The Heatles Must Protect Home Court

Miami Heat Mural by Serge Toussaint in Wynwood, Miami

After game one ended on Sunday evening, the Celtic's learned what Miami fans already knew, this is not the same team you beat in the regular season. Miami has made strides all season, but failed to be as consistent as they could of been. The Heat are now demonstrating the poise and experience to knock off the defending champs. With Sunday's victory Miami should be confident, but weary of a veteran team that won't just go away.

The Miami Heat knew their paths would meet and many suspect that Miami has been waiting for this series all year. Miami has evolved into a team, yes I said it, a team. As the Boston Celtic's found out in game 1, Miami has a defense that can stifle even the most efficient offense in the league. Holding the Celtic leaders like Garnett and Pierce to a sub par shooting night. Miami' line up of Wade, James, Bosh, Chalmers, and Anthony crushed every Boston run in game 1. Defense on a string is Miami' philosophy all season and that string will have to be reinforced and lengthened for game two and a more determined Boston team.

The keys to the game are quite simple limit clean looks, close out the lane for Rondo, and don't allow Allen  to shoot undefended. Miami did a good job of limiting Garnett and Rondo on Sunday, both will look to improve their performances. Miami can use the Celtic' aggressiveness against them by taking their time on offense in the half court and making the extra pass. Also pushing the ball and creating miss matches and forcing Boston to defend. Boston will not double or James and Wade will dish to open shooters. Boston will stay home on Jones this game, but I smell a decoy. The extra pass will stretch the floor and make Boston run around more than their old legs want. Miami must be aggressive and patient, allowing Boston to dictate the pace could backfire on the Heat.

Dwayne Wade played a smart game on Sunday and made some great decisions that helped Miami' offense by spreading the defense. Boston had no answer for Wade and will look to limit his open looks. The Bibby' and Chalmers' of Sunday, must step up and force Rondo away from his comfort zones. Rondo was too aggressive on Sunday and won't make the same mistakes, but that said, Chalmers must take him to the rim and draw fouls on him when the lane opens up. Chalmers is my sleeper for this game, his defense is his strength, but he can shoot and will. James Jones will have a bullseye on him all game, that will allow James to drive more than last game and he has been licking his chops. James wants this series win as does Wade, both have been booted by Boston and no one knows Boston better than these two. I see James being very aggressive tonight, both driving to the rim and posting up.

The bench has been Miami' achilles heel for most of the season as per most analysts, but they have proved their true worth. Jones of course had a great offensive impact in game 1, but the real strength of the bench is defense. Joel Anthony has played great for the second half of the season, his energy and presence in the paint keep opponents honest. Mike Miller was quiet in game 1 with no points, but had 3 assists and 3 boards. His game could help Miami spread the floor more and give the Heat one more weapon.

Miami cannot become complacent in game two. Miami made more turnovers than the Celtics in game one and the defensive stops bailed them out. Miami cannot miss free throws or give up offensive rebounds, not versus a scorned veteran team like Boston. Miami out hustled the Celtics in game one and must multiply that effort. Jeff Green' points of the bench kept Boston in the game and he must be checked in this game. Miami' effort and defense quelled ever Boston run on Sunday, they must repeat that performance to succeed and to earn the respect they deserve. To be champions, you must beat champions and Miami knows it. Nothing but net.....  

The Celtics Can't Beat The Miami Heat

Wade had the Hot Hand vs the Celtics

The Boston Celtic's are a great franchise with remarkable history and had the experience factor, but Miami showed more poise and execution today. Paul Pierce and his lake of composure cost the Celtic's an opportunity to make yet another run, after Miami quelled all the previous ones. Dwayne Wade' performance today only solidified his playoff legacy. Miami' defense was quicker and more aggressive than Boston' today, and I repeat today. 


After both teams got acclimated in the first and Miami captured the lead that they would not relinquish. Dwayne Wade got the Heatles off to a great start. Miami played excellent defense on Rondo using Bibby no less and he slowed Boston' offensive catalyst down with good point guard play, yes I said it. The biggest mistake in this game went to Rondo, with James on the break and him with a foul already, Rondo tied James up and drew the foul. He only accomplished to put himself on the bench and give away the Celtic's strength, himself. 


Miami wasn't as efficient as they could of been shooting 47%, but Miami' three point specialist James Jone came through with a tremendous performance. His calm and composed behavior was a bigger asset than his shooting and his 25 points. With Paul Pierce in his face, Jones stood his ground and made Pierce loose his composure and it cost him with a technical. His head butt on James was unnecessary and was a foolish play by Pierce. He was later tossed for yet another technical, after setting a moving pick on Wade, yet another foolish play.


Lebron James contributed 22 points, 6 boards, and 5 assists to help the Heat maintain their lead and never loose it. James' defense on Paul Pierce had 19 points and 7 boards. Miami did a good job on Ray Allen for most of the game, but Allen can just flat out shoot, his 25 points lead Boston while he shot 5 of 8 from three point land. The Boston defense was tested today by the Heat's superior athleticism and outside shooters. Miami' could not count on Chris Bosh offensively today his jumper was not there, but his 12 boards and solid defense where important in limiting Boston on the glass. Miami demonstrated to the league that they are for real.


Dwayne Wade proved yet again what most Heat fans already knew, he's a scoring machine when his jumper is falling. Wade pushed the Celtic defense to it's limit and found his game along the way, finding teammates off the ball for 5 dimes. When Wade plays like this he is unstoppable, but Miami fans already knew this. His 38 points, 3 steals, and only 2 turnovers allowed Miami' shooters to pop 3's and opened the floor for Lebron to drive to the hoop.


The Heatles know they had some issues like missed FT's and poor shot selection at times. Boston made a 10-0 run to begin the third and Miami failed to stop them or make a shot. Big Z has played well in games where his jumper is hitting, but his defense has cost Miami. After Bibby' poor series versus Philly, he played well today and hit a big open shot. Miami' bench stepped up and out played the Celtic bench, which most heralded (Big Baby). Jeff Green was the lone bright spot for the Celtics, well see more of him in this series. 


Miami played well enough to win and cannot become complacent, Boston is a veteran team and will try to steal game 2. Miami must defend the home court and put the pressure on Boston at the Garden. Boston isn't done by any stretch and will come out hungry and aggressive. Miami showed that the April 10th game was no fluke and Boston showed they are a step slower, but can't be dismissed, not yet. Nothing but Net.....

The MIami Heat Face Yet One More Test, Themselves.

Miami enters tonights game at the triple A, versus the Philadelphia 76ers with thoughts of round two in the back of their collective heads. Miami' nemesis the Boston Celtics defending Eastern Conf. Champions are already home game planning and resting tired bones. The Heatles look to finish off the Sixers and move on to round 2. First the Heat must figure out somethings that have become obstacles in their progression as a team, no not who the closer is, Miami' largest hurdle is themselves.

There is only do or do not, there is no try

Lebron James and Chris Bosh joined the Miami Heat to win rings and Dwayne Wade is the only player East or West, not playing for Los Angeles, Boston, or San Antonio with a World Championship win. Down 2-0 vs the Mavs, he put the team on his back, coming back to steal Dallas' lunch money and parade budget, but he did not do it by himself. Wade was part of a club with multiple Hall of Fame players including Shaq, Alonso Mourning, and Gary "The Glove" Payton all of whom contributed to the Championship run at some point. Wade looks to James and Bosh to contribute with similar performances.

Chris Bosh has never won a playoff series as the star player for the Toronto Raptors and Lebron James took his team to the NBA Finals after many years of failure in the early rounds. James' and Bosh' failures to achieve their goal of winning an NBA Championship can be seen as a failure, but failure is the greatest of motivators. In the world of sports psychology, Attribution theory seeks to explain how an individual’s perceived reasons for past success and failure contribute to their current and future motivation and success. The theory revolves around four causal attributions: ability, effort, task difficulty, and luck. Each is characterized as stable or unstable, internal or external, and controllable or uncontrollable.

James is widely regarded as the most physically gifted players with an incredible basketball IQ. His effort has been questioned by fans and his former owner alike. Last year with Cleveland, James was accused quitting on his teammates and has heard chants of Lequit, Lebum, and Lebrick, all due to his perceived failure wether internal or external. Lebron James arguably the most gifted player reinforced by his two back to back MVP's has had his fair share of failure. Most players would buckle and/or shy away from the bright lights after so much disappointment, but Lebron' drive and mental toughness used that only as motivation. After his long streak of misadventure, his decision to leave Cleveland for Miami can be directly correlated to his desire to succeed and quiet his detractors, but instead they multiplied. Dwayne Wade being a former Champion, has the GPS coordinates to success. He is the only player of all the contenders in the playoffs, not playing for Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Boston with the Championship road map. Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Joe Johnson, and of course Dirk Nowitski know that the road exists, but don't even have a map. Lebron' mental toughness has been put to the test all year long, every arena he entered from the very beginning of the season assaulted him with a plethora of slurs, boos, attacks, mocks, burns, digs, and I wont go into the all round general hate. Even his Mother's failure's have been thrown in to the mix, in an attempt to rattle his cage, yet James has not only performed, he's improved.

The Heatles are on the verge of confronting their Goliath, the proverbial monsters under the bed, The Baaaston Celtics! Boston' guile and perspicacity bring a formidable opponent to once again test the meddle of not only James, but Bosh' also. In the words of the Yoda of basketball Pat Riley "There can only be one state of mind as you approach any profound test; total concentration, a spirit of togetherness, and strength". The Miami Heat must close out the Sixer' tonight in Miami and prepare for the war versus Boston, they already have the physical edge, the rest in mental. Nothing but net...

Joel Anthony Making That Money!

The Heatles take care of business

Bosh is key to winning basketball for Miami

Some say the playoffs is where athletes make their money, well the Heatles earned their checks and then some. Miami came at the Sixer's from the get and didn't slow down til the game was won. Miami did what everyone around the country was waiting to see on national TV. After their first game in the series was too close for comfort the Heat brought the defense early, lead by Dwayne Wade and his steal and dunk to start a run that Philly never recovered from.

Miami completely exposed the Sixer's offense and defense like good teams are supposed to. They stepped on Philly' necks and didn't let them up. This is what Miami fans have been waiting to see. Lebron lead the way with 29 point, 7 boards, and 6 assists, but his defense was smothering. Chris Bosh continued his series with 21 points and 11 boards, since the break he has been driving more and shooting less, but his pick and rolls have been key. Once again Miami' defense played with energy and Joel Anthony was a beast against every defender, especially Thaddeus Young, his three blocks vs Young led to breaks and limited Sixer's to mid range jumpers. Dwayne Wade made his mark after a night of migraines with his steal and dunk in the second Philly possession. That set the wheels in motion for the rest of the game. Miami never looked back.

Miami made a statement to every playoff team, that they are ready for these playoffs, the rest of the league is on notice. The Heatles are for real and they are gaining strength like a hurricane, while many contenders are stalling like cold fronts.

Act like you've been here before

Well, all the game one' have been played in the first weekend of playoff basketball and it was a good one, no great one. The Miami Heat took care of business against the Sixer's and got one under their belts, but its just one of many to come. Many of the teams that were upset today played well, but were outplayed by a better team that day. Many will point at fouls, hard fouls, and non calls, to them I say, welcome to the Playoffs.

In Miami' first playoff game in the Heatles generation, the Heat played a good game for the most part. Miami was down in the first quarter and caused Heat fans to worry, but Miami fought through the waves of Sixer players of their deep bench. Miami led for most of the way, until a fourth quarter run brought the Sixer's to within one point. Miami gathered themselves and with help from Bosh with 24 points and 12 boards and James adding 21 points and 14 boards to quell the Sixer's final run. Dwayne Wade was the difference though his stat line won't show it, as it so often does. Wade made his late game shots and created shots where there were none. Miami' capacity to get to the line was key. Two rim attackers driving continuously will do that and as a fan I am grateful, especially for Bosh. The bench, though quiet did just enough, especially on the defensive end. Miami did have some lapses on the offensive end and seemed to be lulled into jumpers when ahead. Miami also turned the ball over 5 more times than the Sixer's. Missed free throws and turnovers have plagued the offense and opens the door for opponents to make quick runs.

The Playoffs are here and the games will be tough and the fouls will be hard. Many players have started the complaining and coaches have also chimed in. These are the playoffs and there are no freebies here, act like you've been here before. 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..