I Knew This Team Looked Familiar...

[RJM]

Let's face it. We're on the third year of a three-year championship run. We're tired. Guys are hurt. Players are older. That old spark seems missing. But I'm reminded of a team that struggled to finish out the season despite finishing close to the top of the Eastern Conference, only to defy the seeming odds and make it to Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Yes, I'm talking about the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics that finished 50-32.

That season, Boston started strong with a 32-18 after injury prevented a return to the NBA Finals in 2008-2009. However, age and injuries started to take its toll, finishing with an 18-14 record after the All Star Break. During this time, they seemed vulnerable entering the playoffs, dropping games to teams they had no business losing to during this run. Nevertheless, they defied the odds and turned back the clock, tearing through the Eastern Conference in the playoffs and pushing the defending champion Lakers to Game 7.

Miami started off eerily in the same manner, powering its way to a 37-14 record before resting at the All Star Break. However, since then, age and injuries have started to take its toll, and Miami is currently 17-11 with about two games to play if I'm not mistaken. Boston limped into the playoffs and powered its way through, while Miami, despite recent struggles that have frustrated everyone, now has Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem back in action. Despite all of these things,

Miami appears poised for a solid run, assuming the veterans bring it in the playoffs.

We're limping into the playoffs. Oden hasn't been seen in weeks, we're struggling with that killer instinct that brought us two titles, and nagging injuries have given us problems, and so on. We're likely going to get the #2 seed assuming we win out and Indiana loses at least one more game. We are primed to win the Eastern Conference with the standings as they are right now. As the #2 seed, we will be matched up with Charlotte, followed by the winner of the Wizards-Bulls series.

Meanwhile, Indiana will have to deal with Atlanta and then the winner of the Raptors=Bulls series. Sure, it's a mixed bag, but Miami will be challenged appropriately. Boston was forced to respond to the challenges they faced, starting with an annoying HEAT team, then a conference-leading Cavaliers team, then a confused Magic team. Boston faced the best the Eastern Conference had to offer, yet still had enough left to face a strong Lakers squad.

Miami will have the same test. The added advantage is that Miami will have the best player in the world on their side. They will have a player limited by a bad knee(s) like Boston did, but their third man will not disappoint from the field when needed. This team is primed to become the victorious edition of the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics. There, I finally said it. The playoffs start in a few days, and we have two games to go.

Are you ready?

[HEAT111]

I thought you were going to mention the 1993 Bulls lol.

[krikor]

it could be spoelstra and team felt last year 27 game win streak took lot energy.

I am pretty confident make nba finals, and if we get okc we got title in bag.
if we get a spurs, it will be a fight in 6 - 7 games.

[Vertical Limit]

I made that comparison during that long losing streak we had.. unfortunately that's what we'll have to hope happens...And as I said I think we're the best team in the East but the gap is closing fast... not sure we're the best team in the league though, but I think we'll end up in the Finals' anyways and have a shot at it again.

[Vertical Limit]

I made that comparison during that long losing streak we had.. unfortunately that's what we'll have to hope happens...And as I said I think we're the best team in the East but the gap is closing fast... not sure we're the best team in the league though, but I think we'll end up in the Finals' anyways and have a shot at it again.

[dolphinatik]

naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Celtics played team ball. Our only problem is that we force feed our offense to 2 stars when they are active and it bottlenecks the team. This team is way better than the Celtics were when we play right. The last few games without Wade where we let Lebron play off the ball were a joy to watch. PGs were driving swing the ball around, players were cutting and we were getting shots from everywhere on the court where players were comfortable taking them and Lebron still got his in the flow of the game. We had energy on both ends as a result. Players were not reduced to bailout spot up 3 point shots. This is all on coaching and gameplan. The last shot the Celtics had they were totally in it against the Lakers until Paul Pierce got greedy and stopped sharing the ball in the 4th and they lost. As much as I despised the Celtics I did like thier multi angle attack where even Perkins and Baby looked like a weapon on the floor. We need to get over ourselves and get this championship.

[RJM]

I would have used the 1993 Bulls/Knicks as an example, but New York finished the season very strong that season. The Knicks went 26-6 after the All Star Break and the Bulls went 22-8. Both teams finished a bit better than the HEAT/Pacers are finishing.

Fun Fact: The Indiana Pacers are 14-14 since the All Star Break. They've been playing .500 ball. They just might be the "confused" team in this analogy.

[Destructor]

Any chance we win the title AND Spo gets fired?

[QUIZ]

Any chance we win the title AND Spo gets fired?

Spo is not going anywhere both Pat Riley and the Heat believe that a team needs a constant voice/message and they've talked about how sad it is that Spoelstra is the second longest tenured coach in the NBA. As long as Riley is here Spo stays and even after he retires I doubt Spo is going anywhere regardless of his issues the Heat have won 2 out of the last 3 titles and the Heat have a chance to be the first team in the common era to make 4 straight NBA finals. He has been incredibly successful whether you think that's thanks to him or the players is irrelevant he's here for the long haul.

[Sign5]

^ That's the thing, a team with Wade, LeBron and Bosh would be predicted to be a dynasty with practically any nba worthy coach. Even before LeBosh came, you always hear JVG and co talk about how Spo never missed the playoffs and how he coached the Heat from a team that won 15- 44 or w.e it was. When all Heat fans know that it was a healthy Wade being arguably the best player in the league leading the Heat to those victories.

But hey, that's what winning does.

[QUIZ]

^ That's the thing, a team with Wade, LeBron and Bosh would be predicted to be a dynasty with practically any nba worthy coach. Even before LeBosh came, you always hear JVG and co talk about how Spo never missed the playoffs and how he coached the Heat from a team that won 15- 44 or w.e it was. When all Heat fans know that it was a healthy Wade being arguably the best player in the league leading the Heat to those victories.

But hey, that's what winning does.

Regardless I'm happy with the way the Heat have treated Spo they could have easily pulled a Lakers type move and fired Spo after the 9-8 start but they didn't they chose to stick with him and it worked out.

[RJM]

Spo won 43 and 47 games with this team before Miami came to town. The following seasons, he would win 58, 46 (out of 66 games), 66, and now 54-55 games. Damned good coaching. An upward trend were it not for injuries and personnel holes.

[DWadeno3]

Spo won 43 and 47 games with this team before Miami came to town. The following seasons, he would win 58, 46 (out of 66 games), 66, and now 54-55 games. Damned good coaching. An upward trend were it not for injuries and personnel holes.

An upward trend mainly caused by his coaching or mainly caused by our (vastly) improved roster? I'm not somebody to frame Spoelstra as a bad coach, I respect his work with us and know that coaches are always the ones who receive criticism that lacks any substance. But your counter argument isn't really reasonable either.

[RJM]

Spo won 43 and 47 games with this team before Miami came to town. The following seasons, he would win 58, 46 (out of 66 games), 66, and now 54-55 games. Damned good coaching. An upward trend were it not for injuries and personnel holes.

An upward trend mainly caused by his coaching or mainly caused by our (vastly) improved roster? I'm not somebody to frame Spoelstra as a bad coach, I respect his work with us and know that coaches are always the ones who receive criticism that lacks any substance. But your counter argument isn't really reasonable either.

Counter? No, good sir. Merely stating facts. The roster was improved, yes, but he knew what he was doing with a team that didn't have too much the season before. Three games removed from 50 wins is no accident. Very well-respected around the league. Riley wasn't exactly a prodigy out of the gate. But he's the guy most people want now.

[Heat3]

Any chance we win the title AND Spo gets fired?

that sounds like something the knicks would do. why fire a guy that is winning championships? you want regular season titles and flame outs in the playoffs like the Bulls and Pacers?

[DWadeno3]

Spo won 43 and 47 games with this team before Miami came to town. The following seasons, he would win 58, 46 (out of 66 games), 66, and now 54-55 games. Damned good coaching. An upward trend were it not for injuries and personnel holes.

An upward trend mainly caused by his coaching or mainly caused by our (vastly) improved roster? I'm not somebody to frame Spoelstra as a bad coach, I respect his work with us and know that coaches are always the ones who receive criticism that lacks any substance. But your counter argument isn't really reasonable either.

Counter? No, good sir. Merely stating facts. The roster was improved, yes, but he knew what he was doing with a team that didn't have too much the season before. Three games removed from 50 wins is no accident. Very well-respected around the league. Riley wasn't exactly a prodigy out of the gate. But he's the guy most people want now.

Facts to prove his good coaching while not considering the circumstances his success came under. He had a prime Wade in 08/09 and 09/10 in a weak east, that alone is good enough to make the postseason. Given the fact that he had several players on expiring contracts looking for a last payday (JO, Q-Rich, Dorell Wright) and you know why the team performed the way it did.

[theFRANCHISE]

if they fire him, who do they replace him with?