Miami HEAT - What's the issue?

[Fau Teixeira]

blowing out the lakers in LA on xmas day = no issues with the heat

[Sunstroke]

The Heat are looking really good, but I still see some issues they need to deal with as the season goes on. They need Mike Miller to get back into playing shape and work him in as a primary bench player. They need to get either Dampier, Ilgauskas, Anthony or someone to do a better Udonis Haslem impersonation. They need Chalmers to be able to provide useful minutes at the point, and they need to work up enough quality depth that, when they get up by 15-20 late in 4th quarters, they can sit the big-3 down and keep them healthy as the season goes on.

[Landshark]

^^^^^^^

You're right about that on all counts.  The Heat still have no low post presence.  When they face a team like Boston in the playoffs, that's going to really hurt.

[Dave Gray]

I've been watching every single HEAT game.  They are looking great.  There is still room for improvement, as well.  I'd like to see:

- Miller get back into form and see where he fits in.  Right now, there doesn't seem to be a place for him in the rotation to contribute.
- How long Haslem will be gone.  I'm happy with the improved defense of Joell Anthony and James Jones, but we need a "blue-collar" rebounder to compete down the stretch.
- A better start to games.  We are beating teams in the 3rd/4th quarter.  That's good, but we often miss the opportunity early to get a lead.

[JVides]

So, Heat haters...we're now almost halfway through the season and Lo!  The Heat have the second best record in the entire league, are threatening the all-time consecutive road wins record, and generally look like phenomenal, even in close wins to teams they should crush.

Boston fans: worried yet?  Is age a factor?
San Antonio fans:  Can the Spurs keep up the offensive pace and improve defensively?  Can they keep this up?
Lakers fans: starting to sweat?  Will you remain disjointed on the floor?
Orlando fans: think your trades are enough to beat Miami in a playoff series?
Bulls fans:  Have you seen enough to believe you can contend?

[Phishfan]

Lakers fans: starting to sweat?  Will you remain disjointed on the floor?

Have your fun little moment in history. A comparison of the organizations is all you should have to see to leave you wanting.

[Sunstroke]

I'm not a Heat fan as much as I am a Suns fan, but looking at the Lakers doesn't leave me wanting...it leaves me experiencing an involuntary gag reflex.

New York sports fans = obnoxious evil that gets in your face at every opportunity

Los Angeles sports fans = Laid-back evil that shows up late and leaves early

Common tie... Both are evil.

[JVides]

^^^Phish, I'm asking a legitimate question.  I'm certainly not crowing!  I'm pretty well known for being a San Antonio Spurs fan, after all!  As I wear my Spurs fan hat, the Heat do scare me, because their athletic ability makes them a team that can run with San Antonio's new, fast-paced offense.  The Heat players are also just the kind of guys that give the Spurs fits:  superior athletes that exploit individual defenders so badly that not even excellent team defense can cover for individual shortcomings.  In other words, uber-athletic teams always give the Spurs problems.

Also...what 'Stroke said.