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Naturally we all had huge expectations of this new Heat team when they teamed up in 2010. Here we are 3 years later with 3 full seasons under our belts (damn time flies doesn't it?)... How have the Heat stood up to your personal expectations?

For me personally the Heat have definitely exceeded expectations without having the think twice about it. Just look at some of these accomplishments in the past 3 seasons:

1) 3 STRAIGHT Finals appearances
2) 2 NBA championships (back to back and gunning for the 3 peat next season)
3) 2 regular season MVPs (back to back and once again gunning for a 3 peat)
4) 2nd longest RS winning streak in the history of the NBA
5) Highest RS effective FG% in NBA history (the 2012-2013 Heat will go down as one of the greatest shooting teams in NBA history)
6) Witnessed one of the greatest to ever play the game blossom into a top 10 player of all time

How could ANYONE be disappointed with a resume like that? I gotta say no matter how this thing ends there's one thing I think we can all agree on... It's been ONE HELL OF A RIDE.

Discuss.

Down right AWESOME!!!

I'd have to say they've exceeded my expectations. They said from day 1 the move was about competiting for championships and that's what they have done. The fact that they display so much selflessness is where I say they've exceeded expectations. It says a lot for a player with wade's resume to take a little step back and even for bosh to accept a third man role, all for the sake of winning. This is a real special group, not just including the big 3, and I'm gonna enjoy this ride because I don't know if we'll see this in the NBA again

Winning championships ain't easy. Especially doing it back to back and possibly a 3peat? Pretty much close to dynasty status right now (if it still isn't) and a 3rd straight title will be icing on the cake.

This has been a success no matter what either way.

Had we won only 1, it's still somewhat successful but sort of an underachievement. My realistic expectation back then was minimum 2 titles. So 3+ would be exceeding my expectations

I'd say this has met my expectations. They've rivaled the 2008-2010 Lakers with 1 finals loss, and back to back wins. If they made the championship this year that would certainly exceed my expectations.

Well I thought they would look a lot more dominant as a core of "3" to be honest but at the end of the day, basketball is a team game and they are winning. Back2Back Championships are very hard to obtain and only a handful of teams have done it... so that alone puts them in a special category.

They met them. They need more finals appearances to exceed them though.

fast-break wrote:Well I thought they would look a lot more dominant as a core of "3" to be honest but at the end of the day, basketball is a team game and they are winning. Back2Back Championships are very hard to obtain and only a handful of teams have done it... so that alone puts them in a special category.

Well they did in the first year, but then we realized that's not gonna work and added pieces because, as you said, it's a team game, especially with the tactical opportunities you have in today's game. With that being said, I'm happy the way things have turned out. Sure, Wade has had his injury problems and Bosh sometimes doesn't look as dominant as he could, but it is underestimated what these guys have done to make this team work. Teams try to throw talented players together all the time, but we actually managed to transform it into a dominant unit. Look at the runs we have in games. They're not a product of great individual offense, they result from stifling defense and great ball and man movement on offense. At the same time, when it really comes down to it, our stars still shine bright.

We don't always have the best gameplan, but we have one and the players are sticking to it. Looking at squads like New York or Brooklyn makes you realize what a difference it makes when everybody is on the same page on the court. This is the part where you don't only have to give the Big Three, but also Spo credit. He's not a basketball mastermind, but he's a leader who's made it work, even if it's not always pretty.

With that being said, I'm satisfied with the results. The 2011 Finals were a huge blow and always will be, but if we continue to go on this path we're on right now, it'd be ignorant to call the Big Three a disappointment.

They've pretty much met my expectations,although It would have been great if we could've won in 2011,
But it was a learning curve.

They have met my expectations.

What I expected. I always thought we'd have our biggest struggle in the first year. I still thought we would win, and was a bit gutted we got as closer as we did.

Other than that, the only thing that surprised me was how little the team cares about the regular season. I thought they'd be more dominant there, but I don't mind. It keeps them healthy.

Spo is also better than I originally thought. That was a pleasant surprise.

Rock Hardy wrote:Other than that, the only thing that surprised me was how little the team cares about the regular season. I thought they'd be more dominant there, but I don't mind. It keeps them healthy.

Despite the obvious coasting the team has amassed a .739 winning percentage throughout these past 3 regular seasons. In other words for every 4 games played they almost always win 3 of them. It may not be Jordan Bulls-esque but that's still pretty damn dominant.

Plus you can't forget the 27 game winning streak... a feat not even the Jordan Bulls could accomplish.

2011 Finals has and always will leave a sour taste in my mouth but, all in all, they definitely met expectations.

I'm a satisfied customer.

I'm more than satisfied but I think we need to win at least one more before the Big 3 is broken up. That means a 3-peat.

I'm happy with the team but my expectations were higher than our level of play over the last three years.

GreenHat wrote:I'm happy with the team but my expectations were higher than our level of play over the last three years.

I used to think you're a smart poster but this is a pretty pathetic statment and the Arison hate in the other thread makes me wonder what have you been somking lately../rant

2011 really burned my balls. But W/E the league is still our bitch.

2011 doesn't bother me too much. I had zero expectations of a title that first year. Remember that roster. Outside of the big 3, it was really poor. Bibby played the worst basketball I've ever seen in those playoffs. Big Z was a spot up shooter and little else. Terrible roster.

However, when they were playing great team ball throughout the eastern playoffs I started to really believe they could do it. They were beating better TEAMS in short series. I thought Dallas was done when they reported Dirk hurt his finger. I was sooo confident. Hopefully that lesson learned will haunt our team forever and we won't see them falter in the future.

One thing that really stands out for me for this team is that 27 game win streak. 27 games. Houston's streak of 22 seemed like a fluke. Miami's was the culmination of a group of stars sacrificing and everybody knowing and playing their roles to the best of their abilities. 27 games in a row is easily the greatest streak I've ever seen in my lifetime. I respect what the Lakers did, but I got to see the Heat's streak and it was very impressive.

Also, beating one of the most respected, impressive teams of our time in the Spurs definitely puts a cherry on top of the big 3 era.