TheItalianStallion: The Miami Heatles

omnipanzer 05.12.11	Fuck I hate sports... but I can't stay away from your lists sir. Props on 3
MO 05.12.11	2 is awesome
EyesWideShut 05.12.11	I wouldnt go so far to say we won yet, but beating the Celts was a big step. Those Mav bigs look like they would give us a run and having not beat them since like 06 is another reason for concern.
BigHans 05.12.11	I'll believe it when I see it. Their biggest thread from the West has been eliminated though, so if they can get to the Finals they have a pretty strong shot.
BigHans 05.12.11	The Lakers are a much tougher matchup for them IMO.
AngelofDeath 05.12.11	Too bad they're done-sauce. Like 90% sure it's gonna be Heat and Mavs.
BigHans 05.12.11	Yeah I know, was just saying the Heat are lucky the Lakers got eliminated.
BigHans 05.12.11	Good points Pit. I was mostly thinking if the Lake Show had made it and played inspired basketball. Under those circumstances, Bynum, Gasol, and Odom would give them all they could handle down low in a 7 game series.
PinkElephants 05.12.11	I'm still thinking the Bulls Hawks series is going to go to a game 7, and even then, unless D.Rose shows up, the bulls are done. And the Heat won't have a problem with either of those teams either way. Heat are definitely going to the finals, and I'm picking them in 6 over the Mavs.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	with the Celts done the Thunder is the only team that can feasibly stop the Heat. Unless DRose goes ape shit or Deng is a defensive beast on Bron Bron. And assuming Booz and Noah keep not showing up--who the fuck is going to stop Bosh now he remembered he plays Basketball? At least as far as the Bulls are concerned. Mavs I'd say have about as much of a shot as the Celts (a damn good one) but Lebron smells blood. If the Mavs older dudes take any injuries in the WCF (assuming they make the finals of course) it could be lights out for them vs. The Heat. Chandler and JJ could be Xfactors though. Wade & Bron have found a great tandem I wasn't convinced on at all until they put out the big green. hats off to you assholes. then again, hopefully the heat do not assume this is wrapped up already. But I don't know about the Bulls closing them out so easily after the first 2 rounds. It will be a hell of a series as well. If the Hawks win though fuck it Atlanta Hawks - Memphis Grizzlies 2011 finals w/ Griz win in 6 hohoho.
aok 05.12.11	This is Dallas' year. The impossible matchup of Dirk, Jason Kidd wreaking havoc on defenses as he's been doing for 20 years. Not to mention versatility in guys like Marion, Terry, Peja, Chandler, Barea (even Haywood's a solid extra big)... Yea, James and Wade are dangerous and Bosh is streaky good but that's all they have. When they play a younger team that's more psyched to be where they are, they aren't going to be able to beat them
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	my opinion of course but the worst closing team in the NBA finishing off the best in a thick playoff match-up is a good sign that the hurricane is beginning to pick up pace.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	"When they play a younger team that's more psyched to be where they are, they aren't going to be able to beat them" are you inferring that in some way, shape, or form the Mavs are a "young team?"
BigHans 05.12.11	not really Pit, just my opinion that Heat are weak down low and the Lakers are strong when they show up. Add in Artest would pose a challenge for Lebron or at least keep him in check a little and that leaves Kobe/Wade to trade punches. Dont worry, not trying to take away your glory, I just think Lakers/Heat where both teams show up hard would be an epic final and would be the most difficult matchup available for the Heat.
BigHans 05.12.11	Atlanta Hawks - Memphis Grizzlies 2011 finals ^ I guarentee you Stern would never, ever let that happen. Would be the lowest rated finals in history.
aok 05.12.11	dirk is an impossible matchup for whoever he plays, just like lebron (and wade to a lesser extent) is an impossible matchup for whoever he plays. dallas isn't young, but they're younger than boston. whereas kidd seems to be ageless, garnett and allen have been showing their age more. everyone else accepts that dirk is pretty much an impossible matchup for opposing defenses, so i don't know why you find this hysterical
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	If David Stern was having his way the Celtics and Lakers would still be competing and the Celts would win the finals in 7. LETS GO Z BO!
aok 05.12.11	kidd's like 40, and he plays like he's in his early 30s. of course no one's actually ageless but some age better than others. kidd's aged VERY well and his basketball iq is through the roof. if he's playing for his first title in an incredibly storied career, he is going to work his ass off all series. way more than anyone else his age would
Metalstyles 05.12.11	Congrats on advancing, now I'm definitely hoping for a Mavs-Heat finals, that would be pretty epic. Hell, I think I'd enjoy it even more than Heat-Lakers because there are some really interesting matchups coming if they play Dallas. Dallas could (and most probably would) put Stevenson on Wade and argue all you want Pit, my man Deshawn is one hell of a defender. Dirk and Bosh would be another great pair, and the Mavs' bigs are, at least on paper, much better than Heat's bigs (Haywood better get on his game). It would also be interesting to see if Chalmers can stop Barea who is obviously in a groove as of late. At the other hand though, Wade and LeBron are most definitely in a groove as well and it would be interesting to see if Dallas can stop them (Marion and Deshawn are both really awesome defenders, but Lebron and Wade are equally as awesome offensively). Besides, like you said, Pit, Mavericks rely a lot on their perimeter shooting, and while they were fantastic against the Lakers, guys like Terry and Kidd are definitely streaky shooters. So in general, it would really be one treat of a series. Oh and I'd be cheering for Dallas. Fuck yea.
MO 05.12.11	Dallas has a really deep bench. I can see them topping the Heat, who basically only have the big 3.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	Aokuneff I wouldn't go so far as to say Dallas is younger than Boston. It may be the same or very, very slight difference in age average. and lol at Jason Kidd being ageless compared to Ray Allen or KG. Also I Dirk is not an impossible match-up...at all. again imo Tyson Chandler and JJ will be Xfactors if the heat an mavs meet up again.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	Mike Bibby cannot do what Jason Kidd does Pit come on now.
aok 05.12.11	i looked at miami in the '06 finals and this guy shaq pretty much dominated in the paint. so i'm sure haslem will shut down dirk this time around too. dirk's not balking in the playoffs like he used to and when he's in the zone, he's impossible to guard. just like kobe is, just like lebron is and just like wade can be. high iq doesn't mean he plays like he's 30 but high iq + playing young for a 38 year old are both incredible attributes for a finals point guard with a lot of support at the guard position. gotta go though -- shout me an angry response if you will since i always like talking nba
BigHans 05.12.11	Pit, honest question, do you think Dallas got screwed at all in the 06 Finals?
BigHans 05.12.11	I havent heard much about it recently, I remember when it happened everyone was talking about it incessently
acorncheese 05.12.11	Sorry, the Bulls are going to shellac them.
Metalstyles 05.12.11	Lol Heat are not an elite team defensively. They may have some elite defenders, but as a team, they are not elite.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	DRose driving to the basket and the bulls finding some way to shut down either Lebron or Dwayne or the entire Miami Bench (we did that last night, still didn't work so well).
Inveigh 05.12.11	The Bulls and Thunder present the toughest matchups left for the Heat in the playoffs right now -- mainly because they have no one who can guard Rose or Westbrook. but honestly, the biggest challenge for any team facing the Heat is having to face the refs too. I'm just waiting for D-Wade to drive to the basket, get barely brushed on the arm and for the officials to call two fouls and award him 4 free throws. it's bound to happen eventually.
acorncheese 05.12.11	bearsman!
Inveigh 05.12.11	the Heat are definitely an elite defensive team
Inveigh 05.12.11	but I mean look at it this way: the Heat have one player who was the best player on a championship team (Wade), another player who was the best on a Finals team (LeBron) and another who was the best on a playoff team (Bosh). You could argue that they have the best SG, SF and PF in the NBA all on their roster. Anything other than a championship for that squad is an incredibly laughable failure.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	It's over! Just give us the rings and the trophy already, because no one can stop this onslaught. Why hate when you can embrace? (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10)
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	personally with Kobe beginning to act like an actual 30-something and Durant still a bit raw Lebron and DWade are easily the best at their positions. If Lebron wins a championship this year the divide between he and 2nd best player in the league gets larger. Bosh I don't know about quite yet... and Blake you really think DWade cannot hold down DRose? Personally I don't see Spolestra sticking Mike Bibby on Derrick Rose Duty.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	boozer...Rose...deng
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	yo Deng is going to piss off The Heat soooooo much. The man has been showing up.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	Wow my whole comment didnt go through fuck it.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	I stand by my statement. Ok Chicago lets finish this off and get to these conference finals.
EyesWideShut 05.12.11	@ Voytec The celebration was more of a personal achievement than "we won already" cheer, and the Bulls havent looked that impressive at all against ATL besides one player. Rose also has the weak defense of Crawford and Teague instead of a Wade on him.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	I find it hilarious that everybody's calling the Celtics soft right now after what happened. Bunch of faggots not giving credit when it's due.
EyesWideShut 05.12.11	Oprah's gonna take home court away from the Bulls.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	BECAUSE WE SWEPT THEM FUKIN CARDS BIZITCH! : )
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	also the heat had the right to celebrate they played their fucking hearts out.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	oh and the sox came back from 0-3 Pit they had the right to be happy too.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	EVERYONE SHUT UP.
AggravatedYeti 05.12.11	I would just stop watching basketball if it took over 20.
Josh D. 05.12.11	The Heat aren't winning it all, no way. Next round alone is going to be too tough, I bet. Glad the Celts lost because I hate them, Miami is next in line.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	Miami's gonna own Chicago no doubt.
Josh D. 05.12.11	Didn't Chicago kill them in the regular season?
Josh D. 05.12.11	I wouldn't get so excited, this is the first time all year LBJ actually came through big when they needed it. All season, it's been about who should finish games, and whoever did wasn't doing it. I'm not calling it a fluke yet, but let them play more.
Josh D. 05.12.11	Also, they beat a Celtics team without Kendrick Perkins, without Shaq, with a beat up Rondo...I thought it would be a little better of a series, but considering the circumstances, I'm not really surprised.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	Don't you remember Miami gave it away to Chicago at the end every time? What the fuck was sHAQ GONNA DO? he's past his expiration date. and Rondo was rONDO.
Josh D. 05.12.11	By not having Shaq, they lost having a big body there. Davis had a horrible series, and Perkins was a big loss.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	You implied Chicago owned Miami all three games when actually it was just Miami collapsing late in the game.
Josh D. 05.12.11	"You implied Chicago owned Miami all three games when actually it was just Miami collapsing late in the game." It doesn't really matter. At the end of the game, the scoreboard is all that matters. And when I said "kill" them, I meant they won all or all but one game with them.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	Rose is going to be held to 27% shooting nuff said.
Josh D. 05.12.11	"Seriously, be realistic and put aside your bias unreasonable hate for a second and think about what you're saying before you say it, Josh." Bias is not a part of the argument. You're saying that they can just run through the Bulls/Hawks and then Thunder/Memphis. I don't think so.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	They've beaten every team minus Chicago. Should have swept Oklahoma really.
Josh D. 05.12.11	"They've beaten every team minus Chicago" That's what I've been saying...Chicago.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	Yeah well MIAMI HAS PROVEN THAT THEY CAN CLOSE OUT GAMES NOW. Unfortunately it pains me to think that Wade only has a few more epic years left in him.
Josh D. 05.12.11	"Yeah well MIAMI HAS PROVEN THAT THEY CAN CLOSE OUT GAMES NOW. " I have no doubt he or LBJ could continue to do that, but it's a wait-and-see game since they haven't been doing that all season. Plus, Bosh hasn't been very imposing except for game....4, I think it was.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	I've been really upset by his soft play as of recent.
Josh D. 05.12.11	Also, the new MVP has shown plenty how he can close well.
BallsToTheWall 05.12.11	This summer BOSH NEEDS TO BULK UP AND GET A NEW ATTITUDE. HIS PUSSY DEFENSE IS RIDICULOUS.
foreverendeared 05.13.11	LIKE A BOSH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2--uG4QMlA0
Josh D. 05.13.11	I never said they don't stand a chance. Just that the next round will probably be too tough (assuming moreso if it's the Bulls). That isn't bias, that is based on the regular season.
musicConsumer 05.13.11	Not 2 not 3 not 4 not 5 not 6 not 7...
Josh D. 05.13.11	Lol. And LBJ's apology to Cleveland is funny.
Josh D. 05.13.11	I went back and read that. The rest of the post said "Next round alone is going to be too tough, I bet.". "if we were basing this on the regular season the C's shoulda taken this series in 5" Earlier, I also said: "Also, they beat a Celtics team without Kendrick Perkins, without Shaq, with a beat up Rondo...I thought it would be a little better of a series, but considering the circumstances, I'm not really surprised."
Josh D. 05.13.11	It really doesn't matter.
Josh D. 05.13.11	"Kendrick Perkins only played in one season matchup, and the Heat lost by 3 in Boston, so that argument has no basis" Yeah it does, they lost. "Shaq played in two games against the Heat, was effective in one, and didn't do anything in the other, so that argument has no basis" Yeah it does, without he or Perkins, there isn't a big body down low. "The Heat took a 2 games to none lead with a healthy Rajon Rondo, so that argument has no basis" "KG was shut down four out of the five games. He was shut down in games 1 and 2 with a healthy Rondo." Ok, so that must have been ALL Heat.
Josh D. 05.13.11	You should know by now I don't "run out of shit to say".
Josh D. 05.13.11	"They lost by 3 in BOSTON" The key word is, say it with me, lost! Good job guys, proud of you. "But once again, you're going by regular season" Well no shit, I can't go off of their head-to-head in the playoffs.
Josh D. 05.13.11	You can lose by 3 or 30, in Boston or Nova Scotia, to this team or that team. Losing is losing. Ask the Celtics, I don't think they care right now how close game 5 was until the end. A loss is a loss.
Josh D. 05.13.11	"Really? You can't go off of the Heat vs Celtics in the playoffs? Didn't we just beat the C's in the playoffs?" If it wasn't obvious that I meant the Bulls and Heat, since they haven't played each other, and we only have the regular season to go on, then I don't know what you're reading.
Josh D. 05.13.11	"). But once again, you're going by regular season, so let's just go ahead and say that it's going to be Bulls and Spurs" Yeah, I was trying something by referencing that.
Josh D. 05.13.11	That was sarcasm. I'm glad this went well.
Josh D. 05.13.11	Quick side note: you watching the game 7 at all (Sharks/Wings)?
Josh D. 05.13.11	Oh. I mean still, game 7's are the best thing in sports.
Josh D. 05.13.11	I would be doing that otherwise. Same thing Sunday; after golfing, I'm going to a minor league hockey playoff game (our local team, the farm club for Minnesota Wild, are in the Conference finals). I like hockey.
acorncheese 05.13.11	ughhhhhhh not looking good for the wings. they have to win so the wings/lightning satellite/acorn battle can be realized
Josh D. 05.13.11	Good, I hate the Wings. Checking in on the game...a big white guy throwing down for the Bulls? Who is this guy?
AngelofDeath 05.13.11	Flipping back and forth between Hawks/Bulls and Sharks/Wings.
Josh D. 05.13.11	Same here. Can't wait for Lightning/Bruins, fuck, that's gonna be good.
Josh D. 05.13.11	I really want to see Dallas/Thunder.
Josh D. 05.13.11	Almost time to take out the starters.
Josh D. 05.13.11	I would have thought soon. I mean, how long was Durant on the bench last night? A good while, I thought.
AngelofDeath 05.13.11	Yeah, I quit like right after I posted that lol. Hawks are playing like complete shit.
sgtadderall 05.13.11	teflon is mindless and retarded
aok 05.13.11	'Boozer busts loose' 'bring on the heat' http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=AhPwmgU1wOn9RbqCdOixkjG8vLYF?gid=2011051201 good basketball to come in the eastern conference finals (sorry if this has already been brushed upon)
NigelH 05.13.11	Bulls-Heat is gonna be epic. I think the Heat take it in 7. D Rose is great, but not better than Bron and Wade.
NigelH 05.13.11	Haha, yeah, KG, Pierce, etc. pulled the LeBron in Orlando, circa 2008. Leaving with no handshakes and shit. Kind of a dick move, but at the same time I understand their frustration.
foreverendeared 05.13.11	Ray Allen is great but I wish his mother would die. Or the camera men who show her after every fucking play Ray makes.
Josh D. 05.13.11	Now you know how I felt during UT's last championship win. Every Matt Leinart play was a revert to his dad wearing headphones, fuck off. But it's ok, the Horns won, and when they showed him once the game was just about done, he wasn't so happy.
aok 05.13.11	Bibby's days at Arizona and Boozer's days at Duke will make this series feel like I'm watching some late '90s NCAA. Interesting to say what this series will do to these 2 players' legacies...
Josh D. 05.13.11	Bibby's legacy? Who is Mike Bibby anymore? He was good with the Kings, but...
aok 05.13.11	he had a fucking ring at arizona. if you don't follow college basketball closely, i could see how this sounds unimportant to you, but when mike bibby scored 20 points to lead his team to a victory in the ncaa finals as a freshman in 1997, he assured himself a legacy of some kind.
Inveigh 05.16.11	ok, let's all just take a step back and breathe...
Inveigh 05.16.11	I also don't plan on Bosh going 12-18 from the field again... nor do I plan on the Heat being gifted a 4 point swing in the first half from the refs (ok, maybe I DO expect that to happen again)...
Inveigh 05.16.11	nah I'm not completely taking away credit -- but any other team that had 6 players on the court for a full 2 seconds after the ball was inbounded would've gotten a technical. Meaning the Bulls would've shot a FT and gotten the ball. Instead, they just let the Heat have a do-over and re-inbound the ball. What ended up happening on that play was a call for defensive 3 seconds on Bulls and then a Heat basket. So, a 4 point swing (assuming the Bulls would've made their technical FT and then not scored on their ensuing possession -- it could have been as much as a 6 point swing). It ended up not mattering, but if the Bulls had lost a close game there would've been a lot of angry people bringing that play up after the game. If the Heat come out and dominate us on Wednesday, I'll definitely give them credit. And I wouldn't be shocked if it happened because their top 3 players are far and away the best of any team in the NBA.
Inveigh 05.16.11	did you know LeBron averages less than half the fouls per game that Jordan averaged during his entire career? but that's an even more pointless argument than anything we're talking about here... because I was specifically talking about last night.
SeaAnemone 05.16.11	all bromances need to end sometime... looks like this one isn't crawling to its grave quietly, either. I'm no fan of domestic abuse, and it's only a time before Pit throws a few backhanded (internet) slaps here to remind 'Veigh who brings home the bread at night for him to cook with.
Inveigh 05.16.11	lol it is a pointless argument because we were talking about game 1 of a playoff series that happened last night between the 2010-11 Chicago Bulls and the 2010-11 Miami Heat -- which has nothing to do with a shot that happened 13 years ago. and I was talking about one specific play that really had nothing to do with LeBron -- it had to do with a blatant no-call of a technical that would've been called 99 out of the other 100 times it occurred. You brought up Jordan and LeBron -- not me.
Inveigh 05.17.11	yeah, to be fair you're kind of right about that (and by kind of, I mean that I've been bringing up the referee thing for the past week mainly -- not all year. my Heat-hate from the rest if the year was spread among a much wider array of topics ( : ), but it is to get a rise out of Heat fans way more than it is as some legitimate point about it affecting the outcome of the actual games. Bulls won, I'm super duper happy about it, but I'm done revelling in victory. Because I'll likely have a heart attack at some point during game 2 on Wednesday.