Mr. Predictable

Can't think of a championship team in the past 2 decades that wouldn't take them in 4 or 5. This is not a baiting post by any means, let's discuss it civilly.

__________________
"He's the best center in the NBA on one end now," Mavericks swingman Jerry Stackhouse said. "The team has to focus on him more than any center in the NBA, even Shaq."

"He's 7-6, turning and fading. You want a guy to turn out, unfortunately he was hitting the shot," Brown said. "What could I do? I had a hand up. I was, '(Man), another one.' Now I know what it's like when guys play against Kobe (Bryant)."--- Kwame Brown on Yao's 16-25 shooting performance

5/29 Mock Draft 1.0

ralaw

I remember people saying the same thing when the 04' Pistons won the championships, and that talk simmered when they went back to the finals in 05'. You really can't effectively judge these things until you see how the team plays in the following seasons. Besides, the Heat did make the conference finals last year, so it's not as if they just came out of nothingness this year.

__________________
This site has become nothing more than a decorated shed.

Roscoe Sheed

Yes, they looked so beatable, but nobody beat them. It really is quite shocking. Very few people thought they'd win the championship at the beginning of the playoffs. I thought they'd give Detroit a good series, but ultimately lose in 6. I thought Dallas would for sure beat them in 6 and the Mavs probably would have done so if not for the game 5 debacle, but nobody will remember that years from now. Wade= NBA's first player/referee

jfroyam888

miami heat got lucky. If it wasn't for dwanye wade, they would be nowhere. Just look at the first two games, where wade got shut out. dwanye wade is the team (shaq's gettin' too old)

jericho

Well, how about the 1994 Rockets? Maybe Hakeem would have ruled the court. Today's Shaq would have a tough time keeping up with him. But I'm not sure the Rockets' backcourt rotation of Kenny Smith, Vernon Maxwell, and young Sam Cassell could have done much better than this year's Mavericks of containing Wade.

Or, go back to the 1979 Supersonics, where we'd have Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams having a better shot at slowing down Wade but Jack Sikma (with a lot of savvy game but giving up a ton of weight and strength) trying to stop Shaq. The Heat would have a savvier, more versatile group of role players. Close, but I could definitely see this year's heat winning in 6 or 7 games.

Mr. Predictable

Since when is making the ECF an accomplishment? Imagine if the Heat had to go through the West this year or the last. The '04 Pistons had all the trademarks of a championship team except a superstar. Crisp passing, tough perimeter and post defense, outside shooting and clutch performances. While Wade had an incredible series, he had 2 huge factors working in his favor: the referees and COY Avery Johnson's inability to run an effective zone defense. Parts of these finals were embarrassing to watch. Dallas played like champions in the WCF whereas Miami won the ECF because of the Pistons fallout. The finals were a totally different story for Dallas, IMO they would have won in 5 if Jeff Van Gundy coached them against the Heat.
Another mistake Avery made was asking Dirk to make a radical change in his game so late into the season. Dirk doesn't have the foot speed or bulk to bang in the post and get the majority of his points going to the basket. While that's a fine thing to do down the stretch, he should have stuck to creating mismatches and taking advantage of his height + jump shot in the first 3 quarters. Take away his jump shot and he was a clumsy 7 footer looking for the refs every other time he touched the ball.

If Houston makes the right moves this offseason, they could easily be contending for the Finals a year from now. Phoenix will be tough to beat in the playoffs with a healthy Amare. Dallas and San Antonio will come back with new additions. Miami isn't repeating, if they make the finals next year they'll be swept.

__________________
"He's the best center in the NBA on one end now," Mavericks swingman Jerry Stackhouse said. "The team has to focus on him more than any center in the NBA, even Shaq."

"He's 7-6, turning and fading. You want a guy to turn out, unfortunately he was hitting the shot," Brown said. "What could I do? I had a hand up. I was, '(Man), another one.' Now I know what it's like when guys play against Kobe (Bryant)."--- Kwame Brown on Yao's 16-25 shooting performance

5/29 Mock Draft 1.0

eddymac

Im am by no stretch of the imagination a Heat fan but you have to give credit where credit is due they won. They beat the Pistons Miami was a team of destiny, unfortunatly.

Mr. Predictable

__________________
"He's the best center in the NBA on one end now," Mavericks swingman Jerry Stackhouse said. "The team has to focus on him more than any center in the NBA, even Shaq."

"He's 7-6, turning and fading. You want a guy to turn out, unfortunately he was hitting the shot," Brown said. "What could I do? I had a hand up. I was, '(Man), another one.' Now I know what it's like when guys play against Kobe (Bryant)."--- Kwame Brown on Yao's 16-25 shooting performance

5/29 Mock Draft 1.0

smrtguy

I hate to say it but that quote is why 11 year olds should not be allowed onto these boards.

Excuse me, Junior, but have you checked the box scores for games 1 & 2? Wade had a great game 1, with 28 points, 6 rebs, 6 asts, and 4 steals. In game 2 he had an ok night with 23 points and 8 rebs.

But, I guess he got shut out. What about Nofieldgoalzki? Dirk shot 2-14 with 16 points in game 4. 2 for 14!!! I would call that being shut out.

Enough said. Quit hating on Miami, they are the best, they did not get lucky.

The MAMBA

the 2000 Pacers, 2002 Nets, 2003 Spurs, 2004 Pistons, and 2005 Spurs could take this Heat squad. No joke.