2023 Miami Heat Regular Season Thread - Westbrook and Love edition

[dolphinatik]

Ill say this, I like the hustle and physicality we get from Zeller. We need at least a solid 10 minutes from him a night. Caleb has been an important player for us and shouldnt be forgotten in closing lineups. We do need to cut bait on the rest of these guys.

[IceColdCubano]

I disagree with this notion you can't build a title team around Bam and Butler because they are not 3 point shooters. Prior to this year, the problem was Bam was a rolling big not a go-too scorer. Simply if Bam was the immature go-too scorer he is now they are in the finals easily over the beloved three point shooting Tatum twice.

To be fair, the writer didn't say you can't build a title team around Bam and Butler because they are not 3 point shooters. They are just pointing out the obvious limitations. Based on the graphic the average teams are getting 4 3 pointers made from their top 2 guys. That means even when the role guys are off, they're banking at least 12 points a night from their stars - in comparison we are getting 0, on average. If Bam had been more aggressive every game could we have beaten Boston? I think we would have had a much better chance for sure. But as it stands, in a series in which Boston made 10 more 3 pointers we lost a game 7 by a missed shot.

The article was exactly on point, case in point our current issues. This year our team has regressed in 3pt shooting, our core stars Jimmy & Bam do not shoot the three ball, thus we are failing regardless of how well they both play in the regular season. Like someone already said Bam has taken a leap this year and has lead us to nothing gained. In this league if your stars cannot be threats from the three point range, your outer core players must be able to take on that role to a higher degree. There was nothing incorrect about the article, our issues are now magnified ten fold because of this handicap. As the league continues to expand with more players shooting from three, we will fall farther and farther behind the curve unless we revamp the team with shooting.

This core of Jimmy and Bam can win, gritty close out games with hard nose defense. It was also re-enforced by having a great bench that put up buckets and shot the three ball really well. Those days are gone, our bench sucks forgot how to play, and nobody can shoot the three ball. Its Jimmy and Bam pulling a giant cast iron dead weights on their shoulders all game.

[AirP.]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Despite the lack of 3 point shooting, the offense is elite with both Bam and Jimmy on the court so that just doesn’t hold much weight to me. We’ve also been very successful with those 2 over the years, adding an elite 3 level scorer obviously wouldn’t hurt though.

[IceColdCubano]

Despite the lack of 3 point shooting, the offense is elite with both Bam and Jimmy on the court so that just doesn’t hold much weight to me. We’ve also been very successful with those 2 over the years, adding an elite 3 level scorer obviously wouldn’t hurt though.

Its an efficient offense not an elite offense there's a difference. We have won games thanks to our defense and Jimmy/Bam outworking the other team in the 4th quarter. While the metrics say those two guys have very efficient games(Jimmy is having one of his best years and so is Bam). The other side of the coin is we will still lose to another team who can out shoot us from long range, regardless of them scoring very efficiently. Our biggest detractor this season is our bench for sure, our stars are barely keeping up with the other team and once they sit the bench gets us in a very large hole our starters can never crawl out of. I don't think we can look back and say those guys never worked together, they did when we had good role players who were productive. We just need to surround those guys with better quality, but time is running out.

[twix2500]

Luka had the Unicorn and they couldn't figure it out.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Did the Unicorn “figure it out” on any team he’s been on or did I miss that?

He averaging 22 and 9 in Washington. Not to mention the point guard of the Knicks

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Kobewade11]

Luka had the Unicorn and they couldn't figure it out.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Did the Unicorn “figure it out” on any team he’s been on or did I miss that?

He averaging 22 and 9 in Washington. Not to mention the point guard of the Knicks

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

A lot of guys put up numbers, I meant as far as his impact on a teams success. Has his pairing with anybody lead to a playoff run or anything meaningful?

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Despite the lack of 3 point shooting, the offense is elite with both Bam and Jimmy on the court so that just doesn’t hold much weight to me. We’ve also been very successful with those 2 over the years, adding an elite 3 level scorer obviously wouldn’t hurt though.

Its an efficient offense not an elite offense there's a difference. We have won games thanks to our defense and Jimmy/Bam outworking the other team in the 4th quarter. While the metrics say those two guys have very efficient games(Jimmy is having one of his best years and so is Bam). The other side of the coin is we will still lose to another team who can out shoot us from long range, regardless of them scoring very efficiently. Our biggest detractor this season is our bench for sure, our stars are barely keeping up with the other team and once they sit the bench gets us in a very large hole our starters can never crawl out of. I don't think we can look back and say those guys never worked together, they did when we had good role players who were productive. We just need to surround those guys with better quality, but time is running out.

We’re a top 10 offense in the league with Jimmy and Bam on the court together and that’s with them being surrounded by scrubs at 2 or 3 of the other spots out there. Get them some actual talent and it’s a championship waiting to happen. Anyone pointing out that either Jimmy or Bam are even close to our biggest problems is just flat out wrong. It’s the roster construction and lack of talent we have through the delusion of the FO on some guys and bad asset management

[Pokuokic]

I don't understand why people want to make it soo hard to build around Butler. But complete silence when it come to Luka and Harden

Why would we want to talk about Luka and Harden? I think someone like a Paul George, or someone with a comparable skillset is an ideal pairing for Jimmy - if we are discussing pie in the sky scenarios.

the claim is its easier to build around 3 pt shooters. Yet Luka teams constantly sucks.

Luka is not a good 3 point shooter he's below 34% for his career. Also his insane ball domination makes it hard for any player who is not purely catch and shoot/defender to play with him.

[Beenie]

Why would we want to talk about Luka and Harden? I think someone like a Paul George, or someone with a comparable skillset is an ideal pairing for Jimmy - if we are discussing pie in the sky scenarios.

the claim is its easier to build around 3 pt shooters. Yet Luka teams constantly sucks.

Luka is not a good 3 point shooter he's below 34% for his career. Also his insane ball domination makes it hard for any player who is not purely catch and shoot/defender to play with him.

Luka's shot selection plays into his underwhelming percentage.

Roster construction also plays into it.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

We need to be reeling Dragic in at some point in time in the near future for that all out Luka recruitment. Slovenian fan base here is massive, he loves coming to play here. He’ll be here April 1st and they’ll be pointing it out during the game im sure. I’d like to see a big 3 but you can win a championship with Luka and Bam as your 2 guys if they have solid role players around them

[AirP.]

Read on Twitter

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

If the Celtics are terrified of Dragic, just imagine how scared they must be of Gabe

[3ballbomber]

Read on Twitter

Jimbo Buckets

I knew something was up with Bam when I heard he listens to Katy Perry pre-game smh

I'm hoping your kidding.....unfortunately i wouldn't be surprised.

[3ballbomber]

I disagree with this notion you can't build a title team around Bam and Butler because they are not 3 point shooters. Prior to this year, the problem was Bam was a rolling big not a go-too scorer. Simply if Bam was the immature go-too scorer he is now they are in the finals easily over the beloved three point shooting Tatum twice.

To be fair, the writer didn't say you can't build a title team around Bam and Butler because they are not 3 point shooters. They are just pointing out the obvious limitations. Based on the graphic the average teams are getting 4 3 pointers made from their top 2 guys. That means even when the role guys are off, they're banking at least 12 points a night from their stars - in comparison we are getting 0, on average. If Bam had been more aggressive every game could we have beaten Boston? I think we would have had a much better chance for sure. But as it stands, in a series in which Boston made 10 more 3 pointers we lost a game 7 by a missed shot.

It wld most def help if they were decent 3pt shooters & perhaps Butler even drains the 3 to beat Boston that would have us in the finals for the 2nd time in 3 yrs. But in spite of their lack of a 3pt shot & even in spite of injuries we've competed quite well. What i like about both Butler & Bam is they provide us paint points especially w/ Bams jumper improved this season. We surround them w/ shooters that compensates & produces an inside-out game but unfortunately our shooters can't hit the ocean this season but the formula has worked.

If anything we rely on the 3ball too much. Games we're losing we just chuck them up in spite of the % we're shooting that game. How about we work the paint or even go for a mid range. This new age 3ball chucking drives me nuts. Nothing wrong w/ grinding out games w/ 2 pointers than depending on 3s to make come backs or win ball games. 4 consecutive failed 3pt attempts is just stupid imo especially when opponents are then converting on the other end. We dig our own holes.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Lowry is back tomorrow

[ShulaDon92]

I disagree with this notion you can't build a title team around Bam and Butler because they are not 3 point shooters. Prior to this year, the problem was Bam was a rolling big not a go-too scorer. Simply if Bam was the immature go-too scorer he is now they are in the finals easily over the beloved three point shooting Tatum twice.

To be fair, the writer didn't say you can't build a title team around Bam and Butler because they are not 3 point shooters. They are just pointing out the obvious limitations. Based on the graphic the average teams are getting 4 3 pointers made from their top 2 guys. That means even when the role guys are off, they're banking at least 12 points a night from their stars - in comparison we are getting 0, on average. If Bam had been more aggressive every game could we have beaten Boston? I think we would have had a much better chance for sure. But as it stands, in a series in which Boston made 10 more 3 pointers we lost a game 7 by a missed shot.

It wld most def help if they were decent 3pt shooters & perhaps Butler even drains the 3 to beat Boston that would have us in the finals for the 2nd time in 3 yrs. But in spite of their lack of a 3pt shot & even in spite of injuries we've competed quite well. What i like about both Butler & Bam is they provide us paint points especially w/ Bams jumper improved this season. We surround them w/ shooters that compensates & produces an inside-out game but unfortunately our shooters can't hit the ocean this season but the formula has worked.

If anything we rely on the 3ball too much. Games we're losing we just chuck them up in spite of the % we're shooting that game. How about we work the paint or even go for a mid range. This new age 3ball chucking drives me nuts. Nothing wrong w/ grinding out games w/ 2 pointers than depending on 3s to make come backs or win ball games. 4 consecutive failed 3pt attempts is just stupid imo especially when opponents are then converting on the other end. We dig our own holes.

I hear ya but you can't grind 2s to wins when the other team is hitting threes. And we leave em wide open for teams to do that once they beat our waves and make the extra pass.

We need the three in there as part of the engine. This aint the 2000s

[ShulaDon92]

The peak bball to watch that translates well to Heat bball is Kevin Loves 2012 olympic team with Kobe and Durant. Rained threes on the Spanish. Great final game. Played perfectly by both teams.

[ShulaDon92]

To me Durant and Kobe are better than LeBron but LeBron had the better career and played phenomenal to get to so many straight finals.

But that Olympics, you could see who the real ballers were.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

It’s been a long ride but we’re finally here