The Miami Heat Clash With Rose and His Thorns

Sunday couldn't get here quick enough if you are a Heat fan, Bulls fan, B-Ball fan, even the purists want to see these two great teams duel. In a battle of defense and offensive execution, Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat enter Sunday's game with business on their minds. They face league MVP, Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. The energy around this series is already  filling the United Center and the number one seeded Bulls are underdogs in Vegas. Miami is favored to win but Chicago is formidable and has the home court advantage.


There are many story lines in this match up, including the battle of the last two MVP's. James and Rose will have to play up to MVP quality for their respective teams to advance to the NBA Finals. Rose has been the most explosive guard in the league and his quickness and finishing at the rim will be on display on Sunday. As for James, last years MVP, he can make his detractors swallow their opinions and criticisms by having a great series and leading his team to the Finals. Stopping Rose from penetreating is the Heat' number one priority and forcing him to pass the ball. Miami' defense will have their hands full, but Chalmers and Bibby will be band aids until the final minutes when Wade or James will be covering the MVP. Loul Deng draws James as his defensive check and Deng has played James well, but rarely has he slowed him. Deng is long and quick, and gets help regularly leaving shooters open and James usually finds his mark.


Miami' bench has taken many hits this season, as most NBA fans haven't really seen many Miami games, like us native South Floridians have. The bench has played well in spurts and in stretches, missing Haslem certainly didn't help and Mike Miller' injury didn't either. James Jones and Mario "Lucky Chalms" Chalmers have both given the Heat the help they have needed offensively throughout the season. Chalmers will be of upmost importance in this series, a Chicago fan and Jordan fan, Chalms knows that his presence on defense and at the point can alter this series. Jones will get his shots and can drain them as well as put the ball back into rotation to look for the opn man on the weakside. Bibby and Miller if contributing can be key in helping the bench make an impact on the game, Miller especially can add a dimension that the heat havent had since he hurt his thumbs. The main influence off the bench will be Joel Anthony and his defensive versatility and energy, he will have to match Noah' energy and keep himself out of foul trouble. Anthony is a beast on defense and his shot altering and blocking will be needed. His rebounding in this series will be of the upmost importance, since the Bulls are a great rebounding team. Miami' bench will have to step up and play the game like they have all year.


Miami enters Sunday night with a motivation and focus that it has had since the Allstar break. Lead by James and Wade since the break, Miami has made significant strides this season both defensively and offensively. The Heatles have impressed despite the monumental expectations and have handled the scutiny and most of their critics by using the criticisms as fuel and focus. Rivers was correct in his analysis at the Celtics post game press conference, he knew the media and fans constant judgment and quibbles would only inspire the Heat more. Eric Spoelstra has an opportunity to elevate his team to a new level, by making the adjustments and roster moves to quell the Bulls game plan. I have been impressed with his consistency and his ability to find the opposing teams weakness and exploit it. Adjusments, adjustments, and more adjustments they will be define these first two games, Miami will look to steal one and it probably will be game two.


The Bulls are no slouches and present the Heat with many problems offensively, but Miami' coaching and superior talent still hold the upper hand. Miami' defense will have to create turn overs and force the ball from Rose' hands. Lacking a consistent second scorer can be the Bulls down fall, unless Deng or Boozer step up, but Miami will be there in their face, and Miami won't fail to capitalize on their mistakes. Bosh will be more important than ever, his aggressiveness both offensively and defensively can sway the game in Miami' favor. Bosh must establish his jumper early to set up his driving to the lane effectively and regardless of his offensive output, his rebounding and defense will be more needed anyways.


Real Heat fans are Wade fans, Wade is an icon in Miami and his skill set and heart will forever be admired by Heat fans. His experience and will, plus his incredible physical attributes put him in a league of his own around the league. While others receive individual accolades, D Wade has silently been one of the more consistent scorers and defenders since entering the league. The Miami heat will go as far as Dwayne Tyrone Wade takes them, with him leading the way, Miami will go far, Miami in 6. Nothing but net.....

Since the Break, No Ones Hotter than Heat

James is shooting 56% since Allstar break

Now that the regular season is drawing to an end. The Heatles enter their final game vs the Raptors tonight and will most likely end the season 34 games above .500. Second in the Eastern Conference 4 games behind only the Chicago Bulls, the presumptive favorites to reach the finals as per most analysts.
Taking a look at the season from the All Star break though The Heatles have been HOT! Since the break James and Wade have elevated their games to new levels and no one has been more efficient. Since the break James is shooting 56% from the field while averaging 28 points per game to lead the league. Wade is not far behind at 26 points per game shooting a 50% clip from the field. Chris Bosh has also stepped up contributing 19 points and 9 boards per game. The Heatles have shown the league their offense can score, but more notably with high efficiency.
The Miami Heat is getting the shots that they want. Their ball rotation and recent addition of James/Wade pick and roll and James posting up more, have allowed Miami' offense to spread the floor and attack the rim. Wade has been a defensive juggernaut he leads all guards in blocks on the season and leads Noah, Amare, and Gasol in blocks since the break in blocks. He shut down Kobe and Ray Allen in key games and has almost 2 steals a game since the break. James leads all SF since the break in points and rebounds. Wade leads all SG in offensive boards and is only second to Iguadala by mere % points in rebounds since the break. Wade is also second in FTA/game since the break. The LeWade tandem is destroying rims and defenses since the break and have elevated their games to new levels together. Many analysts questioned whether they can share the ball, Erik Spolstra has proven the naysayers wrong.
The end of this regular season brings the Miami Heat one step closer to their ultimate goal, a World Championship. The Heatles enter the playoffs sizzling on offense and stifling on defense and their two stars are leading the way.
There are some things Miami must do though if they want to represent the East in the Finals. First, is limit their turnovers, Miami has 17 TO/game in April and James is second in the league in turnovers. Miami' new and improved offensive ball rotation has created more high percentage shots, but has also created more turnovers. Turnovers in the playoffs, where possessions are critical and must be curtailed. Miami' other glaring issue is free throws, Miami as a team is shooting 77% from the stripe, not awful, but in comparison to Oklahoma who shoots 82% with just as many attempts, Miami is found wanting. Both Wade and James avg. 8 FT/game and are both are shooting 75% from the stripe. In the post season, where every point counts, Miami' two rim muggers better step up on the stripe if they want to advance.
The Heatles have been a true pleasure to watch all season long. The highlight reel this year will be long, but not as long as the line of critics the Heat have faced. Miami Heat fans knew they were getting one of the best players in Lebron James, but but more surprising was his maturity. While facing adversity and criticism all the way from the famed"decision", Lebron James has carried himself like a true gentleman. He changed his game, he shared the responsibility, and all while facing constant boos and haters. Dwayne Wade Miami' slighted MVP, has been equally impressive. Wade showed the league that two superstars minus the egos can coexist and succeed. That level of maturity may carry the Heatles to the Eastern Conference Championship and to the Finals. Nothing but net..