11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

[phenom1990]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

I agree with Ex in that my opinion on this has changed a lot since the summer. The one concern I had from when it was announced and I am surprised I didn't actually articulate this on OS; was what type of spacing would Miami have with Lebron and Wade. Neither of them are great shooters, so I thought teams would try and pack the paint and force them to shoot jumpers. However, I also thought that since they had a big that was more of a jumpshooter than low post scorer ( Bosh). That they could space the floor enough especially with Mike Miller on the floor. But it seems like Lebron and Wade are having difficulty adjusting to each other, so who knows.

I got over all of that other stuff in terms of Lebron and Wade playing together because there is no point to harp on things ( with the exception of the Decision). The funny thing is to look back at some of those threads in which the value of a point guard is being argued and how much of an impact people thought it would have on the Heat.

The last thing which I didn't really think about this summer was that Chris Bosh has to rebound and play defense better. Since he is the 3rd option on this team, that means what he does best (scoring), doesn't impact his team as much. Therefore he needs to impact the game positively in other areas.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

Can't believe you just said that.

Haha why not? Each day I would always look at the Miami team in a different light.

Initially I was like 'there's no way Riley can be this stupid... getting 3 max level guys with nothing but fodder around them'

It twisted and turned from there many times depending on the topic: team defense, interior defense, injuries, depth, Wade/LBJ dynamic, etc etc

I don't think it was unreasonable for others to have whatever opinion on them.. something like this in the NBA has never been seen before.

Boston 2008 doesn't even compare to it.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

All I know is that it's sooooooooo amusing reading these types of quotes.... I can recall like 4 or 5 different quotes from Bosh/Wade/James exactly like this one:

“This is a team that is new to each other,” James said. “It’s going to take time. But the thing we can do right now is just go out and just play, play harder, don’t have any lapses. I think the fact that we know we are so talented individually, we feel we can have lapses at times.”

These guys really have no shame in saying how great they are. I mean really this is like the 5th time I've heard this type of quote coming off a loss. It's gold

[LingeringRegime]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

LeBron will never get it. I feel some pity for him actually. Talent isn't a birthright right to greatness, it is only the key to open the door to it.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

I agree with Ex in that my opinion on this has changed a lot since the summer. The one concern I had from when it was announced and I am surprised I didn't actually articulate this on OS; was what type of spacing would Miami have with Lebron and Wade. Neither of them are great shooters, so I thought teams would try and pack the paint and force them to shoot jumpers. However, I also thought that since they had a big that was more of a jumpshooter than low post scorer ( Bosh). That they could space the floor enough especially with Mike Miller on the floor. But it seems like Lebron and Wade are having difficulty adjusting to each other, so who knows.

I got over all of that other stuff in terms of Lebron and Wade playing together because there is no point to harp on things ( with the exception of the Decision). The funny thing is to look back at some of those threads in which the value of a point guard is being argued and how much of an impact people thought it would have on the Heat.

The last thing which I didn't really think about this summer was that Chris Bosh has to rebound and play defense better. Since he is the 3rd option on this team, that means what he does best (scoring), doesn't impact his team as much. Therefore he needs to impact the game positively in other areas.

That's very interesting that you would say that. In a lot of ways, Bosh is similar to another PF who sought to shift the power balance in the league: Pau Gasol. He made great leaps defensively, as a rebounder and as an overall inside presence to push the Lakers to win the championship. Knowing that they wouldn't have Bynum all the time, Pau had to learn to play bigger and he stepped up. Bosh is in a similar position as an individual.

Haha why not? Each day I would always look at the Miami team in a different light.

Initially I was like 'there's no way Riley can be this stupid... getting 3 max level guys with nothing but fodder around them'

It twisted and turned from there many times depending on the topic: team defense, interior defense, injuries, depth, Wade/LBJ dynamic, etc etc

I don't think it was unreasonable for others to have whatever opinion on them.. something like this in the NBA has never been seen before.

Boston 2008 doesn't even compare to it.

For me, the Miami situation is the same as it was when it was just an idea. That's why a lot of the articles and message board opinions are so similar to what was being said a few days before the Decision. Literally the exact same issues across the board, down to how we were comparing them to the Boston 3 a few weeks ago. I don't know what has changed the core issue. It's still WaBrosh and some questionable roleplayers at the 1 and 5. Their big three are still two of the same guy and a softy ice cream PF.

You say you were twisting and turning, but what caused the twists and turns? The situation hasn't had any major changes.

[ZB9]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

When I first saw this tough stretch in the schedule for Dallas with 4 games in 5 nights @ OKC (with 5 game win streak at time), @ Detroit, @ San Antonio (12 game win streak), and MIami...i thought 2-2 would be good but the Mavs swept all 4 games

Tyson Chandler is playing like an all-star. He has 50 points and 43 rebounds over the past 3 games.

[BlueNGold]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

the problem is clear...(besides them having no talent besides their "big 3)

LeBron is 100% a one-man show. He can take a poor team and make them good, but put him on a team with other talented players and he makes them worse. He uses the ball too much and too often jacks up low percentage shots from the outside. He shows low basketball IQ in terms of running plays and passing the basketball aside from finding open 3 point shooters. He's the one-man show, not a piece of your puzzle you want trying to run an offense.

Put LeBron on the Lakers or Celtics...does he make them better or worse? Worse, and it's not a question. Thats the true sign of the value of an NBA player, and why a lot of these wing/slasher/"star" players are all overrated.

On a good team, give me Rondo over LeBron any day.

So LeBron somehow made the Redeem Team worse I guess?

The thing with him is that he needs a coach that has the balls to put his *** in line. In the NBA he's never had a coach that was going to do that, but then you look at his old high school coach and Coach K and see that he had his most success with those guys. He even changed how he played under Coach K being the defensive leader of the team, coming over for weak-side help D and calling out assignments, etc.

I know Pack mentioned this, but that's why I think Riles will make a difference. No it doesn't fix their issues of having no good bigs, no good PG and all that mess, but Riles can get these guys playing much better than they currently are. I also think he could get LeBron to change how he plays. Maybe he can get him to finally adapt to that Magic or Pippen role, because you know Spo damn well isn't gonna be able to do that. Riley however would pretty much demand him to do it.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

The natural process of seeing both sides of each specific issue had me going back and forth all summer leading up to the start of the season. It's more of the possible dynamic LBJ/Wade could have would have created to carry their team.

Major changes though? Miller/Haslem being out I would classify as major changes....

All of the issues Miami has are well outlined and are very valid, and were definitely valid when they were brought up in the summer. Those issues remain the same today.

My point is I really don't think it was unreasonable to be of either opinion during the summer... because really this type of thing is a first in the league's history.

Tyson Chandler is playing like an all-star. He has 50 points and 43 rebounds over the past 3 games.

Yes, he has shown to be close to back to old form..... I knew he would be good for Kidd/Dirk

[Subversion]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5858653
That's a recap of the Dallas-Miami game from tonight. Fast forward (or don't) to around 0:25 and you'll see LeBron bump into Erik Spolestra. Lol fired.

Also, the Heat had a 45 minute meeting after the game, so I hope for my sake they start winning more games.

Fired for sure. If they dip below .500.

Why is Riley not coaching the three? If anyone is capable of handling multiple stars it's him. Lakers, Knicks, etc..

[Chrisksaint]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

David West is feeling it right now, 8-11 18 points so far in the 1st half

[iAM-IncReDiBLe-]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

The thing with him is that he needs a coach that has the balls to put his *** in line. In the NBA he's never had a coach that was going to do that, but then you look at his old high school coach and Coach K and see that he had his most success with those guys. He even changed how he played under Coach K being the defensive leader of the team, coming over for weak-side help D and calling out assignments, etc.

LeBron isn't 15yrs old anymore, he needs to man up an take charge himself. Coaches are scared to get on him because LeBron has the power to get them fired if he doesn't like them. That won't happen with Riley but at this point I think its sad that they need someone to get on them an make them play harder. At some point you got to dig down deep yourself an show what your truly made of.

[Eman5805]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

Hornets are showing signs of staying power, man. The Spurs were on a roll, but they look slow, old, and unathletic against us right now.

Let's keep this thang rollin'.


Also, Willie Green's chucking nature hasn't hurt us yet.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

Knicks being robbed by the refs in Detroit. No less than 8 horrible calls in the Pistons' favor.

Edit: 2nd OT--Amar'e with 35/13/7 Gallo back to back 3s and Wilson with a third 3. 9 point lead.

Knicks finally running the pick and roll and STAT is beasting.

[TMagic]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

Blake Griffin with 21-5-5 at halftime...

[Bornindamecca]

Re: 11/22-11/28 Game Discussion Thread

Now that Jefferson has found his stroke, the Spurs can put quite the shooting team on the floor. New Orleans playing good basketball and the Spurs busted them anyway.