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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Heat Hand Bulls Another Home Defeat, 96-84.

When the current season is over, the Chicago Bulls could look back upon the home losses to the Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, and Miami Miami, all teams below .500, as a reason why they didn't finish higher in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Bulls have proven they can beat good teams and Jimmy Butler recently was quoted as saying, "We can beat anyone when we put our mind to it." Well, today, the Bulls looked like the gang that couldn't shoot straight and Miami got a stellar game out of 7' 0" Center Hassan Whiteside, who had a rare triple-double, in scoring 14 points, hauling in 13 rebounds, and blocking 12 shots (a Heat franchise record). Whiteside came from all directions down low to swat away balls that seemed ready to go in the basket. He played a terrific game in the Heat's 96-84 win.

In the fourth quarter, Aaron Brooks attempted a shot that looked like it was going in. That would have cut into the Heat's lead but Whiteside swatted it away to the dismay of the crowd.  Dwyane Wade scored on the next trip down the court to end the Bulls' threat.  That was the game in a nut-shell. Miami made plays and the Bulls did not.

The veteran Wade returned to his native city and scored 26 points while Chris Bosh added 20 to pace the Heat.

Forward Luol Deng played 9 seasons with the Bulls before getting traded to Cleveland last season.  He was picked up as a free-agent by the Heat and has worked out well.  Deng had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

It was enough to stop whatever good mojo the Bulls had gathered with their latest mini-winning streak.  The team shot a lowly 35.6% from the field and that is not good enough to compete and win the NBA.  Chicago trailed 26-20 at the end of the first quarter. 10 points at the half, 12 going into the 4th quarter.

The way the Bulls have been playing at home lately, that lead was too much to overcome.

Derrick Rose scored 19 for the Bulls but he went 0-6 from three-point land.  Pau Gasol had another double-double, netting 13 points and 17 rebounds. Aaron Brooks came off the bench to add 17 points and Taj Gibson had a solid game with 11 points and 8 rebounds.  However, the Bulls failed to put together a rally and cut into the lead. This was a game that could have been won, had the Bulls been on their game however they weren't and lost another tough one at the United Center.

Now Chicago heads west for a 6 game road trip that may have Conference standing implications.

Mike Dunleavy might return to the lineup but it remains to be seen if the Bulls can sustain an aggressive defense and score timely points. They don't have to score over 100 points a game to win.....just more than the other team.

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#HeatNation

People come and go in life, co-workers, friends, and even at times family.  A revolving door of personalities, temperaments and ideologies is at our fingertips every day, minute, and second of our lives.  It builds fortitude, a sense of one's self and also resilience.  A resilience that is often born from betrayal, fraudulent feelings, and loss of loved ones.  A Nation can often rise from the depths of despair, the agony of defeat, the death of a dream, and the betrayal of those who were once most loyal.  A Nation is a strong force, united by a singular goal, sheltered from outsiders and non believers all the while blindly following one another to the often elusive promised land.

Make no mistake about it, the four year dream died when a certain freed slave ran back to his longtime master the first chance that he could but left buried in his wake of destruction were the seeds, the seeds of something bigger than even he can imagine, a franchise that is not about one player, one savior but one of many.  The names are all familiar, Glen Rice, Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Brian Grant, Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, and Shaquille O'Neal.  In the very near future the likes of a Bosh and a Chalmers will be added to the mix, great players who sacrificed for an even greater franchise, one who's won three NBA Championships in a span of 8 years.  A franchise where the name on the front of the jersey is more important than that on the back.....the way it should be.

The Miami Heat is a proud organization and one with the bigger picture in mind at all times.  Despite their current record of 11-13 there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Winning a championship in sports is one of the hardest feats to accomplish but once the equation has been mastered, success becomes a habit.  Winning titles become second nature and its genesis begins at the ownership level and trickles down with sacrifices made at each pay grade.  This Nation has its roots planted deep, a championship culture that took years to build, years of blood sweat and tears, years of disappointment that again formulated the wall of strength of resilience.

The sounds, sights and championship history all remain the same but there's a genuine realness that has returned to the kingdom that was once led by a false prophet.  As the team is introduced there's a sense of appreciation from its Nation that has never been felt before.  Gone are the fans that blow with the winds of success, fans that have no roots, those who'd rather enjoy the hollow sense of victory versus the euphoria of the hard journey, the proverbial road less travel.

Walking through the championship halls reminds one of days past but also of tomorrow's promise.  This franchise is not done yet, it's the opposite.  The seeds that were left are now beginning to grow living off of the love and passion from the Nation that nurtures them, cheer them, and most importantly grow with them.  Be proud of the franchise before you for what they've accomplished in the past and for all they will accomplish in the very near future.

The Miami Heat are one of the most successful championship franchises in the history of the NBA and as stated previously, once the championship equation has been solved, many more will follow.  Enjoy this journey that has started anew.  Laugh, cry and finally rejoice.  And as the franchises' greatest son once said, "You are with family, you are home."

#HeatNation 

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Road Warriors Again, Bulls beat Miami, 93-75

The Chicago Bulls had a slight scare and won anyway.  There was some anxiety when Derrick Rose took a hard foul, but he returned unhurt, and scored 11 points in the 4th quarter to shut down any hopes of a Miami Heat rally.

The Heat played without Chris Bosh who sat out due to a strained calf muscle. The Bulls feasted in his absence and shot 46.5% in FG % and .500 from beyond the arc. Chicago had the offense going and it was too much for the Heat minus their big man. The Bulls rampaged to a 33-16 third period margin and won handily, 93-75.

Forward Mike Dunleavy scored 22 points, 19 in a hot third quarter where he shot 7-8 from the floor and made 3 trey's.  Tonight he was in a zone and helped the Bulls to an 11-3 record on the road, the best road record in the East.

Jimmy Butler scored 17 points, F Taj Gibson had 15 filling in for Joakim Noah, who sat out the game with an injury.  Rose added 14 points. 

"No matter what the score is, I still have to be myself in the 4th quarter," Rose said.  Luckily for Chicago, he was able to.

Former Bulls star, Luol Deng, now playing forward in Miami, had 17 points.  Veteran F Pau Gasol had a near double-double with 9 points and 9 rebounds for Chicago.

Bulls injury note:  Doug McDermott will miss between 6-8 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

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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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Can the Raptors repeat the road success of last season?

After a 109-102 win on Opening Night win against the Atlanta Hawks, the Toronto Raptors head out on the road to face the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat. With all five starters scoring in double figures, the Raptors were just too much to handle for the Hawks. Jonas Valanciunas led the team in scoring with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Amir Johnson poured in 16 points and 10 rebounds while DeMar DeRozan, who is known for his offensive game, surprised many and grabbed 11 rebounds along with 6 steals.

The Raptors face the Magic Saturday night which shouldn't be much of a challenge after sweeping the season series last year. Sunday the franchise will face the Heat which should be a interesting contest. The Raptors haven't had any success facing "The Big 3" in previous years but with LeBron James back in Cleveland, it gives Toronto a great chance to finally beat the Heat.

Tonight the Raptors look to continue their success on the road and build from last season's franchise-record 22 games won on the road.  This season's success on the road should be very interesting for the Raptors, if they can repeat the road success of the 2013-14 NBA season, Toronto would have earned the right to become the Atlantic Division Champions consecutively for the first time in franchise history.

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Will LeBron Ever Regret Leaving Miami?

Back in his old stomping grounds of Northeast Ohio, LeBron James is beginning a new journey. Gone are the bright lights and warm days of sunny South Beach. Gone are the days of the famed “Big 3 era” in Miami. A new aura surrounds the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers, one of excitement, gratitude, and lofty expectations. One question still looms: Will King James ever regret leaving what once was?

Only four short years ago, in what seems like yesterday, we were all pressed on the edge of our couches watching the infamous “Decision”, in which LeBron announced he was taking his talents to South Beach to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. We witnessed it all. The Dan Gilbert letter, the burnt jerseys, the riots in downtown Cleveland due to the departure of their former hero.

“We’ll never take him back”, “I hope he never wins a ring” were the exact words coming out of the mouths of these spurned fans, ones who have longed for a championship, after a 50+ year drought representing each of their major sports teams. Cleveland fans rejoiced when the Heat came up short against the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, a series which James played considerably poor in. They hid away in the shadows when Miami reached the promised land in 2012 and again in 2013. Fast forward to today, how times have changed.

After nearly a month of silence and speculation, Sports Illustrated released what could go down as the most powerful and inspiring piece in Cleveland sports history, and only one statement mattered: “I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m Coming Home”. Unlike the backlash four years ago, players and fans in Florida have shown class with the choice, because no matter what, home is where the heart is, and James made what he felt was the right decision not only for him, but for his family as well. 

Bolstered by a supreme supporting cast that includes Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Dion Waiters, Shawn Marion, Tristan Thompson, Mike Miller, James Jones, Anderson Varejao, and quite possibly Ray Allen, the Cavs are in a prime position to do what they couldn’t do in James’s first stint with the team: compete for an NBA championship each and every season, much like LeBron and the Heat did in their time together. While the roster is loaded with talent, many questions still loom. Of the new “Big 3″, James is the only one to have played in the postseason, as Love and Irving were never able to lead their respective teams to any playoff appearances. There are serious doubts of Love’s defensive ability, but playing with the best all around player in the world, that should improve, much similar to Chris Bosh’s situation when he joined Miami four seasons ago (Bosh is now one of the best pick and roll defenders in the league).

Let’s take a detailed comparison of the old “Big 3″ vs the new “Big 3″

Dwyane Wade vs Kyrie Irving

Coming into the ’10-11 season, Wade clearly has the edge over the now 22-year-old Irving. While Wade was 28 going on 29 in his first season with James, he had already shown his leadership abilities in full, leading the Heat to their first NBA title in 2006, virtually on his own (he averaged 34.7 ppg that series). Wade was also arguably a top 4 player in the NBA at the time, and it’s debatable if Irving has even cracked the top 10. Kyrie averaged 20.8 points per game last season, and also finished with career highs in assists (6.1) and steals (1.5). This upcoming season will only be Irving’s fourth professional season, and with a teammate like LeBron, expect immense growth in his game. Coming into 10-11, Wade was coming off a season in which he averaged 26.6 points, 6.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Clearly superior numbers than Irving’s, but at the time, Wade was a seasoned vet, while Kyrie is still finding his footing in the NBA. With the health and advanced age of Dwyane now, Irving is clearly the answer long-term, but at the time, give me Wade any day. Advantage: Wade


Chris Bosh vs Kevin Love

Looking at these two versatile forwards, who can both score inside and out, you can’t find too many differences. Coming into his first season with the Heat, Bosh was coming off a career year with the Raptors. He averaged 24 points, 10.8 rebounds, and a block a game for the 09-10 season. With the limited talent on that Toronto roster, Bosh was unable to lead them to the playoffs that year. In the same shoes as Bosh, Love is coming off a spectacular individual season as well. Last year, he averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, and a career high in assists (4.4). The only difference, Kevin was never able to lead his team to the playoffs in his six seasons in Minneapolis, and his abysmal .5 blocks per game numbers have many questioning his defensive ability. Overall, this is pretty even. Love is the long-term answer similar to Irving, but in fair comparison, Bosh is now 30, not 40. Advantage: even

LeBron James (2010) vs LeBron James (2014)

Clearly the new LeBron is the one you’d rather go into battle with. He’s now a proven winner, a two time champion, and has the ability to hit big shots in any games biggest moments. While not bolstering the same athleticism as four years ago, James’s jump shot is much improved now, and he is not as streaky. We’ve seen significant increases in his three-point field goal percentages the past three years (2012-36% 2013-41% 2014-38%). There is very little to argue here, the new LeBron is a much better all around player than the old LeBron. Advantage: Now

Supporting Cast: 2010-11 Heat vs 2014-15 Cavaliers

While taking a detailed look of the pieces James had to work with then to now, the advantage goes to Cleveland. In 2011, the Heat were stuck with limited role players such as Carlos Arroyo, Erick Dampier, Jamaal Magloire, Eddie House, Joel Anthony and broken down versions of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mike Miller, and Mike Bibby (Miller would later get over his injuries to be a major contributor in the following years). Currently Cleveland is loaded with young talent and savvy vets such as Dion Waiters, Mike Miller, Shawn Marion, Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao, James Jones, Brendan Haywood and could possibly add Ray Allen in the near future. Of the supporting cast, Miller, Jones, Marion, and Haywood are all wearing championship rings. Of the 2011 Heat, only Eddie House was sporting a flashy piece on his finger.

Will the King ever feel any regret about leaving sunny South Florida? Long term, maybe not. The odds seem against it, but you can never bet against Pat Riley and the Miami Heat. Maybe the Big 3 had one last run in them, I felt they did. Now all we can do is wait. Only time will tell.

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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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Indiana Pacers 2013-14 Team Review

The world of sports can often be filled the concept of moral victories.  Times when just winning or losing isn't as important as how you how accomplish both.  Was one able to win with class or lose with class?  The 30 teams of the National Basketball Association (NBA) endure a schedule of 82 games played, many of which ending with moral victories as they all fight for the right to be crowned as the NBA Champion.  Having won 56 of 82 games and leading the NBA's Eastern Conference for three fourths of the season, one would have a hard time calling the Indiana Pacers of 2014 a failure but based on the goals that they set for themselves coming into the season, they failed and in spectacular fashion.

From the moment that they walked off of the American Airlines Arena court last season, their goal was not to have to travel for a game 7 again and they vowed to have the singular goal of hosting a game 7 in Bankers Life Fieldhouse in a potential rematch with the 2 time defending NBA Champion Miami Heat.  How ironic is it that their goal turned out to be nothing more than fools gold?  The Pacers captured the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference but was not allowed to host a game 7 in their "house" as the Miami Heat once again stood in the way of the Pacer's path towards an NBA title.  Afflicted by team turmoil (selfishness, arrogance, off the court issues), the Pacers went from one of the most promising teams in the NBA in recent memory to its most dysfunctional in what seemed as if a matter of mere seconds.  Had it been a matter of a lack of talent, the Pacers would have been labeled as the underdogs, a franchise fortunate to make it to the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals two years in a row but this was far different.  There were no passes given as they faltered under the pressures being applied by the "big brothers" if you will.

The "Franchise" Paul George continued his ascension throughout the NBA's regular season as he was named a starter on the All-Star for the first time.  With averages of 21.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, George was clearly the standout player of the Pacers for the season.  Finally being free from the shadow of previous franchise Danny Granger, George as the face of the franchise lifted it to places that haven't been seen since the years that were home to Hall of Famer Reggie Miller tormenting the New York Knicks and being a pest to the likes of Michael Jordan and every other star in the league during his 18 year career.  In an opt disappointing season, George, on the court, was the largest bright spot for the Pacers.

With that being said, the largest decision that the Pacers will have to make this off-season is whether or not they are going to re-sign Lance Stephenson who is set to become a restricted free agent July 1st.  Just as George did years earlier, Stephenson had to learn and adapt to ascending while playing in the shadows of the "Franchise".  Antics aside, Stephenson is a talent despite still being "raw" in a multitude of areas.  The Pacers will have the ability to match any potential contract that Stephenson receives elsewhere but depending on the impending value of said contract, Stephenson may very well be allowed to simply walk away.

Despite the addition of C.J. Watson to bolster the depth of the guard position, he and starter George Hill was simply underwhelming as the Pacers fell.  If Stephenson is destined to be priority one in the off-season for the franchise, upgrading the point guard position is slated for the next position.  Having true point guard will allow both Paul George to play freely as they won't have the pressures of setting up the offense on their minds, they'll be able to move freely without the ball and attack when necessary.  With the "clutter" eradicated from their minds, they'll continue to shine brighter than before.

A veteran guard that comes to mind is Andre Miller due to his incredible skill set and professionalism.  Miller's advanced age is obvious but due to his ability to facilitate the offense, protect the ball, and dominate in the post, Miller would be a great addition to bolster the guard play of the Indiana Pacers however the Washington Wizards have guaranteed his contract for the 2014-15 NBA season.  Another intriguing name is Miami Heat free agent Mario Chalmers.  Despite the disdain between the two franchises, Chalmers would fit perfectly in the Pacers system and would also be able to showcase more of his skill set to offset Paul George.

By default the Indiana Pacers will continue to be one of the top 3 teams in the Eastern Conference but if they fail to maximize their potential for another season, big changes are coming.  At that point no one will be same included Frank Vogel and C Roy Hibbert.  If last season was indeed championship or bust for the Pacers, the lessons of it were not learned, there were no consequences for the disappointment, the indifference as the ship was sinking under the watchful eye.  The Pacers will enjoy another 50 plus win season but will face disappointment in the playoffs once more.

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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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