thetimefan said:

Good point about closing. The Heat has to close down teams too if they're going to make a run in the playoffs. Against the Knicks & Magic they were ahead but the Magic went on a hot streak shooting 3's and made a big comeback to win. If the Heat shut Orlando down defensively they could have won that game though. San Antonio must have watched the Heat/Magic game and saw Miami's weakness defending from the 3 point line. That's something they need to address because up against the Magic, Celtics and Bulls in the playoffs, if Miami doesn't learn how to maintain a lead, they could have an early exit.

On paper they've got a good team although LBJ, Bosh & D-Wade make up the majority of the teams salaries and some of the guys on the bench are on one year deals, so next season they'll most likely have to build a new team too around the big 3. Chris Bosh is a good player, but I think Stoudamire maybe could've been a smarter choice, in terms of defense and also adding to the offense of Bron & Wade. Right now I don't know if Miami have the right defensive pieces in place (a guy like Kendrick Perkins if injury free would have been a good addition, but again with their cap space I don't think they'd be able to sign him) to win a championship this season. But if they focus on next season bringing in players who can play solid defensive, who can get the ball to Wade & LeBron, then that could make the Heat more of a championship contender.

Stoudemire, defense ... lol.

[img:$uid]http://i51.tinypic.com/2rdg280.jpg[/img:$uid]

http://www.sportsgrid.com...right-now/

[Edited 3/6/11 13:27pm]

I'm not a basketball fan but I saw this on Okayplayer

[img:$uid]http://images2.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/4639815/So-then-Lebron-grabbed-my-arm-and-said-See-you-in-the-Finals.jpg[/img:$uid]

The Sixers are on the hunt. It's nice to see them in playoff contention.

Evan Turner seems to be getting better as the season goes along.

The Heat . . . .

watch, the Bulls are gonna knock their crybaby candy asses out of the playoffs, that's if they make it.

TD3 said:

The Heat . . . .

watch, the Bulls are gonna knock their crybaby candy asses out of the playoffs, that's if they make it.

Reggie Miller said something interesting - in his opinion, Miami's making a mistake letting LeBron or Wade run the offense late in games. Both are finishers - the Heat need a true point guard to set these guys up, put them in better position to make plays. Maybe that's why they signed Bibby.

I think Spoelstra's trying to get fired. why in the hll would you tell everyone that some of your players were crying after the loss? What coach does that?

If only the Knicks could bring this effort every night.

If the Bulls had a shooting guard they would very dangerous right about now.

Graycap23 said:

If the Bulls had a shooting guard they would very dangerous right about now.

They're dangerous already.

uPtoWnNY said:

Graycap23 said:

If the Bulls had a shooting guard they would very dangerous right about now.

They're dangerous already.

U can't win an NBA title with that roster.

In my crystal ball, I see....I see......I see Phil Jackson coaching the Heat next year.

LOL, that would be awesome.

RodeoSchro said:

In my crystal ball, I see....I see......I see Phil Jackson coaching the Heat next year.

LOL, that would be awesome.

Phil working with Pat? N E V E R

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

They're dangerous already.

U can't win an NBA title with that roster.

They can at least get to the conference finals.

uPtoWnNY said:

Graycap23 said:

U can't win an NBA title with that roster.

They can at least get to the conference finals.

Win........or go home.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

They can at least get to the conference finals.

Win........or go home.

They have the MVP, a coach who preaches defense(unlike D'Amphony) and players who know their roles. They'll give the Celtics a run for their money.

uPtoWnNY said:

Graycap23 said:

Win........or go home.

They have the MVP, a coach who preaches defense(unlike D'Amphony) and players who know their roles. They'll give the Celtics a run for their money.

....and lose. Ben Gordon would have fit perfectly ion this team.

uPtoWnNY said:

TD3 said:

The Heat . . . .

watch, the Bulls are gonna knock their crybaby candy asses out of the playoffs, that's if they make it.

Reggie Miller said something interesting - in his opinion, Miami's making a mistake letting LeBron or Wade run the offense late in games. Both are finishers - the Heat need a true point guard to set these guys up, put them in better position to make plays. Maybe that's why they signed Bibby.

Mr. Miller opinion is spot on. Lease not speak of the Heat's bench, weak. I was really annoyed with Mr. Wade's comments after the game, "The world is better with the Heat losing". The Heat are weak all the way around, physically and mentally. Stop giving LeBron the damn ball for the last shot in close games; he can't make them and he's too wimpy to drive down the lane.

I'm a Bulls fan but Sunday games was a joke, the team from Miami can't take the Heat. The boo hooing after the lose.

Thing is, the Heat, like the Knicks are an incomplete team. Both are top-heavy, with weak benches. They still need more pieces.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

They have the MVP, a coach who preaches defense(unlike D'Amphony) and players who know their roles. They'll give the Celtics a run for their money.

....and lose. Ben Gordon would have fit perfectly ion this team.

Still can't believe they ever traded him.

phunkdaddy said:

Graycap23 said:

....and lose. Ben Gordon would have fit perfectly ion this team.

Still can't believe they ever traded him.

They let him walk as a free agent with NOTHING in return.

[Edited 3/7/11 10:34am]

Pat Riley will be back on the sidelines, believe me.

Graycap23 said:

If the Bulls had a shooting guard they would very dangerous right about now.

If they would have signed T-Mac in the offseason. He has been the Pistons best player untill that recent strike with the other veteran players.

More tears shed in Miami tonight, as they lose 105-96 to the Portland Trail Blazers, losing their fifth striaght game and another game against a team with a winning record. The road doesn't get any easier as they face a rematch against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

[img:$uid]http://oi53.tinypic.com/2mhar83.jpg[/img:$uid]

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Graycap23 said:

If the Bulls had a shooting guard they would very dangerous right about now.

If they would have signed T-Mac in the offseason. He has been the Pistons best player untill that recent strike with the other veteran players.

The Bulls GM is 2 dumb 2 make any moves like signing T-mac damn near 4 free.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

[img:$uid]http://oi53.tinypic.com/2mhar83.jpg[/img:$uid]

LittleBLUECorvette said:

[img:$uid]http://oi53.tinypic.com/2mhar83.jpg[/img:$uid]

Ouch!

Did anyone actually think the Heat were winning a title this year? They have no bench, no size and no true PG.

uPtoWnNY said:

Did anyone actually think the Heat were winning a title this year? They have no bench, no size and no true PG.

A whole bunch of folks did.........including breaking the Bulls 72 win season.

Pure nonsense.