Miami Heat Playoff thread - 2007

[Fenix]

I doubt it. One of the reasons why Miami is having so much trouble with Chicago is because they can't defend perimeter and/or penetrations. Detroit can.

[Matthew]

Chicago still would pose the same amount of problems. The problems wont be as extreme, but stoping Hinrich, Nocioni, Gordon of course, would be a problem.

[dinocarlo]

no way.....but if they got knocked out early i wouldn't complain. As you can see, Heat don't look that threatening in this series.

If there's any team that can REALLY push Detroit it's probably Indiana.

How about the Nets? They were one of the FEW teams to beat Detroit in their Palace. But I agree with you because the Pacers are handling the Nets very well in their own series.

And as for the Heat, I think they're talented enough to beat Detroit. Their main problem is:

One of the reasons why Miami is having so much trouble with Chicago is because they can't defend perimeter and/or penetrations.

Another problem is psychological. In game 3, the Heat looked like as if they're blaming the refs for the team's own mistakes . Injuries shouldn't also be an excuse for not performing well.

If they can't solve these, they might get beaten by any team in the playoffs

By the way, don't forget about the teams in the West especially the Spurs and Mavs. If the Spurs played like champions, they shouldn't get owned again. The Mavs, on the other hand, were responsible for Detroit's first loss this season. The Pistons even got owned in that game.

These two teams could give Detroit problems in the Finals.

There are a lot of teams capable of doing well and doing awfully at the same time. Very unpredictable indeed.

Interesting, only the 60 win teams are undefeated in the 2006 playoffs right now. This one's gonna be fun.

[Matt]

How about the Nets? They were one of the FEW teams to beat Detroit in their Palace. But I agree with you because the Pacers are handling the Nets very well in their own series

Nets have beaten Detroit, but they aren't really going to scare Detroit over 7 games. They just lack depth up front & off the bench.

As for Spurs, yeah but i'd expect Detroit to wrap it up in 6. In fact, i don't see anyone pushing Detroit to a Game 7 this season. I'm being kind of bold with my predictions this season. 4-2 if they face any of Spurs, Mavs, Miami.

[Pera]

Oh man there was no need for that foul on Hinrich.Whatwhas he thinking?Maybe he thought he was in the nhl and not in the the nba.He just bodycheked him .In my opinion the main reason the Heat lost was turnovers and Shaq's poor game.Oh come on only 8 points from the big guy,but atleast there still leading the series 2-1.But they really need to play better in game 4,because this kinda game won't give them the win over the Bulls.Hoope they can clear there heads and win game 4 and lets hope they won't continue to play like this.

[Axel]

I'll be happy to watch them get to the conference finals. I doubt they can beat Detroit, but then again I'm used to playoff failure... I'm an Atlanta Braves fan.

[Fenix]

Miami has no chance of getting to the Finals. I mean, their defense is non-existent, Shaq is 70 years old, Wade has to be the most overrated player right now and their 3rd and 4th best players are aging Zo and - get this - Antoine Walker. You cannot win a championship with Antoine Waker being a member of your team. Or Jason Williams, for that matter.

[Bang]

Well if all the contracts with the devil that the Pistons signed (which gives them durability superpowers I guess) somehow gets rescinded or expired and if the Spurs get killed/weakened by either of the two western conference teams that they will face, I think we have some chance. Not too high, but you know technically ANYTHING is possible, even a championship with Walker...ugh..

[air gordon]

Chicago still would pose the same amount of problems. The problems wont be as extreme, but stoping Hinrich, Nocioni, Gordon of course, would be a problem.

yeh i think so too. also Chicago plays tough defense- even it we've only seen it 1 out of the 3 games in the 1st round... again they were 1st in fg% defense

[Buckley]

Game 4 should be a good one....no Posey for Heat but it will be awesome to see if they can rebound against chicago

[Matt]

I laugh @ A Walker...his game is pitiful these days. I'm glad the Heat have him.

[dinocarlo]

The Heat have been very impressive in their last two games. I hope they don't go back to their old ways of settling for jumpshots, playing poor defense and blaming the refs or teammates again

Next series is against the Nets. I suppose the Heat should continue capitalizing on their power in the paint. They also need a lot of good D otherwise VC is gonna drop 40 on them again.

[Matt]

Nets are a pretty good defensive team, and with Collins they offer more resistance than anyone on the Bulls.

Nets gotta run, run, run. I don't see this series going less than 6. Not sold on who will win. Depends on which team shows up for the Heat.

[Pera]

Great game to today by the Heat.Shaq looks like 75% of its good self,so that isn't bad.I agree with dinocarlo they really need to play better D against the Nets,because they won't stop Carter with that D that they were playing the Bulls.I' m looking forvard for the Nets series .

[Axel]

I think this series will be easier for the Heat since the Nets are a really bad 3pt shooting team. Zo is getting back in form after the injury, and Shaq will have less foul trouble because the Nets dont have as explosive of guards as the Bulls did. Many times Shaq was just the unfortunate one who got left having to guard Gordon/Hinrich/Nocioni at full speed to the basket.

Just don't know what to expect from this team. They played great permiter defense the last two games of the series. I think when they're on their game, they can beat any team in the league... unfortunately they have to play at their top the entire series to beat top teams.

[air gordon]

I think this series will be easier for the Heat since the Nets are a really bad 3pt shooting team. Zo is getting back in form after the injury, and Shaq will have less foul trouble because the Nets dont have as explosive of guards as the Bulls did. Many times Shaq was just the unfortunate one who got left having to guard Gordon/Hinrich/Nocioni at full speed to the basket.

lol the only thing i agree with this post is the punctuation

Zo is not getting back to form. half the series he was limping back on defense, there was no explosiveness in his step, pretty much Zo is still affected a lot by his injury.

Shaq should be more in foul trouble Heat because the Net's perimter players are miles better then the Bulls. lol Miami's perimeter defense is still weak. you think the Bulls guards were explosive and this series will be easier for the heat? you're in for a surprise for the next series, bub

[Axel]

They'll just play a zone defense and force them to take outside shots.

[air gordon]

lol yeh because they're defensive rotations are so great, especially on the perimeter

[Laxation]

They'll just play a zone defense and force them to take outside shots.

Thats alot easier said than done Saying the Bulls guards are better than NJ is just ridiculous... Hinrich > Kidd? Gordon > Carter? Youve got to be kidding

[dinocarlo]

Zo is not getting back to form. half the series he was limping back on defense, there was no explosiveness in his step, pretty much Zo is still affected a lot by his injury.

Yes he was affected by the injury during the Bulls series but I think he's good to go by Game 1.

Shaq will have less foul trouble because the Nets dont have as explosive of guards as the Bulls did. Many times Shaq was just the unfortunate one who got left having to guard Gordon/Hinrich/Nocioni at full speed to the basket.

I agree but VC = Gordon + Hinrich + Nocioni
Shaq has to be careful when VC drives to the basket.

Just don't know what to expect from this team. They played great permiter defense the last two games of the series. I think when they're on their game, they can beat any team in the league... unfortunately they have to play at their top the entire series to beat top teams.

Shaq should be more in foul trouble Heat because the Net's perimter players are miles better then the Bulls. lol Miami's perimeter defense is still weak. you think the Bulls guards were explosive and this series will be easier for the heat? you're in for a surprise for the next series, bub

If they play the way they did in their last two games, they can handle the Nets.

They'll just play a zone defense and force them to take outside shots.

Thats alot easier said than done Saying the Bulls guards are better than NJ is just ridiculous... Hinrich > Kidd? Gordon > Carter? Youve got to be kidding

Maybe Axel's referring to the Nets players outside Kidd, Carter, Jefferson.

[air gordon]

Yes he was affected by the injury during the Bulls series but I think he's good to go by Game 1.

there's only one way to find out. i'm a little pessimistic considering the injury is to his calf, something a shotblocker, nevermind a basketball player, relies on heavily for jumping and movement

If they play the way they did in their last two games, they can handle the Nets.

lol that goes without saying- when a team plays it's best of course it has a good shot... i believe that Miami is the favorite in this series but it isn't a walk in the park as that other heat fan says. aside from having better perimeter players then the Bulls, the Nets have something the bulls don't: a big man who can score.

[Axel]

I never said it would be a walk in the park, but I think it's a better matchup for the Heat. They tried to play zone against Chicago but they just made all the 3pt shots.... something I don't think the Nets are as likely to do.

When I said the Nets aren't as explosive, I was referring to speed. They're not as fast as the Hinrich/Gordon/Duhon/Nocioni. The Bulls guards are all young and were able to force tempo, fast breaks, and beat the Heat on the perimeter every time. Talent wise obviously Carter, Kidd and Jefferson are better, but I believe overall they will match up better.

[CERVANTES]

NETS will crush you !!
NETS will gonna drink ya blood !!
NETS will gonna kick your ass until your underwear comes off from ya f****** ears
NETS will have the emotional help of Chuck Norris
NETS will win this second round 4-0
NETS will win the Eastern Conference finals
NETS will win the NBA Finals

LET'S GOO....





































GRIZZLIEEEEES !!!!

(Sorry for the stupid post, I'm pretty depressed these days)

[air gordon]

I never said it would be a walk in the park, but I think it's a better matchup for the Heat. They tried to play zone against Chicago but they just made all the 3pt shots.... something I don't think the Nets are as likely to do.

When I said the Nets aren't as explosive, I was referring to speed. They're not as fast as the Hinrich/Gordon/Duhon/Nocioni. The Bulls guards are all young and were able to force tempo, fast breaks, and beat the Heat on the perimeter every time. Talent wise obviously Carter, Kidd and Jefferson are better, but I believe overall they will match up better.

fair enough. i'll disresprectfully disagree

lol we're talking about Kidd here. he's still amongst the best at contolling the tempo. but i'll just stop here and let the series play out

[Air Jordon]

Damn the Nets are killing the heat... its 64 to 46 at the half. Miami hasnt looked like a championship team all playoffs. Not like the Pistons have minus that one bucks blowout.