I made a mistake in my last post guys. I was at work all day and came back and just started writing, not realizing that D Wade was out. I have made the necessary changes in my previous post. Miami is down at the half, and have a lot of work to do to come out with the W. Lets get it together Heat, pull out the big win for D Wade! Expect LeBron to take over the second half. He does not take kindly to being down on the scoreboard. Lets see a big 3rd quarter.
Get em LeBron
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Heat head to Memphis tonight at 8
Memphis comes into this game with only 4 wins and 9 losses. Rudy Gay and O.J Mayo, however, make for a great back court combination. Marc Gasol has been steadily improving, and Zach Randolf is going to serve his role as the anchor of this team. Memphis likes to get out and run the ball, but have been giving up a lot of points as of late.
As for James, we should expect some great basketball(don't we always?). He seems to have found his place in the big 3 and accepts the role of leader, especially when D Wade is not 100 percent. Wade tends to get banged up a lot, so down the stretch it is more likely we will see LeBron take more of the leadership responsibilities(although Wade is just as good of a leader). Plenty of analysts and guys around the locker room have talked about how James is always communicating with team mates during practice. That is the type of leadership we would like to see. LeBron brings the intensity, Wade brings the knowledge of the offense, and Bosh is your silent leader who likes to lead by example. This dynamic will be great for bringing the team together.
As far as scores and points for tonight's game, I have some ideas. I think LeBron will continue to fill up the scoring column with Wade not feeling well. He should have at least 25 points with a few assists and rebounds. Bosh should also be somewhere in the 20's. I expect him to drop at least 20 points on Marc Gasol, and get the double double. Chris has been playing some great ball, and I expect that to continue. Hopefully LeBron can find Bosh like he found D Wade last night.
Expect to see plenty of that this season.
As far the bench, I expect them to be consistent. As long as the bench is putting up between 5 and 10 points each, that should be enough to pull of the W. Jones and House should knock down some 3's, and I would like to see if Chalmers continues to get more minutes.
My X factor in this game is Big Z. This guy has been doing great work int he starting line up, and I would like to see him dominate the boards and get some put back buckets. I know he is getting up there in age, but he is playing some solid basketball right now.
My final prediction, Miami beat Memphis by 15.
Miami, keep up the great play, keep up the intensity, and keep running up that score board!
Get em!
James leads Heat past Bobcats 95-87
James and Bosh picked up the slack. Going into this game, Wade was not feeling his best. He had been fighting flu like symptoms for a few days now, and Coach Spo was not sure how effective he would be. Wade ended up not having the best night, going only 4 for 13 from the field with 11 points. However, with LeBron dropping 32, and Bosh adding 22, the Heat were able to make up for Wade's illness. I like how these two men were able to recognize that Wade was hurting, and take the game into their own hands. Big ups to LeBron and Chris.
The Heat started out early. Although they did allow the Bobcats to come back from a 21 point deficit, the Heat came out shooting. In the first quarter, Miami looked amazing. Bosh looked like he was still playing the Suns, and LeBron was doing a very good job of controlling the pace. Big Z and the bench were doing their job in contributing and maintaining the game, and they looked incredible.
Miami closed out. James Jones really put the nail in the coffin in this game. I can't say enough about this guy. He shoots the ball so well, and is able to knock down big shots for Miami. Great decision by coach to put him in for the final minutes of the game. The 3 he knocked down with less than a minute left gave the heat everything they needed to pull away with the win.
The Heat got rebounds. Miami had 44 rebounds, while the Bobcats only had 38. This again proves the point that the team who controls the glass most likely controls the game. I liked Miami's intensity on the boards, and I liked even more that Bosh had the majority of the rebounds. Chris pulled in 14 boards, much more than he had grabbed in previous games. I like the way Chris Bosh has played as of late, and I really do hope that it continues.Overall, the Heat put on a show. I know the game got closer than anyone wanted it too (outside of Charlotte), but that does not change the fact that the Heat played well. Arroyo, Z, Chalmers, Jones, and Haslem gave some solid minutes tonight, and kept the game in control when Wade, Bosh, or James were taking a break. The Heat have been playing some quality basketball as of late, and I expect to see much more of it in the future.
Miami heads to Memphis tonight at 8 P.M. Look for the Heat to continue the intensity, and bring the heat to Memphis.
Get em.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Hey Guys
I set this post up to come on at 10:30 pm eastern time because I have a family matter to attend. I am extremely sorry for the inconvenience. Check back tomorrow around 10 AM eastern time for my analysis of the Miami Heat vs Bobcats. Until then, go out and have some fun!
LeBron James' Block Party
The Heat will be taking on the Bobcats tonight, and I am extremely excited. I look forward to seeing a big game from King James. Whoever does not think that LeBron is the best defensive player in the league, check this out...
LeBron is the definition of lock down defense and King of the shot block. Lets see it tonight against Charlotte.
Get em LeBron
LeBron is the definition of lock down defense and King of the shot block. Lets see it tonight against Charlotte.
Get em LeBron
Miami looks to continue great play against Charlotte tonight at 7:30
The Heat are hot (no pun intended), and are looking to stretch their winning streak to 3 by closing out the Bobcats at home. Bosh plays particularly well against the Bobcats (averaging almost 28 points a game since the 2007-08 season), and is also coming into this game extremely confident. Look for him to do some serious damage if he can continue to shoot in rhythm. When he scores more than 17 points per game, the Heat have 3 wins and only one loss.
Augustine is a solid point guard for the Bobcats, and could give Miami a little bit of trouble. We all know Miami has struggled against good guards, but they also shut down Steve Nash and the Suns. Hopefully, in this game we will continue to see the tenacious defense that allows Miami to build such substantial leads.
Wade is going to come out of this game firing. He scored the least out of the big 3 on Wednesday, and will most likely be looking to make up for it. Look for him to get close to 30 tonight and grab some rebounds. His defensive intensity has been very impressive lately, and I look for him to shut down whoever Coach Spo decided to put him on.
The bench should have a significant impact in this game. Charlotte is notorious for having a deep rotation, which could give Miami problems in the second half. Big games from Jones and House and solid minutes from Howard, Anthony, and Stack will give Miami the best chance of winning. The minutes when most of the big 3 are on the bench have to be hard fought minutes, where Charlotte will not be given the opportunity to put together a run.
Finally, we have LeBron. I expect to see a lot from James tonight. He has played solid basketball game in and game out since the season started, and has been one of the most consistent players in Miami's line up. He has been flirting with a triple double for a few games now, and I would expect him to be right there again tonight. Look for him to have between 22 and 28 points, and over 7 rebounds and at least 10 assists. When LeBron is playing his game, he is able to find open men and get everyone else involved. While LeBron is racking up the assists, Miami's role players will be lighting up the score boards. Expect some solid all-around basketball from the King tonight.
And hopefully, a few of these...
On paper, Charlotte seems like a pretty easy win. What I want to see most in tonight's game is lock down defense throughout. Miami can not give Charlotte the opportunity to get anything going, and everyone has to be on the same page. When Miami's defense is at it's best, it throws opponents out of any kind of rhythm they would hope to have.
The Heat are going to try to close out this home stand with a bang. Get excited.
-On a side note, the NBA All Star Ballots are out. Be sure to vote!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
3 + 6 + 1 = Unstoppable
After 11 games of these season, we can make 3 major conclusions about the big 3...
1. Wade is a pure scorer that can create for himself easily
Wade is going to be looking to attack the rim at all times. Sure, he can hit LeBron and Bosh for some open looks, but that's really not his style. Wade has that silent killer demeanor and, at times, seems to pull monster dunks out of thin air. He uses this to his advantage when he attacks the rim, and puts up numbers in major spurts. When he gets hot, it is best to just let him do his thing. Wade heats up faster than most in the league, and that can definitely give Miami the boost it needs to pull away in games.
2. LeBron can take over the game if need be, but prefers to be a stat-stuffer with points, assists, and rebounds
We have all seen it before when the King played in Cleveland. James scores 44, James scores 56, James scores 40 in consecutive playoff games. We know that when LeBron is feeling it, he can put the ball in the hoop whenever wants. However, on this Miami team, LeBron has an arsenal of guys that can knock down open shots at his disposal. Jones, House, Bosh, Wade, Z, all of these guys can knock down open shots when James sets them up. Because of this, LeBron has to adjust his playing style. When Wade or Bosh are on the floor with LeBron, he can penetrate and dish to open man. At the same time, when LeBron is the only one representing the big 3 on the court, he takes over. We saw a great example of this last night. Bosh and Wade took a breather, and LeBron took the game into his own hands. James has the unique ability to switch playing styles at will, and he used that gift to its fullest potential last night.
3. Chris Bosh plays his best basketball when he is set up by his team mates
Bosh knocked down uncontested shot after uncontested shot last night. It looked more like a shooting gallery than a basketball game for Miami, and Bosh spent most of his time knocking down mid range jump shots. Out of all the field goals Bosh hit, only 3 of them were from inside the paint. Bosh's game relies on him to find the open area of the court, stretch the defense, and knock down some big shots. He tends to flare on pick and roles in order to give himself some looks at some nice 15 footers. I like what he adds to this team when he is playing his A game. A big man can not play up on him because it leaves to much room for James and Wade to drive. If James or Wade do drive, the defense has to collapse, and Bosh will be left open. We saw last night that Miami put in a solid effort to find Bosh, and it paid off. With him playing his best basketball, Miami is unstoppable.
We can see here that the Miami Heat are turning into exactly what we expected. Last night we saw a solid basketball club that can attack you from every angle, and never run out of fire power.. I know, it is only one game and the basketball season is extremely long. However, this is the first time we have seen all 3 of the big 3 have great games at the same time. If Miami can perform at this level on a consistent basis, we are all going to witness something special.
Get em.
Wade is going to be looking to attack the rim at all times. Sure, he can hit LeBron and Bosh for some open looks, but that's really not his style. Wade has that silent killer demeanor and, at times, seems to pull monster dunks out of thin air. He uses this to his advantage when he attacks the rim, and puts up numbers in major spurts. When he gets hot, it is best to just let him do his thing. Wade heats up faster than most in the league, and that can definitely give Miami the boost it needs to pull away in games.
2. LeBron can take over the game if need be, but prefers to be a stat-stuffer with points, assists, and rebounds
We have all seen it before when the King played in Cleveland. James scores 44, James scores 56, James scores 40 in consecutive playoff games. We know that when LeBron is feeling it, he can put the ball in the hoop whenever wants. However, on this Miami team, LeBron has an arsenal of guys that can knock down open shots at his disposal. Jones, House, Bosh, Wade, Z, all of these guys can knock down open shots when James sets them up. Because of this, LeBron has to adjust his playing style. When Wade or Bosh are on the floor with LeBron, he can penetrate and dish to open man. At the same time, when LeBron is the only one representing the big 3 on the court, he takes over. We saw a great example of this last night. Bosh and Wade took a breather, and LeBron took the game into his own hands. James has the unique ability to switch playing styles at will, and he used that gift to its fullest potential last night.
3. Chris Bosh plays his best basketball when he is set up by his team mates
We can see here that the Miami Heat are turning into exactly what we expected. Last night we saw a solid basketball club that can attack you from every angle, and never run out of fire power.. I know, it is only one game and the basketball season is extremely long. However, this is the first time we have seen all 3 of the big 3 have great games at the same time. If Miami can perform at this level on a consistent basis, we are all going to witness something special.
Get em.
Highlights from last night/ moving forward
For those of you who missed last nights game, here is a highlight video. I really do like this video because, although it is pretty lengthy, it really gives you a detailed look at the flow and pace of the game. So here you go.
I really liked how Bosh made a conscious effort to score in this game. Also, the big 3 have proven they can all play well at the same time. Two VERY good reasons to get excited.
So today I am looking through some online articles, hoping to see something positive about the Miami Heat from anywhere else in the world other than Miami. No luck. I read articles in Baltimore, LA, New York, and Dallas. Every single one of them found ways to pick apart Miami's game, in spite of the fact that they won convincingly.
Some articles called out Miami's tendency to shoot jump shots, others brought up the loss the Utah ( I still don't understand why). Finally, some articles were trying to say that Phoenix was making it close in the end! Unbelievable.
One of the hardest parts of being a Miami Heat fan this season is going to be dealing with the fact that no matter how good the Heat play, people are going to pull out all of the negative and none of the positive. People are going to criticize the big 3 (who played great last night), question the bench work, and do everything else they can to poke and prod at these guys. The fact of the matter is, do not believe everything you hear, because we have seen time and time again this season that the media will twist and turn every little thing the Heat (especially Lebron) do, say, or imply. We have to have the knowledge as Heat fans that these guys are just trying to cash a pay check by marketing their writing towards the Heat-Haters. Don't let them get to you, we are 7-4, and now that Bosh has emerged, it is only going to get better.
Lets silence the critics.
Get em.
I really liked how Bosh made a conscious effort to score in this game. Also, the big 3 have proven they can all play well at the same time. Two VERY good reasons to get excited.
So today I am looking through some online articles, hoping to see something positive about the Miami Heat from anywhere else in the world other than Miami. No luck. I read articles in Baltimore, LA, New York, and Dallas. Every single one of them found ways to pick apart Miami's game, in spite of the fact that they won convincingly.
One of the hardest parts of being a Miami Heat fan this season is going to be dealing with the fact that no matter how good the Heat play, people are going to pull out all of the negative and none of the positive. People are going to criticize the big 3 (who played great last night), question the bench work, and do everything else they can to poke and prod at these guys. The fact of the matter is, do not believe everything you hear, because we have seen time and time again this season that the media will twist and turn every little thing the Heat (especially Lebron) do, say, or imply. We have to have the knowledge as Heat fans that these guys are just trying to cash a pay check by marketing their writing towards the Heat-Haters. Don't let them get to you, we are 7-4, and now that Bosh has emerged, it is only going to get better.
Lets silence the critics.
Get em.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Bosh leads Heat as they run Suns out of town 123-96
Chris. Bosh. I don't need to say anything else about this game(but I will anyway). Bosh turned his game up about 12 notches tonight, and I could not be happier for him. He has been scrutinized and criticized from the second he stepped into Miami, and I am so happy he finally solidified his place as a member of the big 3. Great game Bosh, great game.
The Suns took a pounding tonight. The final score was 123-96, and the whole game was pure Miami domination. The Suns highest scorer was Steve Nash with 17. Chris Bosh went ahead and more than doubled that number, by himself. Miami shot close to 55 percent, while the Suns only shot about 44 percent. The Suns lights-out shooting that we had seen against LA was non-existent as Phoenix shot only 28 percent from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Miami shot about 37 percent, with Eddie House and Carlos Arroyo doing their thing from down town.
Everyone contributed in this game for Miami. As a fan, you have to love the team effort. Arroyo added 10 points, and nearly everyone got on the scoreboard (Chalmers did not score this game). Great overall team effort.
LeBron definitely played his role as leader for tonight's game. He really stepped up and fed Bosh while he was hot (which was the whole game). LeBron put up 20 points, while adding 9 assists, 3 steals, and 8 rebounds. LeBron was a big time stat stuffer tonight, and set the tone of the game with his play. I loved his control and poise in this game.
Wade had 17 points tonight. Many of you think that is a quiet night, but we all know Dwayne Wade likes to keep it cool off court while he lets his game do the talking. D Wade was throwing down monster dunks and getting everyone on their feet time and time again. You have to appreciate the energy Wade brought to the table tonight.
Overall, a great win Miami. They came off their 3 day rest firing, and did everything they could to show the world that they are going to keep improving. The Heat took everyones breath away tonight and the world got a glimpse at what they can do when all 3 of the big 3 are doing their thing. Celtics, Magic, Lakers, and any other team that wants a shot at the title better watch out, because the Heat team we all dreamt (or feared) were coming, well, they're heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere.
I will be posting some highlights and further analysis tomorrow. The big 3 look to be going full speed, and it's only November.
Get excited.
Everyone contributed in this game for Miami. As a fan, you have to love the team effort. Arroyo added 10 points, and nearly everyone got on the scoreboard (Chalmers did not score this game). Great overall team effort.
LeBron definitely played his role as leader for tonight's game. He really stepped up and fed Bosh while he was hot (which was the whole game). LeBron put up 20 points, while adding 9 assists, 3 steals, and 8 rebounds. LeBron was a big time stat stuffer tonight, and set the tone of the game with his play. I loved his control and poise in this game.
Wade had 17 points tonight. Many of you think that is a quiet night, but we all know Dwayne Wade likes to keep it cool off court while he lets his game do the talking. D Wade was throwing down monster dunks and getting everyone on their feet time and time again. You have to appreciate the energy Wade brought to the table tonight.
I will be posting some highlights and further analysis tomorrow. The big 3 look to be going full speed, and it's only November.
Get excited.
Suns head to South Beach tonight at 7
Miami has had some rest, worked on some new schemes, and nursed some minor bruises. Now, it is time to play. The Suns are coming into tonight hot, and are going to be looking to put them Heat on Miami. Lets take a look at what needs to happen for the Heat to pull off the W in South Beach.
Good minutes from the starting rotation. Haslem and Wade were both able to tend to their minor injuries, and will be playing tonight. On top of that, big Z is assumed to be in the starting line up yet again. This is probably due to the fact that he was able to put up 12 points in his last outing. Quality minutes from him, as well as has Anthony, Jones, Haslem, and Stack will be essentially to win against the Phoenix Suns high-octane offence.
I have already talked about defense last night, so I will not spend much time on. Basically, lock up their shooters, play good transition D, and no open looks.
Jason Richardson comes into this game with a league high 31 3 point buckets. Steve Nash needs to be cut off so that he can not find Jason for open looks. Contain Nash, and Richardson will have a hard time as well.
LeBron and Wade have to set their own pace for this game. Don't just adhere to what the Suns are giving you. If they want to push the tempo faster, they need to push it faster. LeBron and Dwayne are too good to just allow what the Suns want to do. I know the Heat are a new squad, but if all else fails, they need to take over.
I want to see LeBron and Dwayne set the precedent this game. I expect to see them play much better together, and I also expect Bosh to be more involved. With Amare out of Phoenix, Bosh should not have that hard of a time getting looks. I want him to put up at least 15 points tonight, and hit the boards for about 10 rebounds.
REBOUNDS. The Heat have to dominate the boards tonight. Long rebounds lead to fast breaking opportunities for the Suns, and offensive rebounds leave most defenses out of place and give the Suns good looks at the basket. Everyone on the Heat tonight has to help out and grab some boards.
This will be an intense game tonight. However, I believe that if the Heat will come together and get some solid team work going. The time they have spent together resting in the past few days should come in handy, and I expect to see most players (if not all) on the same page. If the Heat can get firing on all cylinders, even if it is only for a brief amount of time, the Suns are in trouble.
LeBron is going to step up and give Miami a big W tonight. I predict 25 points from him with close to 10 assists and 5 or 6 rebounds. The Heat are going to demonstrate a lot of improvement tonight, and we are all going to witness a strong and resilient squad.
The Heat are going to make a statement tonight, courtesy of the Phoenix Suns.
Get em.
Heat have had enough with anti-LeBron journalist
The Miami Heat have denied to credentials to writer Scott Raab. Raab is currently writing a book on LeBron James and his decision to leave Cleveland to go to Miami, from the perspective of Cleveland of course. Needless to say, this man does not paint a pretty picture of the King. Raab is notorious for hating LeBron with a passion, and his made a career out of exploiting him whenever he can. Raab has been noted to never miss an opportunity to let LeBron know that he thinks he is an awful person. These two obviously are not best of friends
However, Raab has been told by the Miami Heat that he is not welcome to be involved with the activity of the Heat, and that he will not be given credentials for any of his work. This basically means that anything Raab does in relation to the Miami Heat will have no proof from the Miami Heat themselves. Raab is obviously angry, and believes that he is receiving this response because of his last post, where he used some explicit language to describe LeBron. Regardless of the reasoning, Raab is out of the picture for the heat, at least for now.
However, Raab has been told by the Miami Heat that he is not welcome to be involved with the activity of the Heat, and that he will not be given credentials for any of his work. This basically means that anything Raab does in relation to the Miami Heat will have no proof from the Miami Heat themselves. Raab is obviously angry, and believes that he is receiving this response because of his last post, where he used some explicit language to describe LeBron. Regardless of the reasoning, Raab is out of the picture for the heat, at least for now. I really can not stand people like this. These scum bags who make their careers of exploiting someone else. Raab's entire career (and probably life) consists of him trying to show the world what a terrible person LeBron is. The truth of the matter is, he smells blood because he knows LeBron has pissed some people in Cleveland off, and he is going for the kill. He is using hatred of LeBron to build a fan base. As a writer myself, I think this is entirely unacceptable. I will be the first one to tell you I do not like most Celtics players, but I would never make it my goal to write about how much I hate them. On top of that, most of my comments towards the Celts would only be in response to negative things they may have said about a team or player I support. To make your career out of trying to ruin someone else's is absolutely pathetic.
I am glad the NBA was smart enough to agree with the call. No man should be given permission to mock a single player for his career and receive support. David Stern made the right call here (as he often does).
I would love to see LeBron go 12 rounds with Raab. I know Raab would be out cold in 1, but I still would get some pleasure watching James beat him down for the next 11, regardless of how conscious he is.
It is a fact that there will always be people to try and tear you down. I think LeBron, the Heat, and the league have handled the situation wonderfully. LeBron has received this criticism before, and I know he will handle it the only way he knows how; proving everyone wrong. LeBron is a man of great integrity, and he knows that all the people that hate and try to tear him down are just jealous and angry. LeBron, keep doing your thing, let the haters hate, and know that your going to have supporters no matter what this scum bag says.
I will be posting more in regards to the Suns game a few hours before tip off. In the mean time, get some rest, and get fired up.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Heat Vs Suns : Lets see some D
By now, you may or may not know that the Pheonix Suns can shoot the rock. If you have not witnessed this by now, check this out.
Yeah, that is some pretty impressive stuff. Steve Nash is one of those guys that has a knack for getting into the lane, and he has a supporting cast that is going to knock down some shots. Keep in mind, they are doing this to L.A-not the Nets or Raptors-but the defending champs. Quite frankly, Phoenix made them look silly. On top of that, the Heat have hard a hard time with better point guards. We all know Nash is one of the best.
This game could have a significant impact for both teams. For the Suns, beating the Lake Show and then beating the Heat would put them up there as one of the best in the league. For the Heat, a win here would prove that not every great guard is going to beat them, and that they are improving. Either way, each team can take one step forward, or two steps back.
Expect Miami to set the tone defensively. Offense can come and go throughout the night, but I want to see the defense as a constant. LeBron needs to set the gym on fire with some big blocks and get the crowd involved. With him working his magic on the defensive end, everyone around him is going to get hyped up and play better.
Being the Miami Heat is no easy task this season. Between the media, the critics, every team out to get you, the coaching drama that everyone pretends exists, the dynamic between Wade and James, all of Bosh's early skepticism, and the lack of post presence, the Heat have a lot on their plate. In my opinion, that is what makes them a special team. They are going to persevere and fight for every win they get, knowing every team has their number. They are going to get elbowed, kneed, kicked, and flagrantly fouled more than ever before this season. But you know what, they are going to come out and fight every game no matter what. Do you know why? Because they are a team of warriors. People may criticize LeBron and Dwayne's minutes played early in this season, but to truly set the tone for the rest of the team, you must lead by example. I am not worried about their minutes this season. I trust that when the whole team is on the same page, they will get some more time to rest.
LeBron has faced more criticism than anyone, and he goes out their every game and does his thing. A true basketball player, and a true professional. We are going to see him lead the team with lock down defense tomorrow night. The whole team will follow his lead, and show the Suns that Miami can play some serious defense.
Get em.
Yeah, that is some pretty impressive stuff. Steve Nash is one of those guys that has a knack for getting into the lane, and he has a supporting cast that is going to knock down some shots. Keep in mind, they are doing this to L.A-not the Nets or Raptors-but the defending champs. Quite frankly, Phoenix made them look silly. On top of that, the Heat have hard a hard time with better point guards. We all know Nash is one of the best.
This game could have a significant impact for both teams. For the Suns, beating the Lake Show and then beating the Heat would put them up there as one of the best in the league. For the Heat, a win here would prove that not every great guard is going to beat them, and that they are improving. Either way, each team can take one step forward, or two steps back.
Expect Miami to set the tone defensively. Offense can come and go throughout the night, but I want to see the defense as a constant. LeBron needs to set the gym on fire with some big blocks and get the crowd involved. With him working his magic on the defensive end, everyone around him is going to get hyped up and play better.
LeBron has faced more criticism than anyone, and he goes out their every game and does his thing. A true basketball player, and a true professional. We are going to see him lead the team with lock down defense tomorrow night. The whole team will follow his lead, and show the Suns that Miami can play some serious defense.
Get em.
Mark Cuban calls out Heat / time to fan up
The owner of the Mavs, Mark Cuban, apparently thinks that since Dallas has started off hot ( 7-2) that he is entitled to mock the Miami Heat. Cuban was quoted talking about how any big man that can score will destroy them and that they have some problems.
Mark Cuban, really? I mean I know you have a mouth on you, but come on. First off let me start by saying that one of the Heat's biggest wins of this young season was against the most dominant big man in the NBA (Dwight Howard). So there goes half your argument. Second, the Heat know they have problems, but at least they make the effort to work on their problems. I remember many Maverick teams that have known they had terrible defense, and just tried to outscore opponents. The common denominator; all of these teams were under your ownership, Mr. Cuban.
Oh and by the way, This Miami Heat team has been together 10 games, and you have owned the Mavs for 10 years. I don't think it is possible to win a championship in 10 games, even come playoff time. However, you have had ample opportunities to win some titles, and you know what happened, your squad choked. How many times have you guys had great records and fallen short. I remember one particular time the Blazers almost came back from being down 3-0 in the first round of the playoffs to beat you. So, Mark, lets not get ahead of ourselves here. LeBron and friends will see you soon, and they will not be quick to forget your comments.
Mark Cuban and other guys like him can not get away with ripping this team apart. I have been reading a lot about Miami's "Fan Up!" movement, and I think it is a great idea. I know you guys read this stuff, and I appreciate it. We have to get this thing bigger though. Post it on your facebook, twitter, myspace, whatever you want. Let everyone know about this site and bring others to it. If you love the Heat or LeBron or Wade or Bosh let me get those comments saying you love them and your are proud Miami Heat Fans! I know a lot of Miami's fan base right now is straight off the band wagon, but lets welcome these fans and get everyone involved. I mean, the Lakers didn't always have the fan base around the world (or the Cowboys or Yankees). We have to get everyone involved. If you like this blog leave me some positive feedback, tell your friends, and post it, and lets spread the word, we can build a VERY strong fan base in a very short time if all you readers get involved.
Lets get em!
Oh and by the way, This Miami Heat team has been together 10 games, and you have owned the Mavs for 10 years. I don't think it is possible to win a championship in 10 games, even come playoff time. However, you have had ample opportunities to win some titles, and you know what happened, your squad choked. How many times have you guys had great records and fallen short. I remember one particular time the Blazers almost came back from being down 3-0 in the first round of the playoffs to beat you. So, Mark, lets not get ahead of ourselves here. LeBron and friends will see you soon, and they will not be quick to forget your comments.
Lets get em!
LeBron and revamped Heat get ready to get back to business
So the Heat have had their day off, got some rest, iced some bruises, and hung out with our families. Now, it is time to get back to work.
The Heat take on the Suns on Wednesday, matching Miami's record of 6-4. However the Suns have just come off two strong wins against the Lakers and Denver, showing that they are making some serious improvements. This game has the potential to get intense fast.
I will not go into too much detail about this game this morning, their are still time before the game starts, and I would like to throw in some other posts in between. I will, however, say that this is a momentum swinging game for either team. A win sends each team to a solid 7-4, and a loss takes either team to an upsetting 6-5.
In the mean time, the Heat will be working on team work, defense, and that half court set I had discussed in previous posts. Expect them to hit the Suns with 7 different kinds of smoke on Wednesday by running the transition where it is appropriate, slowing it down when necessary, and playing that solid Miami defense we have all come to love early on. The Suns are a team that has had a history of pushing the pace. If they try to do that against LeBron, well, you know.
They should really try not to push the pace on him. Having said that, the Heat are going to love the fact that they are going to have multiple opportunities to speed the tempo in this game, but should try and slow it down from time to time to build confidence in the half court set.
As I said earlier, I will be talking about the Heat vs Suns a lot more before game time. Today, and tomorrow Miami has to stay focused and committed to the goal of being the best. Get better with every practice you attend and every game you play has been Wade and LeBron's mentality for a very long time. I expect that to be visible Wednesday.
Get em.
I will not go into too much detail about this game this morning, their are still time before the game starts, and I would like to throw in some other posts in between. I will, however, say that this is a momentum swinging game for either team. A win sends each team to a solid 7-4, and a loss takes either team to an upsetting 6-5.
In the mean time, the Heat will be working on team work, defense, and that half court set I had discussed in previous posts. Expect them to hit the Suns with 7 different kinds of smoke on Wednesday by running the transition where it is appropriate, slowing it down when necessary, and playing that solid Miami defense we have all come to love early on. The Suns are a team that has had a history of pushing the pace. If they try to do that against LeBron, well, you know.
They should really try not to push the pace on him. Having said that, the Heat are going to love the fact that they are going to have multiple opportunities to speed the tempo in this game, but should try and slow it down from time to time to build confidence in the half court set.
As I said earlier, I will be talking about the Heat vs Suns a lot more before game time. Today, and tomorrow Miami has to stay focused and committed to the goal of being the best. Get better with every practice you attend and every game you play has been Wade and LeBron's mentality for a very long time. I expect that to be visible Wednesday.
Get em.
Monday, November 15, 2010
LeBron nominated for Time Magazine's "Person of the Year"
Today, USA Today announced that LeBron James has been nominated for Time magazines "Person of the Year". This award is given to the individual who has had the most influence on the events of the year. This is a great honor for LeBron.
I personally could not be happier for LeBron on the nomination. I know his persona took a huge hit this year since his decision to go to Miami was made, but I am glad someone out there had the integrity to honor everything that he has done for the the Heat, the League, and the public.
LeBron is involved in countless fundraisers and is always looking for new ways to give back to the youth. We all know that the decision made millions for the boys and girls club, but that is not all he has done. He is also involved in the fight against cancer and many more charities; too many to list. There are countless fundraisers in his name and he does everything he can to give back when he can.
For the league, James does just as much. The NBA has made much more money since he has come into the league, and his move to Miami has given Heat games their best ratings ever. This season, certain Heat games were more watched than the world series. The league and the city of Miami make some nice pocket change courtesy of the king.
LeBron has used his fame and fortune to help those in need time and time again, and that is one statistic you will not find on a score sheet. I just wanted to take this time to honor the fact that LeBron has been nominated, and although he claims that it is too much, I believe it is a well deserved nomination.
LeBron and Wade welcome the half court offense
Critics are everywhere. You can search the Miami Heat online and find about 20 negative articles before you find one positive report. Everyone questions how they will operate as a team, how many minutes James and Wade are playing, why Bosh isn't quite their yet, when Pat Rielly will become head coach, and everything else you could possible think of. The Heat are the raw meat in a media feeding frenzy, with every reporter ready to find any flaw to sink their teeth into.
While having all of this to deal with, the Heat are doing a terrific job. They handle the media extremely well, keep their answers short and sweet, and keep a very strong locker room. There is a lot of integrity in that locker room, and it shows. Many people wonder why Dwayne and LeBron keep their answers so short. Both of these guys know that one wrong word will spiral out of control. I admire their ability to answer questions and leave no room for interpretation.
Many of these critics are wondering why the Miami Heat are not running the fast break more often. Miami shoots around 62 percent in transition, but only run the fast break about 13 percent of the time. If they run the break so well, why spend any time on half court offense? I'll tell you why.
I think taking this time early in the season to develop a half court offense is a great idea, and that James and Wade welcome it with open arms. LeBron and Dwayne are guys that will sacrifice to win, and we know they both do not mind sharing the spotlight (Neither of them would have agreed to play together if they did). Now, it is just a matter of getting on the same page. I believe that with the mindset of the coaching staff, the dedication of the team, and the leadership James and Wade bring to the table, the Heat will build a strong all around game, and showing teams no mercy in the ladder months of the season.
And when they do decide to run the fast break, watch out.
Get em.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Jones, House, and Haslem provide strong support off the bench
So, we have seen Miami improve over the first 10 games, and you have to give some credit to the bench play. Jones, House, and Haslem provide a spark off the bench and light up the scoreboards. They prove to be very strong players and hit some big shots down the stretch in close games.
I love Haslem's consistency. He sets the tone for Miami's offence and will always be there to knock down shots when everyone else is off. He is a fundamentally sound player who loves going for boards, playing stingy D, and putting up solid numbers. Miami's players gave up a good amount of money to keep him on the squad, and it looks to be a solid investment.
Eddie House has a very quick trigger finger and loves to shoot the ball. He has some big games for Miami, and his shooting ability helps to stretch the floor and opens up shots for everyone else. His play gets everyone on their feet, and can shift the momentum of the game in a matter of seconds. This guy is going to do some big things this year.
And finally, my personal favorite off the bench, James Jones. I really like the way this guy plays basketball. He has such a natural shot and a very quick release. He is one of the better spot up shooters in the game today, and he is shining under the South Beach spotlight this season. He, like House, can stretch the floor with his shot. He has had a few big games thus far, and his big shooting in the second and third quarters of games help the Heat pull away from opponents. He is doing a terrific job stepping up, and even after Miller returns, I expect to see Jones playing a lot. His 10 points a game do terrific things for the Heat, and he will be a catalyst in many of their victories. There is a very bright future for James Jones.
The Miami bench will only get stronger once Miller returns to the line up and Chalmers gets more accustomed to the Miami offense. Coach Spo is going to have plenty of offensive weapons, and players that can turn the game around with just a flick of the wrist. LeBron and rack up the assists by having these guys in his arsenal, and I am sure he loves having them around. When the king can find the open man, he is at his best. LeBron is a spectacular passer, and these Miami players are definitely going to capitalize. Expect career seasons from some the guys on the Miami bench.
I love Haslem's consistency. He sets the tone for Miami's offence and will always be there to knock down shots when everyone else is off. He is a fundamentally sound player who loves going for boards, playing stingy D, and putting up solid numbers. Miami's players gave up a good amount of money to keep him on the squad, and it looks to be a solid investment.
Eddie House has a very quick trigger finger and loves to shoot the ball. He has some big games for Miami, and his shooting ability helps to stretch the floor and opens up shots for everyone else. His play gets everyone on their feet, and can shift the momentum of the game in a matter of seconds. This guy is going to do some big things this year.
And finally, my personal favorite off the bench, James Jones. I really like the way this guy plays basketball. He has such a natural shot and a very quick release. He is one of the better spot up shooters in the game today, and he is shining under the South Beach spotlight this season. He, like House, can stretch the floor with his shot. He has had a few big games thus far, and his big shooting in the second and third quarters of games help the Heat pull away from opponents. He is doing a terrific job stepping up, and even after Miller returns, I expect to see Jones playing a lot. His 10 points a game do terrific things for the Heat, and he will be a catalyst in many of their victories. There is a very bright future for James Jones.
Bosh making improvements
Today I received a comment discussing Bosh's role on the team thus far, and how he should be incorporated. First of all, I love the comment, and I really appreciate the fact that you guys are reaching out. Having said that, lets take a look at Bosh's play.Bosh is a sound, fundamental player with all the potential in the world. He is definitely a big part of the big 3, but has not reached his mountain top as of yet. I think this is 98 percent due to the fact that this is all new to him. For LeBron and Wade, they spent a majority of the time handling the ball. Because of this, they can create shots for themselves, take the ball to the lane when they want, and create on their own. Bosh does not have that freedom. He has to be fed the ball in order to do damage.
Bosh used to get fed the ball constantly in Toronto. I have been the ball given to him in the low post 10 plays in a row at times. Now, he has to share the spotlight. He will no longer be fed constantly, and he has to make due with the shots he gets.
I think Bosh is going to be terrific for the Heat as the season progresses. He just needs to find his niche. We have already seen him improve drastically between the first 5 games of the season and the second 5, and this pattern will only continue. I expect to be saying A LOT more about him as the season goes on, and as long as he plays D and rebounds the Heat are going to be able to pull off some big wins. Bosh is a big part of the big 3, and I expect all of us to see that in the coming weeks. Thank you very much for your comment, and keep them coming.
LeBron knows this season is a process
In last nights post game interview LeBron sat down in front of the media and spoke about the future of the Miami Heat. LeBron calmly spoke about team work, time, and patience. Mid way through his analysis, he mentioned "I think we will be as good as we thought we would". You could not ask for more from one of your leaders.
LeBron and Dwayne know very well that it is going to take a while to be operating on the same page. Having said that, there are going to be players on the team that are frustrated because they are not at 100 percent right off the bat. Players like Z and Stack and Howard don't have much gas left in the tank, and to them, this year may be it. These guys need leaders to let them know everything is under control.
And that is what LeBron did. He calmly spoke about the fact that you are not going to just come out of the gates firing, and that it will take time. Wade spoke about these first ten games, and how they hope in the next ten that they will be better and more consistent then the first 10. Wade broke the season down in a way that puts these 10 games behind them and lets everyone know that they are only looking to improve. LeBron added that the much needed day off they have today will be crucial. I think everyone on that team needs a day to exhale. It has been a tough few weeks, and when everyone has the day your coming to town circled in red, every game is going to be a battle.
So for the Heat, not a bad first 10 games. LeBron and Wade will continue to push the idea of improvement every game (as LeBron always has) and Miami will continue to grow. Having leaders like LeBron and Wade will be a huge factor in what the Heat do down the stretch.
So lets all let out a group exhale. For everything that has happened in this early season, the Heat are fourth in the Eastern conference. Not a bad start for a group of guys that just started playing together. It's only going to get better. Get excited.
-If you guys have anything you would like to ask, please leave your comments below the posts or email me at lebronsheatwave@gmail.com . I would love to hear from you and will answer any questions pertaining to the Heat or myself in coming posts-
LeBron and Dwayne know very well that it is going to take a while to be operating on the same page. Having said that, there are going to be players on the team that are frustrated because they are not at 100 percent right off the bat. Players like Z and Stack and Howard don't have much gas left in the tank, and to them, this year may be it. These guys need leaders to let them know everything is under control.And that is what LeBron did. He calmly spoke about the fact that you are not going to just come out of the gates firing, and that it will take time. Wade spoke about these first ten games, and how they hope in the next ten that they will be better and more consistent then the first 10. Wade broke the season down in a way that puts these 10 games behind them and lets everyone know that they are only looking to improve. LeBron added that the much needed day off they have today will be crucial. I think everyone on that team needs a day to exhale. It has been a tough few weeks, and when everyone has the day your coming to town circled in red, every game is going to be a battle.
So for the Heat, not a bad first 10 games. LeBron and Wade will continue to push the idea of improvement every game (as LeBron always has) and Miami will continue to grow. Having leaders like LeBron and Wade will be a huge factor in what the Heat do down the stretch.
-If you guys have anything you would like to ask, please leave your comments below the posts or email me at lebronsheatwave@gmail.com . I would love to hear from you and will answer any questions pertaining to the Heat or myself in coming posts-
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