Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

[imdrbbro]

With the best record in the NBA last season the Chicago Bulls were arguably the best team in the east, but without there all star point guard Derrick Rose they struggled and were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round by the 76ers in a hard fought series. Now this season the bulls will be without there all star point guard until after the all star break and because of this there is no doubt the Miami Heat is the best team in the east. They are the defending world champions and are tipped to go back to back this season in which there is a high possibility because of there star studded line up. But like any team they are not unbeatable as proved by the underdog Dallas Mavericks a few years ago. But with the additions of one of, if not the greatest 3 point shooters of all time Ray Allen and a solid role player in Rashard Lewis the task of knocking off the heat has become that much more difficult. they are an excellent defensive team , and have shooters all over the court which can heat up in a hurry so the question is which team in the east has the best chance of the beating the Miami Heat in a playoff series ?

Now it is only very early into the season and injuries and things that can affect a teams play can happen at any time. but if everything went smoothly and the heat finished the top of the conference(which they most likely will) who can stop them ?

Can the boys from Boston push them to another tough 7 game series with there aging but deep roster and flip the result this season ? can the Chicago bulls make it far enough into the play offs to get a shot at them. Can the Indiana pacers come in and shock the world, and knock off the defending champs? can the new kids on the block from Brooklyn pull off the upset? or can the revamped oldest roster in the league New York Knicks get revenge on the team which sent them home early last season? who knows , i suppose we'll just have to wait and see.

[The 24th Letter]

The Celtics and The Knicks...

[Vni]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Celtics, by far.

[Weeks]

Like others said, right now Celtics and Knicks

[DWalker7]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Themselves.

[youvalss]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Celtics, by far.

If the Celtics are the biggest Eastern threat, then it's going to be a great year for Miami.

[Macar91]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

If the Celtics are the biggest Eastern threat, then it's going to be a great year for Miami.

Considering the Celts are probably the 2nd best team in the East but would be the 4th best team in the West, I'd say you're right. Overall, the West is better than the East this year.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Health. Honestly if Miami stays healthy nobody in the east is going to beat them. The best any of them could hope for against a healthy Miami team is taking the series to six games.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Miami obviously are the odds on favorites but fully healthy, Boston could defeat them even without home court.

I also believe a fully healthy Philly and Indy squad could take a fully healthy Miami team to 7.

Ray Ray helps this team so damn much though, when the pace slows in the playoffs he'll show his true worth.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

If the Celtics are the biggest Eastern threat, then it's going to be a great year for Miami.

Explain why you are so down on Boston?

[PrettyT11]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Miami obviously are the odds on favorites but fully healthy, Boston could defeat them even without home court.

I also believe a fully healthy Philly and Indy squad could take a fully healthy Miami team to 7.

Ray Ray helps this team so damn much though, when the pace slows in the playoffs he'll show his true worth.

Philly doesn't stand a chance. They still have the same problem of not being able to score enough points. Plus in a series against the Heat and the Knicks for that matter is where they will miss Iggy the most. He was the guy they could put on LeBron or Melo and at least make them work hard for their points and such. Now that task falls to Nick Young, Jason Richardson, or Evan Turner. Good luck with that.

Indy doesn't really have much of a chance either. Hibbert doesn't look like the same guy right now. I don't see them having the firepower to keep up either.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Philly doesn't stand a chance. They still have the same problem of not being able to score enough points. Plus in a series against the Heat and the Knicks for that matter is where they will miss Iggy the most. He was the guy they could put on LeBron or Melo and at least make them work hard for their points and such. Now that task falls to Nick Young, Jason Richardson, or Evan Turner. Good luck with that.

Indy doesn't really have much of a chance either. Hibbert doesn't look like the same guy right now. I don't see them having the firepower to keep up either.

I feel you on both teams, and I was as down on them as anyone last year. I just wouldn't be surprised if either of them made it a grind out series. You're dead on about Philly though. They don't have anyone to match up with LeBron. Still waiting on what Bynum will bring.

Indy I am much more high on than Philly though. Without Granger they have no shot.. it's worth noting however that David West has looked superb early on compared to last season coming off the knee surgery. He and Hibbert could cause some issues for Miami inside.

New York I suppose could make it a series but ultimately I just don't like Amare/Melo combo.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

Yeah a healthy Indy could make them work for it and grind them but at the end they don't have the firepower to outgun them. I say it would be a hard fought 5 or 6 game max series.

As far as Boston goes I'm not high on them at all. I know a lot of people where feeling better about them after they played Miami tough for about 3 quarters but since then they have looked bad. The only wins they have are against Washington and one of them took overtime. That is a Wizards team without Wall and Nene. I don't think they are really as deep as some think they are. I also don't expect too much from Jeff Green at least not now anyway. We have to remember he missed an entire year. They could pull a Boston move and get hot late in the year and try and make a run but right now I don't like what I see on either side of the ball.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

I just don't put much stock into the regular season for a team like Boston. They are tinkering with putting KG at center trying to see if it's a viable option. Integrating Jeff Green, Terry and Lee into the rotation will take a bit of time. Rondo looks as primed as ever and KG has not looked too shabby himself. PP will be there in the end as well even though he isn't shooting as efficiently as usual.

I wouldn't get too caught up in the first week or two of the season. Once their new guys get acquainted with their new roles it's going to be a hell of a team IMO. Jeff Green looks out of place a bit, I hope he can find his niche.

I question why Darko isn't even playing? I don't think they should be messing with KG at center.

[DukeC]

Re: Who is the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the east

I just don't put much stock into the regular season for a team like Boston. They are tinkering with putting KG at center trying to see if it's a viable option. Integrating Jeff Green, Terry and Lee into the rotation will take a bit of time. Rondo looks as primed as ever and KG has not looked too shabby himself. PP will be there in the end as well even though he isn't shooting as efficiently as usual.

I wouldn't get too caught up in the first week or two of the season. Once their new guys get acquainted with their new roles it's going to be a hell of a team IMO. Jeff Green looks out of place a bit, I hope he can find his niche.

I question why Darko isn't even playing? I don't think they should be messing with KG at center.

It's so KG doesn't have to move outside of the paint (considering a lot of NBA Centers don't have range outside of 9 feet with the exception of Cousins and Gasol) and so he can coordinate the defense easier.