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

I've seen Dorell Wright do an even better job on Kobe Bryant than Dwyane Wade.

/discussion

 

And it's actually puzzling to me that this team has not exceeded my expectations with the resume they've got shorter than halfway through the season. We've beaten Phoenix in Phoenix... Portland in Portland... Orlando in Orlando and at home... Blew Atlanta out of the water from start to finish... Got beat by a miracle shot by Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles... Dominated Denver completely... Had a 2 point lead on Boston with 0.6 seconds remaining and blew it.
There is no reason why ^ that team shouldn't be neck and neck with Atlanta for home court right now. None.

We went 43-39 last year and I don't know if we accomplished that many impressive wins; from how I remember last season we simply beat the teams we should have been for the most part.

So yes, there is a major problem ASIDE FROM TALENT because we KNOW that we can beat ANYONE... ANYWHERE. Am I blaming Spo outright? Nah. But there is an internal issue here and we don't know what it is. You can't simply label this as "inconsistent" IMO. That's an overrated argument. I tell you what though, we lost some home games that I guarantee you a "Phil Jackson" coached team doesn't lose.

 

And boy does this team look completely different (in a good way) with Rafer Alston running the floor as opposed to Arroyo or Chalmers. And that's with ZERO practice time. He's going to make us a lot better than people think... and that's on both ends of the floor. There's a reason why Orlando was still able to do what they did last year without Jameer Nelson.

Last night he literally suited it up and played basketball with a group of guys he's never played with in his life. Not even practice. And on the road in Phoenix against a damn good basketball team.

 

Well.... most of them. He was there with Wade and Haslem.

 

Yeah maybe he will win "NBA coach of the year" so he can then be fired the next season...

NBA coaches are waaay overrated.

Something about not being able to take the heat in the kitchen?

Great pickup, he was the heart of the Magic's playoff run last season, they liked Nelson and mistakenly jettisoned Alston.

Big picture I don't know if picking Austin will cause DWade to drink of the fountain of motivation, but it could, he wanted help winning some games and Alston is that at least.

 

We'll see, I'm still thinking the #6th seed.

 

What happens is a "great" Coach will land a dominant player, make their reputation, and from then on they are rarely quesitoned.

As for Chalmers, you have to admitt if Riley had called the play the chances are better it would have been run the way it was drawn up, that is the benefit of making your bones as a HC in the NBA.

 

I think I am going to have a heart attack watching a Miami team play one of these days.

 

Son... did I not say that Chalmers ****ed up? My argument was that he SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE FLOOR in that situation. I do not have a legit issue with how Spoelstra chose to defend in that situation, although I'd of much preferred to see SOMEONE defending the potential cut to the basket. Most of my issues with Spo stem from our rotation and his extremely poor usage of it. Rarely ever does he have the right guys on the floor in the right situation. RARELY. Everyone knows that. There is no debating that issue.

I'm still not going to completely eat up Chalmers for getting beat on that play. He had been getting beat by Rondo the entire night; still he stands in the game on the final possession only to get beat once more.

But Q-Rich or Dorell Wright cannot stay with Ray Allen on the screen, right... because he's got so much time to catch and position himself with a good look. 0.6 seconds. Rondo barely had enough time to tip the ball up.

 

He's of had the right personnel out there to. You would never see Pat Riley watch a player get eaten up all night on defense only to trust him in a situation like that against the same player. Never. If anything, Chalmers obviously needed some help at the basket. That was just stupid. I don't care how you look at it.

 

You clearly have no idea what I'm talking about but I am not surprised.

I'll try this again:

/discussion

It is pointless to discuss anything remotely related to Erik Spoelstra with you unless it's filled with praises. You alone, though. The rest of Heat nation at least admits that Spoelstra has his major flaws. But it's OK. If he's your favorite or you know him personally or something I somewhat understand. I am almost as defensive with Dorell Wright, but I'd gladly admit his obvious flaws.

 

On a different note, finally...

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/63940/20100110/nets_appear_set_to_cut_sean_williams/

I would love to see us make a push for Sean Williams. He's certainly worthy of sacrificing Joel Anthony, Carlos Arroyo, or Yakuba Diawara. Pat Riley targeted him heavily back in 2007 when a lot of other GM's out there questioned his troubles, but he didn't fall to us. Might get the opportunity to turn him around now. At worst he's by far a better shot blocker than anyone we have, more athletic than any of our bigs, and only 23. He's got a ton of potential to develop in every other aspect of his game.

 

Hyde must be bored today...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-hyde-miami-heat-0111-20100110,0,7308848.column

 

Obviously you didn't, because I never suggested Dorell Wright to ever guard Rondo. What are you talking about?

I clearly stated that Wade is the only player on this team (pre-Alston signing) capable of staying with Rondo. I suggested Wright coming in to guard Allen or Pierce, with Wade dropping down to PG to defend Rondo.

 

Does Riley really think DWade will stick around for another season of rebuilding?

Really?

 

If they sign, there are several teams (NY,NJ come to mind) who are planning the same thing.

That is the messed up part of the NBA, teams can be built to lose for cap reasons.

 

The Knicks wont have enough money to sign Wade and another all-star. Neither will the Nets

Only Miami can do that, he is staying.

/ topic

 

I hope we don't lose Beas... man, I think he has a bright future.

 

When did Skip to My Lou come back (I was on vacation)? That's awesome!

 

If we're only going to use Beasley as a rotational player, then to surrender him for Chris Bosh is well worth it.

 

That's pretty much what I'm referring to. For whatever reason, the team is intentionally taking him off the court in crunch time. The guy is talented as hell, and it's obvious he's well on his way to becoming a premier player, but if letting him go is the price we have to pay to get a guy like Chris Bosh in here... well, it's worth it.

Bosh won't sit at the end of games, and we'll definitely see an increase in scoring production to go along with that additional defense. I think we should be willing to take five years of a productive Chris Bosh versus ten years of a maybe-productive Michael Beasley.

It just seems like a worthy tradeoff to me.

 

???????? Dorell is being subbed for Chalmers and Wade is sliding down to the one.

Wade = Rondo
Dorell / Q = Allen
Dorell / Q = Pierce

Haslem and J.O. assume their original assignments.

It's simple.

 

Problem is that Miami has the most cap space AND has the bird rights to one of those big free agents (Wade)

We are the only team in position to do so.

The Knicks or Nets would have to sign all players outright. Miami would not.

 

In about November of 2009 I'd of welcomed such a trade. Right now, I'd be furious. Beasley at the very least is our trade chip to adding a top notch point guard or center to our potential dynasty roster. At best he's the third wheel All Star in that dynasty. Losing him to gain what can be had for free screws up the plan.... slightly. We still get better, but not as good as we could be.

Bosh going elsewhere isn't the end of the world, though. I'd look at our options as so:

Option A: LeBron James + third level player
Option B: Chris Bosh + third level player
Option C: Amare Stoudemire + third level player
Option D: Joe Johnson + second level player (Think: Joe Johnson + Boozer)
Option E: Combination of second/third level free agents

And of course the wishful: LeBron James + Chris Bosh or Amare, which I do not believe even has a chance of happening. But if Pat Riley does... what else matters?

 

Stolen post from a LAKERS fan on RealGM:

Note in advance that Bryan Colangelo himself (Raptors GM) has stated that Bosh's best deal would probably come via Sign & Trade. So if we can't get LeBron, then I wouldn't be opposed to signing Joe Johnson for $12-15 million per and going after Bosh with this ammo:

That's the new idea I'm riding with: Sign Joe Johnson. Trade Beasley / Jones for Bosh. Micky, go over the tax to re-sign Haslem. Hopefully Skip and Q or Dorell come back for the vet minimum.

 

It's a lot easier than you think... all Wade has to do is invite a combination of these guys over to one of those sex parties his ex-wife talked (and potentially **** blocked) about and it's a wrap.

 

Knicks could also go over the top and not mind paying the tax.

They really have little choice but to do something big.