The Official Miami Heat 09/10 Countdown to Contention Thread.

Love you Kobe, MJ aside you're the greatest and my personal favorite athlete ever aside from home players. Refs tried their damn best to save you tonight... didn't have any way to at the end, and you finally choked. Big deal? You'll hit the next big shot you take, likewise. Will probably pick up another Finals MVP this year. In fact, once again, I will be cheering for you my man. <3 Kobe. Always have. Always will. Tonight, however, you were a ***** to me. The enemy. A skank on the corner down in Liberty City. Nothing more, maybe some less, don't know, have to think harder. **** you tonight. Love you tomorrow. No homo.

Hello Sunshine, Goodbye Darkness.

Miami Heat - Your March 4, 2010 NBA Champions. It's a wrap.

 

Just got home.
First NBA game ever.
And damn it, it was a ****ing thrilling experience.
Go Heat!

 

Comgin from a Lakers fan's perspective...I can honestly say I looked up at the tv about four times throughout this game. I watched the final minute of regulation when Kobe tied it, and a few minutes of overtime, missed the ending. I was wya more into the beer in front of me and the conversation with a couple of friends.

Ecept for my buddy next to me who is an adamant Laker hater and calls me almost on a daily basis to remind me how much of a ballhog Kobe is, etc. As a Blazers fan, I just assume he is compensation for his shriveled basketball fandom weiner so I brush it off. As I told him tonight, "you act like the Lakers give a **** about the regular season beyond securing a playoff spot..."

In other words, as a fan and probably fom a player's perspective, this loss doesn't mean a whole lot for L.A. I have no issue with the Heat so I am happy they won (albeit as a Laker fan, I would have preferred a win, naturally). But in the grand scheme of things, this means nothing to L.A. and everything to Miami, who is struggling ot hold on to a playoff spot in, a surprisginly weak east ( I say surprisingly only because I thought that conference would be stronger this year).

But a fun game from what little I saw. A think a season record for lead changes was set in this game and basketball is almost to the time period where games start to matter...almost. I was more affected by my L.A. Kings losing than the Lakers tonight, to be honest.

Nonetheless, congrats ot the HEat and here is hoping you guys hold on, make the playoffs and give one of the top tiered teams in the east a run for their money!

 

I agree with Colin Cowherd when he says that ALL free agents in the NBA strongly consider the Florida teams because of the no state income tax.

 

So NFL players LIKE paying state taxes? If this is the case I guess the Dolphins will sign Peppers, Dansby and Rolle.

 

There's a reason why FA's ALWAYS consider Miami. And you're kidding yourself if you think the state taxes don't play a role. These guys have agents who know this.

We're not even in the running for Peppers, but obviously those other two guys have expressed interest.

 

You can have Dwayne Wade, but you can't have Dwyane Wade. BTW who is Dwayne Wade? Never seen him play before. Sounds nice, got youtube vids or something on him?

Unless you can land LeBron James which I think is 40/60 (on him leaving Cleveland at all), YOUR CEILING this summer is Joe Johnson or Carlos Boozer.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk, etc.... all of those guys would be leaving better teams to join a worse team by signing with NYK.

NICE SELLING POINT YOU GOT THERE IN T-MAC THOUGH! I heard he's going to try and "attract" free agents to the Knicks.

 

Is it overboard? Yeah. But we as Heat fans deserve to have our night, if just one night in an 82 game season. We've been through every up and down possible this season. Beating the best team in the league in an OT game like that with a season high 31 league changes is DAMN EXCITING.

 

I wouldn't even do that much... he's a free agent too.

 

If the Lakers had won this game, I wouldn't have batted an eye. It isn't a big game for the Lakers as whole. MUCH bigger game for the Heat in my opinion. Kobe plays a lot of minutes every single night and has been struggling to find his shot since coming back from his injuries. It seems to make sense as to why he played so long. Especially since, as you pointed out, he loves the individual competition with the other great players in the league. I won't argue that point.

But again, from a fan's perspective, and someone who has probably watched more Laker games than anyone else on this board over the last 15 years or so...these games simply don't matter. Very few regular season games do on a singular basis. And sometimes, the only reason they DO end up mattering is because the game turns out to be an instant classic of sorts. The Lakers are probably the most beloved and hated team in the league and as the reigning champs that have at least two polarizing figures in Kobe and Artest, they will always get everyone else's best effort.

L.A. always loses games they probably have no business losing. And typically it is due to them essentially not giving it their all. As a fan, you learn to accept it and hope that they are still capable of flipping the switch once the playoffs start. I have often joked that the NBA season should start in March and just be a huge tournament with every team until the finals. It would make for much better basketball and something that I could give more than a passing crap about.

But I did give you guys props. Clearly the Heat needed a win of this caliber and it has helped their playoff chances. Anbd while you may be 1 1/2 games out from the 5th spot...you are also 1 1/2 games out from being...well, out.

As I said, I have no ill will for the Heat. Here is hoping they go an a lil run and get you your 5th seed.

 

Says the guy who predicted Dansby will sign elsewhere after using us as a negotiating tactic.

Quite frankly, I think the state taxes thing is so overblown. At least it isn't as big a deal as we all think it will be. Is it considered when a pitch is made to a free agent? Most likely, but Miami hasn't exactly been a hotbed for attracting free agents, in any sport. The Heat had a decent little run for a couple of years, but people came there because of Shaq and Wade, not because of the state tax nonsense.

 

An email exchange I had after the game:


ME: Tell your boy Jordan Farmar he's got nothing on Carlos Arroyo.
VK: Except a ring

 

How about Wade isn't leaving Miami because Amar'e Stoudemire already made it known he wants to play in Miami. In addition, no other team will be able to pay him more money. Wade + Amar'e + Beasley (3rd year)...and you're set. IF the Heaters can sign Chris Bosh...even better...but Bosh hasn't been as enthusiastic about Miami as Stoudemire. .

 

Are you serious? Miami has always done pretty well in attracting Free Agents. Even the effing Marlins did in 97, before Wayne decided he liked money more than winning. The hockey team down here I'll give you, but who really gives a **** about hockey anyway.

And yes, I predicted that about Miami because I think Dansby could potentially make A LOT more in Washington. Although, there were obviously reasons he was interested in us in the first place, no?

I'm not saying the state tax thing is the deciding factor for guys. But I've heard numerous NBA players say they think about it.

 

Shaq was traded there though. He wasn't going to find anyone else willing ot pay him the amount the Heat were. Hence why he has been passed around like a joint at a Cheech and Chong show ever since. And was anyone looking to give Hardaway a max contract? I think the key issue is that they had a MAX contract in hand. I still say that the tax thing is overblown. Its a throw in to what the marquee players are already looking for.

Its like when us L.A. boys keep telling ourselves that everyone can make up the money they would sacrifice in salary with endorsements, movie deals, etc. Yeah, the potential IS there, but all in all, Artest signed with L.A. so that he can try to get a ring. The money, the L.A. scene etc., was all secondary stuff. If there was another team out there with a better shot at a championship and would pay the same amount of money...RonRon would have been there instead.

 

Section, that is the post of the year.

Shut down the forums, it's all downhill from this point.

 

The best player in thw NBA mentioned how playing in the garden is always exciting....MJ called it basketballs mecca?

 

No more hahahaha...sorry.

 

NO MORE

 

The Knicks cannot afford 2 Max Players, The Heat can give Wade all the cash he wants and get another Star.

Plus why would Wade go to a ****tier situation in NY? He is better off here.

 

After the Jeffries trade we can if the projected cap of 57M holds up. We have 19M in committed contracts (Curry, Chandler, Gallinari and Douglass). We also have our trade exceptions available next year to fill out the roster. The max is 30% of the projected cap (30% of 57M=17.1..) 2 max contracts puts us at 34.2M + the 19M we have under contract= 53.2M. We would have to somehow sign 6 players with whatever exceptions and the remaining 3.8M in cap space but it can be done. It would be greatly helped if we could deal fat eddy on draft night as far as filling out a roster.

Second, NY would immediately provide a better supporting cast. Assuming we added a 2nd star with Wade, say Bosh for example a lineup of Douglass/Wade/Chandler/Gallinari/Bosh would be at least comparable if not better then the Heats comparable lineup of Chalmers/Wade/Beasley/Udonis/Bosh. I dont think you have to worry though because i think Wade is staying there anyway and if the Knicks get a star it'll be Lebron.

 

that was good

 

I wish I had taken a screenshot.

 

Trolling? Please...all I said was the Knicks were going to sign a big name and hopefully it was Wade.

Then here comes the cavalry acting as if I walked right up to them and spit in their faces. I truely hope Im not this "blinded" when talking Dolphins football to Jets fans.

 

You didn't see your own post?

 

Obnoxious? Cmon bro...

I dont get too rattled when having what I thought to be a friendly debate...nobody offended me and I hope I didnt offend anyone either.

If we cant playfully disagree then what the heck CAN we do?

 

A lock?

If I did say that obviously common sense would indicate i was joking, the only LOCK in life is that people will be offended at every little thing.

Also im not exactly a "newbie" on this site so hopefully some can seperate the difference between fact and fiction in a post.