What most impress/disappointed you?

[DeeDub]

Defense - We will never learn how to protect the 3 point line. I know it's preseason, but it happened last season and against 3 point shooting teams, the perimeter defense always sucks. Saw it with the Mavs obviously. Remember when Orlando came back down by 24? All 3 ball lol. I wouldn't be surprised if ONE game even goes like that.

The truth is that the Heat were one of the better 3pt defenses in the league last year. Opponents hit 34.5% of their 3s against the Heat, with the best 3 pt defenses only a little better than that. The Magic were 11/31 from 3 last night, which at 35.5% is right around where the Heat's 3 pt defense was last year. We held the Magic to 85 points and won by 33. I don't see much to complain about.

[Vertical Limit]

Joel is still valuable to us when we play against PG's such as Rose and Rondo, and probably Baron Davis.

His PnR defense is one of the best in the league so yeah.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Joel is still valuable to us when we play against PG's such as Rose and Rondo, and probably Baron Davis.

His PnR defense is one of the best in the league so yeah.

Agreed, if we could play him situationally he'd be awesome. The problem is we're forced to start him and/or play him heavy minutes.

[Vertical Limit]

Yeap. that's why you won't see much Joel bashing from me. I know he's not that good when it comes to everything else, including rebounds, but for PnR defense, if he's not the best at it he's Top 3 in this league. His recovery is superb.

I wish we could play him just for those match ups but oh well.

[DefenseWins]

Defense - We will never learn how to protect the 3 point line. I know it's preseason, but it happened last season and against 3 point shooting teams, the perimeter defense always sucks. Saw it with the Mavs obviously. Remember when Orlando came back down by 24? All 3 ball lol. I wouldn't be surprised if ONE game even goes like that.

The truth is that the Heat were one of the better 3pt defenses in the league last year. Opponents hit 34.5% of their 3s against the Heat, with the best 3 pt defenses only a little better than that. The Magic were 11/31 from 3 last night, which at 35.5% is right around where the Heat's 3 pt defense was last year. We held the Magic to 85 points and won by 33. I don't see much to complain about.

I'm going to go with my memory and remember how many games were lost INCLUDING THE FINALS, because of the defense at the 3 point line. Even if the Magic missed so much, they had plenty of opportunities. Yeah I'll go with how many times Jason Terry or Dirk hit a 3, or even Ray Allen or Deng or even Korver hitting a 3 to seal games. lol. Stats don't show the whole story. I like stats but naaah I'll go with my memory on this one.

[mopper8]

I'm going to go with my memory and remember how many games were lost INCLUDING THE FINALS, because of the defense at the 3 point line. Even if the Magic missed so much, they had plenty of opportunities. Yeah I'll go with how many times Jason Terry or Dirk hit a 3, or even Ray Allen or Deng or even Korver hitting a 3 to seal games. lol. Stats don't show the whole story. I like stats but naaah I'll go with my memory on this one.

Yeah, because its not like memories are fallible or perceptions can be colored by cognitive biases or anything.

Always probably best to eschew data in favor of memory and anecdote.

[radikalBaller]

Cole will be alright, just give him more game time, he's a fast learner.

I like Dexter's effort, he is our best option at center, the opposing team actually has to guard him. He just need to keep on improving his fitness. All he needs to focus on is catching rebounds fiercely and dunking. With those velcro mitts of his, he should hold better on the rebounds and knock people around with his elbows, like Zo and Malone used to do. That's what he's got to work on everyday, we need him to become a monster rebounder.Pitt has all the abilities to become an elite rebounder, just look at what Kevin Love does while being shorter, with smaller hands, and with comparable athletism. You can do it Dex, make rebounding and dunking you specialities, the blocked shots will come as you continue to improve fitness and conditioning.

Absorb knowledge and inspiration from these guys.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WFznHgi560[/youtube]

velcro mitts

great vid, i really wish Dex would watch it.

the thing i like about him and the reason he's agood fit for us is that with his great hands, great size and suprisingly quick feet he can be an awesome rebounder, whice is one of the biggest things we need help with. plus like Zo sais : rebounding is all about heart, will and balls. from everything i saw and herad from Big Dex - he has those too.

Yeah, the kid is just a sleeping beast inside of a gentle giant. He wouldn't take **** from Howard, i think that mma and boxing training could really help him get in that mental and body beast shape. Whatch out for when he breaks free and materializes his potential...


Dex has to claim that Heat center spot, it's all his to grab and the team is gonna need him to do it. Impose yourself.

Danny Fortson ain't got **** on him


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1kuoOzL2to[/youtube]

1:09 to 1:14 = that's how you put your tag on your rebounds so no mofo would dare stealing your lunch. Be voracious all time, that's just how the game should be played, nothing personal.

[DefenseWins]

That rebounding vid was a great vid.

Funny, you have to have good hands to rebound huh?

*Joel Anthony proceeds to be the Heat's STARTING Center and never learned to catch a ball* (I am aware he had great moments)

That actually explained a lot. He's an energy guy, but not for rebounding or being Center. Sigh.

I think Dex can become a rebounding machine with more tutoring from Haslem and Zo and more experience. He's just a bit chunky at the moment.

[indiegrind]

On a side note, Spo claimed that he wanted to try and stick to the actual rotation as closely as possible in the 1st half.

After Joel picked up those 2 quick fouls Dexter came into the game at C. I wonder if that will be the case in the regular season, or if it'll be UD?

A story on ESPN's heat index, i think it was a preseason scouting report, they mentioned taht Spo wanted Pittman to be the first center off the bench. I'm pleased with this.

On the other hand, I'm not pleased with Spo saying they wont have any offensive sets and will be freelancing.

[Miamis3rdRing]

A story on ESPN's heat index, i think it was a preseason scouting report, they mentioned taht Spo wanted Pittman to be the first center off the bench. I'm pleased with this.

Great news!

Also in regards to Joel I do agree there are certain things he really excels at. People that bash him and say he's good for nothing don't know basketball. But man does his inability to rebound/finish inside annoy me.