I don't mind the Heat winning multiple 'chips but just not this year. who has the best chance to stop with dwade and lebron? jkidd/marion kobe/artest rose/deng westbrook/thabo(or durant) johnson/smith allen/battier rondo/pierce
Grizzlies are a VERY interesting matchup. Tony Allen and Battier on the perimeter and Gasol and Randolph down low.
I would say: 1. LA 2. Chi 3. OKC You've got to score as well to make it a "matchup." LA looks to be out unless they make a comeback, same for Boston.
Either the Bulls or the Mavs. Both were undefeated against the Heat in the regular season (although I guess the Mavs were undefeated against the Heat in the regular season in 2006, too, heh). Still, the Mavs really looked like they had Miami's number this year. I'm gonna go with them. The Heat are still my favorites to win it all, but I think if anyone stops them, it will be Dallas.
Grizz matchup well but at some point the talent level is too great to overcome. I am going to say the Lakers but they are not playing like they played last year. but the Mavs don't matchup with the Heat well at all, if Wade got to the line at will against them in 2006, imagine what wade+bron will do to them. They still don't have good wing defenders. Cuban might jump off the American airlines arena if they met in the finals.
The Bulls play excellent team defense and I see Derrick Rose absolutely torching the Miami PGs. Also if Boozer starts playing better, him and Noah could be a major problem for Anthony and Chris Bosh to handle. Obviously LeBron and Wade are forces, but I trust that Chicago's team D can collapse on them and Thabo can take care of one of them one on one.
Watching them against the Celtics Miami's biggest advntage is their athleticism. Which is why the C's aren't getting it done. Chicago is the only one that fits the bill, but with Boozer struggling they still have some match up problems in the front court. As much as I hate to say it no one in the western conference will stop them if they make it to the finals. Dallas will choke, and OKC and Memphis aren't gritty enough to play ugly ball with Miami (which is what you're going to have to beat them).
The only logical answer, that is surprisingly NOT on the list, is... The Heat themselves. Like the Lakers last night, the Mavs couldn't stop the Lakers; the Lakers shot themselves out of the game.
Hungry teams like the Heat with superior talent get stronger as they advance. You need to beat them early. If the East can't stop them, the West team will get destroyed, because Wade and Co. will be steamrolling at that point...on super high confidence...not scene since the Moses Malone 76'ers destroyed Bird and Magic is succession.
The NBA is only about who the Refs like. I think the Sopranos have the best chance to stop it Rocket River . . . it is all VEGAS baby!
