Most Hated Team: Miami Heat

[Strida]

Christ almighty. The Heat just faced the Bobcats. BOTH Lebron and Wade scored over 30 points.

If this team really does comes together as a unit, then we're going into a new era in the league. "Super teams" just might return.

[Lebron23]

Miami Heat defeated Milwaukee Bucks, 101-89

Another solid game from the Big Three.

Wade - 34 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

James - 25 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks,

Bosh - 19 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals

[Lebron23]

I don't think the Miami Heat are the most hated team in NBA History.

The most hated team in NBA History were the Bad Boy Pistons. They were a very tough defensive team.

They were the only team in NBA history to beat Larry Legend's Celtics, Showtime Lakers, Jordan's 1980's Bulls team, and Drexler's Blazers in the playoffs.

[Saskibaloia]

With all dynamic duo in the past, you've got the main man and then you've got "Robbin".

Pippen was Jordan's "Robbin", Kobe was Shaq's "Robbin" and McHale was Bird's "Robbin".

So with the dynamic duo of the dyanmic trio who is "Robbin"?

Since Miami is authentically D-Wade's team, does that mean LeBron is "Robbin" or is D-Wade "Robbin" as LeBron is the better player (though D-Wade is close behind)?

In my opinion, it's a tough question as both players are in par though if I had to choose I would easily choose LeBron as the better player.

As someone said, this dynamic duo is different as both are easily the main man on the team.

[NorCal]

With all dynamic duo in the past, you've got the main man and then you've got "Robbin".

Pippen was Jordan's "Robbin", Kobe was Shaq's "Robbin" and McHale was Bird's "Robbin".

So with the dynamic duo of the dyanmic trio who is "Robbin"?

Since Miami is authentically D-Wade's team, does that mean LeBron is "Robbin" or is D-Wade "Robbin" as LeBron is the better player (though D-Wade is close behind)?

In my opinion, it's a tough question as both players are in par though if I had to choose I would easily choose LeBron as the better player.

As someone said, this dynamic duo is different as both are easily the main man on the team.

Lots of sports writers here have posed the question of whose team it is but what I would like to know is whether it will ultimately matter come playoff time. I personally believe the fact that you have a 1a option and a 1b option will make them much more difficult to guard for any game-deciding plays.

This is a little bit of a tangent but it is related.........the average basketball fan seems to think that the best play to run for a game deciding offensive possession is to give the ball to your best player and clear out or to give the ball to your best player and give him an on ball screen. Historical data shows that these plays are, for the most part, less effective than most plays.

Even the supposed great finishers like Kobe see significant decreases in their shooting percentages when the game is on the line and the defense is focused on them. That's why I believe the Heat have a distinct advantage as they have two leaders who you can give the ball too and have been proven to be unselfish and dynamic enough to make the right decision in clutch moments. It only makes them more deadly.

[Lebron23]

With all dynamic duo in the past, you've got the main man and then you've got "Robbin".

Pippen was Jordan's "Robbin", Kobe was Shaq's "Robbin" and McHale was Bird's "Robbin".

So with the dynamic duo of the dyanmic trio who is "Robbin"?

Since Miami is authentically D-Wade's team, does that mean LeBron is "Robbin" or is D-Wade "Robbin" as LeBron is the better player (though D-Wade is close behind)?

In my opinion, it's a tough question as both players are in par though if I had to choose I would easily choose LeBron as the better player.

As someone said, this dynamic duo is different as both are easily the main man on the team.

LeBron and Wade are option 1a, and option 1b. Just like Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain in the late 1960's and early 1970's, Moses Malone and Julius Erving in the early 1980's, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar from 1983-1986, and Kobe and Shaq from 2002-2003.

[Lebron23]

LeBron James Jr. with a dunk.

He's also a better midrange shooter than his father.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCpg2Vw2jcw

[mvblair]

Historical data shows that these plays are, for the most part, less effective than most plays.

I believe it. The isolation play (without a pick and switch) is starting to seem like a fad except at the end of games. Whenever LeBron does it and jacks up a jump-shot, it's bad.

That's why I believe the Heat have a distinct advantage as they have two leaders who you can give the ball too and have been proven to be unselfish and dynamic enough to make the right decision in clutch moments.

I see your point about 1a and 1b. I don't question whether or not Wade or James wants to pass to each other at the end of a game if they're in a tight spot, but I question whether or not they can...in any "last possession situation," the defense is going to be so tight.

Of course, that could be a moot point since the Heat haven't had too many close games either way.

[dxjayrock2008]

LeBron uncensored

January, 6, 2011 Jan 6
4:36
PM ET




By Michael Wallace



MIAMI -- Pick a question. Any question. And ask LeBron James.

Chances are, the controversial Miami Heat forward will offer an answer that will make national headlines, whether he intends to or not. As a result, James has issued as many clarifications for his heavily scrutinized comments as he's distributed creative assists to teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

On Thursday, James was at it again as he stood in the middle of the Heat's practice facility, playfully trying to clean up another of his statements gone wild. This time, he wanted to set the record straight about why he used the term “Heatles” to compare his star-studded team to the Beatles.

When James first called his team the Heatles before Monday's victory against the Charlotte Bobcats, he was attempting to draw a comparison between the Heat's being a nationally-hyped attraction on the road that performs in front of sold-out arenas the way the Beatles did decades ago on world concert tours.

As with almost anything James says or does these days, there was immediate backlash mixed with fascination -- depending on which side of the fence one stands regarding the league's reigning two-time MVP, who might be the most polarizing athlete in the world.

James touched on the “Heatles-Beatles” debate among other hot topics before the Heat (28-9) left Miami for a five-game western trip that starts Friday at Milwaukee. Here is James, in his own words:

On the Heat's confidence on the road, where they've won 11 in a row
It's not even about that. We're playing some really good basketball right now. We understand to win basketball games and we understand what it takes to continue to play at a high level. So it's not about our confidence being sky high or blowing out the roof. It's just about us playing the right way.

On overcoming double-digit deficits to win games
We don't like to. We never want to fall into a deep hole and have to use all of that energy to come back. But it shows that we can win these type of games, these close games, fast-pace games. All the points on the board like we did in Houston. Or when there's not a lot of points like we did earlier against Milwaukee. It shows we can win these type of games, but we never want to get ourselves into a deficit.

On building chemistry on and off the court with Mario Chalmers
I have a lot of confidence in him. We all know Rio makes big shots in the moment. It's great to see he's playing with a lot of confidence. I look at Rio like a Daniel Gibson, a kid we (Cleveland Cavaliers) drafted out of Texas. I took him under my wing and every day I wanted him to prepare himself to be a professional and do it the right way, because it's going to pay off on the court. Daniel did that from the time he got to Cleveland. He stayed under my wing, and I always tried to keep him motivated. He started in the playoffs for us, he started in the Finals. He played games, had a huge playoff game against Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. You know, I look at Rio as that type of guy that can really help us. But it's not just about basketball. It's a lot that comes with being a professional.

On referring to the Heat as the “Heatles” this week
Can I clear this up. Let me clear this up. I've got a statement, which I'm sick and tired of doing (laughs). But I was asked a question. 'How do you feel about selling out arenas every night?' Right? Listen to this. 'How do you feel about selling out road arenas every night, at a 99.9 percent (rate)?' I said, 'I feel like it's great. I feel like the Beatles when we hit the road.' Which, everyone knows when the Beatles hit the road, it was a huge spectrum. I never compared us to how many records they sold or how world renown the Beatles were. So, you know what, that's the last time I'm clarifying my words. It's getting out of control, guys. It's getting out of control.

On feeling like the “Heatles” are a show everyone wants to see
Well, we are. It's not a show. It's part entertainment. It's part work. But everyone wants to see us play. You have a 99.9 percent sell-out rate on the road. It's not common in the league this day, especially financially, with what everyone is saying about the league. We feel humble. We feel great that every time we hit the road that everyone wants to come out and see us play and see the home team. We have spectacular players, all of our players. We go out and do certain things. But we don't say, 'Let's hit the road and be spectacular tonight.' Our 'spectacular' is playing Heat basketball. That's defending. When we defend, we get out and make spectacular plays. But it starts with what we do best, and that's play defense.

[CKR13]

LeBron James scored 26 points, hauled down 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals and a block as James lifted the Miami HEAT over the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime 101-95.

Chris Bosh scored 16 points alongside 12 rebounds and Dwyane Wade added 14 points.

James

[giljr]

Ow. I don't Hate the heat team. In fact they are my bet in winning the NBA championship. I love the combination of Wade Bosh and James. Why would they hate the team? I don't really understand why.

[Khalid80]

Miami Heat 107 - 100 Portland Trail Blazers (in OT)

Lebron James scored a season-high 44 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, Dwayne Wade added 34 points and eight rebounds, for their 13th straight road victory. (3 road wins away from tying the NBA record held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers)

Chris Bosh also had 18 points along with 8 rebounds and Miami's "Big Three" combined for all but 11 of Miami's points.

What was so remarkable was the the shooting % of the "Big Three":

LBJ had 17/26 FG = 65%
Wade had 15/22 FG = 68%
Bosh had 9/17 FG = 52%

[Saskibaloia]

Miami Heat 107 - 100 Portland Trail Blazers (in OT)

Lebron James scored a season-high 44 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, Dwayne Wade added 34 points and eight rebounds, for their 13th straight road victory. (3 road wins away from tying the NBA record held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers)

Chris Bosh also had 18 points along with 8 rebounds and Miami's "Big Three" combined for all but 11 of Miami's points.

What was so remarkable was the the shooting % of the "Big Three":

LBJ had 17/26 FG = 65%
Wade had 15/22 FG = 68%
Bosh had 9/17 FG = 52%

My homies are rollin'

[mvblair]

LBJ had 17/26 FG = 65%
Wade had 15/22 FG = 68%
Bosh had 9/17 FG = 52%

Yes, those shooting percentages are very impressive.

Miami has one nine out of the last ten games. Granted, they've played some easy opponents, but they also beat LA on Christmas Day in LA. Looks like Miami is starting to get into shape!

They're still not "steamrolling" the competition, but they're doing very, very well.

[NorCal]

Miami Heat 107 - 100 Portland Trail Blazers (in OT)

Lebron James scored a season-high 44 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, Dwayne Wade added 34 points and eight rebounds, for their 13th straight road victory. (3 road wins away from tying the NBA record held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers)

Chris Bosh also had 18 points along with 8 rebounds and Miami's "Big Three" combined for all but 11 of Miami's points.

What was so remarkable was the the shooting % of the "Big Three":

LBJ had 17/26 FG = 65%
Wade had 15/22 FG = 68%
Bosh had 9/17 FG = 52%

Those shooting %s are impressive but why do they shouldn't need the big 3 to shoot like that to win in OT vs. Portland.
Their team D has been a little lacking the last couple of games, I think they are in a little bit of cruise control out there.

[Khalid80]

Those shooting %s are impressive but why do they shouldn't need the big 3 to shoot like that to win in OT vs. Portland.
Their team D has been a little lacking the last couple of games, I think they are in a little bit of cruise control out there.

Well I guess since the rest of the Miami players didn't do much during the game Miami's big 3 had to compensate and do it all by themselves

Actually Miami was going to lose this game cause they were always down during most of the second half yet they kept getting back into this game until Lebron+Wade got into trigger mode and sealed the deal in OT.

[Saskibaloia]

I'm excited for my main man King James and the lads down in South Beach but of course this is nothing if they falter in April.

The Regular Season is where All Star Players are made but the Playoffs is where Immortals are created.

[CKR13]

The HEAT are now ranked number 1 as of the moment on the latest edition of the NBA Power Rankings.

[Khalid80]

The HEAT are now ranked number 1 as of the moment on the latest edition of the NBA Power Rankings.

And they just lost to the Clippers

Still though very impressive run they were having over the last 20 games...

Miami Heat 105 - 111 LA Clippers

Dwayne Wade led Miami with 31 points and had 7 rebounds, 5 Assists and 3 Blocks. Lebron James had 27 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists... While Chris Bosh had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists.

[NorCal]

And they just lost to the Clippers

Still though very impressive run they were having over the last 20 games...

Miami Heat 105 - 111 LA Clippers

Dwayne Wade led Miami with 31 points and had 7 rebounds, 5 Assists and 3 Blocks. Lebron James had 27 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists... While Chris Bosh had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists.

Their offense is clicking but their defense is failing them recently.