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[dougthonus]

Nice for Butler and the Heat to get one moment prior to losing in five. NBA fans can now day dream for 48 hours about what might happen.

[ImSlower]

Nice for Butler and the Heat to get one moment prior to losing in five. NBA fans can now day dream for 48 hours about what might happen.

As my diehard LeBron buddy linked a meme to after the WCF, "Fi, Fi, Fi"

If I were a betting man, which I am when I'm not dead broke, I'd put money on AD dropping an easy 30+ in the next two Lakers wins. I really, really hope Miami somehow plays out of their minds again in games 4, because I don't think anyone expects LA's big duo to play their worst playoff game together a second time in a row.

[R3AL1TY]

If that happens, the Clippers' choke job may end up being forgettable and LeBron may become a wino due to everyone can't stop talking about it.

If that happens, which of course is highly unlikely, it would be regarded as LeBron's signature failure -- even worse than in 2011 -- and Jimmy Butler would become a legend. He would be thought of like AI in 2001, or Hakeem 95, or Moses Malone '83. The pro version of Danny Manning.

But first things first, I'm just happy that the Heat won a game and that this series isn't a sweep. The Heat can play some. I wasn't liking how I was reading about how they were such a weak team coming from a bad conference. Even with their injuries, they have now beaten the Lakers as many times in the playoffs as did any Western Conference team.

Yeah, the only way I see Miami winning this series is if AD plays bad from here on out while either Miami catches a crazy 3 pt fever or Jimmy plays like last night the rest of the way. But if they at least put up a fight taking it to game 6 or 7, they will still prove many people wrong.

[Ice Man]

I really, really hope Miami somehow plays out of their minds again in games 4, because I don't think anyone expects LA's big duo to play their worst playoff game together a second time in a row.

Miami played very well defensively, which might or might not be sustainable. On offense, though, they were nothing special, except for the huge exception of Butler. The rest of the team shot 27 for 60, which is 45%. About par for the course.

The Lakers looked pretty bad, though, and that will not likely repeat.

[TheStig]

Nice for Butler and the Heat to get one moment prior to losing in five. NBA fans can now day dream for 48 hours about what might happen.

I think it goes 6 and maybe 7. Bam will come back and energize them for a game and they're bound to get hot and shoot lights out one game. I also think they have the defense and toughness to get at least 1 more.

I think it's unlikely they win but I don't think it's impossible.

[dougthonus]

Nice for Butler and the Heat to get one moment prior to losing in five. NBA fans can now day dream for 48 hours about what might happen.

I think it goes 6 and maybe 7. Bam will come back and energize them for a game and they're bound to get hot and shoot lights out one game. I also think they have the defense and toughness to get at least 1 more.

I think it's unlikely they win but I don't think it's impossible.

It seems likely that Dragic is out for the series and Bam may or may not be out for the series. From what I read, it doesn't sound likely he'll play and if he can play, it also seems like he probably won't be 100%. This win was a superhuman performance by Butler and an awful performance by AD/LeBron.

Can't see that combination playing out again even one more time myself. Anything can happen any given night, so I wouldn't say anything is impossible, but I'd say I view the odds of Lakers in 5 to be more likely than all other outcomes combined with Lakers in 6 being more likely than all other outcomes other than Lakers in 5 combined.
Ie something like:
Lakers in 5 - 50% chance
Lakers in 6 - 30% chance
Lakers in 7 - 12% chance
Heat in 7 - 8% chance
Heat in 6 - 0% (or negligible chance)

[Southpaw]

I don't see the Heat winning this series because I don't think Lebron will fold a la 2011 but if they can win Game 4, that would make the series very exciting. There will be tons of pressure on the Lakers at that point.

My guess is Lebron and AD will explode next game with Lebron doing everything he can to secure the FMVP in Game5.

[TheStig]

Nice for Butler and the Heat to get one moment prior to losing in five. NBA fans can now day dream for 48 hours about what might happen.

I think it goes 6 and maybe 7. Bam will come back and energize them for a game and they're bound to get hot and shoot lights out one game. I also think they have the defense and toughness to get at least 1 more.

I think it's unlikely they win but I don't think it's impossible.

It seems likely that Dragic is out for the series and Bam may or may not be out for the series. From what I read, it doesn't sound likely he'll play and if he can play, it also seems like he probably won't be 100%. This win was a superhuman performance by Butler and an awful performance by AD/LeBron.

Can't see that combination playing out again even one more time myself. Anything can happen any given night, so I wouldn't say anything is impossible, but I'd say I view the odds of Lakers in 5 to be more likely than all other outcomes combined with Lakers in 6 being more likely than all other outcomes other than Lakers in 5 combined.
Ie something like:
Lakers in 5 - 50% chance
Lakers in 6 - 30% chance
Lakers in 7 - 12% chance
Heat in 7 - 8% chance
Heat in 6 - 0% (or negligible chance)

I think Bam will play, maybe even still injured at least 1 game. And I can see the heat shooters getting hot. They're playing spread out and a lot of motion with a open lane fir Butler. I think they'll get 1 more. So I think they get to 6. But probably not past that.

[BullsFTW]

I’m happy for Jimmy. Sucks he’s not doing it for the Bulls. Glad people are noticing him more.

[dougthonus]

I don't see the Heat winning this series because I don't think Lebron will fold a la 2011 but if they can win Game 4, that would make the series very exciting. There will be tons of pressure on the Lakers at than point.

My guess is Lebron and AD will explode next game with Lebron doing everything he can to secure the FMVP in Game5.

A game 4 Heat win would be exciting for me as a basketball fan, but I agree with your expectation. I think the Lakers come out and win by like 20 in the next game.

[othawhitemeat]

Lebron acting like a bitch right now lol.

What else is new?

Everytime someone does not back down, he shivers. It is why he always tries to go to a more talented roster and also why he is not in my top 5 of all time. He is too sawft when it gets tough.

I agree. Lebron is an otherworldly basketball player, but stuff like what you mentioned knocks him down a few spots among the all time greats in my book. He still is acting like a spoiled child who didn't get his way, and he's what, 35 years old?

It is so frustrating. To me he is one of the most polarizing players ever because off the court, he is known as great in philanthrophy. On the court, he does so many things well, but he is just unlikeable. I mean Jordan/Kobe/Bird were known for not being so nice, but it is also a part of what made them so great is the clutchness and ability to make an impact from the moment they stepped on the court. Magic, Tim Duncan, Olajuwon, etc... were known for being nice, but very likeable or appreciated.

Lebron is the woe look at me diva all the time. It is also why he is so great, he is also so beatable at times by near equal talent as other talents know he can be rattled.

[Andi Obst]

Man, the LeBron hate is extremely strong currently. Especially on the GB, which generally is very hot-takey and childish, but here too. I've really disliked LeBron when he joined the Heat in 2010, but 10 years later (and older) I have nothing but respect for the guy. I'm never getting into the GOAT debate because I'm too young and haven't really experienced the MJ era, but I very much enjoy being able to see one of the best players of all time live.

[Grodoboldo]

Man, the LeBron hate is extremely strong currently. Especially on the GB, which generally is very hot-takey and childish, but here too. I've really disliked LeBron when he joined the Heat in 2010, but 10 years later (and older) I have nothing but respect for the guy. I'm never getting into the GOAT debate because I'm too young and haven't really experienced the MJ era, but I very much enjoy being able to see one of the best players of all time live.

Yeah, I sill think he's a bitch. It's just that he's a bitch that spends a lot of money and effort in marketing actions to improve his image. That same marketing moves try to ventilate his name in the GOAT conversation, which is just absurd and makes him even more unlikable.

[dougthonus]

It is so frustrating. To me he is one of the most polarizing players ever because off the court, he is known as great in philanthrophy. On the court, he does so many things well, but he is just unlikeable. I mean Jordan/Kobe/Bird were known for not being so nice, but it is also a part of what made them so great is the clutchness and ability to make an impact from the moment they stepped on the court. Magic, Tim Duncan, Olajuwon, etc... were known for being nice, but very likeable or appreciated.

Lebron is the woe look at me diva all the time. It is also why he is so great, he is also so beatable at times by near equal talent as other talents know he can be rattled.

I think people are making too much of this. This wasn't a close out game. This was game 3. They weren't going to go shake hands after the game anyway. Not sure why this is even a story except that its LeBron.

At the same time, I still get what you're saying and agree. He does some stuff that rubs you the wrong way, things like this, or his long history of flopping (including winking at the camera), switching teams on three separate occasions to put himself with the best teammates possible to win rather than stinking with a team (though I understand this completely too).

Some of his whining like about not winning the MVP despite the fact that Giannis was simply better by every conceivable metric and had led his team to a better team record.

Rumors of his behavior as a SJW in the player bubble trying to get everyone to leave or when he wouldn't back China rub people the wrong way too (though I'm okay with both those things and don't find them to be contradictory).

[nomorezorro]

lebron is human and has flaws but it's incredibly funny to see people go "his body language sucks what a bad leader!" when michael jordan like. assaulted his teammates lol

i also basically think lebron comes off as basically as likable as a human being could reasonably be expected to be when they were anointed as the greatest basketball player of their generation at age 16 and proceeded to exceed expectations for the next ~2 decades

[Ice Man]

lebron is human and has flaws but it's incredibly funny to see people go "his body language sucks what a bad leader!" when michael jordan like. assaulted his teammates lol

i also basically think lebron comes off as basically as likable as a human being could reasonably be expected to be when they were anointed as the greatest basketball player of their generation at age 16 and proceeded to exceed expectations for the next ~2 decades

He's a good person. His teammates like him, he has by all accounts conducted himself well off the court, and so forth. He's just easy to root against on the court because he's a diva. He complains about calls constantly while getting superstar treatment. He makes a great villain.

Just because I yell at the screen and boo him when he's playing doesn't mean I don't think he's an admirable person. I do. He is.

[kingkirk]

Nice for Butler and the Heat to get one moment prior to losing in five. NBA fans can now day dream for 48 hours about what might happen.

Can't spell cold water without Doug.

#Bullieve

[dougthonus]

Nice for Butler and the Heat to get one moment prior to losing in five. NBA fans can now day dream for 48 hours about what might happen.

Can't spell cold water without Doug.

#Bullieve

I'm glad you're enjoying the hopes and dreams period here. I'll try and say something positive: The closest a series can be after 3 games is 2-1, and there's no homecourt!

Feel better?

[kingkirk]

I'm glad you're enjoying the hopes and dreams period here. I'll try and say something positive: The closest a series can be after 3 games is 2-1, and there's no homecourt!

Feel better?

I read this in an unconvincing tone and the general scepticism still reads through. I'd appreciate it if you take this more seriously and deliver a more optimistic message.

[Grodoboldo]

To be fair, I do remember Doug being pessimist after the first Rose injury saying that iteration of the team was probably over, when most people still though that a 21yo PG would probably bounce back.
He wasn't wrong...