Heat stun Magic in OT, 93-90

There are times when you have to be there and see it to believe it.....well maybe see 4/5's of it.  On a night that saw the Miami Heat play what was essentially a home game in the city of Orlando, a small group of fans grew from elation to disappointment as the young Magic blew a late 6 point lead to fall to the Heat 93-90.  The Heat, showing a fire rarely seen, surged to a 10-2 run in the final  42 seconds.  Despite the Magic being represented by blues and blacks, the Amway Center was cloaked in red, Heat Nation was alive and everywhere and multiple times throughout the game Heat Nation made themselves known by chanting loudly LETS GO HEAT all the while drowning out the few true fans of the Magic.  It was truly a home game for the Heat but that didn't stop the Magic from leading the majority of the game.

There's many stories to be told on this night but the most chilling for the Magic would be their performance from the charity stripe.  The team shot 18-31 and in a close game as this was, free throws missed will always come back to haunt you.  Magic C Nikola Vucevic had another strong effort against the Heat dropping 26 points and hauling in 8 rebounds.  Victor Oladipo had a very ordinary night, scoring only 13 points, but he did manage to haul in a career high 13 rebounds.  

Luol Deng paced the Heat with another steady performance due to contributing 21 points in the winning effort.  Consider Deng a bit of a good luck charm due to Miami being undefeated (9-0) when Deng scores over 20 points.  

After having a slow start, Heat G Dwyane Wade came alive in the 4th quarter and overtime scoring 12 points after only having 6 up until that point.  When it's money time, one can count on Wade to show up as he has time after time.  

The heroics of Henry Walker can't be missed.  After missing great looks throughout the game Walker (3-13) converted 2 huge treys late in the 4th to help send the Heat to overtime.  As any great shooter knows, if the shots aren't falling just keep shooting, the law of averages will always win.  

It was a terrible loss for the young Magic who are still going through growing pains, as for the Heat it was a win that could further propel the franchise higher in the standings.  They've quietly won the last 4 of 6 games.  

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra summed up the Heat's victory with one glaring statement:

"We made winning plays," Spoelstra said.

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Dwyane Wade & the 700 Club

Throughout recent NBA history, there’s a few players you should know by name. Maybe it’s Kobe and the relentless work ethic he brings every day, maybe it’s LeBron James and the total package he brings that we’ve never seen before in a basketball player. Of these few, Dwyane Wade should be there at the top of the list. Having many recent battles with injury, Wade’s name has now been dislodged from the top ten players list. Not only is it gone now, the narrative is pushed so far that the casual basketball fan only knows of his recent struggles.

Rewind to 2009. The Heat were under the leadership of second year coach Erik Spoelstra, and were on the up rise. They’d just drafted Mario Chalmers, and had acquired the second overall pick in the previous draft, which was used to select Michael Beasley. Wade would go on to have the best regular season of his career. He averaged 30.2 points, 7.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He brought home his first scoring title and lead Miami to the playoffs basically by his lonesome. The most overlooked facet of Wade’s game is his stellar defense. Wade was always a danger when on that side of the floor. His IQ has led him to become one of the best defensive guards in NBA history. He knows how to play the passing lanes and loves to block shots, and his most memorable rejections came at the likes of Amar'e Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, and Tyson Chandler, all seven footers. 

With his effort to date, there’s no denying this: he’s the best shot-blocking two guard to ever play, even better than the GOAT himself, Michael Jordan. To date, Wade has over 700 career blocked shots, currently a high for the position. A long time removed from his high, jumping, freakishly athletic self, when asked about this, Wade took it in stride and sounded like the Flash we’ve grown to love. “When you want different results, you’ve got to do different things,” Wade said. “And that’s what I’m trying to do this year. It’s a fresh start to the season, but I have a long, long way to go.” 

Even defensive specialist Luol Deng is impressed with Wade’s ability to read shot attempts. “He gets a lot of blocks from the weak side,” Deng said. “You just don’t see him. He’s really mastered that. He’s probably the best at it.”

Despite his recent struggles, so far his hard work has paid off. Wade is averaging 19.8 points to go along with 6.4 assists. He’s shooting 50.8 percent from the floor, and is even putting up a career high in three point percentage, at a 45.5 percent rate. I expect the points to go up, and with the ability he’s shown to distribute to his teammates this year, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a climb in the assist column either.

Respect is not given, it’s earned, and with the career Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. has put up thus far, he’s definitely earned not only mine, but your respect as well.

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5 Reasons the Heat Will Surpass Expectations in 2014-15

With the departure of LeBron James along with the age of Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, many have written off the new-look Miami Heat as serious championship contenders for the upcoming NBA season. While others still believe the Heat are an easy top 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, not one has picked Miami to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this coming June. Not only do the Heat still have Heat Lifer Dwyane Wade and perennial All-Star big man Chris Bosh, but they still have championship pedigree. Expect Miami to make some noise this year, and here are the reasons as to why.

5. Championship Experience and Motivation

Experience always bids well for players, because no matter the situation, they’ve been there before. Only one short year ago, Miami was facing a five point deficit with just 28 seconds remaining against the San Antonio Spurs and managed to pull back and even the series, eventually winning a second consecutive championship after a masterful game 7. Not only do they have experience, but motivation on their side as well. The Heat are coming off arguably one of the worst beat-down in NBA Finals history, and there’s no better player to bounce back from a low point than Dwyane Wade.

4. Savvy Veterans Coming Off the Bench/Off season Acquisitions

While the Heat were unable to land free agent G Kyle Lowry this past off season, they did make a nice splash by signing Luol Deng, who is essentially their “LeBron replacement”. Deng is a versatile two-way player, an elite wing defender and a capable scorer, averaging 16.0 points for his career. The signings of Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger were pleasant to the ears, as everyone in South Florida is now hoping Granger can regain his pre-injury form. While rookie Shabazz Napier is/will experience growing pains, adding him to back up Chalmers and possible Norris Cole was no move to bat your eye at.

3. Pat Riley

The Godfather, as some call him. Riley is a 9 time NBA champion as a player, executive and coach, and has shown an incredible ability to keep a team afloat the past several years. While he does not have the luxury of having the best player in basketball at his disposal to make pitches, Riley knows what he’s doing, and there is no one that can not deny that.  There has been many times in the past when a Riley led team proved the doubters wrong and became forces in the league and at times minus a star the likes of the departed James.

2. The Resurgence of Chris Bosh

While playing the role of “third wheel” the past four seasons, many now have doubts of Bosh’s ability to be a legit first option. Many forget that Bosh averaged 24 and 10 during his final season in Toronto, and was a force to be reckoned with at the power forward position. With increased touches and shots this season, there should be no reason Bosh can’t return to his 20 & 10 form. He has also developed a very reliable three-point shot, and a much improved defender.

1. The Return of “Flash”

Ah, now to the good part. After a sub-par performance in the NBA Finals, one which Wade looked heavy and slow, there are few people outside of Florida who believe he can still carry a franchise. While Wade is on the back-end of his prime(he’s 32, not 36), he’s still shown numerous flashes of “Vintage D-Wade” during the Big 3 era. Many forget that with Wade as the first option, the Heat were unable to reach the promise land in 2011, prompting him to take a step back and hand the reigns to LeBron James. Only four years ago. Wade averaged 30.2 points, 7.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. While it’s a debate whether he should’ve been named MVP or not, he arguably had the best season of any player in the league that year. Now, with the increased doubt, scrutiny, and criticism, expect to see the old Dwyane Wade back. Miami is his city, his team again. Dwyane also has taken on a version of the paleo diet, and has slimmed down in the process, easing the load off his knees. Through 11 seasons, Wade has yet to let down the fans of South Florida(when able to play), and don’t expect him to start now.

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A Return to Wade County

Home:  a familiar or usual setting :  congenial environment; also:  the focus of one's domestic attention

There's been much talk of one retuning home in basketball circles.  What could have caused all of that white noise?  The drive to win NBA Championship has seemingly been replaced by urges to return "home", to a place of familiarity, a place of comfort and peace of mind as it is often stated that home is where the heart is.  I will not fault one for wanting to return home....even if he did morph into a false prophet.  I will however honor one who decided to remain home.......a home that he built, a home that's he's protected for the last 11 seasons, a home that he will one day be immortalized in.  

Much respect goes to the one that didn't run away from the challenge but who embraced the challenge of the struggle that will once more turn into the gluttony of euphoric victory.  2013, 2012, and the memorable 2006 NBA Finals were his canvas as he slashed, shot, and Euro Stepped his way to 3 NBA Championships all the while never being the highest paid player on his respective teams.  For him it wasn't about the size of one's salary, the amount of commercials, or the desire to be the first billionaire athlete.  It was simply about winning NBA titles, a feeling that was felt in only his 3rd year  in the league and again as his body began to slowly fail him as his career arc began its downward spiral.  

His constant sacrifice can't be ignored, the drive for rings or the leadership that defined a generation.  Nothing was given to him but much was earned; victories, accolades, rings, and finally the utmost respect from NBA fans all around the world.  Those who've witnessed his game mature from the point of a shy kid with no chance of hitting an open jumper to a seasoned guard with a deadly mid-range have been in for a treat of pure pleasure since the year of 2003.  A kid who was thrust in the limelight, fatherhood, and growing pains all too soon.  There were many detractors along the way, bad business deals, a public, ugly divorce, and a child born out of wedlock but despite it all, the kid matured, evolved into perhaps the third greatest shooting guard of all time.....only behind the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.  

It was a career that the greatest fan could not have envisioned, one full of ups and downs but also the orgasmic high of reaching the elusive mountaintop not one, not two, but three incredible times.  That orgasmic feeling was magnified a thousandfold when one understands that you have to crawl before you walk, sacrifice before the fruits of labor can be truly enjoyed.  The lesson of it all is to always fight the good fight but understand that there's times when one has to walk through the fire to reach the mountain top.  Perhaps the biggest sacrifice of all was stepping aside and letting the false prophet run his house, take his city, become the franchise and run away when the end seemed near.  Adverse situations reveals the truth in man and once the NBA Finals were decided, the fake revealed themselves and from the mirage of apparent ashes left in the fake's wake, a true king was revealed.  The Once and Future King of a franchise, reclaimed his home, his city, his house.   

"Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today."

The quote above was supposed to speak volumes but instead it validated what was already known, suspected for year.  Leaders aren't made, they are born and leaders show heart, speak truth, and demonstrate unselfish acts in times when lesser men display cowardice.  There are times when images, pictures speak more loudly than any voice, resonate more than any text trying to convey a sad tale of missing home.  Pictures can be etched in one's mind forever, burnt into one's fabric, engulfed by one's soul and it was this picture that reminded me what home for one truly was.......

With my love & respect
#Heatlifer

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Miami Heat 2013-14 Team Review

Result and why:

After dominating the Eastern Conference in the first three seasons of the Big Three’s existence, the Heat’s 54-28 record had them playing second fiddle to the Indiana Pacers, who from the start of the season were intent on topping the Eastern Conference.

Stephenson tried, and failed,
to rattle the Heat

However, when it came to the Playoffs, the Pacers’ relative inexperience compared to Miami, coupled with their episodes of immaturity, in particular from Lance Stephenson, saw them lose to Miami in six games, though it could have easily taken fewer games.

The Heat’s bid to become just the fourth franchise in NBA history to three-point would eventually come up short, with a disappointing loss in five games to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Miami was outclassed for much of the series, with their win being a slender two point margin of victory, compared to the Spurs, who won by 15 points or more in the other four games.

Standout star:

LeBron James was once again the standout player for the Heat last season. Once again he put up MVP worthy numbers, and if Kevin Durant had not have had such an impressive season he would have surely won the award for the third straight season. In 77 regular season games, LeBron averaged numbers of 27.1 points, while shooting a career best 56.7% from the field, to go along with 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

James scored a Heat record
61 points against Charlotte

With Dwyane Wade sitting out of 28 regular season games to rest his ailing knee, this put the onus even more on LeBron to lead his team to victory, and he duly delivered. This was most evident in Miami’s game against Charlotte; with Wade missing, LeBron erupted for a career high and Miami Heat record of 61 points, leading his team to a resounding victory. This was made even more impressive due to the fact that he was playing with a protective mask on his face due to him having a broken nose.

James’ stats did not deviate much in the Playoffs, and had his team gone on to win the Finals he would have surely been named Finals MVP for a third successive season. Unfortunately, his teammates were somewhat hit-and-miss, and a complete lack of bench production meant that even LeBron’s heroics could not see Miami through to the finish line.

Offseason needs:

For Miami to make any major progress during this offseason and, in particular, the upcoming free agency period, they needed their Big Three to all opt out of their contracts, which they have done. Now, before throwing your computer out of the window in disgust, consider this:

Can Miami keep the Big 3 together?

If James, Wade and Bosh had all opted in to their contracts, Miami would be paying them a combined total of around $62 million. With Norris Cole ($2.1 million) the only player with a guaranteed contracted for next season after Udonis Haslem opted out of his contract, this would have brought Miami’s total salary being paid next season to approximately $64 million. The salary cap for next season is expected to be $62.1 million, with the luxury tax set at $75.7million, which would not have left Miami much room to sign another eight players or so.

Reports have surfaced in the last few days stating that James is seeking a max deal to stay in Miami. If the Heat were to offer this, they would need Bosh and Wade to take a significant pay cut, something that they could be willing to do. James recently met for dinner with Bosh, Wade and Haslem to discuss their options, and his teammates reportedly understand LeBron’s wish to secure a max contract.

If Bosh takes the $15 million-a-year contract he is reportedly looking for, and if Wade signs for somewhere in the region of $12 million, then signing LeBron to a max deal and still leaving cap space to sign players to put around them would still be possible.

Lowry could be the playmaker
the Heat have been looking for

If the Heat were to achieve this, the next step for them should be to aggressively chase a ball handler during free agency. Kyle Lowry has been linked heavily with the South Beach team in recent weeks, and he would fit the bill perfectly. Miami are in desperate need of a player who can run the offense so that it does not always have to run through James and Wade.

Lowry earned over $6 million last season, and could easily command the same amount, if not more, in free agency. However, it would not be beyond the realms of possibility to entice him into taking less money to join the Big Three and earn his first NBA Championship ring.

If the Heat is able to make these signings, the next issue they must address is improving their options on the bench. Miami’s substitutes were collectively among the oldest in the league, and it showed last season. They looked weary and failed to produce all too often, leaving Miami’s starting group under a lot of pressure to perform.

Team outlook:

At the time of writing the future is still very uncertain for Miami. We are just hours away from the free agency period starting, and it will most likely be at least a few days before any signings are made.

Until such a time that signings can be finalized, it is hard to predict how a team will fare in the upcoming season, even more so when in Norris Cole, Miami only has one player signed to a guaranteed contract for next season, although the signing of rookie Shabazz Napier will soon take that total to two.

However, when you take into consideration what Pat Riley has been able to accomplish in the past, such as bringing Bosh and James to Miami to team up with Wade, it would be foolish not to consider the Heat as once again a leading contender for the Eastern Conference title, and perhaps even the NBA title.

For now, all Miami fans can do is sit back and let the madness unfold.

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