<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the course of a day last week, the offices at AmericanAirlines Arena became so hectic, so overheated with activity that word is three of Pat Riley's hairs came out of place. That's the price you pay when you agree to give Shaquille O'Neal $100 million and you acquire three starting-caliber players for Eddie Jones and a pair of spare parts. And you do it all with time for a nap before dinner. Despite the flurry of activity that brought Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey to Miami, though, a frosty fact hangs over the Heat: It's hard to envision Miami getting much further than it did last season, not with the Pacers back at full strength, not with the Pistons preparing to add veteran help off the bench and not with the Cavaliers having such a bang-up offseason. The Heat still has one more shot to add talent with its full midlevel exception, and how it uses that money could be a make-or-break decision. </div> <font color="DarkRed">Link </font> Intresting, but this is what I thought all along when the Heat were piling up all these big names.
of course you thought it, stop trolling around in the Heat forum lookin for trouble man. That's just an article by a heat hater plain and simple, he fails to look at the positives. A totaly biased article and pure garbage.
Another Heat hater thread, Of course you would think the same your a Piston Fan like playmaker said. Some Piston fans here gotta stop whining and complaining that were getting better because in the end..we know your just nervous pssting your pants scared because the Heat are getting better
Hey man. News is news. Right? When ever I find it no matter what team I try and be the 1st who posts it. I've been doing it for over a year now. If Finely signs with the Heat, Suns, etc. I will try and post that too. If Rasheed gets injured or gets bad mouthed by the media in an article, I post that as well.
yea but your posting news that disses teh heat because thats your fav.hobby cuz u no we're better than the pisstons ryt now. Why don't you post news that actually is unbiased for a change or is that against your morals?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting N4S:</div><div class="quote_post">Hey man. News is news. Right? When ever I find it no matter what team I try and be the 1st who posts it. I've been doing it for over a year now. If Finely signs with the Heat, Suns, etc. I will try and post that too. If Rasheed gets injured or gets bad mouthed by the media in an article, I post that as well.</div> Thats true BUT news becomes OLD, we already know Piston fans dont like the move..lol and we know why...we know why
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker14:</div><div class="quote_post">hey truth can oyu explain why they hate it so much???</div> lol no problem, theyre scared, nervous, pssting theyre pants cuz the heat are getting better. There it is folks that is the answer to all the Heat bashing.
You guys are funny. The Pistons are strong if not stronger than last year. The team is full of above average players that come together as a team and play real basketball. We do not rely on 2 players to carry us to the championship. And when we lose in the championship we don't go out and get 3 more superstars. Our coach bailed on us (becuase that's the way LB is) and we got a new coach and some more role players and now we are going to try and pull back to the final round like men with the same philosophy. (the same one that knocked your team out in a game 7 in Miami, the same one that your team wasn't physically in shape for in a 7 game series) Nuff said. I'm done in here. Hope you all love the article.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheTruth5:</div><div class="quote_post">lol no problem, theyre scared, nervous, pssting theyre pants cuz the heat are getting better. There it is folks that is the answer to all the Heat bashing. </div> LOL its all true
If you posted this without any intention of bashing the Heat then its all right. But the problem is thers been numerous threads about this so it comes as if you are. Thats like me going on the Piston forum and saying Pistons Will Lose stating that since you guys lost Larry yall will bow down to the Heat, wouldnt that be crossing the line a lil bit?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting N4S:</div><div class="quote_post">You guys are funny. The Pistons are strong if not stronger than last year. The team is full of above average players that come together as a team and play real basketball.</div> tell me, how are they stronger? Yes Dale Davis is the key every1! So u lose LB and get Flip, downgrade. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">We do not rely on 2 players to carry us to the championship. And when we lose in the championship we don't go out and get 3 more superstars. </div> Maybe that's why Miami mad ethese moves, so they don't have to rely on Wade and Shaq. Way to use your head. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Our coach bailed on us (becuase that's the way LB is) and we got a new coach and some more role players and now we are going to try and pull back to the final round like men with the same philosophy. (the same one that knocked your team out in a game 7 in Miami, the same one that your team wasn't physically in shape for in a 7 game series)</div> A new coach that isnt as goodas the old one, role players like Dale Davis lead to championships right? Last time I checked they didn't. Don't bad talk LB cuz he left. They were injured don't u get it we wudda won if we wer healthy! <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nuff said. I'm done in here.</div> yea ur backing down like others have because you just got
No, I stated my point. I don't wanna bicker here with all you guys and get a warning from a mod because of a lil rat. The article was pretty good and had alot of great points and I just wanted to share it with my fellow board members. If you didn't like the article, I am deeply sorry and apologize. Good luck.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting N4S:</div><div class="quote_post">No, I stated my point. I don't wanna bicker here with all you guys and get a warning from a mod because of a lil rat. The article was pretty good and had alot of great points and I just wanted to share it with my fellow board members. If you didn't like the article, I am deeply sorry and apologize. Good luck. </div> a lil rat? lol u make me laugh man. Yea the mods shud warn u for dissin the heat every chance u get. it was good cuz it dised the heat right? u shud be sorry for posting an article like that.
No need to shoot the messenger for sharing an article. The article is not biased either, Sean Denevy is one of the best in the business and is pointing out legitimate gripes about the Heat's roster. He's not alone either, there have been plenty of opinions regarding the stacked lineup the Heat have. If an opinion is different from your's it doesn't make it wrong. If you think it's wrong explain why, instead of attacking people.
well then let me say sumthin bout the article. The heat will not have issues because: 1. JWill will be a team player and share the ball 2. James Posey will bring added defensive pressure and a good offensive game 3. Toine will adjust to a bench role because he is tired of coming up short in the playoffs 4. Wade is healthy and can only get better 5. Shaq is stil the most diminant player in the league. 6. Wade and Shaq will lead them and make sure that every1 stays in line.
I will start off with this, I grew up watchin the Pistons since the Isiah days to the Grant Hill days i was born in detroit(till i moved after a week ol) Now since i moved to Miami i have become a huge Heat fan since b4 shaq came. So thats just saying i like and have respect for both teams except when they play each other i go for the Heat. The only thing that gets to me is just because were toughest competition with Pistons, Piston fans have to bash our whole team. With that said, now i will say my reasoning explaining why I think the deal did turn up good for the Heat. JWill-We needed a PG and got one in J/Will he has proven he can run the break and can set teamates up and thats what we need. Posey- He brings great D and he will start how can good D be bad? Walker- People say he will be a cancer and take shots away from Wade and Shaq, actaully to all the people that say that. HES COMING OFF THE BENCH and having firepower off the bench is GOOD. The Pistons theyre still going to be good and they will battle the Heat for the East, but my thing is they lost Larry and they need Larry. Other then letting go of Larry all they have done was sign an old big man in Dale Davis. Thats why I think the Heat will come out on top of the Pistons. We were 1st seed last year and should have been in the finals if it wouldnt have been for the injuries.(Injuries arent an excuse its just what happened) Now we are better with our people and now if Wade does get injured we have the firepower that can still help out our team.
I've watched too much of Walker and Williams to know that both of them are going to really effect Wade's play this upcoming season, and THAT will be the start of their downfall. I doubt Shaq will play 82 games, and if he does reach it, he's still got the postseason. I'm not 100% sure that Detroit can beat Miami now, because of Flip replacing Brown...but if the Pacers stay intact, they'll be the ones to bounce Miami out of the playoffs. If by any chance they don't, the Finals will prove to be the Heat's biggest and baddest challenge, especially if it's the Spurs again. Here's the kicker: what are the odds that Williams loves the Heat, and will stop taking ignorant shots just to win? It's a very huge possibility. What are the odds that Walker drops his attempts? It's possible. Okay...what are the odds that Williams, Walker, Shaq, Wade, Haslem, Zo, and Posey all slow down on the shooting...at the same time? I really, really doubt it. Plus, this team is put together with guys who haven't been a main contributor to a tough playoff matchup in their careers. Williams got used to losing in the playoffs in Memphis, and was once a Queen. Walker couldn't get Boston out of the first round last season, and was the main reason they lost to Indiana (go look at the game recaps or stats if you didn't actually watch the series). Plus, he was a Hawk for a while...he was used to losing. Zo has yet to see a Finals matchup in his career. Haslem is young, hasn't had a chance...Posey hasn't been a major contributor to much in his career. Shaq is the only player to see the NBA Finals, to win anything...and Wade is the only one besides Shaq to contribute to a team as much as he did last season in the playoffs. In fact, the Heat rode into the ECF's with hardly any chemistry built up. THey depended on Shaq's one-on-one game last season, and Wade's one-on-one game. If these two were in trouble, they just kicked it out to a shooter. These shooters would actually shoot the ball, named Damon and Eddie. Now, you've got an inconsistent Walker and a PG who will launch a shot from 30 feet with defense in his face. Attitudes...we know Shaq has one, we saw a bit of Wade's cockiness...Walker has a terrible attitude, and Williams doesn't want to be coached, and said so himself. Zo wanted more minutes last year, or he threatened to leave. Haslem wants to start. I don't think the NBA allows 7 players on the court at the same time, honestly...I'd have to go read the rulebook. If you put 6 dogs in a cage with one bowl of food, something negative is bound to happen, simple as that. The coaching situation almost went to hell. SVG was nearly fired, and to be honest, it was because of Shaq. Bad player/coach relationship between the two already...it probably won't get any better when Shaq averages under 18 PPG this season and has to look like Dampier once again. Pressure will tear this club into pieces come playoff time. It goes back to experience...Walker and Williams have never been on a team like the Heat, who did in fact destroy the East last season (until Detroit). We'll see how they feel when they have to work overtime in the playoffs, and have everyone talking behind their back and saying how these two guys are merely just the third and fourth options, and that Wade and Shaq are carrying the team. I was excited about Duncan, Iverson, Amare, and LeBron going to play for the USA. I was anticipating a gold medal...but then I hear of complications, Brown not playing some of the guys, then a few not making it to practice, a few heated words back and forth, practice going terribly, and we ended up losing our chance at a gold medal. Just when you think the team will do incredibly well, you have to pick out the players individually and see for yourself how stable that player can be in comparison to his teammates. That's when you can analyze the entire squad, for stability, team chemistry, and actual team abilities.
Thank you for the quality posts and insights, both sides bring up valid points. One point no one has mentioned is hunger. Something the Heat have going for them is hunger to a win a title, especially Shaq O'neal. He is out to prove a point to himself and his critics, he can still win a title. Last year the Heat got the furthest they've ever been in the franchise's history and got their mouth's wet. In the off-season they made a lot of moves and acquired other players looking to shed their bad reps. Both Jason Williams and Antoine Walker are known as knuckleheads and team cancers. This is their chance to re-create their image by winning and excepting a lesser role without complaining. So far neither have shown they are capable of this, but neither have been in this type of situation to win it all. The question is, "Can they handle the pressure?" Getting back to hunger, it's going to be interesting to see if the Pistons are mentally ready to challenge for the Eastern Conference title again. Last year they had lapses after their championship season and they needed Larry Brown to re-focus them and prepare them for the post season. This year they don't have Larry Brown as a safety net and motivator when the team loses it's focus and breaks away from their discipline. Flip Saunders is a great coach, but he's only been to the WCF once in his career, and has no NBA Finals experience. Right now I would argue the Heat are hungrier than any team in the East, and their hunger could give them the edge over the Pistons and Pacers, if the group comes together cohesively. NS4 brought up a good point about the Heat losing it's consistency from the perimeter. James Posey is a better player than Eddie Jones, but he's not the shooter EJ is and Jason Williams is far from the lights out shooter Damon Jones was. Playing with Shaq should help both players get easier shots, but at the same time, defenses won't be as fearful of JWill taking a shot, versus Damon Jones taking the same shot. Another dynamic in the background, are the Pat Riley coaching rumors. A lot of people feel SVG won't be able to handle all the egos on the team now, nor the pressure he has to win it all. Last year in the Finals, Shaq questioned the Heat's game plan because he wanted more touches, and said to feed the "big dog." With this rumor refusing to die, will the Heat players buy into SVG's coaching philosophy or will they blow him off, because they expect Riley to eventually step in anyways?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In fact, the Heat rode into the ECF's with hardly any chemistry built up</div> I STRONGLY disagree with that didnt shaq whos actually on the team say this team has the best chemistry of any team i have seen. The Heat had unbelievable chemistry and got along very well so i dont see your argument there. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Attitudes...we know Shaq has one, we saw a bit of Wade's cockiness...Walker has a terrible attitude, and Williams doesn't want to be coached, and said so himself.</div> Shaq his attitude is posotive and so far with the Heat that 'attitude' has helped us tremendously. Wade bit of cockiness!!!!? That is ridicilious SVG called wade the most humble guy on the planet, Shaq said Wade is kind and humble. For some reason maybe since they know them i believe them about Wade then you. Walker has a good attitude, he doesnt make good decisions but he has a great attitude he was a vocal leader with the Celtics. Now since he is coming off the bench that shoot attitude is good because we need firepower off the bench with Dooling gone. Williams doesnt want to be coached and Walker doesnt make good decisions on the court, but you honestly think two athletic, rich, basketball playing proffesionals will not take advantage of the only chance they have to get a ring? I think not <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">what are the odds that Williams loves the Heat</div> ....Maybe because he knows this his best chance at a ring, and he already has a good relationship with Shaq. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What are the odds that Walker drops his attempts?</div> With less minutes.....comes less shot attempts. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's possible. Okay...what are the odds that Williams, Walker, Shaq, Wade, Haslem, Zo, and Posey all slow down on the shooting...at the same time?</div> No offence to you man but you obviously dont watch the Heat much cuz you said Haslem needs to slow down on the shooting..? That guy took a huge pay cut for the team and barely shoots of course he will slow down. Walker will slow down since he coming off the bench. Posey is there for defence, Shaq doesnt even need to score that much he makes in impact already just being on the floor. Zo definitely knows this is his last chance at a ring and he doesnt even shoot that much anymore Zo plays D not that much O, you would know if you watch'd the Heat last season. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Williams got used to losing in the playoffs in Memphis, and was once a Queen. Walker couldn't get Boston out of the first round last season, and was the main reason they lost to Indiana (go look at the game recaps or stats if you didn't actually watch the series). Plus, he was a Hawk for a while...he was used to losing</div> Willaims and Walker have gotten their share of losses in the playoffs, and with that being said wouldnt that make them play with more heart and do what is needed for the team so that they can change what theyre team does in the playoffs???? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bad player/coach relationship between the two already...</div> Bad relationship already...in the words of shaq 'SVG is like a harvard teacher to a bunch of UM students, I dont no from the words of shaq it seems like he likes him. Your comparing Heat roster to Usa Roster?...uhh most people were complaining that the real stars didnt go out there, we got a real star in Miami his names Shaq and what he brings no one else can bring.
