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Finally, a Win
And it is over, folks.
Ding dong the streak is dead. And so is the Heat’s attempt at making history in its 20th season as an NBA franchise – which would have been bad history, of course. In it’s inaugural season, the Heat had started their NBA lives with a 17 game losing streak. Just ask Ron Rothstein, he could tell you all about it.
Not sure he wanted to revisit that memory. And now, he won’t have to relive it again as a coach for the Heat.
With a close win over the bruised and tattered Indiana Pacers, who were without Jamal Tinsley and Jermaine O’neal, the Heat ended their 15 game losing streak by erasing 11 point deficits and overcoming their own inability to consistently defend.
Can’t say there wasn’t any scares.
There were moments were the Heat looked like the old, championship Heat. Jason Williams had a couple of steals – a career high 6 in the game – and was able to toss a few exciting ally’s to players for emphatic dunks. Dwyane Wade zipped down the middle of the paint for one of his signature exclamation mark dunks.
Everyone was getting into it and the Heat made plays to end the game rather than to end the game.
Dorell Wright acted like it was the final game of the 2005-2006 season:
“To tell you the truth, it felt like we really won the championship again,” Wright said. “It’s been a long time. It was a good feeling, and I’m happy it’s over.”
He even launched the final rebound into the air a la Wade from the championship series against Dallas.
Relief? Yeah, you could say that. It might even pave the way for a new streak to begin. But don’t bother the ‘72 Dolphins, they are a little preoccupied with something else right now. They have someone moving into their “neighborhood”.
15 Straight Losses
Nothing could be more illustrative of the Heat’s season than tonight’s loss.
The thing lost in this losing streak is that for the most part, the Heat have been competitive and in every game. Sure, there were a few blowouts, but for a team battling with injuries and just an overall bad fit of personnel, this team has not backed down and has not quit.
Losing to the Spurs tonight 90-89, the Heat grabbed another loss. Sure, it is 15 straight now (not including that Atlanta loss?) but the numbers really don’t matter in a season that is just looking to end. Yet, this loss tonight was a perfect illustration of the Heat’s season.
There was a moment during the game where everything was going Miami’s way. They were shooting the ball very well (in the 50% range) and were playing defense (no, really – they were!). Yet it all slipped away in the end: Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright, battling for a rebound, accidentally tipped the ball into their own basket. Bruce Bowen, who had shot the ball, missed but got credit for the “made” shot. The sad thing is, there was virtually no Spur around to challenge for the rebound.
It just slipped out of the Heat’s hands. And that was the difference in the game.
Of course, there is also the snapshot of Wade, at the end of the game, losing the ball as it was stripped from him by Bruce Bowen who gambled and poked the ball away.
Or there was the Heat missing almost half of their free throws (they shot .569 13-23).
Or the calls Ginobili was getting while seemingly hitching a bus from Old Cutler Road to Biscayne for a few possessions. That’s ok, the officials weren’t charging him for the rides and a few key baskets were awarded to the desperate Spurs who, boo hoo, had to travel til 5am just for tonight’s game. At 8pm.
Sorry, professional millionaire athletes. The rest of the world will not shed a tear for you getting on a plane and flying somewhere only to have to work for about 2.5 hours about 15 hours AFTER you arrive.
There is something different about tonight’s loss for the Heat though. In a way, they seem to be able to hold their heads high tonight. They fought hard against the champs of last season, even if they themselves are the champs of two seasons ago. The fact that Shaq is out again and the Heat found a way to compete is admirable.
Here’s to the Heat getting lucky like the Spurs did when their Admiral was not able to lead them but instead the proud franchise hit rock bottom. They ended up with the #1 pick in the draft. The pick was used on a guy named Tim Duncan. The rest is history.
Maybe Miami can have a change of fortune like that. After all, without that draft pick, the Spurs are not hailed as a dynasty. Maybe Miami can get such an opportunity.
With a Rose, Heat Could Reload Fast
Don’t be too sad, Heat fans. This year may be lost, but the future could be very bright.
Now, Miami is not tanking it like Boston did last season. They just can’t defend very well and have no one supporting Wade. Not even Shaq. And Zo was lost for the season who is probably the real MVP on the defensive side of the ball if not for the entire team as it seems. Only 1 win since Zo went down.
Still, Miami is faced with getting a very high draft pick – most likely a top 5 pick at this rate – and with some extra cap space.
As for the draft pick, Miami needs Derrick Rose. This kid is electric and could man the point for the next decade in Miami – possibly convincing Wade to stick around, too. Both are from Chicago, too. Check it out.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6G_RRGHzfA&rel=1]
Cavs @ Heat Observations
- Why does Pat Riley refuse to play Dorell Wright and Daequan Cook consistently?
- Has DWade really put on too much weight? I mean he looks thicker but that is muscle mass…still, seems like anytime a player does put on muscle mass he regrets it.
- Shaq out clutching his hip. That means Wade has to bring his A+ game tonight. Maybe Shaq will clutch it enough to want to retire? I still think he can help us win another championship though…
- Dang Lebron is bowlegged. Looks like he rode a horse here from Cleveland.
- Wade used to be able to get away with jumping and passing – no more. Bad fundamentals are catching up.
- Mark Blount!!!
- Mark BLOUNT!!!
- 28-27, Heat after 1. Lebron rattles out a three to end it. Stay tuned.
- Shaq is baq – in the game.
- Daequan really shines at times – he has such a sweet shot. He almost nailed a three point attempt put back dunk from Jwill. Sad thing is, even that wouldn’t allow Riley to play him more.
- Sorry…was eating fried chicken.
- 42-41 Heat here in the 2nd…
- I might be the only one watching this game…
- Davis’ shot is broke. And all the kings horses and all the kings men still can’t fix that damn thing.
- Charge on Lebron…this might be our night.
- Where is Alexander Johnson!?
- Wade spends too much energy trying to help this team win – that is obvious. The question is, does he have to? Why doesn’t anyone else move without the ball?
- Another thing about Wade – if he is spending all this energy in the third to keep the team in it, this is why the Heat fade in the 4th. Nothing left in the tank and they (Riley, really) has built too much dependence on him.
- Miami is 0-7 from three point range. Can’t help out Shaq or Wade.
- Damon Jones has a mohawk. And for me to notice that means he is doing too much on the court against the Heat.
- If Shaq isn’t in the paint, there is no sense in trying to shoot it.
- Heat showing signs of good defense against Lebron. Strangely.
- Big Z has made a career out of cheap tip ins.
- Wade still has the ability to draw FTAs. Say what you want about how his offseason slowed him down this season, he still has the ability to win games.
- Like that jumper right there.
- And that three.
- And the streak stays alive for Miami – of making three point shots (129 straight).
- 16 straight for Wade.
- On that botched fastbreak, how did Lebron not get called for a travel?
- Typical – Daequan makes it AFTER the buzzer.
- 97-90, Cavs. 14 straight.
Pookie Not Enough
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHaU9UsSdBw&rel=1]
There is no reason why Wade should be in Barkley’s fave five these days (thanks, TMobile, I expect that credit on my cell phone bill!) and certainly not with the way the Heat are playing. The Jordan comparisons, for now, can stop. Wade is not the one man wrecking crew he turned out to be in ‘05-’06. He isn’t healthy and the only man to not realize this is Riley himself.
“I’m sick and tired of being asked if we have any other offensive options other than Dwyane (Wade),” the author of the book “The Winner Within” said Saturday night. “I say, “No, we don’t.’”
Sure you do, Pat. You just choose not to see it.
And no, I don’t mean Whaq, the 20M blackhole. Might as well be a statue of Shaq that we purchased because the real Diesel hasn’t been around since after we won that championship. And even then there were weak parts to his diminishing game.
No, I am talking about Daequan Cook, Dorell Wright, and even Alexander Johnson. I am also talking about Mark Blount – yes, Mark Blount – and Earl Barron.
I am certainly not talking about Ricky Davis who all of a sudden has lost his shot. Maybe he should start yelling “fore” when shooting. Not “nachoooooo” like Gilbert “Crazy Eyes” Arenas does. Heck, at least people would be warned and there would be less injury to the spectators.
Cook, however, has shown flashes of being a star in this league. Curiously, everyone except Riley sees it. I mean, I know you drafted Jason Smith, but you did trade for Cook for a reason. You had a thought in there that was correct – get me more offense. Cook’s brash young attitude may not mesh with Riley, but Smush he certainly is not. Whom we could use, by the way, but Riley doesn’t believe in cornrows. The exception being Udonis and Ricky Davis – whom he had traded a few years back for precisely the same stupid rationale.
Look, I love Riley. The man is a great coach and a great tactician but frankly, when you are only focusing on one player and neglecting to explore other options simply because they are young is just plain dumb. Sun Tzu wouldn’t do that. Nor would anyone else – especially the man who built the team. Might as well not sign anyone this past offseason and rolled with 8 players.
When the Heat actually played well during this 13 game losing streak, it was without its two best players – Whaq and DWade. And it was on the road against the Mavericks.
Why? The Heat played as a team and Riley coached a TEAM and not a player surrounded by supporting cast. This isn’t a stiff action film where the cast is cardboard and formulaic just to support the notion of a script. This is a film that requires a bit more from its supporting cast and a bit less from its star lead. If Riley only let the team play and shifted his focus off of Wade so much it would achieve two things:
1) A team concept
2) Allow Wade to put out less effort, gain his health back and work within a team concept
In other words, Riley would have to coach and just possibly, this team might start winning again. Pookie ain’t enough. Whaq’s return certainly isn’t going to help our defense and will in all likelihood clog up the lane as a statue with one arm frozen in the air calling for the ball.
Pookie ain’t enough. And if Riley is sick enough of saying that, maybe he could go for the obvious and start playing his younger players and let them develop. Heck, this is all about next year.
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