A Heat December Recap

Wake the Heat when December is over.

Been a lot going on the personal family front lately.  Birthdays, holidays, pregnant wife, new house.  With all this, I had to take some time off from blogging.  Here's a recap of the last few weeks....

The Heat's defense is coming around. They are closing out better against threes.  Norris Cole, Joel Anthony, and Udonis Haslem playing more means more defense, and with the Big Four, the offense was never a problem.

Cole has developed into a positive off the bench.  His offensive game is still not above average, but his defensive pressure on opposing PGs has helped the Heat regain some defensive footing.

Haslem is starting again, and his shot going in a tiny bit more. Defensive skills are still there.

Chris Bosh is really, really good, but still not pronounced during every game.

Ray Allen is a really bad defensive player.

Dwyane Wade is still great.  But he now treats his skills like fine wine; he only breaks them out on special occasions (which is just fine, since the playoffs are always special occasions).

LBJ is still the best on the planet.  Regardless of Durant "continuing to develop", and Melo "finally playing team basketball".   LeBron is the King.

The Heat are really good.  They are clearly biding their time.  They play to their competition, which makes the early season very frustrating for Heat fans.

And now for the games:

106-90 win home vs NO: Not compelling.  Coming off the Knicks game, they did nothing but what they were supposed to do; beat a bad team badly.

101-92 win home vs Atlanta: Nice win over a good team that was surging.

97-95 loss home vs Golden State:  In retrospect, the Warriors are a pretty darn good team.... not shocking the Heat would play too down to a surprisingly good opponent and lose.

102-72 win home vs Washington: Another sign that the Heat play when they want to... a crushing, avenging win against a bad team that had beat them days before.

103-92 win home vs Minn: Heat's lack of size exposed again (by getting smashed on the boards 53-24), but their talent won out (and overall athleticism apparent by out-blocking the bigger Wolves 14-1).

110-65 win @ Dallas:  The Mavs are not the team that beat Miami in the Finals two years ago.... Nice to see Cuban's poor planning result in a poor product.

105-89 win home vs Utah.  Bosh out sick, but the remaining Big Two are too much.

105-97 win home vs OKC.  The biggest game of the season, the biggest win of the season.  Proving the Heat are the best and play when they feel like it.

105-92 win @ Charlotte.  Too close a game against a bad team on a back-to-back after the Christmas Day emotional win vs OKC, but you take it and move on.

109-99 loss @ Detroit.  Really?  Back to driving you crazy by not showing up.

104-85 loss @ Milwaukee.  And why not make it bad two losses in a row because it's December.

20-8

"Let's Go New York" Chanted at a Knicks Game.... In Miami

How does this guy keep beating the Heat?

If Tuesday was horrible, tonight was whatever-word-is-worst-than-horrible.

Of all teams.

Of all places.

At all times.

To lose to the Knick???

By 20.

W.

T.

F.

Steve Novak?

18-43 from three?

Why don't the Heat shoot 43 threes?

I hate the Knicks.

A double alley-oop; wasted.  One of LBJs most powerful dunks I've seen; wasted.  Playing the Knicks without Melo; wasted.

After losing to the Wiz on Tuesday, Thursday was supposed to be a make-good night.  Supposed to show everyone that the Heat could turn it on as needed.

Instead, Thursday stands as a night that allows for those that question the Heat's defense, effort, and concentration to say "I told you so".

Let's just hope that those saying "It's a long season" turn out to be right, because right now, it looks like it could be a long season.

12-5

To Play Hard Or Not To Play Hard

A better celeb friend, and then this.

The tale of two teams.

Not the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat; the low-energy Heat and the high-energy Heat.

Miami continued their In-Game Maintenance Program for the first 2.5 quarters of tonight's match.  Brooklyn built a double-digit lead, and the defending champs looked like they were sleep walking.

Then, just like that, the Heat decided they couldn't wait till late in the fourth to wake up.  They turned up the intensity level on both sides of the ball and closed with a 16-37 run, beating the Nets 89-102.

On this night, LeBron took a back seat to D Wade as the latter showed his nagging knee and ankle injuries won't be affecting him every game.  He scored a season high 34 points, with many throw-back type Wade drives.  His high-light play coming off a slightly-higher than needed alley-oop from Ray Allen (over Kris Kardashian).  His best since Game 6 in the Indy series last year.

Is Andre Blatche (another) one that got away???  He could have been had with a minimum contract.  And I don't buy the possible "locker room issues"; not with this team of champs and vets.  Not to mention trying him out to "see how it goes" and dumping as needed is pretty effortless.  Especially with his upside (and the Heat's size limitations).

Bosh has a horrible night, not scoring in the first half.  Finishing with as many rebounds as Norris Cole (2).

UD came up big in the second half with six second-half rebounds and good defensive effort (+17 for the game).  Heart, defense, rebounding.  If only his jumper could make its way back.

Cole was a nice spark off the bench.

The Nets strategy to trap at the end pretty much didn't work.  The Heat busting it with fun stuff like a James layup and Allen three.

The Heat have played the toughest schedule in the league (by winning percentage), and are tied for the best record.

12-3

Groundhog Day In The 305

The only thing missing was Bill Murray

The story line replays itself again... Again!!!!

The Heat play an over-matched opponent and win 100-105, thanks to another late-game comeback by LBJ and Ray Ray.

[Since the Miami Heat showed up for 10 percent of the game (figuratively), and the six-best San Antonio Spurs players didn't show at all (literally), this post'll be 80 percent shorter than usual (sadly).]

This cycle must stop.

Ray Allen with ANOTHER game-winning three to put the Heat up within the last 30 seconds. 

The Heat are better than the Spurs at resting their stars during the regular season. Instead of openly sending their stars home, they tell them to rest DURING the game. That has to be what is going on here.

LBJ is the best.  This night's highlight a killer eurostep against Splitter with minutes remaining.  Wow.

11-3

Going To The Well One More Time; Heat Come From Behind To Win Again

Ray Allen breaks Sideshow's heart.

What the heck was that?  Did it really need to be that hard?  Scoring the last nine points to come back from seven down with 1:50 left to win 108-110 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.  

The story lines remain the same in this one.  No-name kid has career game (Omri Casspi).  Turnovers hunt the Heat (18 this time).  The other team team kills it from three (14-31).  And the Heat still find a way to come around at the end to win (this time it was Ray Ray with 15 in the 4th).  

Any talent gap that exists coming into a game is made up for by the opposing team playing up to the Heat and Miami playing down to the competition   I hope all of this means they'll be that more fresh for the playoffs.  

Shane Battier continues the hot hand, shooting 3-5 from deep.  But then went out in the third with a knee sprain.  We'll need to keep an eye on this.

Mike Miller shows up in the first quarter again.  He's healthy and talented.  But he passed two open threes; that is not why he's here.  

Pathetic second period for the Heat. 

You wouldn't know that Cleveland is coming off the back-to-back.  Heart goes a long way in the NBA.

Allen was actually off early, but it didn't matter by the end.  Cold blooded when it counts.  

I'm not sure if it's because he's smart and knows that you need to make a foul count, or if it's because he's smaller than the bigs he covers, but whatever it is, Shane Battier is an excellent hard-fouler (there is typically no plus-one opportunities .  

Miller getting to loose balls in the third that started getting Miami back into the game.  

With Battier out, why no Rashard Lewis?  

For 10 years, Wade has given the Heat much happiness and much frustrations.  You need to live with it with him bacause you don't want him to alter his game, but the two fouls on long shots (a three and a two with-a-foot-on-the-line) drives you crazy.   He still came up big, tho, with a block on the final attempt to win the game for the Cavs. 

At the end, Allen gets wide open because Wade passes to James in the elbow.  He then gets triple teamed and finds Allen.  Such is life for the Heat.

Miami now has five days to figure out how to limit the mistakes, close out on threes, and play a complete game.  Otherwise, on Thursday, all of these will be exposed by the team tied with Miami for the second best record in the league, the San Antonio Spurs.  

10-3

Heat down Bucks in OT

A reason to celebrate for UD.

On the night that Udonis Haslem moved atop the Heat all time rebound record, the Heat moved past the Bucks, 106-113 in OT.

Haslem has to be on the top of any Heat fan's list.  The heart and grit are off the charts.  He still remains co-team captain in year three of the The Big Three based on the respect he has from his teammates.  He should be a model for every kid that isn't the most talented.  My favorite Haslem moment:  The come back against the Chicago Bulls in the '11 playoffs.... he was tring to dunk on everyone.

Came into the game thinking it would be tough covering two quicker one guards.  Ellis and Jennings finished with a combined 28 points on 13 for 41 shooting.  Interesting.

Different rotations for the Heat in this one.  Mike Miller in the game early, a Joel Anthony showing, and no Rashard Lewis.  More defense than offense from the subs.  You can do that when your 4 top plays put up 97 points for you.

Sam Dalembert???? Really?????  His first three of his career, and a SportCenter Top Play with his through-the-legs pass?????  

Norris Cole did well.  Pressure on the ball.  Nice finds on a Bosh three, UD slip, and Bosh dunk.  Ended with a season high 6 dimes (a number he surpassed only one time his career).

The game started with the Heat hot and Bucks cold.  Then things went 180 degrees.

When scoring was tough for Miami, I found myself wishing the heat would go to  Bosh more.  He ended with 24 points and 18 rebounds.  Big game!

John Henson?  Another career high for someone playing the Heat this year.  Amazing.

More missed free throws.... Ended 23 for 33.

Amazing how a team this talented constantly leans on LBJ when they need someone to do something.  Then he gets everyone else involved and things get back on track.

In the fourth and OT, the Heat really did put it in another gear.  The Big Four were in full affect, scoring the last 33 for Miami.  It's nice to have these guys.


Reminder: Heat fans get Philly's first round pick this year.  They need to lose.

9-3

LeBron Feeling Hot in Phoenix

This guy sick is still better than your guy healthy.

A feverish James.  No Wade.  Banged up Chalmers.  No threes from Allen. Sixth straight road game.  And the Heat still win 97-88 against the Pheonix Suns.

(Writing this type of intro is getting redundant, but better than using the issues as an excuse for a lose.)

The Big Four were the Big One Point Five tonight.

Bosh providing the Big One, shooting 9-11 while going for 24, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks (along with 5 turnovers).

LeBron James supplied the Point Five while playing sick with flu symptoms. He left the game temporarily in the first quarter due to sickness.  Had only one jumper fall in the second half.  But he still managed 41 minutes played, 21 points, seven rebounds, and a huge layup at the end.  A Big Point Five is better than most Regular-Sized Ones.

Ray Allen played pedestrian tonight   Not a three attempted, three turnovers, and his shaky D persists.

Shane Battier continued his hot shooting, going 4-8 from downtown.  Only if this can be maintained for the whole season!

Before thinking UD's done, look at his per minute rebounds, shooting percentage, and scoring efficiency.  In these terms, he's having one of his better seasons.  And this isn't counting his heart, which is a key Heat stat.

Not much to see here, folks.  Another nice win for the Heat considering the circumstances.  They now head home for some deserved rest after going 4-2 on their longest road trip of the season.

Next game: Wednesday vs the Bucks.

8-3

Heat Find Threes Easier To Make In the Thin Air of Denver

Farried's bounding kept the Nuggs within reach.

The dreaded "Denver leg" of the NBA back-to-back.  No D Wade.  The altitude.  Starting point guard injured in the second quarter.

And the Heat still lead wire-to-wire and win 98-93 vs the Nuggets.

With Dwyane Wade resting his sore foot, Mike Miller again stepped into the starting lineup.   Miller scored 12, while going 4-8 from three.  A nice fill-in performance 

Chris Bosh with a single rebound by 9:41 in the third, Kenneth Farried with 14 at the time.  Farried is as much a freak as LeBron James when it comes to leaping.  Maybe he can't jump higher than James, but his pogo stick-like ability to quickly go up and down is like no one else in the NBA.  Throw in his heart and desire, and you have a great rebounder.

Norris Cole received extended minutes with Mario Chalmers straining a triceps muscle in the second period.  Overall, Cole had an uneven game, trying too much at times and forcing things, but he also hit a huge three with a minute left to effectively put the game out of reach for Denver.

After a Nuggets turnover in their offensive end, LBJ goes one-on-three during the ensuing fast break...... He ended up drawing a foul and going one of two from the line.  Who else can get a point when going against three people?

At one point, of LBJs nine assists, six came on three pointers.  Outside shooting is what it's all about this year.

Heat got killed on the boards.  Halfway through the fourth, Farried had more bounds than the starting five of the Heat put together.  Manamal ended up with 20 for the game, and Denver was +19 overall.

Shane Battier is Mr. Charge.  Another two taken against Denver.

How does Andre Miller hurt the Heat so much?  A career 21% three-point shooter, he hits 2-2 down the stretch to get the Nuggs close.   This is after he went 8-10 from the floor last week to keep Denver in that game.  The "least athletic" guy on the court has serious basketball skills, and is such an asset to have off the bench.

When the game gets close, having LBJ is so nice.... So many positive things happen for the Heat.

If they make their threes, the Heat win.  They did so in Denver, going 13-27 from distance.

A nice road win against a tough home team.

7-3.

Houston, you have a problem.... It's LeBron James

LBJ finishes an alley oop from BEHIND the backboard.  Sick!

After a dismantling by Memphis yesterday, the Heat traveled to Houston and gutted out a come-from-behind second-day-of-a-back-to-back win against Houston, 113-110.  Largely due to LeBron Jame's incredible game.

After scoring 4 in the first half, LBJ closed with 38 by the end of the game.  Highlights were a plenty for The King.  His alley-oop dunk with most of his body behind the backboard deserved several replays.  His 27 ft three pointer late in the game clutch.   His overall mastery of the last quarter unreal.  I really shouldn't be amazed any more.

 

No hangover from the bad lost in Memphis, coming out on fire while opening a 20-5 start. 

Harden got whatever he wanted early, and exploited the Heat point guard tandem through the night.

UD with some needed paint points, and even hit a jumper!

Bosh started 8-10.  His sweet jumper is so easy to watch. 

3s kept Miami in it in the second half. 

Seemed like Rashard Lewis needed to play more tonight, his offense more than makes up for lapses in defense. 

Omer Asif looked like a good player.  He does the little things well.  Finished for 14 rebounds and 19 points.

Chandler Parsons????? Ugh last night Ellington, this night “Chandler Bang” with a career high.  Everyone gets up for the Heat.

Bosh played well, especially in the fourth, showing he still had legs.

HOLE E CRAP the 27 footer by LeBron was clutch. 

WADE?!?!?!?!?!  Missing two free throws that could have put away the game.  He was bailed out by a huge offensive rebound by Bosh (who promptly demonstrated to Wade how to sink two clutch free throws with the game on the line).

At the end, though it was all about LeBron James.  Amazing.  Just amazing. 

Mauled in Memphis

When this man checks in, and your team is loosing, it's a baaaaaaad night.

Great feel to the start of the game; fans were into it.  And from there, Memphis fed the fan frenzy.  

The Grizzlies seemingly could do no wrong through the night.  The Heat could do no right.  The result: a wire-to-wire dismantling of the world champions, 86-104.

The energy level the fans put off seemed to be either kryptonite to the Heat, or spinach to the Grizz.  The game would crescendo to an absolute eruption in the fourth as Rudy Gay made LeBron James look silly with a behind-the-back move exclamated by a tremendous tomahawk dunk.  The game was over at that point.  The roof was off the building.

It did look like it was going to be a heavy weight fight early, and the Heat seemed to do a better job counter punching early, topped off by a three-fourth court ally-oop from Wade to LJB, followed by a James monster dunk off of another ally-oop.  The Heat must have thought the game had ended at that point because they didn't put forth much effort afterwards and were on the ropes by halftime. 

Playing another big team, Spo went to UD early.    This time, the Heat power rotation (Bosh, Battier, and UD) came ahead in points, but got crushed by Mephis' bigs (Gasol, Randolph, and Spieights) on the boards 11 to 27.  And the Heat wings and point guards were just plain outplayed by their Memphis counterparts.

Wade had another really bad game against Tony Douglas.  At least he doesn't play for Boston anymore.

The Heat missed four straight free throws at the start.  By their most reliable shooters, Mario. Allen, and Bosh.  It didn't get any better from there, leaving 14 points on the rim while going a pathetic 22 of 36.  On the other hand, the Grizz didn't miss their first FT till the fourth.

Rashard gave Miami another spark off the bench.  Unfortunately, their was no fuel or oxygen to make any fire.

Heat seamed like they were forcing it through the first half.  They tried make it a track meet as they ran after every board, but they couldn't hit a shot.

Free throws, free throws, free throws.  Ugh.

And the Grizz were a smoking 14-24 for three.  Ah, the Heat's weakness exposed again.  And the Heat weren't hitting theirs so they really had no chance.

The last counter-punch came in the third.  But Memphis responded as they did all day and it was over before the fouth. 

Conley living up to his high draft pick in this one…. 

Ellington?????? Who is that guy???? 25 points, a career high.

It’s the 3s again.  Just like vs the Knicks

Many expletives during this game.  I get the feel that the Heat would win a series (because they can't play that bad for that long, while the Grizz can't play that well), but Memphis sure does give Miami fits.

Many expletives.

Conley from 33 ft?!?!?!?!?!  Good!  Not a heave, a straight up shot.  THEY CAN NOT MISS.  

Borat, aka Hamed Haddadi, checks in at 2:56 of fourth.  Where is the naked fat man to wrestle him so at least I can get a laugh out of the game?  

Many, many expletives. 

4-2

Banged Up and Short-Handed, the Heat Still Take Down the Hawks

Yikes! LeBron and Josh Smith bang knees.

The Big Four were down to the Big Three again as D Wade was held out with “a cold”.  But with Bosh, Allen, and LBJ scoring the last 10, the Miami Heat downed the Atlanta Hawks 95-89. 

In a test of size/length (Horford, Smith, Pachulia) versus speed/heart (Battier, Bosh, and Haslem), it was basically a draw.  And that is all the Heat need when the play bigger teams because their “smalls” are so much better than everyone else’s. 

Amazing how Wade’s absence seemed to really affect the flow offensively and defensively.  But the Heat kept true to their rotation and kept Allen on the bench at the start, instead favoring Miller to fill in for wade.

Nice defense by Battier two sets in a row….. “Jeopardy Shane” outplayed Josh Smith early. 

Anthony Morrow is another one that got away.  Kid can score.

A pretty good game by Cole.  4 assists and no TOs.  Had some good penetration for scores and others for dishes.  Disruptive a bit.  Only bad play was passing up an open three and forcing LBJ to throw the ball up with the shot clock expiring.  Otherwise, Cole was a positive influence tonight.  

Twice, LeBron took Smith off the dribble for layups.  People actually thought Smith would be a LeBron Stopper?

I wish “charges taken” were officially published…. UD would have to be the per-minute leader.

Free throw attempts are really down so far this year.  After being third in 2010 and eighth last year, they are 23^rd so far this season.  An effect of better passing/shooting (and saving themselves for the playoffs???).

Josh Smith is the worst free throw shooter in the league today.  Wow.  He air-balled  one and clunked another in (off the backboard) in one trip to the line.  Horrible.  

LBJ’s day-to-day after going knee-to-knee with Josh Smith. Scary!

Jeff Teague had a nice game.  Can penetrate. 

Zaza v UD….. Love it.  Each using their best greco wrestling moves when covering each other.

In the third, with Wade out, Ray in foul trouble, and Bosh battling Atlanta’s height, it was Rashard with seven points when the Heat needed some offense outside of LBJ.  Continues to contribute in big ways for the Heat.

Heat got a lot of calls tonight.  Atlanta should be mad at the refs.

 

LBJ scoring over Stevenson with 13 seconds left to put the Heat up by four.  LeBron will never let that get old.  (I hate that guy.)

Another almost-trip-dub for James. 

A nice way to start a six-game road trip for the Heat. 

5-1.

Hype Doesn't Match Heat

LBJ's power > Nets' size

The first match up between the much hyped Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat offered no drama, no glamorous back-and-forth, no high-profile showdowns   Instead, it was just another early season blowout for the Heat, winning by 30, 73-103.

In four victories so far, the Heat averaged nearly an 18-point margin of victory   The Nets did nothing but help raise the average.

Brooklyn is the first game the Heat have played this year with a traditional configuration, with a true center and power forward. They tried to pound it down low throughout, scoring 46 points in the paint to the Heat's 34.  But the length of the Nets couldn't keep up with the distance of the Heat.  Another night of 40+ percent shooting for this very talented Heat squad.

LBJ was 2 assists short of a triple double by the end of the third.  He did work on the boards, pulling down 12 rebounds  including a few nice ones in the offensive zone in heavy traffic.  Size was not enough to stop LeBron's power.

Bosh with another block.  Otherwise, it was a very quiet night for Miami's biggest man.

Wade with another efficient night (10-14).  Nice post-ups, banks, jumpers, and drives.  He needs to stay healthy.

Love Cole's high top!!!

LBJ was 2-3 from three.  Actually backed up 10 feet to line up his last tre.  Shooting over 55% from beyond the arch so far.  

Up by 23 by end of 3rd.

Spo shared the stats that he looks at to determine his defense's success: FG% Allowed, Point Differential, and Points Per Possession.  For the second game in a row, the Heat held opponents to less than 40% shooting, while scoring in the triple digits themselves.

Rashard Lewis is such a value at a minimum salary deal.   13 points tonight, although the rebounding really needs be better (with 0 this evening).  

Nets' minority owner, Jay-Z, may be paying Dwyane Wade, but his Nets lost by Norris Cole.

The Miami Globetrotters

All that was missing tonight was a bucket of water.

65 points at the half, 98 points at the end of 3.  The most potent offense in the league, the Miami Heat, was on fire tonight, scorching the Phoenix Suns 99-124.

When they are on (and playing a sub-par team), it's like watching the Globetrotters playing the Generals.

Oh what could have been.... The year that Michael Beasley went number two overall to the Heat, Blake Griffin decided to stay in school for one more year.  Beasley never quite caught on in Miami and was traded away to make room for Mike Miller.  LBJ, Griffin, Bosh, Wade, and Allen..... Oh what could have been.  (Or the then last-place Heat could have just drafted Derrick Rose if they landed the first pick overall as their record deserved.)  Beasley, playing for the Suns now, is still looking to reach his potential five years later.

Is there anything better than watching the Heat pass around the horn to an open player for three?  Five touches on a possession is not uncommon.

Great offensive show tonight.  Effortless.

Wade and UD showing flashes of the good ole days. Wade playing an acrobatic game shooting 9-14, and Haslem slipping down the lane in several give-and-gos and scoring a season high 12.

Ray in the corner during fast breaks is deadly.  Twice tonight.

A missed sky hook from LBJ.  He finally broke it out.  The King wound up with a "ho-hum" double-double.

Here in Miami, everyone loves Raymond.  Great line by Eric Reid.

2 more blocks for Bosh.  This'll be his career year for blocks.

Really didn't like the way Wade came down on his shoulder in the third on his pretty and-one.  Assuming that's going to linger.

Mario with 11 assists, 1 turnover, 3-3 from 3, 3 steals, and a block.  The kids is really becoming a player by limiting his mistakes.

15-26 from three.  49 rebounds. 33 assists, 15 turnovers.  Amazing offense.  Amazing depth.  Wow.

3-1

The Start Of The Big Four Era

Bienvenido a Miami

And then there were Four.  

Four lead changes in the last 2:03 of the game.  

A four-point play at the end of the game to push the Heat to a 119-116 win over the visiting Denver Nuggets.  

Four future HOFers playing for the Miami Heat.

Wow; what a game!

Kenneth Faried can jump.  Really jump.  And I'm not sure why Kosta Koufos starts because JaVale McGee can ball??? Denver has talent.  No doubt.  But it's games like this that deomstrate how the Heat really are quite good.  

Thursday night, the Knicks exposed Miami's outside defense.  Friday, Denver exposed their inside defense.  The Heat must get back to basics.  But it's still early.

Bosh’s shot is so true.  40 points tonight.  Was the foundation of the Heat's win.

Is there anything better than D Wade blocking a big man? Yes; when he blocks two!  McGee and Koufos, both seven footers, gave up blocks to Wade.  He had four on the night (which made up for his uneven play on offense).

A lot of the Nuggets offense ends up running through a player stationed at the baseline nearly under the backboard.  Several of these possessions ending in points for Denver.  

To stop the penetration, the Heat sent in Joel.  Unfortunately, The Denver Prophylactic he was not.

At least the defenses started to look more Heat like in the second half.  

Bosh for three.  Bosh with an outlet pass.  Bosh driving.  Bosh popping. Bosh, Bosh, Bosh. 

Is Andre Miller the best unathletic player in the league?  Maybe not, but definitely effective nonetheless.  Funny how he is inevitably called "crafty" at least once per game by the announcers.  I thought the descriptor "crafty" was the sole property of white guys!?!?!?!?

The no-look pass from Chalmers to Bosh for a dunk in the last minutes of a tight game was outstanding.

Wow.

And then there was LBJ.  Scoring when he wants to, but facilitating more with 11 assists for the game.  The play to Ray Ray for the winning shot is going to be on Sportscenter Top 10... It was the first game-winning Welcome-to-Miami moment for Allen.

2-1

Live By the Steve Novak, Die By the Steve Novak.

Steve Novak: Not pretty, but effective.

When the Heat signed Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis over the summer, in addition to already having several world-class shooters, it was they who were supposed to win from the outside. But tonight, it was the Knicks doing the damage from deep, going 19-36 for threes in their 104-84 season opening win vs Miami.

The Heat's weakness on defense surfaced again... defending the three.  When faced with hot teams, their frenzied defense is it's own enemy.  This phenomena was in full effect tonight.

Nothing came easy for Miami.

The Knicks simply couldn't miss, and in the middle of it all for New York was Steve Novak.  5 of 8 from beyond the arch.  And the Knicks actually played defense.

The most promising takeaway for Miami: Rashard Lewis.  Can he be back?

Crappiest play of the night that summarizes how things went for Miami: During garbage time, Mike Miller grabs a defensive rebound and starts bringing the ball up court.  In a moment of gravely poor judgement, at half-court, he passes the ball toward Josh Harrellson.  Of course, Jorts (rightfully) never imagined anyone would ask him to advance the ball.  The ball zoomed straight out of bounds as Harrellson plodded forward.  Yes, you read correctly; an NBA player actually passed the ball to Josh Harrellson and expected him to dribble it.

Before the game, Wade announced he'd donate his game check to the relief effort.  At least something positive came from this night.


The idea of writing this blog was a lot more romantic when the Miami Heat looked like they were going to go 82-0.  Now, I realize that I need to sit through long, excruciating losses...... Like this one.

1-1

All Journeys Start With The Smallest Step

It's all about the rings

When Pat Riley courted LeBron in the summer of 2010, the story goes that Riley spilled out a handful of Championship rings on a table.  It was as if to say, "These could be yours one day."

Tonight LBJ got his first.

In an outstanding initial effort, the Heat won 120 to 107.

Block, block, transition, three.  That is how it started.

Welcome to the Heat, Ray Ray.  Sweet three from Allen a few moments after coming off the bench for the first time.   And the guy does way more than shoot..... another weapon in the Heat arsenal.

Bosh with three blocks tonight.  Is Zo finally getting through to him?

Thank goodness Rondo doesn't have a consistent outside shot, because if he did, he would be top three in the league.  He is unstoppable when driving.

[Overstatement Alert] LBJ, when hot from distance, is devastating.  People don't typically say he's the best scorer, but when he's feeling it, he is the best scorer.

The Heat is so deep.

Wade's back-down of Rondo (even with the hook accounted for) was a thing of beauty.  Shot clock winding down, Wade beyond the three, went into video-game mode and shrunk Rando all the way to the rim.

Bosh alley to Bron oop..... Would love to see more of that.

A couple of years ago, the Boston fans chanted "Overrated" when the Heat opened up in Boston.  Should the chant be applied to Boston this year?  They are talented, but feels like their identity is yet to be made.  Half hard-nose defense with the old guys, half frantic offense with the new guys.

Chalmers is extremely effective when driving.  A knack for scoring and good at getting to the open player when the defense breaks down.  11 Assists tonight.

Love Allen taking technical fouls.... It's at least one or two extra points a game.

Barbosa is a scoring machine.  But Shaq said it best, "He's instant offense" on both ends of the court.  Classic line.

With LeBron out with cramps (what is up with that, BTW), Bosh was the closer, with Wade and Allen looking on.

Rondo and KG had hard/questionable fouls (on Wade and Chalmners, respectively).  How can anyone who is objective possibly like these guys?

If the Heat play great D, they are hard to beat.  If they hit their threes, they are unbeatable.  They did both tonight.

1-0

Appreciating Greatness

I've been an avid sports fan for about 30 years.  During this time, like everyone else, I've had some highs and some lows.  It comes with the territory.  I mean, if you liked one team from each of the major sports for the last 30 years, you've had 120 chances at glory.

But then you have to think about the college teams you root for.  And throw in soccer, NASCAR, golf, UFC..... Everyone's likely had at least a little glory.

So a single season worth of glory isn't too far fetched.

But now I think I'm close to something more.  Something bigger.  Something once-in-a-lifetime.  The potential for rooting for the best team of all time.

Alright, that may be a stretch.  A big stretch.  But how about the potential for rooting for a dynasty?

According to a popular internet site (I'm new at this and not sure I can actually mention specific sights without being sued), a "sports dynasty" is "a team that dominates their sport or league for multiple seasons or years. Such dominance is often only realized in retrospect."

Well, the Miami Heat are unquestionably POTENTIALLY at the start of a dynasty, and I don't want to wait for "retrospect" to enjoy it.  

As I told my lucky-as-hell 14-year-old-nephew, whose also a big Miami Heat fan, he better enjoy this ride for all it's worth.   Because when it's all said and done, years and years from now, it may just be this team "they" are talking about as the dynasty that defines the NBA for decades.  

Yeah, I know the Lakers are stacked.  I know that OKC is young and talented.  I know that Boston is old and talented.  I know that LBJ has an opt out in two years.  

But this version of the Heat has been to the Finals the last two years and won the most recent.  Has a core of superstars in their prime.  Has the ultimate roll players.  Has a young, seasoned championship coach, and maybe the best GM of all time.  And they have the best player.  Maybe ever.   

So this is why I'm starting a blog.  

I feel like I can appreciate this moment as a Heat fan.  This moment, as we are about to start year three of the of "The Big Three" era.  

We are at the start of something big.  Something many sports fans can not say they've been a part of.    

So this blog is for my to-be-born child.  Hopefully, when s/he has been a sports fan for decades and the Heat of the 2010s come up in conversation, s/he can use this as reference to argue that this team, this Miami Heat team, was an all-time great.  

A dynasty.  

Or maybe the best team ever....