Larry Sanders leads the NBA in blocks and in this series he's had a total of 2 blocks across 3 games If you think the Heat are overrated you don't know basketball
In 2011, I said that was the only season someone could take it away from the Heat. Yes, because that was the first year they played together. I picked Mavs in 6, because I felt if it went to 7, LeBron/Wade would have taken over. This year, Heat is a lot more deeper and maturer than they were in 2011 and 2012. They will win it all, simply because LeBron is absolutely at his own class, and confidence of guys like Shane Battier is even sky high. With or without WB, the only difference is whether Heat will beat Spurs or OKC in the finals.
This is because the NBA plays best of 7 matches every series. Personally I like it this way because you know that the team holding the trophy at the end REALLY was the best team that year. NFL and March madness has way more randomness which makes it more exciting but then again I don't have as much respect for the college and NFL champs, esp. the NFL champs all it takes is 4-5 lucky matches and voila you're the champ
So they won a championship once and everyone thinks they are set to repeat? Regular season is small compared to playoff intensity.
They lost one game , and you think their championship hopes are derailed? Every team is beatable in one game. I just don't think anyone is going to beat the Heat 4x in 7 games ultimately. Even though I think it would make things far more interesting if they would get knocked out. I don't like the Heat...but I respect the hell out of them as a team.
I don't think it has anything to do with last year. This year's team is so much better than the rest of the league, because not only do they still have the "big 3" but they have one of the best benches in the league too. Of course they still have to go out and win the games but they are probably as big of a championship favorite since the 2000 Lakers or 2008 Celtics (both of whom ended up having a tough time). Today's game doesn't mean much except show that even the best teams can lose. But remember that this Bulls team + Rose also beat the Heat in game 1 a couple years ago and then got backdoor swept. I imagine we'll see that again. I hope not, as a long series would be awesome.
It's just one game. I'm a Bulls fan, and even I don't think we can win this series realistically (although I hope and pray that we do).
Any teams with solid frontcourt and play defense can beat the Heat. See Bulls, Pacers, Spurs and Grizzlies. Heat's biggest weakness has always been rebounding so teams with solid bigs basically always outrebounded the Heat and has a chance to win. Pack the lane and let the Heat to beat you with long shots that takes away James and Wade driving lanes and their effectiveness and gambling players like Battier and Allen to beat. Today it works but it may not work the next game. But I believe that's the chances Bulls want.
You serious? They've looked terrible in the playoffs. The Celtics suck, and they had a pretty hard time killing them off. Even almost blew a 26 point lead in the last game, and now they lost to the Pacers Game 1 at home. No way.
Thibs showing how superior Coaching sometimes can just beat talent... The Heat have gone on by just pure talent...but look for the Heat to do the same in game 2..
losing to a team without 3 of the main rotational players is an embarrassment for the defending champs...Jordan never did this during his title runs...
