Who poses the biggest threat to the Heat this season?

TRG · Post #1 » by **TRG** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:48 pm

Seems as if every fan of a top 10 team loves to debate why their respective team has the best shot at dethroning the Heat this season, but honestly we're the best ones to make that judgement considering 1) we know the strengths/weaknesses of our team better and 2) objectively speaking we don't have nearly as much bias on this topic considering we're not actively rooting for anyone to beat us.

So with that being said... Who do you think has the best chance of beating the Heat in a 7 game series this season? Vote in the poll and leave a comment.

For me personally my vote goes to Indiana. They're going to give the Heat the same issues they've been giving us for the past 2 seasons now... Hibbert and Paul George are young and looking to improve plus they'll have key additions like the return of Granger and the newly acquired Scola. I see them as the Bulls (good defense/rebounding) but with more scoring options as opposed to being overly reliant on one player (Rose) and a deeper bench.

Carlos Arroyo · Post #2 » by **Carlos Arroyo** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:12 pm

Nikola Vucevic

narmerguy · Post #3 » by **narmerguy** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:45 pm

Prepare for random fanbases to flood this thread...

I personally think Indy. If DWade can be healthy, I don't think it will be as bad as people think. But if he's not healthy, Indy is going to be a serious problem.

fast-break · Post #4 » by **fast-break** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 4:06 pm

Tough question... Quite a few teams out there capable of taking out the HEAT if a couple of things go wrong.

IND is an obvious choice...and I think The Bulls because of their elite defense and star ability in Rose also have at the very least the potential to dethrone as well, though I have my doubts based on failure to win more than a single game of the series in the past 2 match ups. BKN looks pretty stacked...but it's year 1 for that group so there's a big question mark for me on that team.

As for the West, I think that once you make it to the Finals any team you face is a sure threat.

DWadeno3 · Post #5 » by **DWadeno3** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 7:11 pm

narmerguy wrote:Prepare for random fanbases to flood this thread...

I personally think Indy. If DWade can be healthy, I don't think it will be as bad as people think. But if he's not healthy, Indy is going to be a serious problem.

That's a large part of it, that's why I said this season is huge, not only for him but for this team. Even with him healthy other teams can beat us but if he has another postseason like the last one, things could end quicker than we would like.

FlashFlare · Post #6 » by **FlashFlare** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 7:25 pm

The biggest threat to the Heat is themselves

Ratchet_Rio · Post #7 » by **Ratchet_Rio** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 7:29 pm

Wade's health is the biggest threat. If he's healthy they'll 4-1 every team in the playoffs on the way to a 3rd straight title

RexBoyWonder · Post #8 » by **RexBoyWonder** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:11 pm

What is "Health" Alex.

I dont believe we lose a series to any team if our top 9 players are healthy during the playoffs.

TRG · Post #9 » by **TRG** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:54 pm

The Heat being healthy or not has nothing to do with with this thread... The Heat could go 82-0 in the regular season and there's still gonna be a team that has the greater chance than everyone else to pull of the upset.

Common guys.

Post #10 » by **LEIF** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:04 pm

Indiana and in my opinion it isn't even close......

They present a variety of challenges from Hibbert and West down low to PGeorge becoming probably the 2nd best two way player in the game (behind Lebron)...last year in the ECF they would really suffer when they went to their bench, they added a ton of depth this offseason in Scola, Watson, Granger back, Copeland etc. They literally made every single move this offseason trying to construct a roster that is tailor made for beating Miami.

that said if Wade is healthy and the rest of the team is firing on all cylinders they are heading toward a 3peat.

Post #11 » by **DefenseWins** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:09 pm

Second most votes to the Rocket's? Lol, this should just be about the East for now.

I'm going to go with teams who's greatest strengths are our weaknesses, and so far that's the Bull's and Pacers. I'd put the Pacers infront of the Bull's for now because the Pacers have gotten better and they took us to 7 games last year. The Bulls, it's all about health for them, they are always missing people or are injured (and it's the same players) EVERY year in the playoffs. So for now, the Pacers have the edge.

But honestly, the real threat to our season is Wade's knee's and just the overall health of our team.

edit : Man I forgot the guy's the Pacer's added... they got more better than I thought. Their weakness has always been offense and their bench just got better and I totally forgot about Scola and CJ Watson.

ifrosty13 · Post #12 » by **ifrosty13** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:12 pm

Indiana!

Didn't even have to thing twice about it.

TRG · Post #13 » by **TRG** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:20 pm

Yeah I'd like to hear some opinions from the people who voted for the Rockets as well.

Either that or we just have some Houston fans lurking this board.

RexBoyWonder · Post #14 » by **RexBoyWonder** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:27 pm

I'll have to go with Pacers, based on match up.

But they dont really scare me. I think Hibbert is way over-rated. If Oden could come back to life by then he could shut him down. Paul George had a great series against us last year but im still not sold on him being a great offensive player. Old man Scola isn't anything to fear either. I wouldn't be shocked if the Pacers lose to the Nets Or Bulls before we even meet them.

SweetTouch · Post #15 » by **SweetTouch** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:54 pm

Pacers were built to beat the Heatles

They were also built to lose to a Rose bulls

Phinsoverpats · Post #16 » by **Phinsoverpats** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:45 am

The miami heat....when healthy no one can beat them,when they're not healthy no one can beat them, it up to them if they want it or not

Sgt P · Post #17 » by **Sgt P** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:06 am

I did not vote because there was no option for Heat.

No team has a better chance of defeating the Heat but the Heat, themselves.

Chicago - they have not even gotten to a game 7 against Miami. Miami has a pretty good defense too.

Indy - while they are great series. I never felt we would have lost that series, not once. Even with the interior beating Miami got, the series was never in question. The officiating remained consistently unfavorable, Indy had no answer Miami spacing and they have yet to address that this off-season. ( Hilbert will only dominate even more but I don't see him avg more than 25/10) that won't win in a series against a team like Miami.

Spurs - the only reasonable answer. I would love to face them again for the 14 Finals.
I know everyone came back with the focus of fixing the holes. Bosh, Wade, Lebron will be even more efficient this upcoming season. Earlier talk of actually getting Bosh the ball, recall that Miami has not run plays for Bosh. Who has one the most deadliest mid Range jumpers. Pretty much opening the spacing by setting up the 3pt shots and driving lanes. You can only do with an effective alternative offensive play Bosh from elbow 18. Then the new wrinkle Spo is trying to add to ever changing offensive sets. I see too much effort that the only reason for failure would be health.

Bottom line they All want it. They will be on a pedestal none of the peers could approach.
We all seen the true Hate with that it makes so a great season. I kinda like drama so this is great.

Post #18 » by **DayofMourning** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:32 am

I think the Heat's biggest opponent is themselves. Other than that, I really enjoy the Warriors. Bogut is one of my fave players when healthy. Pair that with their excellent backcourt, and you've got a heckuva team. I'd love to see us play them in the Finals.

HeatNation88 · Post #19 » by **HeatNation88** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:57 am

It's going to be Indy their size and big's were consistent last year in the 3rd round to the playoffs which pushed us to the brink of elmination. Indy can play and are dangerous if Oden is healthy he will be a key factor going vs them. But no doubt i do see Miami beating Indy in the playoffs even with their size Indy lacks something the Heat have which is Chemistry and knowing how to finish the job.

krikor · Post #20 » by **krikor** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:22 am

Indy are big and dangerous.But they are also turnover prone which play to our hands.
OKC are very 1 on 1 team..that is rely on durant/westbrook to carry them.
I Feel the spurs remain toughest challenge. they play team basketball, pass the ball and do not commit turnovers all that much.
I am not sure on other teams.I feel brooklyn nets will be the joke of season..similar to lakers last year.They are too old.

Biggest threat to the Heat this season?