Are the Heat really vulnerable?

[MastaKiiLA]

Random thought, but with the media using that Game1 loss to spin a yarn of doubt, what truth is there to the tall tale?

A quick look at basketball-refence suggests something different:

Miami is #1 in ORTG, ahead of SAS.

1. Miami 112.8
2. Spurs 111.2
3. Grizzlies 111.1

Miami is #2 in DRTG, behinf the Knicks.

1. Knicks 95.4
2. Miami 96.9
3. Celtics 98.9

The best ORTG in the postseason, combined with the 2nd best DRTG doesn't sound like a vulnerable team to me. Surely, if we're vulnerable, then everyone else is roadkill. I have no idea where the narrative comes from other than to bolster interest in a lopsided series. Anyway, just thought I'd share.

[Buju]

Wouldn't think so, they just need to get the Playoff groove going.

Bulls have given them just that, it should be a lot more tamed and fluid when entering ECF IMO.

[krikor]

we are winning games in this playoffs when wade is averaging 13 ppg, and lebron 23.5 ppg..
bosh is averaging low numbers too.. we still havent been pushed to the point where lebron wade will drop 40.

we are walking till now, bar the fluke in game 1 vs chicago.

[DefenseWins]

Judging from the last 2 years, this is the least vulnerable Heat team in the Big 3 era.

Maybe just size, but Birdman has done very well for us, and Bosh is our Center at the end of games. But things like defending Marc Gasol (if something like that happens) or Zach Randolph happens... don't know. Putting Battier on him isn't a good idea. We'll see what happens. Big front courts just give us huge problems. We seem to overcome these things however with the talent of LeBron James.

I mean we've just lost 1 game in the post season so far. It was a bad loss but also a wake up call, this team has had a good year with no pressure at all.

[Ursusamericanus]

For what it's worth, the Heat have actually done a decent job on the glass in the postseason so far. 5th and 6th in OREB% and DREB% so far respectively, numbers that are in fact comparable to Memphis and better than San Antonio. In terms of raw rebounding Miami is holding its own and keeping other teams off the glass. Outrebounded Chicago in the last two games. Game 1 was rough but they've recovered very well since then.

I think that would be the X-factor in a potential finals matchup against Memphis or San Antonio, both teams with size down low. Bosh, Birdman, and LeBron would play a pivotal role in that case. This is the strongest Heat team I've ever seen and I do fully expect them to repeat.

[Altered_Beast]

with all the rest we got to end the season, the laughably easy match up against the bucks and the 8 day lay off im not surprised miami hasnt looked like a team that had won 40 out of 42 games to end the season. we look more like what we did in early january. i can see us really start to amp it up in the next few games though. rhythm is really important and we lost it

[DWadeno3]

It's no possible to build a perfect team, so you're always gonna have weak spots. The thing is, we have the least ones/the best talent to make up for them, which is why we're the best team in the league and will be back-to-back champs this year.

[This IsMy House]

I think we'd be vulnerable if Bosh wasnt hitting his jump shot with consistency but after Game 3 I'm not nearly as worried about it. I think their main problem is going to be later on if Chalmers and Battier stay in this slump it could pose some issues. Allens shot isnt all that great from 3 lately either but hes really impressed me with how hes been able to get other looks as well which has been hugh. Also Chalmers in a slump right now hasnt killed us because Cole has been on an animal which if(like they did in the regular season) both go cold it could be bad.

Miamis biggest threat is and has always been themselves. But honestly I dont think LeBron will let it happen.

[arjay702]

Not many that I can see. The biggest vulnerability is rebounding, which we didn't do a good job doing in game 3. You guys will win the title, don't worry.

[HurricaneKid]

Yeah but all your above stats were accumulated against the Bucks, whose 38-44 wouldn't get them into the playoffs most years, and the 37 point beatdown of the Bulls.

And the more it looks like it will be Chi, Ind, and Mem, yeah they are vulnerable as that is a lot of wear and team on their interior.

[twix2500]

The Heat do not have a true vulnerability. This is a complete team. This team is so good, that its embarrassing to lose to the Bulls one time. The same goes for the next round, it will be embarrassing to lose to the Knicks or Pacers one time.

[HurricaneKid]

If Memphis has their way with Ibaka and Perk what do you think they are going to do with Bosh and Haslem?

Of course, they won't be able to defend Bosh either but they are decidedly a problem.

[MastaKiiLA]

If Memphis has their way with Ibaka and Perk what do you think they are going to do with Bosh and Haslem?
Of course, they won't be able to defend Bosh either but they are decidedly a problem.

Ibaka has lost confidence in his jumpshot, and Perkins sucks. We did pretty well against them in the 2nd game of the regular season. All we have are those 2 games to go on, but they don't seem like a tougher matchup than anyone else we face. Memphis has the #2 defense with the #17 offense. Indy has the #1 defense with the #20 offense. This is from the regular season. I'm not sure why people finger Memphis as some tough task for us when we have had harder times with other teams out West. I'd worry more about the Warriors because they can actually hit the 3. Teams that don't shoot well stand little chance against us. HCA alone means all that physical play will be marginalized.

[LeKingJamesBIGO]

If Memphis has their way with Ibaka and Perk what do you think they are going to do with Bosh and Haslem?

Of course, they won't be able to defend Bosh either but they are decidedly a problem.

I dont really know how to put it to words, but Kendrick Perkins is worthless literrly I honestly dont get why Scoot brooks is giving him so many minutes I'd pick collision over him anyday, furthmore they are centers they should rebound more. Ibaka and perkkins have sucked at rebounding lately. I dont think perkins is a threat we are good and westbrick is asleep with injury, it's safe to say that lebron is getting another ring this year. I'm looking forward to see grizzlies vs heat in the finals.

[weouthere]

we are always vulnerable. Let the media tell it, anybody with a big can beat us, anybody that plays physical can beat us, anybody with a defensive wing can beat us. We IS always always vulnerable

[GameTime_3]

Yes. We have a COACH who can't adjust and we currently have the worst starting back court in the NBA. Take way 6 minutes from Wade today and Chalmers/Wade would have the award wrapped up. Chalmer is playing like HOT garbage that is getting to Joel Anthony statues.

[dolphinatik]

every team has weaknesses and vulnerable somewhere but like Tiger said I like our chances.