You're a smart guy and you probably know that stat is misleading because Parker is almost always on the floor for the Spurs. Stats derived from such a small sample size are not persuasive one way or the other. He plays in the high 30's to low 40's in terms of minutes in all games except blowouts. I agree with you about the Heat being superior. Wade finally showed up and the Spurs were not ready for two superstar level players attacking them all night
It'd be difficult, certainly, but it's about playing percentages. I mean, the Spurs were pretty hot tonight, played at home... and still lost by a decent margin. That's how sharp a desperate Miami team is. I agree there's no easy answer, but I think it takes something special to beat the Heat 4 times out of 7... and you're not going to get there if you're San Antonio with a 75% Parker. Maybe the extra day of rest can do wonders, but we'll see...
I thought the Spurs actually played well. They shot over 50% from 3pt land. Granted they had some turnovers but the Miami D was insane tonight. If Wade and Bosh play like this the remainder of the series then goodnight this party is over.
I'm not saying that the spurs are better without Parker. All I'm saying is the Spurs are a very very deep team (and they did go 11-5 without Parker in the regular season). So they know how to play without Parker. Not having Parker on for a few minutes here and there didn't lose the Spurs the game. They lost the game simply b/c the Heat's big 3 were just on, something that hasn't happened in months. Just like the Heat lost game 3 b/c the Spurs rained 3s on them in historic fashion. This series has been highly unpredictable. I'm assuming eventually both teams go back to their normal ways and we'll see a close game where both teams are forced to execute down the stretch in the 4th quarter.
They shot well. But the problem was they didn't jack up enough 3s. Heat stayed on the 3pt shooters. 3pt shooting is such a huge part of the spurs offense that when the attempts aren't there, their offense doesn't flow as well. Having Wade/Bron on Green/Neal was huge. Those 2 guys had to the put the ball on the floor more often than they would like. Now it's Pop's turn to adjust. But that requires Duncan/Manu to step up big. And I'm assuming Lebron has finally figured out the Spurs. Wade/Bosh stepping up like this are unpredictable.
Win or lose this series one thing is for sure Miami won't be dominating the NBA championship wise for the next 3 or 4 years like many people started to say.
I think that if Wade and Bosh play like this, the series is over. Problem is that Wade's knee is shot and Bosh is Bosh. If Wade can grit his teeth and deliver 2 more spectacular games, I don't see the Spurs winning. This is assuming that the Heat's defense remains stifling.
If the Thunder had kept Harden, they would have been up on Miami this season in the finals and would have been the team to beat for next 4-5 years or however long they would have been together. You have to be crying right now if you are a Thunder fan.
I think Parker actually got tired. The Spurs went all out trying to keep up with Miami. I remember at the end of the 3rd when Tony fell down he laid there awhile. LeBron was also tired you could see him on the bench panting in the 4th. One reason why he was resting so long in the 4th when Wade went nuts.
Yeah but no guarantee Wade wouldnt. Or Bosh either for that matter. Lebron alone was not going to get it done against that Thunder team. And this year they would have been more experienced and highly doubt Harden would have pulled a Manu again this year.
lol the heat would easily beat the thunder again with westbrook and harden. the thunder play right in the heats strengths
LeBron alone isn't going to beat the spurs either. LeBron can beat the bucks, bulls, and Pacers by himself but against the spurs he needs help and Bosh and Wade finally realized that tonight it appears. Spurs are in big trouble and the Heat haters are sweatin right now.
It is nice to see the Heat are playing the Spurs game, the passing game. If that happens time after time, Miami is getting it again. Superstars won this game, Heat had more of it. One thing for sure, Heat fans are going to watch the NBA championship ceremony while the Spurs fans will be watching from afar.
Harden was a bright eyed 22 year old that time. How was Lebron in his first finals? Thunder in the past now, they blew their dynasty when they traded away Harden anyways.
You are a dedicated Heat fan so I dont expect you to be objective. Last year's Heat team is not this years Heat team. Wade and Bosh have not been as good. Wade in particular has been struggling in this years playoffs. And Battier is pretty much a non-factor this year.
Sorry I just don't buy this talk of sleep walking Heat or motivated Heat. What can they possibly gain by "sleep walking" through the ECF or Finals? What would Lebron or Wade possibly gain by purposefully playing bad in certain games like you suggest? It sure as hell is not going to help their image or their marketing potential. What are you trying to say, every time a team beat the Heat, its because the Heat wasn't trying?
