I know, I know. It’s been a while. Where have you been, old friend? A lot of questions. Well, although I haven’t been blogging I have been keeping track of our beloved Heat. I haven’t had the time, I must confess, to keep up with the duties of maintaining the website and keeping updated on all Heat issues. I just haven’t had time – I am a teacher and have been focused on giving my students all my time. Literally.
But now the school year is winding down – and just in time, too. My favorite time of year – summer is approaching, baseball is back and the NBA playoffs are picking up. So, what are the Heat’s chances?
Now, I am not a fool. I love my team but I am not foolish enough to think they are going to take this series. Sure, we like to factor in a little drama and believe that it is possible. And it is. Considering I haven’t been able to watch very many Heat games this season, you may not agree with my opinion at all.
The Miami Herald gives a pretty generic position by position analysis. They give the Heat the edge at center just because Jermaine O’neal is making $23M a season. So what? That doesn’t mean anything if the guy can’t stay healthy. Look, he’s not the same guy who was out on the floor when he was with the Pacers. Can Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis outrebound O’neal? You bet they can. Couple in the fact that Rajon Rondo can get into the painted area whenever he wants, and you will find O’neal in foul trouble possibly.
Other than that, there are intriguing possibilities elsewhere. Sure, the Celtics have the oldest team in the NBA, but Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen are a pretty good threesome. Better than the Heat right now, but you got to feel like Wade will find a way to make a difference in this series and will find a way to match that group’s production. Yes, I think Wade can match their production in points, rebounds, assists. Number for number? Probably not every night – but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was able to do it on two nights in this series. The question is, will it be enough to win?
Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel always does a solid job examining the Heat. He makes his predictions which also seem to be in agreement with what the Herald prints. (By the way, Ira, who is in charge of making the URLs for your blog titles? I mean, jeez man – we have all heard of SEO but that is frickin’ ridiculous!) But he, too, makes the mistake of assuming Jermaine O’neal is going to step up. Forgive me for being cynical, but just because you make $23M doesn’t mean you will play like it. And even if he does, it will be for a limited amount of time – he’s just not the same player he once was.
Let’s not overlook this notion – pinning hopes on a good performance from Jermaine O’neal still doesn’t make anyone think the Heat will win this series. Both the Herald and Ira pick the Celtics. It is interesting to note, however, that the Heat finished 18-4 with some minor tweaking. They are a hot team and typically, 4/5 matchups in the playoffs are highly contested. It could be anyone’s game. If there is anyone who will have the most to say about this series it is Dwyane Wade. His will alone can win games but that is only the case if his team plays clean, mistake free basketball. That challenge, for the Heat, lays mostly on Michael Beasley’s shoulders. The 2nd year player has had inconsistency in his performances. Can he be more than just a scorer, but an impact player on both ends of the floor? If he can, the Heat stand a better chance of winning.
The Heat really only need to steal a game on the road to have a shot. Winning at home is much easier, of course. So, if the Heat can steal a game on the road in these first two contests, watch out. I am not saying the Heat will win this series, but I feel a big testament as to Wade’s future in Miami is going to be based on how things go in this playoff run. Will the Heat show to be a team of the future? Or a team with no future? If the former, then Wade stays. If the latter, and an uncompetitive run with the Celtics, we may see Wade looking elsewhere.
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Man what an agonizing loss. And I only listened to it on the radio. I can’t imagine if I’d watched it. I’d be suicidal.
I hope KG gets suspended and it helps the Heat to a win in game 2. Otherwise this was the game they were supposed to win and they’re doomed now..
No one else has suggested this playoff run(or lack thereof) will have an impact on his staying or leaving. I don’t think it will.
And nice to see you back.
Hi Guys, long time, no see
yh, was disappointed in the loss, esp since we had the lead at the end of all 3 qtrs.
on a side note, Beasleys a bust, man.. what a waste of a pick hes turning out to be
i thank Beasley is a great player & he has real good skills.