LAST WARNING... Quit the personal attacks, quit the baiting, and quit airing your problems out over a public forum. If you have a problem there are appropriate ways to communicate on the board. It's a good topic to debate, but please keep on topic and actually provide some substance to it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, your part wasn't edited...it was the part where I was called a "loser"... . So, in reality...my post was edited becuase I said something about the loser comment, which was edited before...and if that is all you are going to post, seriously..never post again, you don't contribute anything positive to these message boards. Either learn a thing or two about the NBA, or throw your computer out the window so you don't look so ignorant and post idiotic stuff like that.</div> I've been playing and watching basketball(mostly the Heat) for over a decade..so you may have your opinion and I respect that, but my opinion is different. Seems to me like you havn't even watched a Heat game, at least lately, they are way better than you describe them, You don't need any more GREAT players than Shaq and Wade, everyone else has their own role, that what makes a team. People say what they want..."Detriot is the team to beat", but for Detriot...Miami is the team to beat.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">People say what they want..."Detriot is the team to beat", but for Detriot...Miami is the team to beat.</div> Obviously, Detroit can't beat themselves.. This, IMO, has been the "Heat vs. Spurs in the Finals" Thread. There has been some mention of the Pistons, but I would pick them in a 7 game series over the Heat. Now I do not know much about the Heat, nor do I care to know much about them, but it seems to me that Starter Wise, their isn't much between them. Billups/D. Jones: Damon Jones (from what I've seen) relies on the double team to get open. He can drive pretty well, but with Billups on him, the Wallaces in the paint, and possibly a trap by Prince, I do not see that happening. Billups wins this. Hamilton/Wade: IMO, in the Finals last year, Hamilton was over-rated. People saying he tired out Kobe (and Reggie in the ECF). Which was true, he was a big force in propelling them to win, but against Wade, he might tire himself out. However, Rip now, is under-rated and over-looked. People forget what a potent threat he is, and they leave him in man coverage, or even throw out a Zone when 'Rip, 'Sheed, Prince, and Billups are all on the floor. Wade probably won't be able to adjust to Hamilton running through screens and spotting up jumpers. Wade might win this, but don't count Rip out. Prince/E. Jones: This is a little more even, both players are great defenders, and can be offensive threats. Prince is just down right longer, and you never really know anymore with Eddie. Call it Even, because Jones, Like Jalen Rose, can suprise you sometimes. R. Wallace/Haslem: As good as Haslem is, Rasheed Wallace is a beast. The guy can take you inside, outside, post up, spot up. Haslem feeds off of rebounds and doubles on Shaq. 'Sheed should win this. B. Wallace/O'neal: Shaq, of course, is the most dominant center in the game right now, but Big Ben proved how effective he was against Shaq last year in the Finals. O'neal might have more weight, but Wallace has more muscle, and should be able to disrupt some parts of Shaquille's game. But, Shaq is Shaq. The thing is, you cannot really look at regular season records in the Playoffs. The Grizzlies swept the Spurs last year, but got swept by the Spurs in the Playoffs. I would pick the Pistons in a 7 Game Series, just because of depth. Either way, if the Heat and Pistons were to meet in the ECF, it would be most interesting.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post"> I wouldn't say most fans...they have gained some band-wagoners..but they also gained Shaq fans. People who were fans of Shaq and have cheered for him wherever he has gone. </div> Hahaha that's me. I have followed Shaq pretty much his whole career except his first 2 or 3 years. Haha I remember I was a big Magic fan when they had Shaq like his last year in Orlando when I got into basketball. Then I even liked the Lakers. They were very fun to watch with Shaq and kobe, and now I like the Heat because Shaq was there. I did like the Heat a little last year aldo because of Dwyane Wade. Now I just love them.(no homo)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ace2k2:</div><div class="quote_post">Hahaha that's me. I have followed Shaq pretty much his whole career except his first 2 or 3 years. Haha I remember I was a big Magic fan when they had Shaq like his last year in Orlando when I got into basketball. Then I even liked the Lakers. They were very fun to watch with Shaq and kobe, and now I like the Heat because Shaq was there. I did like the Heat a little last year aldo because of Dwyane Wade. Now I just love them.(no homo)</div> I have no problem with fans like you either, I don't consider you guys bandwagon fans..if Gilbert Arenas and Kwame Brown were about to be traded, I would start following their new teams, its just natural instincts to follow your favorite player to whatever team he goes to.. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting magnomonkey:</div><div class="quote_post"> Obviously, Detroit can't beat themselves.. This, IMO, has been the "Heat vs. Spurs in the Finals" Thread. There has been some mention of the Pistons, but I would pick them in a 7 game series over the Heat. Now I do not know much about the Heat, nor do I care to know much about them, but it seems to me that Starter Wise, their isn't much between them. Billups/D. Jones: Damon Jones (from what I've seen) relies on the double team to get open. He can drive pretty well, but with Billups on him, the Wallaces in the paint, and possibly a trap by Prince, I do not see that happening. Billups wins this. Hamilton/Wade: IMO, in the Finals last year, Hamilton was over-rated. People saying he tired out Kobe (and Reggie in the ECF). Which was true, he was a big force in propelling them to win, but against Wade, he might tire himself out. However, Rip now, is under-rated and over-looked. People forget what a potent threat he is, and they leave him in man coverage, or even throw out a Zone when 'Rip, 'Sheed, Prince, and Billups are all on the floor. Wade probably won't be able to adjust to Hamilton running through screens and spotting up jumpers. Wade might win this, but don't count Rip out. Prince/E. Jones: This is a little more even, both players are great defenders, and can be offensive threats. Prince is just down right longer, and you never really know anymore with Eddie. Call it Even, because Jones, Like Jalen Rose, can suprise you sometimes. R. Wallace/Haslem: As good as Haslem is, Rasheed Wallace is a beast. The guy can take you inside, outside, post up, spot up. Haslem feeds off of rebounds and doubles on Shaq. 'Sheed should win this. B. Wallace/O'neal: Shaq, of course, is the most dominant center in the game right now, but Big Ben proved how effective he was against Shaq last year in the Finals. O'neal might have more weight, but Wallace has more muscle, and should be able to disrupt some parts of Shaquille's game. But, Shaq is Shaq. The thing is, you cannot really look at regular season records in the Playoffs. The Grizzlies swept the Spurs last year, but got swept by the Spurs in the Playoffs. I would pick the Pistons in a 7 Game Series, just because of depth. Either way, if the Heat and Pistons were to meet in the ECF, it would be most interesting.</div> I agree with pretty much everything that was said in here. Rip isn't nearly as talented as Wade, but I do believe he would be able to tire him out with his constant running around...
If Miami plays the way they are playing now when it comes to the playoffs, no one is going to stop them. They have won 15 out of there last 18, and have blown out several quality teams by double digits during that period. They havent worked Zo or Smith into the rotation yet. And now they are starting to work on the defensive end and have blown out teams early enough, they get to send in there subs for garbage time midway through the fourth. I dont see Detroit beating them out of the east, and I do see them winning the title, barring any serious injuries.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting magnomonkey:</div><div class="quote_post">Obviously, Detroit can't beat themselves.. This, IMO, has been the "Heat vs. Spurs in the Finals" Thread. There has been some mention of the Pistons, but I would pick them in a 7 game series over the Heat. Now I do not know much about the Heat, nor do I care to know much about them, but it seems to me that Starter Wise, their isn't much between them. Billups/D. Jones: Damon Jones (from what I've seen) relies on the double team to get open. He can drive pretty well, but with Billups on him, the Wallaces in the paint, and possibly a trap by Prince, I do not see that happening. Billups wins this. Hamilton/Wade: IMO, in the Finals last year, Hamilton was over-rated. People saying he tired out Kobe (and Reggie in the ECF). Which was true, he was a big force in propelling them to win, but against Wade, he might tire himself out. However, Rip now, is under-rated and over-looked. People forget what a potent threat he is, and they leave him in man coverage, or even throw out a Zone when 'Rip, 'Sheed, Prince, and Billups are all on the floor. Wade probably won't be able to adjust to Hamilton running through screens and spotting up jumpers. Wade might win this, but don't count Rip out. Prince/E. Jones: This is a little more even, both players are great defenders, and can be offensive threats. Prince is just down right longer, and you never really know anymore with Eddie. Call it Even, because Jones, Like Jalen Rose, can suprise you sometimes. R. Wallace/Haslem: As good as Haslem is, Rasheed Wallace is a beast. The guy can take you inside, outside, post up, spot up. Haslem feeds off of rebounds and doubles on Shaq. 'Sheed should win this. B. Wallace/O'neal: Shaq, of course, is the most dominant center in the game right now, but Big Ben proved how effective he was against Shaq last year in the Finals. O'neal might have more weight, but Wallace has more muscle, and should be able to disrupt some parts of Shaquille's game. But, Shaq is Shaq. The thing is, you cannot really look at regular season records in the Playoffs. The Grizzlies swept the Spurs last year, but got swept by the Spurs in the Playoffs. I would pick the Pistons in a 7 Game Series, just because of depth. Either way, if the Heat and Pistons were to meet in the ECF, it would be most interesting.</div> I agree with some of your opinions, but this is what I feel: Billups vs Damon: Billups wins this one. Damon is definately one of the best shooters in the league, and Billups will get himself caught a few times, but Billups should have the edge when Damon mans him up. But thats what Dooling is for. Hamilton vs Wade: Wade hands down. Wade is one of the best defending guards in the league, leading all guards in blocks. Hamilton might like to come off the screens a lot, but the Heat (Wade) are the best conditioned team in the league and he wont have a problem against Rip. On the other end of the court though, its going to be tough for Hamilton to guard Wade. Prince vs Eddie: This is a wash. They both play great defense, they both can create for there teammates, and both can hit the open shot. The fact that they are interchangable between the forward and guard spot could also make them a tough matchup for each others team. RWallace vs Haslem: Wallace does have the edge here, but I wouldnt count out Haslem, which no team does anymore. Fourth in the league in FG%, he has made it had to double Shaq when he is in the game cause he can hit the open 15-18 ft jumper. Wallace does have a versatile game, but Haslem lack of size is substituted by his grit and heart. He plays great defense and I think he will give Wallace some problems. BWallace vs Shaq: Now you brought up what happened last Finals, but IMO, Shaq had his way in that series and I cant see it being any different this year. Like you said, Shaq is Shaq, and he wont be stopped. These two teams match up well, and the bench could be a big part in who wins this series. Thats where I think the Heat have an advantage. Miami can definately go 9 deep come playoff time, and they will have several different lineup looks available for certain situations, and that will cause a lot of problems for the opposition. As much as I want to see Miami have an easy way to the Finals, Im one who believes that you have to beat the champs in order to become champs, and I would drool over a Pistons/Heat ECF.
All you need to know about the Heat is that they're legit contenders and their game says it all so there's no real reason to sit here debating it. The only team that can really contend with the Heat in the East are the Pistons but even then there's no real competition there (and for those who think the Pistons are playing championship basketball, just look at how ridiculous their february schedule was, and when they face .500 teams they lose). And don't bring up how we lost a game to them, they won by a desperation shot and then second time Miami beat em by 11. In both games the Pistons were heavily favored by the referees so they fought through adversity both times and played better. The 3 teams Miami has to be concerned with is Pheonix, San Antonio, and Seattle. San Antonio: Proven Champions, best defensive team in the league (no it's not detroit, they're 2nd) Pheonix: Great offense, good perimeter game (a Miami weakness) Seattle: Great offense, good perimeter game (a Miami weakness)
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SKOLNICK: Haslem earning his due Published March 8, 2005 MIAMI -- Same question, different night. When, where and how would Stan Van Gundy find some more time for Alonzo Mourning, the former face of the franchise? The Heat coach, on the edge of exasperation, explained again that it wasn't so simple, that Shaquille O'Neal needed his regular run, and that Michael Doleac and Christian Laettner had proven deserving of their time, and that ... "Udonis is going to play his 36 minutes," Van Gundy said. Anyone care to question that anymore? Anyone recognize how remarkable it is that you can't? Anyone remember back to the 2002 draft, when 58 players were picked, and the University of Florida's Udonis Haslem was not among them? "Nah, that's over with," Haslem said before outplaying the more celebrated and better-compensated Chris Webber in the Heat's latest laugher, 108-100 against the 76ers. "I'm cool with it. I'm at peace. If I got drafted, I probably wouldn't be playing for the home team." So here he is, two years after playing overseas. Playing close to where he starred for Miami High, before a steady stream of friends and relatives, with those in attendance Monday witnessing his 29th double-double of the season: 12 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Playing so consistently and passionately and efficiently that no sane observer would propose Mourning slicing into his playing time. Playing so confidently and competently that if you could re-slot that 2002 draft board, only Yao Ming, Amare Stoudemire, Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer would be sure selections ahead of him. Playing well enough to get his due at some point. "Probably not," Haslem said, showing the smile he strategically stashes while on the court. "When I play well, people make the point that I'm only playing well because I'm playing with Shaq." Those people are missing the point. Slava Medvedenko, Tom Tolbert, Travis Knight, Jeff Turner and Samaki Walker played plenty at O'Neal's side. None did what Haslem is doing. In fact, only two power forwards have ever been so statistically productive next to Shaq: Karl Malone and Horace Grant. And that's the 1995-97 Grant of Orlando, not the 2000-01 Grant of Los Angeles. Yet Haslem has to hear a familiar question. How will he guard so-and-so, whether Dirk Nowitzki or Jermaine O'Neal or Rasheed Wallace or Kevin Garnett or Antawn Jamison or Tim Duncan? It's always about the other power forward. The star. The featured attraction. Monday, that guy was Webber. And yet it was Haslem who cut for a dunk in the opening minute, then stroked three straight 17-foot jumpers with no hesitation. It was Haslem who got a sliver of Rodney Rogers' shot, and Haslem who flushed an alley-oop on a soaring pass from Wade. It was Haslem who worked inside and outside, on both ends, every minute, his energy setting the tone. "He was great," Van Gundy said. "He's really learned to play off Shaq." It was Webber who appeared slow and timid, who shot 4 of 13 to Haslem's 6 of 8. It was Haslem who outrebounded, outscored, outhustled and outthought a man earning 25 times his 2004-05 salary. "It wasn't really me," Haslem said. " When he gets acclimated to the new system, I expect him to put up big numbers." Yet it certainly was Haslem, the self-described "silly dude" who was belting out a little number after his latest solid outing: "Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light." It is Haslem who has the green light to keep going and growing. "I still have room to get better," Haslem said. "I'm looking forward to the years coming." This offseason, if any team offers more than the league average -- around $5 million -- the Heat can't match. But it doesn't sound like he cares to leave. "At the end of the day, I want to take care of my family," Haslem said. "But the $600,000 I make now is more than I've ever made in my life." Now it's about making the most of every minute. </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OGmAXiFY:</div><div class="quote_post">Source</div>Haslem is gonna be a good player, even better than now, and has played even better since the Zo acquisition (because a lot of people don't think he's good enough to start next to Shaq). He gets a lot of wiiiiiiiiiiide open looks mostly coming from the other team's PF chosing to help double Shaq but he's done a great job of knocking down the jumpers. His jumpshot was deemed "erratic" by everyone in his rookie season but he has really done a great job of working on it in the offseason. A lot of people don't know it (because the Heat is team oriented and he does as told) but Haslem has a lot of moves including a post up game that he's been working on. He's also very efficient shooting 53%-FG (4th best in the NBA) and he doesn't need a play to be ran for him to be effective. If he keeps up his rebounding, he's gonna end up averaging a double double this season. One of the things he's got to do a better job of is overcoming his height limitation but that'll come with time. He's one of my favorite players on the Heat.
I hate It when people comparing starting 5's to decide which is better. 90% of the time It never tells the full story. Coaching, defense, depth are bigger factors. It's not just about the talent. Over the years If I had a cookie for everytime a team overall won more head to head when comparing match-ups with the Spurs, well lets just say I would have alot of cookies. The Heat are a great team who could certainly win It all, you can never count out a team that has Shaq in the middle. When you have two stars who can carry you to wins you will always have a chance to win the championship. There is not a man on this earth who can stop Shaq, he can get his no matter what. It's how you stop the other guys on the team. Damon Jones, Eddie Jones, Udonis Haslem, Dooling, Zo and If he gets some time Steve Smith. If those guys can put in consistant performances then yes they have a great chance to win it all. A Spurs/Heat finals would certainly make for good TV. Shaq/Duncan has always been a great battle and have combined for 5 rings in 6 years. Rasho and Nazr would have their hands full all series guarding Shaq. As great as Bowen is defensively he can't really guard Dywane Wade. He is like no other guard that Bruce has guarded in the past. His speed gives him problems and unlike other top shooting guards he has faced in past playoff series's he doesn't settle for the jumpshot and with Shaq inside you can't really afford to double him and make him pass It off. The one thing that would likely happen is TP will abuse Damon Jones. Damon is a bad defender which will hurt him trying to guard one of the quickest guards in the NBA. Dooling is a better defender and will likely get some good minutes but on the other side the Heat will need Damon in there for his three-point shooting. Alot of the time this season Damon can hide on the court..meaning he isn't such a liabailty on the defensive end. In this series though, that can't happen with Parker and Manu on the floor. Unless of course he guards Bruce Bowen who isn't known for his scoring. I honestly feel If this series does happen then It will come down to homecourt. Which is why getting the best overall record in the NBA is so important.
