Miami Heat Regular Season Thread 21-22 Vol. 4

[AirP.]

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[greg4012]

Context matters as to why last season's playoffs happened.

Divining anything from games where we played against team's benches and got blown out while on a clear slide and not matching effort is a waste of time IMO.

I'm just seeing way too much weight placed on things like the recent skid when it should not at all translate to playoff bball

Teams that go into the playoffs on a skid dont typically flip a switch. Its reasonable that fans would have trepidation about certain matchups based on that losing streak.

And is Miami on a skid?

If you ask me, the vets in Miami have basically been waiting for playoffs to start for the past month

[Kobewade11]

If you ask me, the vets in Miami have basically been waiting for playoffs to start for the past month

If thats how you choose to rationalize it then cool, we’ll soon find out what they’ve really been waiting on.

[Tony15]

Interesting you ignored his question about whether Miami is on skid. Pessimism is fine, but using the L4 streak as a reason for it is kinda suspect considering it preceded a current winning streak. Hell, BKN's lost 3 out of the last 4 and we took 3/4 games against them.....yet here folks are concerned about them (mind you, it isn't hard to get why). Long story short, regular season means very little in the grand scheme of things.

[Kobewade11]

Interesting you ignored his question about whether Miami is on skid. Pessimism is fine, but using the L4 streak as a reason for it is kinda suspect considering it preceded a current winning streak. Hell, BKN's lost 3 out of the last 4 and we took 3/4 games against them.....yet here folks are concerned about them (mind you, it isn't hard to get why). Long story short, regular season means very little in the grand scheme of things.

Im sure greg appreciates you jumping in. I didnt say the team was actively on a skid, I said the recent skid was one of the primary reasons - along with the fact that we do not have the two scorers that a lot of the top tier teams we’ll face have, that some fans dont believe this team can reach the same gear that others can.

In the grand scheme, we’ll see what this team is really about very soon. No better match up to really find out than Brooklyn if you ask me.

[RexBoyWonder]

the reason some heat fans are iffy about this playoff run is that we're a very unusual team.

We dont have the classic megastar most contenders in history had. We're undersized. We dont have a proven go-to scorer in money time.

We can go all the way, but it won't be a conventional championship. We have to prove its doable with this type of team.

[Kobewade11]

the reason some heat fans are iffy about this playoff run is that we're a very unusual team.

We dont have the classic megastar most contenders in history had. We're undersized. We dont have a proven go-to scorer in money time.

We can go all the way, but it won't be a conventional championship. We have to prove its doable with this type of team.

Exactly. And there really isnt a precedent. Those 2014 spurs or championship pistons might be the closest comp in terms of scoring distribution. The eye test says we arent the well oiled machine the Spurs were, and we certainly arent the defensive juggernaut the Pistons were. Its just tough getting to that peak without that go to guy, or multiple go to guys. Homers have to understand that.

[greg4012]

the reason some heat fans are iffy about this playoff run is that we're a very unusual team.

We dont have the classic megastar most contenders in history had. We're undersized. We dont have a proven go-to scorer in money time.

We can go all the way, but it won't be a conventional championship. We have to prove its doable with this type of team.

Exactly. And there really isnt a precedent. Those 2014 spurs or championship pistons might be the closest comp in terms of scoring distribution. The eye test says we arent the well oiled machine the Spurs were, and we certainly arent the defensive juggernaut the Pistons were. Its just tough getting to that peak without that go to guy, or multiple go to guys. Homers have to understand that.

Do non-homers also have to understand? Or does measured optimism that this Miami Heat team can compete with anyone inherently make one a homer?

[Kobewade11]

Do non-homers also have to understand? Or does measured optimism that this Miami Heat team can compete with anyone inherently make one a homer?

I believe this Miami Heat team can compete with anyone in the field Gregory. I dont consider myself a homer.

[greg4012]

Do non-homers also have to understand? Or does measured optimism that this Miami Heat team can compete with anyone inherently make one a homer?

I believe this Miami Heat team can compete with anyone in the field Gregory. I dont consider myself a homer.

Good stuff Kolbert!

[harlem_ball]

East is wiiiiide open. It's a weakened Bucks team as defending champs and then everyone else.

The Suns look like the heavy favorite but we beat them pretty good for a game so you never know.

Plus, injuries are more of a factor than ever lately.

Heat have a shot.

[Tony15]

Interesting you ignored his question about whether Miami is on skid. Pessimism is fine, but using the L4 streak as a reason for it is kinda suspect considering it preceded a current winning streak. Hell, BKN's lost 3 out of the last 4 and we took 3/4 games against them.....yet here folks are concerned about them (mind you, it isn't hard to get why). Long story short, regular season means very little in the grand scheme of things.

Im sure greg appreciates you jumping in. I didnt say the team was actively on a skid, I said the recent skid was one of the primary reasons - along with the fact that we do not have the two scorers that a lot of the top tier teams we’ll face have, that some fans dont believe this team can reach the same gear that others can.

In the grand scheme, we’ll see what this team is really about very soon. No better match up to really find out than Brooklyn if you ask me.

The superstar point is a valid one....just note that we went to the Finals not too long ago with the same two lead players, and with a worse roster.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather not deal with Kyrie/KD in Round 1 either....I simply took issue with the skid being hoisted as THE reason for concern, which is how your post came off to me.

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[HeatIn5]

We have a shot guys.

Everyone is going to have to come through Miami and that’s best case scenario.

Now we fight

[harlem_ball]

We have a shot guys.

Everyone is going to have to come through Miami and that’s best case scenario.

Now we fight

Get the strippers ready. Every distraction is an edge.

[somerandomdude]

If Nets take the 7th seed, this is an awesome bracket for us.

Nets a have 2-1 series lead against the Cavs, so the next game they play against them will be VERY important and could seal them as HCA in the Play-In.

[3ballbomber]

If you ask me, the vets in Miami have basically been waiting for playoffs to start for the past month

I saw it the same way. Lowry & Jimmy checked out for a stretch. Lowry exerting less energy looking for his shot - Passing instead, which takes less effort. Jimmy surrendered his sense of urgency during same stretch. Post in-game scuffle both flipped a switch & turned it on. Both playing fantastic w/ solid efficiency. We're ready!

Team reminds me a lot of '04 Pistons - Play as a team, deep, focus on D & have no real super-star/prolific scorer. Let's see if we can replicate their success.

[twix2500]

During this 5 game win streak Jimmy Butler been playing at an MVP level. The 3p% has been insane from everyone including Butler.
Lowry has picked up his game. Raised his fga by taking away shots from Herro and Bam, while both maintaining high percentages. Bam has uptick his mid-range jump shots fga.

Strus and Robinson dominating the 3 pt shooting attempts and role. Vincent and Tucker shooting well but has sacrificed attempts to Strus and Duncan while maintaining high percentages.

Team Core
________________________________________

Jimmy Butler - 25 pts, 5 rbs, 5.8 ast , 60% fg%, 46.7% 3p%, 14.5 fga

Tyler Herro - 20.8 pts, 7.2 rbs, 4.8 ast, 48.1% fg%, 52.8% 3pt%, 15.8 fga

Bam Adebayo - 18.6 pts, 10.4 rbs, 3.2 ast, 61.4% fg%, 11.4 fga

Kyle Lowry - 16.8 pts, 8.5 ast, 53% fg%, 52% fg%, 9.8 fga

3pt Specialist Role players
___________________________________________

Max Strus - 13.4 pts, 50% 3p%, 7.2 3pa
Duncan Robinson - 9.8 pts, 46.9% 3p%, 6.4 3pa
Gabe Vincent - 5 pts , 44.4% 3p%, 2.3 3pa
P.J. Tucker - 5 pts, 50% 3p%, 1.0 3pa

Roler/Slasher Defensive Specialist (3 games and less)
__________________________________________

Dwayne Dedmon - 9.7 pts, 66.7% fg%, 4.3 rbs, 0.7 blks, 3 games played
Caleb Martin - 8.0 pts 42% fg%, 50% 3p%, 3 3pa. 1 stl, 2 blk, 2 games played
Victor Oladipo - 21 pts, 9.0 3pa, 66.7% 3p%, 2 stls, 1 game played.


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[HeatingUp3]

I really hope the Mets finish 7th and play the Bucks. They will get tired and we'll have a better matchup in the 1st round.

[Kobewade11]

The superstar point is a valid one....just note that we went to the Finals not too long ago with the same two lead players, and with a worse roster.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather not deal with Kyrie/KD in Round 1 either....I simply took issue with the skid being hoisted as THE reason for concern, which is how your post came off to me.

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We have a better team, the East is also a lot tougher. It remains to be seen if our ‘top 2’ guys can duplicate those performances outside of the bubble environment, we’re going to need it if we have any hope of contending.

[DayofMourning]

I really hope the Mets finish 7th and play the Bucks. They will get tired and we'll have a better matchup in the 1st round.

And if the Mets come out of that series, I hope they match up against the Chiefs or Bills.