<div class="quote_poster">AllNet Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I wonder If the new added rules are one of the reasons for the Heat's struggles this year? Yes Shaq is out but they were bad even with him in the line-up.</div> There's a lot of reasons, maybe the new rules play a part, but I just think the Heat came into this season unmotivated. The prior two seasons they were on a mission to get a ring, and after acheiving their goal the hunger is gone. DWade is fatigued from the World Championship game, and Shaq going down early is the worst thing that could have happened for Miami. It puts more onus on Wade to shoulder all of Miami's scoring. Antoine Walker came into camp overweight and out of shape. Jason Williams was injured the entire summer. I'm sure the Heat will be fine, they were built for post season success and when they find their stride they'll make another run this year in the playoffs. There aren't 8 other teams in the East playing well enough to panic Miami from missing the playoffs, so their goals need to be 1. stay healthy 2. try to limit Wade's minutes as much as possible.
I think that is a very good analysis of the Heat. As well as what their strategy should be. They probably should limit his minutes to 35 mpg, but I don't think they are going to limit Wade's minutes much, unless he gets some type of injury, because they need him to create offense while Shaq is out. I think Wade gets a lot of FTs because he is persistent at attacking the basket, but I do think he gets a few more calls than role players like Posey would on a similar play. Part of it also, is Wade knows how to draw fouls, and initiate contact to get a foul call. However other star players know how to do this too.
