King James the Wanker

[The 18th Man]

LOL Gelling.

I knew people would knee-jerk with Miami over this stretch.

Who have they played over the last 7 games?

lol

Freakin noone.

The times they've played the Star PG & Big Man combination they've struggled badly.

I still don't think at the moment, that they can beat the likes of Celtics.

And personally I think Chicago will be a better team down the stretch especially once Boozer gets fully fit and comfortable in that system.

Agreed. They do lack a big man, I conceed that point. It may hurt them though they were still able to account for Orlando and Howard without one. If James and Wade are dominant with Bosh taking a backseat playing his role, I believe they can and will overcome that come June. You have a team that is also only conceeding 86 points a game (best in the NBA), I think Miami will be fine.

Mick, you think they aren't looking like a team growing comfortable with one another (or gelling)? You cannot deny they aren't no matter who they are accounting for along the way, you put up a weak argument against my claim they they are "gelling". They have won a season best seven setting a franchise record breaking the six game streak for the Miami Heat set in 1999.

Good call on Boston, Boston are looking once again a likely team to beat and whilst I like the Rose led Bulls they too have the problem Miami have, lack of size. I don't think they have the talent Miami boast to overcome that hurdle down the stretch albeit they have a bonafide star in Rose.

You have been warned by King James,

"Me and D-Wade have figured it out," James said. "We just started going back to our games, what made us who we are in this league. It's resulted in us playing good basketball, offensively and defensively."

 

[Ridders]

Didn't they recently beat the Jazz in Utah?

 

[The 18th Man]

Eight - In - A - Row accounting for Sacremento. To suggest this team aren't gelling as we get deeper in to the season is ridiculous.

Ridders, we should ignore that fact, LBJ is the devil. It doesn't matter that we went in to Utah and came out victorious 111-98. I have never understood the criticism of ANY team, player or organisation when they account for perceived lesser teams. If we looked at the Miami Heat in comparison to the rest of the NBA, there is only a small % of teams that would be arguably labelled as stronger. They can't ever win with the haters. We win the games we should win, we aren't given credit. We lose a game to ANYONE, we are lambasted by all and sundry.

 

[Big Mick]

double.

 

[Big Mick]

How many good teams have they played but in that 8 game stretch?

It included Cleveland, Kings, Detroit, Atlanta without Joe Johnson, Golden State, Washington - The only decent teams they've played are Bucks and Utah in that stretch.

To suggest that this implies they are now dominant is a joke imo because they should be against those teams. If they are not...then questions get asked. Questions get asked when a team with 3 of the best players in the league lose to Indiana, Memphis and the 76ers lol.

Dallas has won like 11 in a row but there are still questions there...as there are with the Heat.

As for suggesting Chicago don't have size...lol Noah and Boozer sh*ts on Bosh and Haslem. Or Bosh and Big Z. Both rebound their ass off, something that the Heat don't do.

They have played a soft ass schedule so far and played majority of their games against below .500 teams.

What is their record against teams above .500?

In the next 8 game stretch they play the Knicks twice, Hornets, Dallas and the Lakers....lets see what they do there. If they go 8-0 there....then yeah they are gelling and are officially a team.

As of now, they've played a weak ass schedule and beating on teams who just don't have enough talent to compete.

Prove to me that you can beat the teams like the Lakers and Boston...and I'll respect them. Until then, they are just a group of all-stars.

 

[betcats]

cosign Big Mick, ill beleive in the heat when they win a couple of games against the very top sides, Celtics,lakers,spurs,mavs,magic. The Christmas game against LA will be very interesting, you know Kobe will be up for that.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Spurs, Heat, Magic & Lakers have all played relatively easy schedules. Yeah the Heat are blowing out sh*t teams, and have finally beat a couple of teams over .500 (Hawks and Jazz), but let's not break out the champagne yet.

The team I'm most impressed with are the Bulls. Played the most difficult schedule, didn't have Boozer for the first 15 games & have beat some quality teams (LA, Mavs).

Also the Celtics. Missing Perk & JO (mostly), they've gone 19-4 against a semi-difficult schedule, and won every game against elite competition except one (against the Mavs on the second night of a road back-to-back).

 

[betcats]

Spurs, Heat, Magic & Lakers have all played relatively easy schedules. Yeah the Heat are blowing out sh*t teams, and have finally beat a couple of teams over .500 (Hawks and Jazz), but let's not break out the champagne yet.

The team I'm most impressed with are the Bulls. Played the most difficult schedule, didn't have Boozer for the first 15 games & have beat some quality teams (LA, Mavs).

Also the Celtics. Missing Perk & JO (mostly), they've gone 19-4 against a semi-difficult schedule, and won every game against elite competition except one (against the Mavs on the second night of a road back-to-back).

I dont like the celtics at all by i think their the best team this season provided they stay healthy. KG is back to his old self and Rondo is amazing. There defense is easily the best in the league. If Rondo could shoot they would be close to unstopable.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Interesting article on LBJ:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/12/07/le...nt-business-sports-nba-best-players-buck.html

I think further evidence as to how dominant he is in the regular season is in the Cavs' records - minus one player (the two-time MVP), Cavs are in the midst of an 8 game losing streak and sit 7-17 with the worst point differential in the NBA. Contrast that with the last two 60+ win campaigns.

 

[The 18th Man]

To suggest that this implies they are now dominant is a joke imo because they should be against those teams. If they are not...then questions get asked. Questions get asked when a team with 3 of the best players in the league lose to Indiana, Memphis and the 76ers lol.

I said their current form and win streak only confirms they're gelling as a team and the stars are aligning. If you cannot onceed that point you're arguing for the sake of it. Compare the Miami team from earlier in the season to now and they're two different teams or, they're simply starting to gel as a cohesive unit. Boston are lucky to have got two games out of the way early. The Lakers won't be so fortunate.

As for suggesting Chicago don't have size...lol Noah and Boozer sh*ts on Bosh and Haslem. Or Bosh and Big Z. Both rebound their ass off, something that the Heat don't do.

Where did I compare the size of Chicago and Miami? :? Again, you're guilty of not reading my post or simply your comprehension skills are lacking. I said,

"Good call on Boston, Boston are looking once again a likely team to beat and whilst I like the Rose led Bulls they too have the problem Miami have, lack of size. I don't think they have the talent Miami boast to overcome that hurdle down the stretch albeit they have a bonafide star in Rose."

 

[Big Mick]

I said their current form and win streak only confirms they're gelling as a team and the stars are aligning. If you cannot onceed that point you're arguing for the sake of it. Compare the Miami team from earlier in the season to now and they're two different teams or, they're simply starting to gel as a cohesive unit. Boston are lucky to have got two games out of the way early. The Lakers won't be so fortunate.

Where did I compare the size of Chicago and Miami? :? Again, you're guilty of not reading my post or simply your comprehension skills are lacking. I said,

They are a different team to the start of the season as a product of playing sh*t teams the last 8 games.

The second point...you suggested Chicago lack size...and then said Miami boast more talent to overcome their similiar hurdle down the stretch. I was pretty much saying that the Bulls don't lack size or talent in that area. They have quality rebounders which is what you need in the play-offs plus they have a quick, great PG.

The two things that the Heat struggle against. Second chance points are everything in the play-offs and what does that mean...it means that rebounding is critical...and Miami don't have that ability over a number of teams at the moment.

And to suggest the Celtics were lucky...please...I'm sure they are sh*tting their pants about a team that beats the Kings, the Warriors, Cleveland and detroit but loses to the sixers and Memphis...yep...sh*tting their pants.

 

[The 18th Man]

We'll leave it there, we are going to go back and fourth. I am not sure how one cannot agree that this Miami Heat team is starting to gel (which was what this rather pointless back and fourth started with). It baffles me.

The league's leading defense must be doing something right Mick oh and by the way, you lost me with the "Second chance points are everything in the play-offs and what does that mean...it means that rebounding is critical...and Miami don't have that ability over a number of teams at the moment"

Fact: Miami rank 7th in the league in rebounds, I guess they're better than 23 of the teams that are playing. The are behind (in order: Minnesota, Chicago, Lakers, Milwaukee, Indiana and Sacremento). Boston rank 25th FWIW.

 

[The 18th Man]

Double.

 

[applesauce]

18th man you need to calm down about the Heat a little.

FFS the I am a one-eyed Knicks fan and we are 8 in-a-row, 13 of 14 but we have played few good teams in that stretch.

I would be getting ahead of myself thinking we are going well this early, the Heat are in the same boat without the depth & all over court coverage. It's a long season.

 

[Ridders]

Interesting article on LBJ:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/12/07/le...nt-business-sports-nba-best-players-buck.html

I think further evidence as to how dominant he is in the regular season is in the Cavs' records - minus one player (the two-time MVP), Cavs are in the midst of an 8 game losing streak and sit 7-17 with the worst point differential in the NBA. Contrast that with the last two 60+ win campaigns.

Great point. He'd have to be, for the last two seasons, one of the most valuable players in modern NBA history. The Bulls, without MJ, were at least able to make the playoffs and be competitive.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

We'll leave it there, we are going to go back and fourth. I am not sure how one cannot agree that this Miami Heat team is starting to gel (which was what this rather pointless back and fourth started with). It baffles me.

The league's leading defense must be doing something right Mick oh and by the way, you lost me with the "Second chance points are everything in the play-offs and what does that mean...it means that rebounding is critical...and Miami don't have that ability over a number of teams at the moment"

Fact: Miami rank 7th in the league in rebounds, I guess they're better than 23 of the teams that are playing. The are behind (in order: Minnesota, Chicago, Lakers, Milwaukee, Indiana and Sacremento). Boston rank 25th FWIW.

In terms of total rebound rate (a more accurate measurement as it adjusts for pace etc), Miami actually rank 5th (behind Orlando, Chicago, Charlotte & Minny). Boston are equal 9th with the Lakers but the difference is only 0.6 (51.7 to 51.1).

The point I think Mick was getting at, and it's a big reason the Celtics lost last year's Finals, is that Miami's offensive rebound rate ranks 21st in the league (Boston is dead last). Second chance points are vital, in a 7 game series when you've got the time to game-plan against an opponent, you need to be able to generate fast break points and second chance points when your half-court sets aren't working to get some easy buckets. Part of their ranking (certainly Boston's) no doubt is as a result of their defensive system - they all get back to try and stop other team's transition opportunities.

 

[The 18th Man]

18th man you need to calm down about the Heat a little.

FFS the I am a one-eyed Knicks fan and we are 8 in-a-row, 13 of 14 but we have played few good teams in that stretch.

I would be getting ahead of myself thinking we are going well this early, the Heat are in the same boat without the depth & all over court coverage. It's a long season.

I wouldn't get too carried away if I was a New York Knicks fan either, I mean come one, you're a Knicks fan :lol: I wouldn't compare the Knicks to the Heat - ever.

Jokes aside, let's revisit some time next season.

Nice post Tiger Hawk.

 

[The 18th Man]

p.s. 9 in a row. We are gelling.

Tiger Hawk, Big Mick made excellent points re: rebounding, again, the whole back and fourth was simply because I suggested my team were starting to gel as a unit as evidence by their 9 game win streak. Nothing more. If someone cannot conceed that point, I ain't here. The Heat are getting better with each game or, as I put it, starting to gel.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

9 in a row and played nobody. Wizards, Cavs, Bucks, Warriors, Kings, Hawks, Pistons...Miami SHOULD be beating these teams only good wins against Jazz and Nola in there then it stays easy with Cavs, @ Knicks & Wizards. If Miami can get out of Mavs then the Suns/Lakers road trip then we'll take notice.

 

[The 18th Man]

9 in a row and played nobody. Wizards, Cavs, Bucks, Warriors, Kings, Hawks, Pistons...Miami SHOULD be beating these teams only good wins against Jazz and Nola in there then it stays easy with Cavs, @ Knicks & Wizards. If Miami can get out of Mavs then the Suns/Lakers road trip then we'll take notice.

Fair enough. Lakers game will be awesome.