Saw this today: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/shaun_powell/05/18/spoelstra-heat/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/s ... ef:nbahpt1</a> Really? Spolestra isn't exactly one of my favorite coaches, but the Heat did get two wins away from a title last year. Short of Pat Riley coming down to coach I don't see it happening. I'm writing this up to NBA.com-hackery.
Kevin Durant is a closer. Kobe Bryant is not. He could have waited one more second for the defender to move by him and take that last shot. He was too fast and the shot could have been better. Props to OKC. No way the Lakers come back from this.
This. I would say that Kobe has been able to close games before, but he isn't reliable as KD. I'm ready for OKC to wrap this thing up and wave bye bye to the Lakers.
At this point I'm not even sure that Wade should be on the floor. I don't know what the fuck is wrong with him, but he's terrible.
Miami was not built to have injuries to two of their top 3 players. Especially not against Indiana -- Lebron is going to need to have a huge series if they're going to win this. And Chalmers/Battier/Miller are going to have to step up the shooting.
The Pacers started playing "not to lose" instead of playing to win. Also no way Wade gets another performance like that. He's too injured at this point.
I think this whole "Wade is injured!" set of news stories is nothing but a load of bullshit. He is no more or less banged-up than LeBron James, Roy Hibbert, Danny Granger, or any other major player in the series. Wade's game has noticeably declined this the past two years, especially during this past regular season. Him struggling against a tough, deep, hungry Pacers team that plays terrific team defense does not mean he is injured, just that an opposing team successfully stopped him, and Wade is no longer the monster he was in 2005-2008. In related news, what a brilliant performance by LeBron James... Also, it was very generous of Stern's zebras to spot the Lakers a victory in the 3rd game with their fourth quarter whistles.
Watching his play in the series, Wade is moving normally. Also, the only remark sources in the Miami locker room have made on the situation is "his legs are sore". Obviously I don't know for certain, (hence the "I think" qualifier) but I see no reason to believe there is an injury there. After all, the burden of proof is on those claiming he is "injured" to provide some type of tangible evidence. Until then, I will just accept the simpler, more plausible theory; Wade had a really shitty game, and Indiana's defense has been effective in stopping him. If you disagree, can you explain why you think Wade IS injured?
His playing style applied over ~100 games over 7 years. No way that all those minor pulls and sprains which he played through completely heal and leave his body good as new. If he was healed and healthy, he wouldn't need the pre- and post-game trainer sessions. For a more tangible example, compare Wade's drives from 3 years ago to currently. He is now less acrobatic and doesn't string together moves as he drives, instead he sets up one move and uses that. Similar thing happened to Jordan and Bryant. Just because they're on the court doesn't mean they aren't injured.
That was a dominant MVP performance from the best player going. Show some respect. Or at least whatever passes for respect in Haterville. Google the man's cock or something! I believe Wade has lingering knee & ankle issues. Word is he had his knee drained before yesterday's game. He does not have the same explosiveness he has had even earlier this year. His body is showing the wear & tear of his reckless driving to the basket style he played with earlier in his career, just like Derek Rose's is already. My question is, if they can put up at least 2 more performances like yesterday, how much will that leave in the proverbial tank?
Derrick Rose is going to have a short career at an elite level unfortunately. It is going to be very very sad. Maybe a trip to Germany might help him out, who knows? What I do know is that Hibbert not being in the game is what allowed the Heat to go on the run they did. Coach knows that he had him out too long during that one stretch. Also for the first time ever Wade and LeBron were in continual motion, that's some scary shit. Not one of them stood around, they started a two man offense that is the worst case scenario for any team defensively. Toss in the fact Spoelstra actually called played for Wade in the first time in forever, then you have some motion. Better foul management and minute pacing *coughs* from Indiana and we have a closer game. Still think Indiana can take this. I highly doubt Wade can pull out another performance like that.
Indiana lost that game as much as the Heat won it. They lost focus on the advantage they have over the Heat inside and tried to chuck up some 3's to drive the nail in the coffin. That's what happens when you have no superstar to take over the game and the tempo on offense. Grainger is a nice player, but he's a B-tier guy. Hansborough & Hibbert panicked and West is too busy making faces to actually do anything. The other guys (Hill & George) were afraid to shoot. If you watch the game yesterday, Wade was not doing anything that spectacular. He made some nice drives and dishes and hit some open shots. Lebron was killing himself on both ends. And those shots Haslem hit were HUGE. If they can get 25-30pts from their bench, they can win any game.
I mean, they had to. You either trade Howard or fire SVG. Since they didn't seem willing to do the former, the latter was inevitable and necessary. That being said...Howard has done himself a major disservice in terms of attracting coaching and playing talent to Orlando. Yeah, sure, someone will sign there. But the guy who was a marginal case before might now go elsewhere to avoid a headache. Don't weep too long for SVG. He's a great coach, and everyone around the league knows it. He'll get another chance pretty quick.
At least Stan had the balls to speak up for himself. He learned from this time in Miami when Shaq wanted him fired and Riley pushed him out. If it wasn't for Stan, Wade wouldn't be the player he is today. SVG played Wade as a rookie, something that Riley would never do. Riley would have played Antoine Walker 40minutes a mite rather than let Wade play and make mistakes. He has to choose his next job wisely so he doesnt get fucked over again by ownership.
Brown's already got a new job. And I don't see why you imagine Jackson would want to deal with Howard's bullshit. McMillan is probably the biggest name available. Shaw will be considered. There's rumors of them trying to lure some big name college guys (Stevens, Calipari) but I don't see them taking the bait. Rumor is they're looking at Adonal Foyle for GM (he's currently their head of player development). Seems fairly out of left field.
Mike Brown might have to look for a new job after this game. If anyone has footage of Kevin Durant missing a shot, I'd like to see it and the evidence it isn't doctored. I'm going to bed now before the game is over, I can't wait to read the news that Kobe Bryant killed his entire team with his bare hands.