I'm actually somewhat excited about the 2nd game. To me, because it is in Phoenix and we pretty much dominated Phoenix from start to finish, and Phoenix then in turn dominated the Jazz in Salt Lake City. I think this game will be a good barometer to see if Portland beat a good Phoenix team, or if the Jazz are just that bad now with their depleted roster if the Lakers are able to spank Phoenix in their house.
I am interested in watching the Boston-NY game. Get a little preview of what the Knicks will present tomorrow. Only about an hour away from tip off.
Miami sure looks really pedestrian right now. I definitely expect some bugs that they need to work out in Miami, but this was what I expected from that team. Wade and LeBron are used to being THE offense their team, and playing together is a huge change of pace for them. They're going to have to figure out some roles before they will be a great team.
Thoughts: I am pretty impressed with the expansion of Dwight Howards offensive game so far tonight. It looks like he has added quite a bit to his offensive game. Once again the refs with some completely ridiculous technicals. Ilgauskus with a T? Really refs? Really? The one on Howard at the end of the quarter was bullshit too. I wish Mark Jackson would just shut the fuck up. That dude is the worst announcer in basketball IMO. He reminds me of when Quin Buckner used to be an announcer and used to talk a bunch of bullshit because he was trying to get a coaching job. He finally got a job and showed he really didn't know jack dick. Jackson is the same way. He uses a change of tone in his voice to make himself sound all important and shit, but if you listen to what he is saying, all he basically does is get on the knee pads for the stars. Every call that happens Miami is on the right side, and Orlando screwed up. Even when Vince Carter got smashed into the ground by Haslem, he still wouldn't admit Miami committed a foul.
Spoelstra will be fired before the All-Star break... I have a feeling.... this guy just isn't equipped to handle a team like this. He doesn't have the experience to handle a trio like Wade, Bosh, LeBron. I bet Riles takes over in a couple months if the Heat aren't just dominating, and they sure don't look like they will be.
You know what's funny.... the minute after I said that, I looked up and they had put Wade back in. After that they started to run up the score on them. That's the most dominant I've seen them thus far.
For all the hype about the offense, Miami's defense is really scary. Yeah, they need more size underneath, but the defensive pressure LeBron and Wade apply is just crazy good. I think LeBron being really pissed off showed tonight on the defensive end in that third quarter. The guy was everywhere.
I thought they were the best defensively when Wade was the only one of the "big 3" in the game. Orlando couldn't do ANYTHING. It was ridiculous.
Yeah I noticed that too. I just think that losing Amare is going to prove too much for that team to overcome.