With the Thunder win tonight, Miami only needs to win 1 of their last 2 games to have HCA over LA if they meet in the Finals.
They should be looking forward to the lakers in the finals. No reason to worry about any teams in the east considering how the handled the Bulls all 3 games this season.
I think Ainge figured it was more important to load bench depth at the 3 with Miami in mind (vs the concerns about Orlando) and that he had no confidence in Perkins' knees. Remember his initial target was Battier.
Heat now have the 2nd Seed locked up. They can go ahead and rest some players in the coming games, and be glad that they will be facing the 76ers instead of the Cetlics.
The Heat won and Boston lost. Additionally, LA lost yesterday. So Miami has locked in the #2 seed and also has HC over LA if they meet in the Finals.
Yes Knicks, glad that Miami is facing the 76ers, as I think the Knicks have a real good shot against to take Boston down.
lebron's improving post game. statistically, he's better than kobe and melo, the standard for wing players http://www.nba.com/heat/news/evolution_post_game_110412.html this guy will be even scarier in the next few years
58 wins, 2nd seed in the East, not bad for team, a lot of people on here said they wouldn't make the playoffs.(Don't make me bump that thread again lol)
Heres some draft news for the heat: With Minnesota loss and league-worst record, Heat get first pick in second round from Timberwolves to complete Beasley trade, No. 31 overall
Not great for a team a lot of people here (and elsewhere) said would challenge to win 70+ games. Overall, I think it's pretty close to what most reasonable people expected for their first season together.
People who said they wouldn't make the playoffs are the most extreme ignorant haters. Don't hold anyone else responsible for saying that. The bottom line is what happens in the playoffs. If the Heat don't at least make the Finals, the season is a disappointment. One could argue they must win it all to claim success (remember LeBron's foolish talk of "5, 6, 7" championships). The real season for the Heat starts this weekend. I expect them to easily dispatch the Sixers.
Considering Mike Miller never really got going and Udonis Haslem missed almost the entire season, I would say they are right on schedule.
I agree and that's why I said they met reasonable expectations for their first regular season together. But it's still not like a healthy Miller and Haslem would have turned them into the 70+ win juggernaut some people were predicting.
With Haslem and Miller fully healthy next year, as well as some more depth via F/A, the Heat will only get better from this year out. People think that they have only year to win the finals, and if they fail this year, then its over. They are together for 5 years, and will have a chance to build there team over that period. The Heat have got the seed they want, and are confident of beating the flavour of the month Chicago, as they don't have the playoff experience or talent the Heat do, to advance to the finals.
I've always been very interested in where you acquire your information from. Not to be rude, but you are not very well informed. Most fans think the Heat will get better AFTER their first year, I have never ever heard of any fan who thinks the Heat will get worse for whatever reason, well until you of course. And Chicago is not the flavour of the month, they are flavour of the year. Chicago has the talent to matchup with Miami. Their 3-0 season sweep said so. I don't know where you got your information about the bulls having no playoff experiences. The Bulls have a lot of playoff experiences. Every single player in their starting lineup has played in a playoff game, several of them have advanced into the second round. Derrick Rose tied Kareem for the most points scored in a playoff debut by a rookie. If you think the Bulls will choke in the playoffs, you are sadly mistaken.
I just want to point out judging by their win percentage against EC teams vs WC teams, Miami would have likely been a 5 seed(maybe a 4 seed) in the West and while they blew out more teams(+10 pts) than anyone else in the league, their record in close games, against above .500 teams, and in OT is very pedestrian. My point is, I think they are ripe for upset. I don't think it will be by the 76ers who have are similar in their suckitude against good teams/in close games, but I think it's possibly a secound round out for MIA.
Not to mention their coach has been on the bench in the playoffs for what seems like a solid decade now - although as an assistant.
