The Lebron Thread (2013-14 Pt. 1)

[toodles23]

Lebron's jumper has looked a little funky for most of this year. It's hard to nail down exactly what it is, but it just doesn't look as good as it did last season.

[GSP]

Alot looked great for Miami offensively tonight but defense continues to be a big problem. I dont buy that theyre coasting now they wanted to win that one. It seems like every other team has been dropping 60 at halftime against them.

SB do u have Heats performance with and without Wade?

[MisterHibachi]

How many different starting lineups has Miami started this year? No consistency from the lineups usually leads to defensive breakdowns.

[SideshowBob]

Alot looked great for Miami offensively tonight but defense continues to be a big problem. I dont buy that theyre coasting now they wanted to win that one. It seems like every other team has been dropping 60 at halftime against them.

SB do u have Heats performance with and without Wade?

I've removed the Portland game that Lebron missed.

Wade IN (28 G)

+5.86 SRS, +6.9 Offense, +0.2 Defense

Wade OUT (11 G)

-0.50 SRS, +5.0 Offense, +6.5 Defense

[MisterHibachi]

Wow @ +6.5 defense. smh. Miami misses Mike Miller.

[IG2]

Hmmm, I actually thought he looked fatigued all game today. Didn't really see the zip he had displayed the last couple of weeks(Wizards game notwithstanding). Clear reflection of the heavy minutes he has been playing this month, I think.

[JulesWinnfield]

Now that the 1 seed is looking more like a pipe dream every day, I'd love to see Indiana reel off some 67-68 win season, have everyone take notice and wax poetically until the cows come home, flip the dynamic and put the Heat in the role of underdog for once, and make the Pacers deal with the exterior expectations that will come from that. That's a new hat for them to wear and I think its a significant intangible. I still think Miami is the team with the higher ceiling

[MisterHibachi]

Miami will be never underdogs in the media as long as LeBron plays for them, regardless of whatever betting odds Vegas puts out. Yeah, they might pick the other team to win, but if the Heat lose, even if its predicted, then the **** storm that follows will be just as big if they lost as the favourites.

[JulesWinnfield]

Miami will be never underdogs in the media as long as LeBron plays for them, regardless of whatever betting odds Vegas puts out. Yeah, they might pick the other team to win, but if the Heat lose, even if its predicted, then the **** storm that follows will be just as big if they lost as the favourites.

I don't disagree. But im talking more about the Pacers than Miami. I want to see how they react to the expectations that will be placed on them for the very first time since this group has been put together, especially as a team who is led by a 23 year old. They're not a scrappy little underdog anymore in relation to Miami, not a team who can play the "we;re overlooked in small market Indiana" card. People are going to be all over their nuts in the playoffs. Let's see how they deal with that

[PaulieWal]

There is no doubt that Indiana is going to end with the #1 seed. That's a given. The flip side of that is that Miami is openly conceding the #1 seed BUT they better make sure they are healthy come playoff time or it will be difficult for LeBron to beat them almost by himself like last year.

Miami is struggling is a little bit more than San Antonio when they have Tim Duncan on the maintenance program as compared to Wade because SA is a better system team. While Miami has an offensive system, the Spurs play with more set plays and don't rely on one player to create for everyone else unlike Miami.

Whatever the reasons, Miami is drifting towards an extreme of coasting and they need to tighten up their defense a bit. Ultimately, it is a testament to how crap the East is that Miami with this coasting will win 55+ games easily.

[PaulieWal]

Miami will be never underdogs in the media as long as LeBron plays for them, regardless of whatever betting odds Vegas puts out. Yeah, they might pick the other team to win, but if the Heat lose, even if its predicted, then the **** storm that follows will be just as big if they lost as the favourites.

I don't disagree. But im talking more about the Pacers than Miami. I want to see how they react to the expectations that will be placed on them for the very first time since this group has been put together, especially as a team who is led by a 23 year old. They're not a scrappy little underdog anymore in relation to Miami, not a team who can play the "we;re overlooked in small market Indiana" card. People are going to be all over their nuts in the playoffs. Let's see how they deal with that

For now I think they are doing fine. They have boldly proclaimed that in the RS their goal is to win the #1 seed. If I am not wrong, PG said last week that if they have HCA they will beat Miami. I am surprised it didn't become a bigger story but my point is that this team plays with confidence. I think they will be fine but there is a chance that once they get to ECF as the favorites they may feel the heat (no pun intended).

[MisterHibachi]

Honestly, home court in ECF isn't even a big deal. The work is grinding 82 games, and the reward is one potential game 7 at home. There's also the pressure to win the first 2 games, which is just very unlikely for either team. If Indiana works all season to get a potential game 7 at home, but loses game 1 or 2, then all the work in getting the 1st seed goes down the drain. Well except I guess for the habits built.

[JulesWinnfield]

Ive been saying this all season, but to me this is playing out like 93 Knicks-Bulls. Back when Chicago was similarly going for their first 3peat as Miami bids for now. Much like Miami-Indy last season, the Bulls had played the Knicks the year before (92) in the playoffs with the Knicks surprisingly taking Chicago to 7. NY Built off that going into the next year, made the 1 seed an open goal, got it done, just like Indiana looks likely to do this season. Chicago, as Miami is doing now, had a rather underwhelming regular season the year of the 3peat bid, and a lot of people were on that Knick bandwagon heading into that series.

Just like in 1993, the champs for various reasons have not been as consistent night to night, but they still have a different gear than the challenger. I think we'll see that this spring, And the fact that they are big game stamped cannot be overlooked. They have the hardware to show it. Indiana with expectations is an unknown

[PaulieWal]

I agree with you both, the #1 seed doesn't mean much when it's two elite teams like Indiana-Miami. Indiana can talk about game 7 being in Miami last year but the fact is Miami showed it's different gear which no other team has and Indiana had no answer. I feel confident saying Miami would have won that game even in Indiana just like they won against Boston down 3-2 in 2012.

[JordansBulls]

Now that the 1 seed is looking more like a pipe dream every day, I'd love to see Indiana reel off some 67-68 win season, have everyone take notice and wax poetically until the cows come home, flip the dynamic and put the Heat in the role of underdog for once, and make the Pacers deal with the exterior expectations that will come from that. That's a new hat for them to wear and I think its a significant intangible. I still think Miami is the team with the higher ceiling

Well truth be told Miami did go the distance in back to back years even while having HCA and even was down 3-2 in the East the first year with it. Indy getting HCA would be a major difference here. Sure I would expect both teams to split the first two games no matter where, but I also expect them to split the next 2 games as well. I see it being 2-2 going to a game 5.
But then again don't want to bring this up but the Bulls are pretty much able to be the 3rd seed. If Rose comes back now Miami may have a battle to deal with in round 2 if they stay the #2 seed and Chicago the #3 seed.

[PCProductions]

Now that the 1 seed is looking more like a pipe dream every day, I'd love to see Indiana reel off some 67-68 win season, have everyone take notice and wax poetically until the cows come home, flip the dynamic and put the Heat in the role of underdog for once, and make the Pacers deal with the exterior expectations that will come from that. That's a new hat for them to wear and I think its a significant intangible. I still think Miami is the team with the higher ceiling

Well truth be told Miami did go the distance in back to back years even while having HCA and even was down 3-2 in the East the first year with it. Indy getting HCA would be a major difference here. Sure I would expect both teams to split the first two games no matter where, but I also expect them to split the next 2 games as well. I see it being 2-2 going to a game 5.
But then again don't want to bring this up but the Bulls are pretty much able to be the 3rd seed. If Rose comes back now Miami may have a battle to deal with in round 2 if they stay the #2 seed and Chicago the #3 seed.

Except the Heat completely trashed the Bulls on opening night when they were motivated. The Bulls with or without Rose are a non-threat.

[JordansBulls]

Now that the 1 seed is looking more like a pipe dream every day, I'd love to see Indiana reel off some 67-68 win season, have everyone take notice and wax poetically until the cows come home, flip the dynamic and put the Heat in the role of underdog for once, and make the Pacers deal with the exterior expectations that will come from that. That's a new hat for them to wear and I think its a significant intangible. I still think Miami is the team with the higher ceiling

Well truth be told Miami did go the distance in back to back years even while having HCA and even was down 3-2 in the East the first year with it. Indy getting HCA would be a major difference here. Sure I would expect both teams to split the first two games no matter where, but I also expect them to split the next 2 games as well. I see it being 2-2 going to a game 5.
But then again don't want to bring this up but the Bulls are pretty much able to be the 3rd seed. If Rose comes back now Miami may have a battle to deal with in round 2 if they stay the #2 seed and Chicago the #3 seed.

Except the Heat completely trashed the Bulls on opening night when they were motivated. The Bulls with or without Rose are a non-threat.

The Bulls then proceeded to trash Miami as well a few weeks later.

[PCProductions]

The Bulls then proceeded to trash Miami as well a few weeks later.

The Bulls were very motivated and certainly outplayed the Heat that game. But, let's be honest, when both teams want it, like you would expect in a playoff series, this Bulls team can't compete. Rose or no Rose, this ain't their year to give the 2 time champs any trouble in the post-season.

[SideshowBob]

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