Ok Miami has a blatant issue with giving up leads.

[imd0pe]

This is an issue Cleveland never had under LeBron. They NEVER choked. Hard to when you have the league's best late-game player on your team.

So it's a testament to LeBron's current INABILITY to create high % possessions that Miami so consistently blows big leads. Before, on BIG possessions, LeBron could just put his head down and get to the basket or create someone an open look through penetration. You know, basic, high % basketball - you attack the defense and get something going to stop momentum. He's not really capable of that anymore, so he's relegated to merely shooting jumpers - and as much as LeBron's jumper has improved, he's not a good(or willing) shooter under pressure. A consistent jumper is such a recent development in his game after all, so his first instinct is to always revert back to his bread n butter when the pressure builds(high pick n roll or putting head down and driving to the hole). Problem is, he's really not that player anymore. This is why LeBron was often so passive late in games last season. And I don't see that changing this year.

So you know what Lebron is capable of now?
It's called spacing, miami has none on offense, unless they play shooters. Play JJ and Miller (when hes ready) and the floor will open up.

[Heat_team02]

When you wear out a player(s) Ie) Wade (gets lazy), Haslem (mismatched & slumping), Chalmers (bonehead non-PG play), Lebron (exhausted) by playing them too many minutes in stretches where that player(s) may not be performing properly or being effective, & when you have able bodies that can help but don't play cause they don't command salaries/stature, you're going to give up leads.

[WD]

When you wear out a player(s) Ie) Wade (gets lazy), Haslem (mismatched & slumping), Chalmers (bonehead non-PG play), Lebron (exhausted) by playing them too many minutes in stretches where that player(s) may not be performing properly or being effective, & when you have able bodies that can help but don't play cause they don't command salaries/stature, you're going to give up leads.

Q: Why not James Jones in close games, to space the floor to allow the Heat to get to the rim and to hit a timely three? -- Marty.

A: I agree. At least with offense-defense substitutions, particularly when the Heat needed a three late against the Clippers. I simply don't get it. If there is one player who can come in cold and drain a three, it's James. I think they just so want to make this work with Shane Battier in those situations.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 5444.story

[Heat_team02]

Is there a website out there that tabulates the Heat's missed free throws by quarter?

I'd be very interested in seeing those.


Coach Heat_team02: "Anyone who misses 2 free throws in a quarter sits for 5 minutes."