Sun Sentinel MIAMI -- This is not what was expected of the most talented Heat roster assembled in the franchise's 18 seasons. "This is, hopefully, rock bottom," coach Stan Van Gundy said after Saturday's 82-72 loss to the visiting Charlotte Bobcats dropped the Heat to 1-2 in the exhibition season. These games might be meaningless, but the tone was anything but that after the revamped Heat yet again fumbled and stumbled. "Third preseason game and coach looked like he coached the end of the season," guard Dwyane Wade said, "and guys are putting their heads down already." Instead of blooming into something special with a roster that includes Wade, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Williams, James Posey and Antoine Walker, the Heat wilted. After committing 20 turnovers in its exhibition opener earlier in the week against San Antonio and then 23 Friday night against Memphis at Puerto Rico, the Heat this time came up with 25. So far, this is not a team, just a bunch of strangers. "I'm really concerned about our lack of ball movement and our lack of playing together, just continually now trying to force plays all the time," Van Gundy said. "Everybody's trying to go one-on-one. We've got to get it changed. "Some of our guys, not all of them, but some of them believed it was just going to be easy, that we could just roll it out and run up and down the court. That's not how teams are made." Wade led the Heat with 18 points, but seemingly spent more time glaring at the officials about a lack of respect on his 5-of-14 night than leading his teammates. He also committed five turnovers. Power forward Udonis Haslem also had five turnovers. "We've got a long way to go," Haslem said. "We knew we had work to do." Van Gundy said the work would resume this week. "We're not playing together, not moving the ball, making bad decisions," he said. "There's no excuse, even early, for that kind of play. We've just got to take responsibility for it. This is where we are right now. There's no excuses for it. There's no, `We'll turn it on later.' There's none of that. This is just where we are as a team." Source
I new this is what would happen at least in the beginning. A lot of people said the Heat are automatic championships but right they aren't. If they keep playing like this then, a championship won't be possible.
Playoffs won't be possible if they lose to teams like the bobcats :S It seems that a few players need to change their game considerably for this team to work.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">Playoffs won't be possible if they lose to teams like the bobcats :S It seems that a few players need to change their game considerably for this team to work.</div> Wow... we lose a preseason game against the Bobcats and people are already saying we might not make the playoffs. The real season hasn’t even started and people are saying this kind of stuff? We lost to the Bobcats last year during the REGULAR season and still managed to make the Eastern Conference Finals. I think the Heat just need some time to gel with their new acquisitions and everything will be fine.
pre-season results mean nothing but honestly did anyone really expect the Heat to be a team? c'mon certainly not this early anyway.
The honest truth is, the team won't truly begin to gel (if ever, not to hate though) until probably about 25 games or so into the season. If the team can manage to get some really good chemistry then they'll be really good on paper, and on court. Only time will tell, but don't judge teams too thoroughly on preseason play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MiamiBalla12:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow... we lose a preseason game against the Bobcats and people are already saying we might not make the playoffs. The real season hasn?t even started and people are saying this kind of stuff? We lost to the Bobcats last year during the REGULAR season and still managed to make the Eastern Conference Finals. I think the Heat just need some time to gel with their new acquisitions and everything will be fine.</div> I totally agree, you guys gotta calm down and realize that this is only pre season and that it takes TIME for teams to gel, the team will come along but it takes a bit of time to fit in 4 new aquisitions.
Stop using preseason as an excuse. Yes it is preseason and it doesnt matter later. But preseason does matter in the sense it gives you an IDEA of where your team is at. If you dont play well during the preseason you wont play well in the season. The Heat control their own destiny. If they get great chemistry then they can go all the way. If they dont and they play like they have then they will fall flat on their faces but still probably reach the playoffs. We dont know yet. Preseason wont tell you exactly how you will do. If the Heat dont play well though with most of their starters getting 25-30 minutes in a preseason game against an expansion team without one of their better rookies(Sean May) then how will they be expected to play against a team like Detroit which forces more turnovers than a usual team. Saying it is preseason is not an excuse to how the Heat play. The Heat have a problem right now with chemistry and turnovers and a whole load of crap. They can fix it before the season. If they do then they will have a good season. If they dont fix it by the season they will struggle for a little while. Maybe the whole season if it isnt fixed. We dont know.
San Antonio is 0-4 it says on NBA.com go freak out on them people. Wolves and Soncis are both winless, let's stop rushing to judgement before we say a break down is occuring.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">San Antonio is 0-4 it says on NBA.com go freak out on them people. Wolves and Soncis are both winless, let's stop rushing to judgement before we say a break down is occuring.</div> Exactly, Playmakers right howcome I dont see people complaining about the Spurs and talking all this ________ about them. But anyways I didnt get the chance to watch this game but I know for sure this loss means absolutely nothing. We lost to them in the regular season last year and what we still got to the ECF. To go crazy over a preseason game and because of a preseason loss Go AS FAR TO SAY this shows how the Heat will do this season is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Should be ashamed of youself bunch of wanna be miss cleos..
I dont see anyone freaking out. If preseason meant nothing then why do we have it? PReseason is there for practice exhibition games against other teams to see how your players are playing and to determine lineups you will use in the season. Im not saying that losing say all preseason games will make you guys have a bad year. In that sense yes preseason means nothing. But ignoring issues with the team by saying it isjust preseason, that is ignorant. The difference between the Heat and the Spurs is they have played their starters less. I looked through all of the games and the most a starter played was 24. The game against te bobcats shaq played the LEAST of any starter and he played 24 minutes. The most starter minutes was up in the 30s. Also playing the Heat and the Rockets is more difficult than Bobcats, Spurs, Grizzlies. I didnt check to see if SA palyed any back-to-back. Another reason nobody talks about them is because they made no major changes. The Heat have. Until the Heat prove that they have chemistry and that they play well there will be skepticism. Final pointreseason does not determine the season but it does determine an idea of how they will play. Note idea. It gives the Heat an idea of what they need to work on before the season. Most notably turnovers, chemistry and a lack of passing for the Heat.
[quote name='OrlandoMagicFan']I dont see anyone freaking out. If preseason meant nothing then why do we have it? PReseason is there for practice exhibition games against other teams to see how your players are playing and to determine lineups you will use in the season. Im not saying that losing say all preseason games will make you guys have a bad year. In that sense yes preseason means nothing. But ignoring issues with the team by saying it isjust preseason, that is ignorant.QUOTE] Pre season is used to evaluate young talents and get an idea of your roster. Saying that there is a breakdown is happeneing is the ignorant thing because it's only been three gmaes. How do you know we have issues? Also, SA is the Champs they should be at least 1-3 not 0-4! Maybe they're the ones with the issues.
Also, how do you expect the Heat to win in the season if they dont win in the preseason. It is one thing just not to be going full speed and not have your starters in and you to lose. It is another thing to be trying and things arent working right so you lose. If that happens changes need to be made before the season.(Whether it be mental changes,lineup changes, player changes whatever). I am not saying you guys wont do well this year. I am not saying preseason determines how your season will go. I just believe it gives you an idea of how your team will play. If they dont play well at half speed with 10 less minutes how do you know they will play better at full speed with full minutes?
I never said that Miami is having a breakdown. I just said that the Heat have some issues that need to be resolved. I think a breakdown is going way too far. As I have said. Preseason does not make an impact on the season by the result of the games. It makes an impact on the season by how the team is playing. It doesnt decide your season it gives you an idea on how you will play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If you dont play well during the preseason you wont play well in the season</div> So.. OrlandoMagicFan if that statement you said is true then I guess the Spurs wont do well this season eh..
Are you saying you cant play well and lose? Spurs have lost 4 games. I havent seen their games but I can tell you that they didnt play badlly from knowing them the past few seasons. There is a major difference between losing and not playing well. Take a game we all know(or i think we should know) College football this week. South California vs. Notre Dame. Notre Dame lost but I dont think anyone would say they didnt play well. You an play well and lose. The Heat arent playing well...so far. If the Heat fix teir problems and play bettter then they should play really good this year. But if you have problems in the preseason they will be present in the season unless they are resolved. That is just basic logic and intelligence. Heat have some problems with chemistry right now. If they dont deal with that then yes they wont play well this year. If they do fix it then they could win the east. It isnt the preseason that matters. It is how the teams play IN the preseason that matters.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OrlandoMagicFan:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you saying you cant play well and lose? Spurs have lost 4 games. I havent seen their games but I can tell you that they didnt play badlly from knowing them the past few seasons. There is a major difference between losing and not playing well. Take a game we all know(or i think we should know) College football this week. South California vs. Notre Dame. Notre Dame lost but I dont think anyone would say they didnt play well. You an play well and lose. The Heat arent playing well...so far. If the Heat fix teir problems and play bettter then they should play really good this year. But if you have problems in the preseason they will be present in the season unless they are resolved. That is just basic logic and intelligence. Heat have some problems with chemistry right now. If they dont deal with that then yes they wont play well this year. If they do fix it then they could win the east. It isnt the preseason that matters. It is how the teams play IN the preseason that matters.</div> So you didn't see the four games the Spurs lost? Yet you know they didn't play badly in them because they have been good the last couple of seasons. That makes a lot of sense... I don't even know how to respond to you because the things you are saying are just so stupid. The Heat played bad in a couple of preseason games and you are saying they are going to have major problems this year. I guess since preseason is SO important and that it really does matter, this means if we beat the Spurs in the preseason, we will beat them in the regular season and sweep them in the NBA finals? Hmm? According to your theory this is how things work. I have seen plenty of teams play badly their first games of the REGULAR season and have gone on to have great seasons. The Heat have done badly in two or three PRESEASON games where players like Kevin Braswell are taking the game winning shots and your saying their season is doomed. How about we just give the Heat a chance this season and stop being so negative.
You took everything i said and screwed it around to what you would have liked me to say. Basically with the spurs I meant that they have kept basically the same roster the past few years. They wont ave major issues unless injuries get in the way or egos get in the way. Everything I say is SO stupid because I say that if the Heat have problems in preseason(which they have) and they arent resolved then they will have problems in the season. How is that a stupid comment? Again, I have said its HOW THE TEAMS PLAY that matters not the actual result. I never said the Heat's season was doomed. I am not being negative. I am being realistic and making comments on what i have seen. If anyone is making stupid comments it is you. I will explain everything again so people dont twist my words around again. Okay, 1.PRESEASON DOES NOT MATTER IN THE SENSE OF WINNING OR LOSING. 2.Preseason DOES matter in the sense of seeing how the players play with each other and seeing the strentghs and weaknesses of the team. It also is used to determine rosters, lineups that work and develop chemistry. See young players and give them some experience. 3.If there is a problem in the preseason and it is not resolved then it will stoll be a problem during the season until it is resolved. 4.The Heat have shown some major issues that need to be dealt with. -Chemistry-Players arent playing well together yet. Their season will be determined on how their chemistry works out -Turnovers- This could be resolvable if they work on it. Not that major of an issue Those are just two major ones off of the top of my head 5.HEAT ARE NOT DOOMED AND I AM NOT NEGATIVE 6.Even through these problems I see Heat almost definately making the playoffs. worst case scenario: Heat's chemistry doesnt work out. I still see that Wade and Shaq will take them to the playoffs. 7. I am not saying the Heat's whole season is screwed. I am saying RIGHT NOW there are some issues that could make them have a bad season IF THEY ARE NOT RESOLVED. Please read those if you havent. Everything I am saying is logical and realistic. For a last time for those who still dont get it. (This is for you Miami because you obviously didnt read any of my posts and decided to twist the stuff you did read to your liking) Also, capitalizing preseason is just stupid. I realize they are preseason games and I put reasons why they still matter. If you still didnt get it here: -Wins/losses in the preseason dont matter -problems in the preseason dont matter IF AND ONLY IF they are resolved before or during the season -Problems in the preseason arent resolved they will continue in the season -Preseason games DO matter in how the players play and play with each other, making lineup changes and other ways to change things to keep the best team possible at the court during the season. -Preseason gives the team/coach/fans an idea of what to expect during the season. Not a cut in stone outlook. JUST AN IDEA. THINGS CAN CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND THE SEASON. Right now the Heat arent playing well. That is not negative. It is truth. Stop making stupid posts and flames towards me. I make my comments based on a little opinion, more facts and lots of basic logic. I am being realistic in saying your team has issues. It is the same for all teams. The Magic still have an issue with defense but they are getting better. I am sure the Heat are working on it. Thank you. NOTE:If you want to post a reply please read ALL of my posts to see everything I have said. Do NOT misquote me or twist what I am saying around. I have been saying the same thing all through the thread and people keep changing the meaning of what I say.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OrlandoMagicFan:</div><div class="quote_post">You took everything i said and screwed it around to what you would have liked me to say. Basically with the spurs I meant that they have kept basically the same roster the past few years. They wont ave major issues unless injuries get in the way or egos get in the way. Everything I say is SO stupid because I say that if the Heat have problems in preseason(which they have) and they arent resolved then they will have problems in the season. How is that a stupid comment? Again, I have said its HOW THE TEAMS PLAY that matters not the actual result. I never said the Heat's season was doomed. I am not being negative. I am being realistic and making comments on what i have seen. If anyone is making stupid comments it is you. I will explain everything again so people dont twist my words around again. Okay, 1.PRESEASON DOES NOT MATTER IN THE SENSE OF WINNING OR LOSING. 2.Preseason DOES matter in the sense of seeing how the players play with each other and seeing the strentghs and weaknesses of the team. It also is used to determine rosters, lineups that work and develop chemistry. See young players and give them some experience. 3.If there is a problem in the preseason and it is not resolved then it will stoll be a problem during the season until it is resolved. 4.The Heat have shown some major issues that need to be dealt with. -Chemistry-Players arent playing well together yet. Their season will be determined on how their chemistry works out -Turnovers- This could be resolvable if they work on it. Not that major of an issue Those are just two major ones off of the top of my head 5.HEAT ARE NOT DOOMED AND I AM NOT NEGATIVE 6.Even through these problems I see Heat almost definately making the playoffs. worst case scenario: Heat's chemistry doesnt work out. I still see that Wade and Shaq will take them to the playoffs. 7. I am not saying the Heat's whole season is screwed. I am saying RIGHT NOW there are some issues that could make them have a bad season IF THEY ARE NOT RESOLVED. Please read those if you havent. Everything I am saying is logical and realistic. For a last time for those who still dont get it. (This is for you Miami because you obviously didnt read any of my posts and decided to twist the stuff you did read to your liking) Also, capitalizing preseason is just stupid. I realize they are preseason games and I put reasons why they still matter. If you still didnt get it here: -Wins/losses in the preseason dont matter -problems in the preseason dont matter IF AND ONLY IF they are resolved before or during the season -Problems in the preseason arent resolved they will continue in the season -Preseason games DO matter in how the players play and play with each other, making lineup changes and other ways to change things to keep the best team possible at the court during the season. -Preseason gives the team/coach/fans an idea of what to expect during the season. Not a cut in stone outlook. JUST AN IDEA. THINGS CAN CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND THE SEASON. Right now the Heat arent playing well. That is not negative. It is truth. Stop making stupid posts and flames towards me. I make my comments based on a little opinion, more facts and lots of basic logic. I am being realistic in saying your team has issues. It is the same for all teams. The Magic still have an issue with defense but they are getting better. I am sure the Heat are working on it. Thank you. NOTE:If you want to post a reply please read ALL of my posts to see everything I have said. Do NOT misquote me or twist what I am saying around. I have been saying the same thing all through the thread and people keep changing the meaning of what I say.</div> Aright, I obviously see that you have a lot of time on your hands and I don't. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also, how do you expect the Heat to win in the season if they dont win in the preseason.</div> This pretty much sums up everything you've been saying. How about we just wait till the season starts, okay? I don't need to argue with you about if the Heat will have a good season. I'll let them show you.
