Why aren't we talking shit about the Heat?

[mecadonzilla]

I know this a football board and all, but the Heat stunk it up big time in the finals!  I know there's a few apologists on this board, and I'm curious as to how to they'd spin the poorly played Finals. 

They were blown out in the 4 games they lost, and barely won their single game.  Are the Heat only making the Finals because of how awful the East is year in and year out?

[Thundergod]

No one is talking about them because you haters were waiting til right now to bust out with your shit talking. (typical) Laugh it up and be happy, because everyone was quiet for the last two years. One championship win off of these same Spurs. And save that "they gave the championship away" talk.

I am far from being an apologist, what the Spurs did was amazing to say the least. Setting records and playing sound basketball...  SA made Miami look like they didn't even belong in the Finals. Miami played awful. Congrats to San Antonio, they played incredible. Hats off.

And on a side note -- so the East magically became awful year in and year out in 2010. Jesus, you people and your hatred for that one guy is idiotic. Can't even give credit... 

[RichThrawn]

I see the haters out in full force on Facebook.  Believe me it's happening.  Fact is, the Spurs played team basketball and the Heat were basically a one man team.  Nobody else stepped up.

[Fau Teixeira]

the heat were bound to lose at some point .. now they'll probably reload .. pick up some other players that'll make people "somad" like carmelo and they'll be back in the finals next year

[Phishfan]

I was also wondering why no one had mentioned the NBA finals at all. As for Carmelo, I don't see him in Miami and I really don't see him having chemistry with that team for a full season.

[RichThrawn]

I was also wondering why no one had mentioned the NBA finals at all. As for Carmelo, I don't see him in Miami and I really don't see him having chemistry with that team for a full season.

I agree.  Melo doesn't play any defense. And in Pat Riley's system, if you don't play defense, you don't play at all

[Fau Teixeira]

I agree.  Melo doesn't play any defense. And in Pat Riley's system, if you don't play defense, you don't play at all

if pat riley can get antoine walker to play championship level defense and be a model teammate as a bench player  .. he can get any player to do anything  .. so i'm not buying what you're selling

[Dave Gray]

I love the HEAT, but I predicted San Antonio in 6.

They just give the HEAT matchup problems.  They peaked at the right time as well.  They played great basketball -- we just got beat by a better team.  What can you do.

I think it's pretty clear at this point that, while Wade is still a good player, he's not capable of carrying a team -- he's better suited as a role player.  I'm hoping that the team can get together and figure out a payroll that makes sense.

Also, guys like Haslem, Battier, Allen, Chalmers -- they are not giving you what they were.  ....need to look at some of these things and evaluate accordingly -- either bring in complementary players, cut bait, or finance differently.

[Brian Fein]

Seems like, in past seasons, guys like Battier, Allen, Chalmers, and even Mike Miller stepped up to help out the "big 3" and play some critical roles in the playoffs.

This year, we saw flashes from Rashard Lewis, but not much else.  I don't recall seeing a whole lot of input from the team's supporting cast.  As a contrast, Patty Mills came off the bench for the Spurs in game 5 when Tony Parker was struggling and was nailing three's. 

I think this proves that you need more than just a star player...

[Dave Gray]

It's not a simple answer.  It's a lot of things.

First off, you didn't have a big 3.  You had a big 1.  Wade had a horrific series.  He's probably just not the same player -- still good, but not capable of taking a game over in the Finals.   To a lesser extent, Bosh also under-delivered.  Allen was terrible.  And we have a lot of players who don't do enough things well.  Battier, Haslem, etc -- they're near the end of their careers.

But it's also because the Spurs shot really well and the HEAT went cold.  That affected defense.  The HEAT were always back on their heels, scrambling to get back on D.  When you don't hit shots, you get tired, because you can't set up while the other team in-bounds.  So, both ends of the floor were screwed.  The Spurs shot a finals high FG percentage.  It was a perfect storm.

The question now is how to proceed.  I think it's all about money.  The big three have to sit down with Riley and decide what they want.  It may be a payday, which is understandable.  It may be to re-organize payroll to bring in different roll-players.  I think that Wade is still capable of playing at a high level, but it's tough, because he's not a max-money type of guy anymore.  If he wants to take a reduced role, that'd be great.  Also, Bosh is a forward playing out of position -- it limits his ability.  We can change a lot of these things, if it's what the players want. 

[Fau Teixeira]

wade would be smart to become a 6th man type guy and come off the bench .. that would be a perfect role for him

[RichThrawn]

if pat riley can get antoine walker to play championship level defense and be a model teammate as a bench player  .. he can get any player to do anything  .. so i'm not buying what you're selling

He only got one year out of him. Then the guy spent an entire month partying after the championship and showed up to camp overweight and out of shape.   Riley also failed to get good defense out of guys like Kevin Willis and Billy Owens so he quickly shipped them off. 

Some players have games that are not based on defense.  That doesn't make them bad players, just a bad fit in Riley's system.

[masterfins]

I'm not a Heat Fan.  That said you have to congratulate them for making the finals four years in a row.  If the Dolphins did that you would be talking Dynasty.  They did have an easier path to the Finals, vs. Western Conference, but its still quite an accomplishment.  Like others have said they need to upgrade their bench.  The Spurs were on fire shooting the basketball, they deserve the credit for winning the Championship.  You gotta be disappointed in the fans leaving before the last game in Miami was over.  You just don't do that for a Championship game no matter what the point margin is, stay to show support for your team.

[RichThrawn]

I'm not a Heat Fan.  That said you have to congratulate them for making the finals four years in a row.  If the Dolphins did that you would be talking Dynasty.  They did have an easier path to the Finals, vs. Western Conference, but its still quite an accomplishment.  Like others have said they need to upgrade their bench.  The Spurs were on fire shooting the basketball, they deserve the credit for winning the Championship.  You gotta be disappointed in the fans leaving before the last game in Miami was over.  You just don't do that for a Championship game no matter what the point margin is, stay to show support for your team.

This same fan base supposedly sold a block of tickets to Maverick fans for game six of the 2011 finals. They essentially reduced the impact of a home court advantage for that game.

[Brian Fein]

You gotta be disappointed in the fans leaving before the last game in Miami was over.  You just don't do that for a Championship game no matter what the point margin is, stay to show support for your team.

Miami sports fans are like this, across the board.  It kills me, as a Miami sports fan, to be lumped in with these jack-holes on a national level.  It clearly shows that those fans came SOLELY to see their "favorite" team win, rather than to see their "favorite" team PLAY.  There is a difference.

I get that losing sucks, but you're not "beating the traffic" - you're CREATING the traffic.  Its an epidemic here, where you can't sell a Dolphins' ticket, can't give away a Marlins ticket, and people barely even realize that the Panthers are a thing.  Unless you're winning and competing for championships, the fan base doesn't exist.

So, if LeBron and friends decide to opt out and take their talents to LA, New York, or any other city, you'll quickly see how those sold out Heat season tickets become 2/3 empty seats next season.

Sometimes, because of this, I hate being a Miami sports fan.  Its embarrassing...