JVG thinks the Heat will be the greatest team EVER

I don't think many people think they will completely fail. I for one think they're going to be a great team. I just don't think they're going to be some unstoppable 75 game winner with 3 21-25 point scorers night in night out.

The reasons for why the will "fail" are usually just reasons they shouldn't be automatically handed the title.

 

Have you seen any of DD's posts on this subject?

 

LeBron fanboys talk about 73 wins in offseason. How LeBron will have historic numbers in NBA finals in April. And how LeBron's teammates are NBDL quality in June. It's been 3 years in a row.

 

Steve Kerr made a good point on today's BS report about Lebron and Wade's team compared to Jordan's 72 win season(of which Kerr was a part of). You had to read between the lines because Kerr was being very diplomatic but his point was Jordan, Rodman, and Pippen came into most every game that season with a chip on their shoulder and were just dying to destroy teams every game after a tough season before...even at that - when they went into the All Star game after having only lost 4 games, they found it hard after the AS break to stay focused and motivated through the rest of the season.

Given that guys like Jordan and Rodman were so fired up all the time and Lebron and Wade aren't necessarily as intense, it's probably unreasonable to think the Heat have a legit shot at the record. Simmons pointed out that Wade sometimes coast through quarters which is totally true and Lebron obviously isn't the fiery competitor we thought he was. Plus they mentioned that the Chicago team had one of the most dominant defensive lineups at the time(Harper, Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and the Longley/Wennington combo at C)...the heat won't be challenging that anytime soon.

...all in all, I think they had some pretty good reasons why it's unrealistic to think they can honestly challenge the record. Ten losses...that's not very many. You figure Orlando and Boston combined can beat the Heat in 3-4 games between them(out of 8)...LA probably hands them a loss at some point....maybe Wade sits out a few games because of a nagging ankle injury and they drop a couple to one of those easy to sleep on teams like the Bucs or Hawks, maybe San Antonio hands them a loss and then there are 2-3 losses from a team just catching fire...maybe they lose one to the big and physical Kings. I mean it's hard to only lose ten games....

 

This is a sick team. Give me a break about the chemistry issues. The big 3 are loaded with basketball IQ.

 

True enough. You get extremes pretty easily with any controversial topic, and I think this falls under that description. We've never seen this particular scenario play out before. As for myself, I get offended when I read that essentially the season is over before it begins, and if one doesn't believe that, it must be due to advanced senility.

 

U Mad?

 

Its my hope that every NBA team that plays the Heat brings their best game against them. Im guessing that their are more than a few players/teams/coaches who would like nothing more than to see them fail. Im hoping this translates into extra focus, adrenalin & desire for every Heat opponent.

This is a unique situation whereby the team to beat going into the season is one that didnt exist, in terms of its makeup, last season. Its not simply a matter of 3 star/superstar players being on one team, but the way in which they got there.

Personally, I dont think they will win 73 games. I might even bet against them winning 63.

I think alot of people are saying alot of things right now so latter they can claim to be the first to have said it, and thus add to their own personal reputation. Its about much political positioning rather than real substance. By lack of substance, I mean no previous track record of these players playing together.

 

Those are all good points. And I certainly agree that they are much more likely than not to fall short of the record.

However, keep in mind that just three years ago, the Dallas Mavericks went 67-11 after dropping their first four games of the season. If not for that rough start, they would have been pretty close to the record themselves. And that team had a lot less talent. Nowitzki was the only real superstar on that team. I think it just shows that because so many teams take nights off in the NBA, a team with talent can win a lot of games by just playing hard every night.

 

I think they will win 60+ games....but I think ultimatly their egos will cause them problems.

DD

 

Either:
1) JVG actually believes it
2) JVG is being sarcastic
3) JVG is still on Riley's nuts


Regardless, I still don't think they are better than the Lakers.

Lakers bigs are just in a league of their own (as much as I hate to admit it). Artest and Kobe won't give anything easy to LBJ/Wade (and nobody on the Heat can defend Kobe). And the Lakers bench is better than the Timberwolves starting lineup (and wayyy better than the Heat bench). Not to mention coaching.

 

Why would I be mad at a clown? I am entertained.

 

this is why the lakers getting pau for nothing STILL pisses me off. they basically made them into a dynasty. that said, miami can still can matchup well against the lakers. kobe cannot guard wade at all, hes just too quick and explosive.

 

On top of this, but Boston (with a completely revamped roster just like the Heat) and Cleveland have won 66 within the last 3 years. It is far more reasonable to use these as reference points than a team's record well over a decade ago (completely different oppossing teams and players).

If Dallas can win 67 in the West or Lebron with a much much inferior cast can win 66, is it that implausible a much more talented Heat team can win 72 in the East? I won't say it is likely, but with good health, they have a good shot.

I think the Lakers could make a run at 70 with good health as well. But they are older and have had key players with more injuries, and a deeper group of good (but not elite) conference opponents--so I say less likely.

 

I don't think the Lakers can come close to 70 wins. As you mention, they play in a conference with fewer easy games, but more importantly, they usually don't have the discipline/focus to put in a consistent effort defensively until late in the season.

 

They are to good to lose. They are the best team of alltime on paper. 65+ wins is my guess

 

kobe isn't as consistent anymore over a reg. season. for them to reach that many wins, kobe has to be at his best for like 95% of the season. we saw last season that he struggled for a month or 2 stretch to end the season going into the first round. hence, that is why kupcake is trying to shore up the depth in other areas.

but their talent level is so much better than most of the L that they don't need kobe to be at his best to win 58-60 wins. and their defense, particularly the interior, is so good that they can afford bad offensive games from kobe.

but they won't have the best record in the L. it's going to be b/t heat or magic.

 

Certainly Wade gets the ball late if neccessary. Lebron and Bosh had no ego. If they had, they wouldn't go to the Heats.

 

It's good to reference history of other "Big Threes" to see if this attempt will work, but the problem is your examples only included 2 players that were still considered in their prime during this team up of future HOFs.

Payton, Malone, Hakeem, Barkley, Drexler, and Pippen were all past their primes when they joined a Big 3/4.

Also, Garnett, Pierce, Allen were past their primes when they hooked up and won a ring and reach the Finals twice.

What we saw this summer with three superstar players in the middle of their primes joining forces... we have NEVER seen anything like this. Unprecedented.

 

2 superstars.

Bosh isn't a superstar