***The MIAMI HEAT 2006 NBA CHAMPIONS thread.***

[nyjunc]

Shaq > Any Net PF or C

really? I didn't know that Of course he is but Krstic poses alot of problems for him as he can take him away from the basket and knock down the 15 footer.

thats fine Shaq is a very good defender

Against big plodding players not against more skilled athletic big men. When he's matched up w/ Krstic he'll have a very difficult time but of course no matter who is guarding Shaq they will have a very difficult time.

this is a very interesting series, if you guys think it will be like last year you are nuts. I'd say the top 2 players come from Miami but 3-6 come from NJ so it will be the big 2 of Miami vs. the big 4 of NJ. Neither bench is great but if 'Zo is playing like he was before the injury that gives Miami a nice edge. I see a 6-7 game series w/ both teams having their chances but ultimtaely the Heat should pull it out.

 

[phunwin]

really? I didn't know that Of course he is but Krstic poses alot of problems for him as he can take him away from the basket and knock down the 15 footer.

Here's the thing: that's been the gameplan against Shaq for at least a decade. Yet it's seldom worked out. I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad gameplan, just that it's almost never worked as advertised.

Against big plodding players not against more skilled athletic big men. When he's matched up w/ Krstic he'll have a very difficult time but of course no matter who is guarding Shaq they will have a very difficult time.

This I agree with. Shaq's defense is more myth than reality at this point. Shaq can still swat a shot into the 5th row with the best of them. But his help defense is slow, and his quickness is gone (a not-uncommon product of old age, a huge body, tons of nagging injuries and long seasons). Against a 7 foot, 300 pound dreadnaught, he's still very effective, because no one can match his strength, but against a quicker guy, he'll have some problems, and will probably lean heavily on Haslem in those situations.

However, Mourning might be the best defensive center in the NBA; he's certainly in the top 3. His presence takes a huge load off Shaq and allows the Big Whatever to expend more energy on offense (thus scoring points, grabbing boards and generally making life miserable for Kristic and Collins), then rest while Zo holds down the fort. So, Shaq's declining defense is less of a factor than one would initially think.

Heat in 6...assuming Wade doesn't suffer another injury (if Wade's hurt, change my pick to Nets in 7).

 

[Alex44]

I dont think it will be a sweep but im saying Miami in 6

Game 1 - Miami

Game 2 - NJ

Game -3 NJ

Game 4- Miami

Game 5-Miami

Game 6- Miami

 

[nick1]

this is a very interesting series, if you guys think it will be like last year you are nuts. I'd say the top 2 players come from Miami but 3-6 come from NJ so it will be the big 2 of Miami vs. the big 4 of NJ. Neither bench is great but if 'Zo is playing like he was before the injury that gives Miami a nice edge. I see a 6-7 game series w/ both teams having their chances but ultimtaely the Heat should pull it out.

I'd take Miami's big 2 over NJ's big 4 anyday

 

[Section126]

This I agree with. Shaq's defense is more myth than reality at this point. Shaq can still swat a shot into the 5th row with the best of them. But his help defense is slow, and his quickness is gone ).

I don't get this. It has become the "in thing" to say these things about SHAQ..

foul trouble guys...and phoney fouls at that...if that wasn't the case..SHAQ would be putting up MVP numbers...the guy is still shooting 60%..(career high)

 

[UCFinfan86]

Neither bench is great quote]

i like the heats bench. Payton, Posey, Zo, Derek Anderson is a pretty good bench

 

[Section126]

nyjunc I am sure..just misspoke..

The heat has one of the best benches in the NBA...

They have Payton, Anderson, Anderson, Posey, and ZO coming off the bench..

The Key for this series is going to be the heat standing up to what they are...they are the #1 rebounding team in the NBA and the #1 FG% team in the NBA..

They outrebound the Nets, and take it to the basket consistently..they win the series.

Watch for the J-Will, Wade, Posey, Walker, SHAQ lineup...that lineup has been deadly...It was the lineup that opened up 3 big leads vs. Chicago...

Look for this lineup to be used alot in this series..

I really think that Riley plans on outscoring the Nets...just as he planned against the Bulls...

The Bulls were #1 in the league in FG% defense and you saw what the heat did offensively...that was by design...

Stan Van Gundy did the exact same thing last year to the tune of 109 ppg..

look for it again...I expect a great series.

 

[UCFinfan86]

i think our backup lineup of
PG- Payton
SG- Anderson
SF- Posey
PF- Anderson
C- Mourning

can compete with the Blazers, not necessarily win, but compete

 

[phunwin]

I don't get this. It has become the "in thing" to say these things about SHAQ..

foul trouble guys...and phoney fouls at that...if that wasn't the case..SHAQ would be putting up MVP numbers...the guy is still shooting 60%..(career high)

I was talking strictly about Shaq's defense, not his offense. He remains the game's best offensive center by a wide margin. Maybe he's still got quickness, but dogs it at the defensive end to save energy (like MJ did the last couple years of his career), I don't know. The thing that bugs me, and this is definitely NOT the "in thing" to say, is that as recently as 2000, Shaq wasn't just powerful, but was very quick (or at least as quick as a 7'1, 320# man can possibly be) as well. That's faded considerably. Again, that's not his fault, but it is what it is.

As for foul trouble, keep in mind that fouls are often a direct result of a defender's failure to keep in front of his man. Frankly, I would not expect Shaq's foul problems to get better; the older he gets, the more he slows down and the more he has to rely on grabby defense as opposed to moving his feet.

 

[icephinfan]

Tonight game 1 Heat vs. the Nets......SWEEP

 

[305TillIDie]

Tonight game 1 Heat vs. the Nets......SWEEP

i hope it is a sweep..but highly unlikely..the nets are a good team..but we will win tonight's game..damn..i wish i still working at that building i was tellin you about..free tickets they giving out to the workers!..damnit damnit!..

 

[icephinfan]

i hope it is a sweep..but highly unlikely..the nets are a good team..but we will win tonight's game..damn..i wish i still work at that building i was tellin you about..free tickets they giving out to the workers!..damnit damnit!..

Yeah, I know..I said sweep in the Bulls seriers and look what happened. WE swept them last year but that was a whole new team. Tonight's game outta be real good as long as Shaq plays like he did the last game vs. the Bulls.

 

[icephinfan]

Is Dwayne Wade healthy for tonight's game??

 

[305TillIDie]

Yeah, I know..I said sweep in the Bulls seriers and look what happened. WE swept them last year but that was a whole new team. Tonight's game outta be real good as long as Shaq plays like he did the last game vs. the Bulls.

we need to guard carter good tonight..that guy schooled us the last time we played them..our guards cant allow new jersey to drive and kick out to open shooters..watch..thats what the nets will do..the heat should be ready for that tho..cant wait for tonight..:D

 

[icephinfan]

we need to guard carter good tonight..that guy schooled us the last time we played them..our guards cant allow new jersey to drive and kick out to open shooters..watch..thats what the nets will do..the heat should be ready for that tho..cant wait for tonight..:D

Time for Antoine to step up tonight!!