Heat challenge undefeated Hornets tonight at 8

New Orleans comes into this game looking good. 4-0 with the ever-so-important home court advantage. However, Miami is HOT, and are looking to roll over the Hornets like they have the past 4 teams they faced. On paper, this looks like a good match up. However, also on paper, Orlando was supposed to give Miami a run for their money. We all know how that went.


LeBron is fully expect to start in spite of his mild leg injury. In my personal opinion, Miami is a good enough team that if LeBron thought there was any risk of him hurting himself further, he would not be in the game. Therefore, I have to think that he is ready to go.

The Hornets are pretty good, and a strong defensive minded team. However, I still expect Miami to get into the lane early and often. Expect Dwayne Wade to be the early attacker, while LeBron throws a good amount of assists. I expect to see a lot of what we saw against Minnesota; early assists for LeBron and early points for Wade. How they play the second half will be a result of how LeBron's feeling, and if Miami happens to be down, look for him to try and take over.

Bosh is my X factor in this particular game. I want to see him dominate the boards like I know he can. His defensive presence is a must in the game, and he needs to be getting some monster boards in the first quarter. Miami plays great defense, just don't give New Orleans any second shot opportunities. I predict a double double from Bosh.

I want to see Jones and House continue to hit big shots. LeBron is going to find you, it is just a matter of knocking down those jumpers.

My Prediction : Miami by 12

In other news, Cleveland released a response video to Lebron's new Nike "Rise" commercial. I have a few things to say in response.

Everyone who hates LeBron in Cleveland, you should all be ashamed of yourselves. It is okay to dislike an athlete, it is okay to not support their decision, and it is okay to boo them at games. However, under no circumstances is what you have done to LeBron okay. You wonder why he didn't tell you that he was leaving? If he had told you the day after they lost to Boston that he was leaving, you would had done everything you could to drag his name through the mud and ruin his reputation. At first I was iffy about if LeBron really made the right decision to wait to tell you. But now, after seeing the way Cleveland has treated him post the decision, from owners all the way down to fans, he did the right thing. I understand you have not had a championship for a very long time, and LeBron was supposed to bring that. But the fact of the matter is he broke his back for Cleveland carrying a team for 7 years, and he did more for your city economically than you can imagine. If this was 30 years ago, none of you would dream talk about an athlete like that, not on TV, not in the news, not in the magazines. It just wouldn't exist because their was something that existed called human decency. The bottom line, it's a sports team, your mayor didn't leave, your governor didn't leave. You lost an athlete, and after the way I have seen you deliberately attack him, you all need to take a good look in a mirror. If you saw him in person, would you still be saying all the things you said to him, would you like it if you went to a better job and everyone from your old job did everything they could to make you look like the devil for wanting something more? You all need to stop and think about what you are saying. Get a grip.


Get em' Lebron.

Give Bosh A Break!

Today I read an article on NBA.com talking about how Chris Bosh can't handle the spotlight. The article went on to talk about how Bosh is nowhere near on the level of LeBron and Wade, and should not even count towards the big 3. People are obviously not impressed with Bosh's numbers early in the season.

But really, what is the problem here? If the Heat are winning, why cant Bosh only have 13 a game. We all know from Toronto that he is capable of bigger numbers, but the number that most important is the record. Think about it, Bosh is averaging lower numbers, but the Heat are winning by at least 20 in every victory they've had! If D-Wade was putting up the same numbers Bosh was, everyone would talk about what a great guy he was for sharing the spotlight. However, since it does happen to be Bosh, and since no one really paid attention to him in Toronto (no offense), everyone getting ready to sink their teeth into the guy.

My point is, give him a bit of a break. They are winning, that is absolutely all that matters. I am sure Bosh would prefer 10 points in a win than 40 in a loss. Plus, its only been a few games! Just because Wade and James seemed to sync up with the offense earlier than Bosh appears to, that does not in any way mean that he wont. He will have his big games, and until then, I am completely fine with him putting up these numbers as long as Miami ends up with a W. So, lets give Bosh a couple more weeks to get accustomed to the offense. Until that time, we should all take it easy on the guy. Miami is a big spotlight, and I have a strong feeling he will come into his own very soon.

Heat Blow Out Nets in 101-78 Win

 LeBron and friends put a beating on the Nets last night in Newark. It helped that New Jersey missed a ton of layups, and Terrence Williams had a terrible game, but a win is a win. Although the game had its moments (LeBron's tomahawk throw down in the second quarter drive to the lane for the big finish) but for the most part it was a fundamental victory.

This is the type of basketball I like to see. Sure, there were not a lot of high flying theatrics, no look passes, and buzzer beaters, but when your that good who really needs them? This type of win is what every basketball player likes to see. The Heat put good pressure on the ball, dominated the boards, and did not give the Nets any easy looks (not including the gimme's Lopez was getting in the first quarter. No one really had a dominate performance, but James had 20 points 7 boards and 7 assists while Wade added 18 and Bosh added 17.

Its great to these three gel like this, especially so early in the season. It was amazing to see how quickly people jumped off the heat bandwagon to try and hitch a ride to LA after the opening day loss to Boston. However, this group of guys quickly realize that in order for them to be a successful they need to work together. I love how LeBron does not have to carry the team anymore, and by working as a team the results this season should be outstanding.

As for LeBron, he was a presence to say the least. Between altering shots, throwing down a pair of dunks, and hitting up Z and a few other fellas for some assists, he was fun to watch. I love the way he handles the boos he receives no matter where he goes. He doesn't yell back or pound his chest. He just wins, and his game does ALL the talking.