1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

****The Official 2014-15 NBA Thread****

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by schmolioot, Jul 7, 2014.

  1. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Dragic/Wade/Deng/Bosh/Whisteside, with McBob, Chalmers and Bird as your top bench guys.

    There's only a handful of teams that have a top 8 better than that.

    And I said we need another bench piece, particularly a backup 2 that can be counted when wade misses his inevitable 20 games. But that's a great squad health permitting.
     
    Section126 likes this.
  2. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    I still think we need another 4. Deng playing the 4 has some offensive potential but defensively it's going to be a problem.

    At this point, bringing up Khem Birch is probably the cheapest and easiest solution. Since going into the tax isn't an option this season, maybe Blatche, et al are just too expensive. I can also see them not wanting to commit money to a guy when McBob might be back.

    Birch seems like the perfect guy to get you through 2 weeks and see where McBob is.
     
  3. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,925
    41,463
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Again, on paper that team looks great. But on paper the team this year should be doing better than they have been. Part of the issue is injuries and bad luck, but not all of that. Also, it might be unreasonable to expect Wade to be healthy at this point.

    I hope you are right, and you very well could be. This team has the potential to make a run next year if everyone stays healthy. My point, though, was that I don't see how anyone could expect that kind of success the way this team has played this year. They have to do some proving over the next few weeks for me to get my hopes too high.

    I have been watching every game. The 7 healthy games thing is true, but a little deceiving. How many games have the Heat played with two all-stars? What is their record in those games? You yourself has commented how they have underachieved previously in this thread. Again, the injuries have been a tough blow, but with Wade it should be somewhat expected at this point. I agree they CAN be a finals contender next year. I just don't think anyone can reasonably expect that until they start showing it.
     
  4. finfansince72

    finfansince72 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,843
    10,283
    113
    Dec 18, 2007
    Columbia, South Carolina
    Maybe, but the core of the team is getting older and there really isn't any reason to think they will get healthier as they get older. This team needs young talent at a lot of different positions. And when the Cavs hit their stride next year I don't see the Heat even winning 2 games against them in a playoff matchup. This team is built to be a 3 or 4 seed in the East when healthy which isn't a terrible thing but I don't see them as a serious contender for the title. Being the 7th seed and like 7 or so games under .500 is not a great record even with the games missed by their players.
     
  5. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    How bout a 28 year old All-star PG and a 25 year old all-star center? It's as if you have not paid attention to what the Heat have. How much more younger talent do you want them to get?

    Healthier as they get older? No. reserved as they get older for the playoffs..."Old" (Experience) wins. Young teams don't win anything. NEVER have.

    and yes..they have underachieved...but missing the games they have missed usually leads to 15 win seasons. Not 7th seeds.

    As for the Cavs hitting their stride next season.......are you even sure that Kevin Love is gonna be there?


    I like where my team is at. Check the history.
     
  6. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    I love how the Heat "core" is getting older, but the best player in the world is not? Lebron is close to that edge. Bosh has a game that ages VERY well. Always has, and of course..28 and 25 years old.....are the ages of two damn good players.

    Wade? Still a 20 PER player..my suspicion is that he will be the 4th best player on this team in 2 seasons.
     
    schmolioot likes this.
  7. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    The fact remains that when Wade is healthy and playing, he has maintained All-NBA levels of production. There is no reason to suspect that he won't maintain that level of play when he's healthy for at least the next year or two. And he'll be able to exert himself in shorter bursts during the regular season thanks to the presence of Dragic.

    Again, you put our top 8 up against anybody's when healthy and I doubt you'll find more than a handful that you would take.

    We're not tanking. It's too late anyway, even if we wanted to. Just try and enjoy seeing what this team can do at 50% strength over the next few months.

    Much better times are right around the corner.
     
  8. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Why do you presume that the young guys we already have will remain static?

    Whiteside is already roughly equivalent to DeAndre Jordan. He is only 25 and very inexperienced. He certainly has potential to get better.
     
  9. finfansince72

    finfansince72 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,843
    10,283
    113
    Dec 18, 2007
    Columbia, South Carolina
    I just don't see their core being all that good. All star point guard....last year, 25 year old center that has played what 20 games at a high level in his career? We are talking about a championship contender, not being a above .500 team and making some noise. I don't see the Heat's core being all that great and their bench is almost non NBA quality. I like the Heats chances because Riley is always pulling rabbits out of his hat but this current roster? They are a top 6 team in the East at best thats it and that isn't anything special.

    I don't know about the Cavs and Love, honestly he might leave, I hope he does, I'm a Wiz fan. I don't really buy that the Heat are actually doing well for all of the games missed, I mean they have a terrible record now so its not even really a moral victory. The Cavs are going to attract players, Lebron will attract players if Love leaves. I don't know about anyone wanting to play for the Heat in 16, we will see.
     
  10. finfansince72

    finfansince72 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,843
    10,283
    113
    Dec 18, 2007
    Columbia, South Carolina
    I don't know man, you have to do it for more than like a 1/3 of a season for me to really believe in Whiteside. Ive seen him play a couple of times and I really liked what he was showing but its way too early to say he's a guy you build an entire championship roster around. Other than him who is really on the upswing? Everyone else is very close to being on the wrong side of their prime. Its too bad Bosh went down, this would have been a great year to sneak up on the East and take it. Bosh is a good guy, its a shame what happened to him.
     
  11. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Dragic wanted to play here this year, when we were 8 games below .500.

    Trust me, we won't have a problem in 2016. Maybe not Kevin Durant, but we'll grab a great player.
     
  12. finfansince72

    finfansince72 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,843
    10,283
    113
    Dec 18, 2007
    Columbia, South Carolina
    Lebron is getting older and he is going to start going down production wise. But they have a young star in Irving and a nice cast around Lebron. Lebron's game should be just fine, he has always been a guy that passes and has a good all around game, he shoots well too. Its not like he plays above the rim all night and has no game, he shouldn't be on the down swing for a few years. He also isn't missing 1/3 or more of a season every year or breaking down come playoff time. I like them to get through the East this year. I think if Bosh was playing Miami vs the Cavs would have been a must watch playoff series, as a fan I'd have loved to see that.
     
  13. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    As for Whiteside, right now he's averaging 10, 9 and 2 with a PER of 27.

    Yes, it's only been 20 games or so, but what evidence is there that this is a fluke, or that he won't maintain at least a baseline of these numbers?

    There isn't any.

    In fact, there is far more evidence that as his usage rate rises, and he plays 36 minutes, he will average closer to 17 and 12. That's an All-NBA Center.
     
  14. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Great Dragic interview on LeBatard:

    Said Miami was his #1 choice. Didn't want to get into free agency but said he hopes to be here a long time.

    Real nice guy.
     
    dolfan32323 and ckparrothead like this.
  15. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Goran Dragic already loves it with Heat: "They take care of players. I feel I'm spoiled here. So much great stuff."
    — Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 24, 2015
     
    sports24/7 likes this.
  16. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    Well it sure was exciting to watch his highlights against the Sixers.
     
  17. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    The core is a perennial all-star PF and hall of famer in the middle of his prime....another perennial all-star SG and HOFer at the edge of his prime...an up and coming big man that SCREAMS "all-star"...and a PG that was all-NBA 3rd team last year and is one of the most efficient/great PG's in the NBA.

    I don't know what core you are looking for that can be better than that.

    As for the bench...it has a Mario Chalmers and Birdman who have been damn good NBA performers for years...next year, they get back McBob who is also a top NBA performer. So strike two.

    and finally...you ended your soliloquy "wondering" if anybody will want to come to MIAMI in 16'..while you have no doubt that everybody will want to go to CLEVELAND. How do I respond to that? LOL
     
  18. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    The highlights didn't even really do it justice. He was going so much faster than we've seen this year. The other guys have to get used to it still.

    And dragic's defense certainly leaves something to be desired, but it wasn't horrible.
     
  19. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    It's been 28 games....but what matters are his numbers as a starter. 14 and 14 with 2 blocks. His per 36 numbers are astronomical. ALL the Evidence suggests that he is going to improve....dramatically.
     
    dolfan32323 and schmolioot like this.
  20. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    He is actually a pretty good on the ball defender. Physical.
     
  21. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    I agree with you.

    If we start featuring him more, he could easily average close to 20.

    We started to see last night that Dragic and Wade looked for him a lot more. The timing was off a bunch, but it'll get there. And then that rubbed off on Chalmers, who mostly ignored Whiteside in the pre-Dragic days
     
  22. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Maybe it was just a function of the unfamiliarity, but it looked last night like he was running into his own guys quite a bit and completely losing or not knowing where he was supposed to be.

    He doesn't even need to be great, since we have shot blocker.

    But we do need to get another body in there at the 4. I'm banging the table again for Khem Birch. An easy, cheap option.
     
  23. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    Are the Heat completely switching gears, going fast-paced and throwing the defense out the window because of the loss of Bosh?

    Have they decided they need to outscore opponents to win?
     
  24. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    They're definitely going to play a lot faster. That's just the way Dragic plays.

    Defensively, even when they were good last night, Philly just hit some ridiculous shots in the 1st half.

    But they're going to need to play defense to have any chance here
     
  25. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

    10,688
    4,955
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Live from the Internet.
    You don't have a James Harden offensive highlight without having a defensive lowlight lol

    [video=youtube;kJnarXYrFSs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJnarXYrFSs[/video]
     
  26. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

    10,688
    4,955
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Live from the Internet.
    Team picture that HEAT sent to Chris Bosh today.

    [​IMG]
     
    Zanno, rafael, dolfan32323 and 3 others like this.
  27. Limbo

    Limbo Mad Stillz

    2,476
    1,128
    113
    Mar 21, 2013
    Love Wiggins man. Said at the time of the trade that LeBron is possibly giving up (his) Scottie Pippen. I mean that clip looks like old 33.

    Dragic...yes, he defends bigger than he looks. You can tell he's been guarding other positions at Phoenix, knows how to play different types of players/bodies. He really is good at everything you want from a PG. Totally well-rounded, no weaknesses, and then you have the great tempo and activity with the ball, the great finishing, the creative midrange stuff off PnR, etc. He's absolutely a keeper.
     
  28. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

    10,688
    4,955
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Live from the Internet.
    Perk to Cleveland
     
  29. phinswolverinesrockets

    phinswolverinesrockets If he dies, he dies

    3,807
    1,282
    113
    Oct 31, 2013
    Houston
    Yeah, that was nasty.
     
  30. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    I mean I'm just lookin at the mile high view of it here and, you're clearly playing a blistering pace compared to what you were doing before, you're scoring 118 points in regulation and you're allowing 108 points in regulation to the Sixers, who are last in the league in scoring.

    That strikes me as the Heat experimenting with a new approach that was probably necessitated by Bosh's illness.
     
  31. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Maybe, but the 108 points is a bit deceiving. They scored 60 in the first half, when they were scorching hot, even when we played good defense.

    So, that's only 48 points in the second half, and at least 10 of those were in garbage time when we featured a lineup of Haslem/Bird/Tyler Johnson/Ennis/Zoran
     
  32. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,925
    41,463
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    I think you're misconstruing what I'm saying. Once Dragic was on the table, the tank went out the window and I'm more than fine with that. He's the type of long term piece you want to collect. I like the direction this team is going, too. My point was that declaring this team a conference finalist after their struggles this year is a bit optimistic. Again, I realize they have gone through their share of bad luck, but they have also underachieved. Saying that Wade has been an all-NBA player when healthy comes with a pretty big caveat considering how difficult it has been for him to be healthy. I also don't agree that he's been all-NBA. All-Star, sure. All-NBA, I'm not sure I can agree with that.

    Again, I am fully on board with enjoying the ride. Even without Bosh it should be fun to watch this team with Dragic this year. I just don't want anyone to get too far ahead of ourselves with expectations.
     
  33. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

    53,148
    31,935
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Katy, TX
    You're a few days late.
     
    Fin-Omenal likes this.
  34. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

    10,688
    4,955
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Live from the Internet.
    Just seen it :)
     
  35. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    The personnel now dictates that they have to play at a faster pace since they lost their best half court player. Defense will still be there, but they are putting an emphasis on "easy" baskets.
     
  36. Fin-Omenal

    Fin-Omenal Initiated

    36,936
    10,264
    0
    Mar 25, 2008
    Thee...Ohio State University
    If D. Rose keeps this up Cleveland will have an easy road to the finals.
     
  37. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    :lol:

    Anyways, Robinson has been claimed by the Sixers.. does anyone have an idea what the hell the Sixers are doing ? I can't figure their plan lol Even a report that they almost traded away Embiid for a draft pick.
     
  38. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    [​IMG]
     
    Stitches likes this.
  39. Fin-Omenal

    Fin-Omenal Initiated

    36,936
    10,264
    0
    Mar 25, 2008
    Thee...Ohio State University
    That's a regular season team.
     
  40. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

    10,688
    4,955
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Live from the Internet.
    Because Cavs starting 5 has abundance of playoffs experience :rolleyes:
     

Share This Page