick and beat lower Eastern Conference teams does not make you the best team in the league. There is no way the Heat and Spurs should even be in the same sentence right now. Let the Heat beat Detriot first and then we can talk about the Spurs.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Some advice...Don't post anymore if that is all you are going to say and learn proper grammar





Am I saying the Heat are bad? No...I don't think they can beat the Pistons or Spurs in a 7 game series. Defense wins championships, something the Spurs and Pistons BOTH do better than the Heat. Ben Wallace already shut down Shaq last year, what makes you think he can't do it again?</div>
WOrry about your team first my friend

 

Basketball isn't a game decided by equations like you think.
Who thought the Pistons would win the champ last year? Some expected late in the season but they weren't favorite to win it all. If you apply that equation of yours into the game, the Pistons had no chance against the Lakers last year.
It's a combination of talents, teamwork, strategy, momentum, desire to win and...... some luck. Not "A > B so A will win."

 

FIRST of all, Detriot is not the same team as last year...after their recent 7 game win streak (of which they played LA, washington, milwaukee, philly, NY, Golden State) they lost to BOTH Phoenix and Seattle...two of the top offensive teams...where's their defense??

SECOND of all, if you say Duncan is better than shaq, their ur head is too far up ur ass...your looking at a Shaq that's slimmer, quicker, and his determination at an all time high

last but not least, WALLACE did NOT shut down Shaq last year....Kobe did what he does best...try to take over the game by HIMSELF...

dont get me wrong, the spurs and pistons are great teams...but with the addition of Steve Smith and ZO to the HEAT...that makes them just as good..not to mention shaq mentioned countless times...he's saving his best for last

remember the last finals....everyone expected the LAKERS to win...they had 5 allstars on their team and were winning left and right...but the pistons came in and took it away..

that's what the HEAT will do..


btw, i been a Heat fan since the glen rice, zo, and rex chapman era

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They cancel each other out..so then you have Wade vs. Parker, Manu, Brent Barry, and the defense of Bruce Bowen...</div>

Honestly, do Damon Jones, Udonis Haslem and Eddie Jones suck that bad? It's not only Wade. Sure the Spurs have a better team, but your acting like the team is only Wade and Shaq. Damon Jones has been huge for the team all year. Even though he's not a good defensive player, he makes big shots and helps his team through comebacks. Haslem is just a beast. He's not the most skilled player, but the guy can grab boards, do the dirty work for you, get you some put back shot and lay ins, and gives 100% effort which helps his game. I mean, 11 and 9 aren't bad numbers. I don't want to get into defending Eddie Jones because he's so inconsistant, but he can get it going if you give him the rock; put a good defender on him though, and he'll struggle more.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pull a little harder...Duncan is MUCH better than Shaq. Shaq is a poor rebounder for someone who is 7-1, 325. He basically snatches all the balls that fall his way, doesn't really go after them...I've seen him try harder to get Crunch bars in his commercials than to get rebounds. </div>

MUCH better is stretching it. TD is a much better rebounder than Shaq, yes, however, Shaq owns TD on the offensive end. One on One in the post, as great as a defender that Duncan is, not even he can contain Shaq. Duncan on offense, on the other, can be contained to a limit by a player like Shaq, even though TD is much more mobile, Shaq owns TD on the offensive end one on one. For recent reference, check the Heat-Spurs game that was on ABC back in January, the numbers don't tell the whole story. I do agree that TD is better, but not as much as you're making it seem.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You obviously didn't watch a single game of the finals did you...the whole Pistons plan last year was to shut Shaq down and force GP (who didn't bother showing up) and Kobe beat them. Shaq was ineffective throughout the finals because he was the top priority for the Pistons</div>

Saying Shaq was ineffective isn't the right statement. The Lakers were ineffective. It's pretty hard going 1 on 3, 4, even if you're Shaq. When nobody is hitting shots, you get frustrated and try to do it all, even Shaq can't do that. He did it for one game in Detroit where he should of dropped 50 if he was given the ball more, but that didn't happen.

 

I've been a long time reader of JustBBall but I don't post. I just registered an account to let everyone know that don't listen to this Kobe 8 Ball character. The guy is a Kobe fan who only wants to see Shaq and anything Shaq related fail. Don't give this character the time of day, it's just a waste of time.

Bye.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post"> Everytime I see you post, you are mentioning Kobe...do you love the sound of his name or something? Get off of his case, how is he selfish. He is averaging near 7 assists a game, should be near 9 assists a game if his teammates actually hit the OPEN shots he creates for them. He is only averaging about 2 more shots per game from last year, no where near greedy.



Alonzo Mourning is not that much of a defensive presence anymore, you will be lucky to get 15 good minutes out of him. His kidney ailment really messed him up, he is no where near the player he once was on defense. Also, what the hell are you smoking to call Christian Laettner a center? He lurks out on the perimeter waiting for J's, that is not a true center.


And what do the Heat have to answer for Duncan, Tony Parker, Brent Barry, Bruce Bowen (one of the best defenders in the game, he can get into anybody's head), Nazr, and Manu...Shaq and Wade...that is not an even matchup.



It is a very safe bet to bet against the Heat, it only takes one major injury to Shaq or Wade and their chances at getting that championship go right out the window.

And another factor...they do not matchup at all to the Spurs.

Duncan, Nazr, Manu, Parker, Bowen, and Brent Barry is way too much fire power and too big of a defensive presence for Shaq and Wade.

Tony Parker > Damon Jones
Manu Ginobili < Dwyane Wade - (slight advantage for the Heat here...you might not admit it, but with Duncan, Manu is on Wade's level because he can work his way open for a shot, he can drive, he never quits moving...)
Bruce Bowen > Eddie Jones - Bruce would be all over EJ here, EJ wouldn't have an open shot all series.
Tim Duncan >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Udonis Haslem - No question here.
Nazr or Rasho <<<<<<<<<< Shaq - But Duncan is a bigger difference than Shaq IMO..

The Spurs are almost guaranteed a final spot pending any injuries, there is no one in the West that could hang with them in 7 games, closet would be Seattle...and I doubt they would be able to Hang.

As for the Heat, Detroit would be able to hang with them in a 7 game series because of their D, and I would even venture to say that if Indiana got Ron Artest back, the Pacers could surprise them in a 7 game series also.</div>


shut up kobe lover, keep ur comment about kobe to urself, this is the heat forum, and yah miami fans spurs and miami in the final but the spurs might win because their team is deep, miami could too if SHAQ ATTACK

 

awwww....dont pick on Kobe 8 Ball

::coughs::

(loser!)

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">


Its great I am getting JBB new members..keep up the great posting sport
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