Playoffs EC Finals Game 1: Pacers @ HEAT 5/22 8:30 PM ET TNT

[HEAT111]

Back from memory lane

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwcZIH2FJHg[/youtube]

[Slot Machine]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTKy3XS_Xjs[/youtube]

One of my favorite shots.

[DefenseWins]

I can't wait for Indiana getting charges called on them. The Heat know how to do it. Ray will come through with the 3's; he was an excellent player when younger so no qualms about him.

I was thinking about this. Pacers kept running in there and no one on NY took any charges. If Shane and UD is in there, they will be all over that.

TWO MORE DAYS! THIS GON BE GOOD!

A good test too.

Rio, Shane and Ray have a chance to redeem themselves from the Bull's series.

Also the Heat's bench is actually better than Indiana's bench, though ALL of the starting 5 for Indiana end up in double digits. When it's time for the benches, Heat should take advantage.

[dynamic duo]

LeBron needs to come out with that "whatever it takes to win this mofo game" face and give Indy no hope from the start.

[TheChosen618]

Lebron's jumper needs to pick up. It is necessary with Hibbert in the paint. That or he better get ready to bring his floater game again.

[Shv3d]

I can't wait for Indiana getting charges called on them. The Heat know how to do it. Ray will come through with the 3's; he was an excellent player when younger so no qualms about him.

I was thinking about this. Pacers kept running in there and no one on NY took any charges. If Shane and UD is in there, they will be all over that.

TWO MORE DAYS! THIS GON BE GOOD!

A good test too.

Rio, Shane and Ray have a chance to redeem themselves from the Bull's series.

Also the Heat's bench is actually better than Indiana's bench, though ALL of the starting 5 for Indiana end up in double digits. When it's time for the benches, Heat should take advantage.

The Heat's bench should outplay the Pacers bench by a lot; the Pacers have the worst bench of any playoff team and the Heat have one of the best.

[OtW]

LeBron took the media's bait.

Michael Wallace ‏@WallaceNBA_ESPN 30m
Vogel said Heat "just the next team" in front of them. LeBron was asked about Vogel saying Heat were "just another team"

Michael Wallace ‏@WallaceNBA_ESPN 27m
LeBron's response: "I don't understand what he's saying. We're not just another team. Not true. We're a great team."

Michael Wallace ‏@WallaceNBA_ESPN 20m
Bottom line: LeBron's reaction perpetuated comment presented to him out of context. He fired back. Regardless, it's on.

[weouthere]

LeBron took the media's bait.

Michael Wallace ‏@WallaceNBA_ESPN 30m
Vogel said Heat "just the next team" in front of them. LeBron was asked about Vogel saying Heat were "just another team"

Michael Wallace ‏@WallaceNBA_ESPN 27m
LeBron's response: "I don't understand what he's saying. We're not just another team. Not true. We're a great team."

Michael Wallace ‏@WallaceNBA_ESPN 20m
Bottom line: LeBron's reaction perpetuated comment presented to him out of context. He fired back. Regardless, it's on.

hah everyone i told that to, took Vogel's bait the same way lol Vogel must really annoy Bron.

[zogster]

I went to game 6 last year in Indy (I live in IL). I may have to try to make it to game 3 this year. Hopefully there is not a game 6 in Indy again. If there is, I would almost definitely go again.

[DefenseWins]

Add fuel to the fire Vogel.

[dynamic duo]

[dreamchaser]

Back from memory lane

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwcZIH2FJHg[/youtube]

Just so epic man. I still watch Wade's game 6 against the Pacers and LeBron's game 6 against the Celtics on a daily basis...

Wade's game 6 against Indiana was just so f'n clutch in a close out game and proved why he's a top 20 great of all-time...

[Heat_Fan_87]

cool

[Mundo]

This has me dying:







Pacers killed the knicks offensively since we constantly double team their bigs leaving others open. Their offense is built on post-ups, they dump it to their bigs and see how the defense reacts.

And on offense you can't let West get away with guarding a perimeter player if you're going to go small against them.

I think the main problem with the knicks was the lack of familiarity with the defensive rotations. The knicks were all out of sync after every double team. The heat's constant hedging lends itself to better rotations under this situation. I highly doubt the Heat will constantly double, but when it does occur, it will be highly effective. I also think that the Heat's fronting of Hibbert will be more taxing on him than the defense that Chandler played. Hibbert will also have to chase Bosh around the perimeter, instead of just sitting and waiting in the paint. I actually think that the Bulls are a better team than the pacers will be defensively. Jimmy Butler and Noah are better than George and Hibbert. Either way, Hibbert better be ready to play against a lot of pnrs and floaters.

There is no statistic out there that suggests remotely that Chicago was in Indy's league defensively all year long, and certainly none that suggests Butler is a better defender than George.

That is were stats are flawed. Stats don't really take into account the fact that Butler did not have heavy minutes at the beginning of the season. In fact unlike George, Butler has not played consistently all year. I think it would also be unfair to judge Butler without taking into account the fact that the Bulls have had severe injuries. His drapm has a lot of noise. As far as evidence goes, I think comparing how well George played in last year's series, and how well Butler played this year is enough evidence for me. Unless Pacer fans have a really short memory, George was utterly destroyed by James and a less than healthy Wade. You can look at the video. Last year's game 6 wouldn't happen if you replaced Butler and George. I just don't believe that the pacers will win a game against the heat. Numbers aren't everything.

Sidenote: George needs to stop copying Lebron. The dude looks and sounds like him.

[Buju]

Pretty crazy how PG grew so much from his rook season...

[Heat_Fan_87]

Pretty crazy how PG grew so much from his rook season...

i think he was playing out of position. better as a 3 than a 2.

[DefenseWins]

Hope we lay it on them like the Spurs did the Grizz.

[Vertical Limit]

Eh I don't find it that crazy about PG's emergence. I mean yeah he's very good, but having witnessed rookie Dwyane Wade's full season, his growth from the regular season to the playoffs in that same season is the craziest transformation I've seen from a player in a single season, and it just completely changed our franchise. I mean Wade went from a guy who might be a pretty good guard to superstar overnight that postseason. Now that was crazy.

[Buju]

Eh I don't find it that crazy about PG's emergence. I mean yeah he's very good, but having witnessed rookie Dwyane Wade's full season, his growth from the regular season to the playoffs in that same season is the craziest transformation I've seen from a player in a single season, and it just completely changed our franchise. I mean Wade went from a guy who might be a pretty good guard to superstar overnight that postseason. Now that was crazy.

Nono I don't mean by game it self lol Yeah defiantly Wade's transformation of his game was easily up there and the best I've seen from a player.

What I meant his PG's growth physically (height/weight)

But I guess its expected!

[Vertical Limit]

Oh I see sorry misread your post.