Heatwaves

New Season.....New Blog

2009-10-25T21:25:00.001Z

2009 - 2010 Season

Please use this link....

The Fourth Degree

Goodnight...Sleep Well.

2009-05-04T11:33:00.003+01:00

And so we draw a discreet veil across season 2008/09.

A season which has been one of many ups and downs for this "budding" Miami Heat team.

Coming off a 15 win season and converting that into a Play-Off run deserves a modicum of credit but I'm certain that everyone looking on agrees that there is some serious work to be done.

I'm also sure that next season there won't be half as much whining and moaning surrounding the Head Coach (certainly not from me anyway). He'll get things right in the close season and the Heat will come back as an even tougher proposition, ready to challenge.

Which pieces will move around...I dunno...I would suggest a mentor for Mario Chalmers.

Beyond that who knows.

Thanks to anyone who has read HEATWAVES........I shall return under a new guise for season 2009/10.

Over and out.

Fourth Quarter Blues

2009-05-03T20:02:00.001+01:00

Ah well....look on the bright side....we don't now play the Cavs.

Pattern Continues...Heat Set Up Decider...Game #6

2009-05-02T07:21:00.004+01:00

ATLANTA HAWKS 72 - MIAMI HEAT 98 (3-3)

Six games -six routs -honours even.......this, truly ugly, series of games where both teams are Jeckyll and Hyde, will end on Sunday.

So what were the significant factors last night?

Well...first of all there was Dwyane Wade. A masterful performance on his way to 41 points...he also provided me with my favourite moment of the season so far with a swooping, concussion enducing, 4th quarter flush right on the head of Zaza Pachulia......nice.

Then there was Michael Beasley.

Michael has been splitting Miami fans right down the middle....I, as you may have guessed from previous bloggings, kinda like him. Admittedly he can be infuriatingly stupid at times both on and off court but he can also be stunningly brilliant when he puts his mind to things. He just needs to make the most of his opportunities, when they surface. Well, with 7.33 left in the first quarter last night, Udonis Haslem committed his second personal foul and Beasley came in.

Give Erik Spoelstra credit here....he stuck with the rookie last night and Michael repaid him with 22 points and 15 rebounds ( 5 more than anyone else in the game ).The only smudge would be that he never got to the free throw line but he is driving much more regularly now....the left hand finger roll is becoming a potent weapon. 36 minutes for Beasley last night.....Decision time for Spoelstra...a snap-shot of the future?

Lastly, I thought I'd single out Joel Anthony for a few plaudits. Big Joel has quietly gone about his business this season. He knows his function within the set-up and when called upon, is rarely found wanting for effort. A great guy to have around the place and I was happy for him that he got to start in such a big game. He played hard and helped open up the floor for Wade with well placed picks.

Atlanta were a no show....which suggests that they believe they will get the job done at home on Sunday....they may be mistaken.

We've opened the door again.

Tonight, We Even The Score.....But Let's Be Cool.

2009-05-01T15:42:00.004+01:00

There's a fair bit of rhetoric flying around the AAA today.

The Heat are stocking up on how the Hawks and their hangers on have been "disrespectful" in the past couple of days and hoping to channel that negative energy into something positive come game time.

Mario West and Josh Smith's antics may provide some annoyance....Steve Holman (buffoon extraordinaire) may be calling the Heat "street thugs" and belittling D-Wade "I'm Dwyane Wade, you can't do that to me!!"

The media ( generally outside of Miami ) have all but written the Heat off.

Well.....whatever works.

I'm sure that the Hawks will look to deliver more of the same and assert themselves early....watch out for Pachulia putting himself about.....The Heat must match that clean up on the boards and hit some shots.....also someone needs to get a grip of Ronald "Flip" Murray, who is lighting us up in most embarrassing fashion.

I would counsel that cool heads are what will be required......that doesn't mean that the hearts aren't burning ferociously underneath.

Take it as given....the fans will do their bit.

Remember These Words

2009-05-01T07:09:00.002+01:00

Dwyane Wade speaking during Thursday's media session..............

"It's a tough position to be in. I don't want to come out and shoot my team out of it or shoot us into it. I want it to be a total team effort. I'm not the kind of guy that feels like I have to do everything. Success comes from team success. Hopefully, we can go out and play our normal game."

I like that.

He also said that he has transcended his injuries....well, he didn't actually use the word "transcended" but he let everyone there know that he wasn't even thinking about them any more......

"I'm feeling better. I'm at the point where whatever is bothering me, it doesn't really matter at this point. I'm moving on from my injuries."

So my "Lazarus" analogy wasn't too far off the mark......Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that Dwyane is feeling better and that the injuries, seemingly, aren't going to be a factor.....but how he can constantly swing from broken to fixed is an endless source of amazement to me and many others I suppose........let's look at that advert one more time........this series will surely go to seven games. I have removed the "if required" notice from Sunday's fixture.

The Truth....

2009-04-30T21:11:00.001+01:00

Another excellent article from one of the finest U.S sports writers around.

Heat Must Find Its Physical Side In The Post Season - ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

Going Down?.......Game #5

2009-04-30T08:17:00.004+01:00

MIAMI HEAT 91 - ATLANTA HAWKS 106 (2-3)

How'd we ever get 91?

I will make a few succinct points then retreat.

1. James Jones takes 2 attempts from the field in the 42 minutes of play he was given...TWO!!

2. Dwyane Wade plays 39 (could have been more) minutes on a broken back.

3. Michael Beasley awakens from his slumbers and only plays 24 minutes.

4. Daequan Cook needs counselling

5. This game was blown at half time 63 -40....Coach made some shocking decisions...AGAIN.

6. Spoelstra will not assume any of the blame.

7. One of two scenarios will now ensue.........we lose in 6.......or Lazarus will miraculuosly recover

and dramatically score 50 in the next game to ignite the Heat so that we pinch it in Atlanta.

Where's your money?

Dunno About You....

2009-04-29T22:37:00.003+01:00

.....but I think something is a bit rotten in the state of Denmark.

D-Wade is definite about playing, regardless of the back injury.

Spoelstra says he can't afford to NOT have him out there and that even a lame Wade is better than no Wade at all......?

If what is being bandied about as regards our beaten up star is "gospel" then I think we should be a bit worried....if on the other hand we are experiencing a bit of chicanery by the Miami Heat then great!!

.....we'll find out the real story just after 8.00pm ET

Pray that Cook and Beasley get it going tonight.

Tomorrow Never Knows

2009-04-28T21:03:00.004+01:00

Or play the game

Existence to the end

Of the beginning........of the beginning

John Lennon allegedly wrote this lyric whilst whacked out of his skull on LSD and other such psychadelic drugs in January 1966.....The title was coined by Ringo Starr during one of his legendary, Mrs.Malaprop-esque, interviews...where am I going with this??

Well......who knows what tomorrow may bring? Hopefully the strong medication that D-Wade used to help him sleep on Monday night will, along with the ministrations of trainer Jay Sabol, allow him to experience a relatively pain-free game #5. Medical assistance can only do so much....it certainly can't protect Wade from the physical abuse that The Hawks will undeniably mete out.....he will need help.....and LOTS OF IT.

This has been the main talking point across the board after game #4. The rookies especially have come in for a bit of stick as has, "Now you see me-Now you don't" Daequan Cook. Every player, regardless of experience, has to be ready to give it their all....it's no use turning up at the post match press conference and bemoan the fact that the other team played better....not an option.

We cannot afford to turn off our minds, relax and float down stream.

......I did say that we shouldn't underestimate The Hawks.....well they had better not underestimate the powers of recovery that Flash possesses and the unpredictability of the Heat team........wouldn't it be great if that unpredictability actually became a weapon?

Let's say it again.....who knows what tomorrow may bring?

What Now?....Game #4

2009-04-28T06:34:00.004+01:00

ATLANTA HAWKS 81 - MIAMI HEAT 71 (2-2)

We are lead to believe that Dwyane Wade's back spasms began in the morning shoot-around...that was when Game #4 went down the chute for he Heat.

As Heat fans we are used, especially this season, to the Jeckyll and Hyde characteristics of this young team and Coach, I can live with that....however D-Wade playing 44 (nearly 45 minutes) on a bad back ?

He is the fulcrum...the player that makes things happen.....because he was hampered very little got going...there is no Plan B. This over-reliance was exposed last night....it was apparent as he grimaced his way through the first quarter that things weren't right....strikes me Dwyane needs protection from himself.

Give James Jones and Jermaine O'Neal credit. Especially Jones who is being called a "sharp-shooter" again, in certain parts. O'Neal had another 20 point game.

Both teams were poor (thankfully - remember you could have woken up to find out that you were a Hornets fan today) but the Hawks were slightly less so and will be cock-a-hoop with any kind of win on the road....Zaza Pachulia having a big night for them ( I'm going to resist any Big Kat references here as they could be viewed as divisive ).

Best of three now..and it has instantly become an uphill challenge again....still very possible though.

Heat Need To Go All Out For 3-1

2009-04-27T22:22:00.003+01:00

This is a biggie....make no mistake about that.

The Miami sports media columns are being crammed with warning signs...

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE ATLANTA HAWKS.

Now, I cannot tell you all how much of a pleasure it has been to post such positive messages over the past few days....it beats moaning....of which I am utterly guilty. This Heat team has had a very topsy turvy season....inconsistent to say the least.....usually after a performance like last Wednesday when everything goes right- everything goes wrong the next game.

NOT SO.....They came out on Saturday on home turf and played even better.

The Hawks who were fairly warm favourites to take this series look shell-shocked and their Head Coach is looking for excuses......this doesn't mean they aren't dangerous.....they hung with the Celtics for seven games last year. Miami has a foot on Atlanta's throat and must not release that pressure. If we go 3-1 up then we are in fantastic shape.

More of the same Miami please.

Rule of Thumb....Haslem Definitely OK......Game #3

2009-04-26T21:43:00.007+01:00

ATLANTA HAWKS 78 - MIAMI HEAT 107 (2-1)

My, my!

I think we can safely say that the Hawks got unceremoniously battered in his one. The starting 5 for the Miami Heat all registered double figures with D-Wade on 29 (yes ONLY 29) and J.O hitting 22 points and 10 boards.....Udonis Haslem joined him in the double/double stats with 12 and 13......at one point, in the first quarter last night you could have been forgiven for thinking there were TWO Udonis Haslem's on court...he was everywhere.

Okay so the thumb isn't eally a factor then? Didn't seem like it, the way he was rebounding....awesome.

As critic in chief of Coach Spoelstra I'd like to say how good it is to see him look slightly more assured....he has most definitely fostered a team ethic with tiger-ish defense and the scoring being spread. Even with Cook and Beasley ( two fairly potent scorers ) as non-factors offensively, last night, the Heat had too much for the mis-firing Hawks. He has looked towards his All-Stars and they haven't been found wanting. Both Wade and O'Neal have lead by example and to our delight the response has been electric...and the scoring balanced.....if things continue in this vein they'll be a handful for anyone.

The fact that the Heat are now starting to look more like favourites than underdogs will mean that Michael Beasley will have make full use of his court time....seasoned players like Haslem, Jones and O'Neal, who've been over the course before are showing their true worth. I know I've been calling for Beasley to start but that was when I thought UD was injured badly...he isn't...he starts....okay.....it's fairly obvious that Spoelstra, now, cannot afford any disastrous slip-ups and Michael can be prone to them....development over.....I just hope that if his time comes and he's needed to give us a spark from the bench he grabs the opportunity.

If, on the other hand, he screws up I hope it doesn't cost us a game....that would be tough on the kid.

100% from the free throw stripe last night AND 52.2% from downtown...not 58% but still excellent...James Jones 3-3, including one that bounced off the top edge of the backboard and in....keep an eye on him, his luck could be turning.

The pendulum has swung and The Heat have assumed home court advantage....game #4 is huge.

Heat Looking For Level Heads at the AAA

2009-04-24T21:57:00.007+01:00

Okay......amidst all the uneasiness surrounding rotations, haircuts, playing time, joviality, tactics, stitches and 64 points....Game #2 occured and the Heat came through, at the Philips Arena.....Spoelstra stressed "D" and he nailed it.

You CANNOT argue with that.

D-Wade showed his leadership qualities...as did UD.....the Heat got the game controlled and squeezed the life out of the Hawks. The scoring was spread, as were the minutes and the whole thing started to look, dare we say it.......balanced? Something the Heat have been searching for all season...balance...D-Wade needs his mates to step up alongside him....maybe now ( you'd hope ) some confidence will begin to flow through this team.

Give Spoelstra his due.....although there still seemed to be one or two questionable decisions - like Wade sitting in crunch time, things fell for him.....Wade and Cook shared 12 three pointers between them and Udonis hit those two crucial jumpers....this is the tight-rope the Coach walks....hero or villain....well in Game #2, even though I've been bleating for more minutes for Beasley, there were definite tactics and the minutes were managed brilliantly.....and d'you know what? I'M GLAD....and a tad less baffled.

I'm glad that the Coach got this success and I hope that there's more to come. I'm Less baffled because what he did made sense...eg big minutes for Cook and O'Neal, Magloire adopting the "enforcer" role, using Moon athelticism, sharing time between Beasley and Haslem, slowing the game down etc. Now it's fairly unlikely but not impossible that the Heat will go out and drain 58% from three-point land on Saturday evening ( isn't it? )....we shall see.....everyone is espousing more half court offense ....no arguments here..... as long as we hit the shots when they present themselves.

I read somewhere today "live by the three - die by the three".....that quote chills me but I'm sure there will be no reliance on the three ball after hitting 15 of them on Wednesday.....that would be too naive.....especially when you have the best finisher in the game on your side.....I'm sure Wade will mix it up and if the treys are there, hopefully, we'll execute.

Balance seems to be the way forward.....but if D-Wade scores 60 in a double OT success I'll take that too!

It's the Play-Offs....I think petty differences need to be shelved....WIN HEAT whichever way you can.

Cook-ing Up A Storm.....Game #2

2009-04-23T07:29:00.004+01:00

MIAMI HEAT 108 - ATLANTA HAWKS 93 (1-1)

It was fairly predictable that D-Wade wouldn't have two bad nights in a row. He had a small blip, mid-season where everything he touched turned to ice for around four games or so but THIS is the play-offs....THIS is different.

You would also assume that with 33 points it was all about him last night....I had reckoned on the Head Coach loading up on Wade.....what I hadn't reckoned on was Daequan Cook getting red-hot and finding his Phoenix form from three-point land.....neither had the Hawks it would appear.....neither did anyone else, I'll warrant.....glad he did though. Also Jermaine O'Neal had a big, aggressive and arguably his best night in a Miami Heat uniform with 19 points, 6 boards and 4 blocks.....that'll keep the "Old Man" accusations at bay for a while at least.

In fact there was a pleasing spread of points and this is when the Heat are at their best....Wade in front getting help from here, there and everywhere. Haslem, Beasley, Moon and Magloire all had important contributions to make especially on the defensive glass where Atlanta hardly got a look-in (give Spoelstra credit here)....Haslem, specifically ,hit two huge buckets with Wade on the bench in crunch time with 5 fouls and the Hawks closing in.....such is his value to this team (injured or not - like it or not). Hopefully the sore thumb won't be a factor from here on in and he and Beasley can spark off each other.

Wade's banked-in three pointer with 2.36 to go made me think....there is no question, we can do this.

The series is tied and we go home for the next two....what an opportunity this is now.

Looky here....

2009-04-22T18:03:00.002+01:00

Sometimes you find shared opinions in the craziest places...take a look at this from Ira Winderman's Q&A session.

Q: Ira, why are your readers so distraught? We have D-Wade next to a mediocre starting PG, no reasonable small forward and a washed-up center. It's a miracle they are where they are. What frightens me, and probably Pat Riley, is basing so much of your future on Beasley, who seems to be a knucklehead. -- Howard.

A: But a highly skilled knucklehead. The key is to find that one assistant coach who can mentor, tutor and befriend Michael. While it might sound outrageous for Michael to essentially have his own assistant coach, that might be what it takes. Again, I would Crazy Glue Michael to Keith Askins for the summer.

EXACTLY.

I've been saying this for a while now....hate to get all pompous about it......good old Ira.

Just for the Record...

2009-04-21T21:56:00.003+01:00

It isn't only me who has a bug up their a** as regards Coach Spoelstra.

Diego over at "Leaving It All On The Court" makes some salient points on the subject, including a resounding vote of confidence for #30. I was beginning to think that I stood alone in my baffled state but there seems to be some other pockets of bewilderment out there in the blogosphere.

Also, check out "Peninsula is Mightier" for a great photo with accompanying caption.....sums up what I'm thinking.

This is good too, from "The Bleacher Report"

My friends over at Dos Minutos have given me a bit of a chewing over for what they term my "vilification" of Erik Spoelstra and claim that my remarks have been "bizarre" and "over the edge".......fair play to them.....this is healthy.....it wouldn't do if we all agreed with each other all the time, would it. Professional sport, no matter what type, constantly throws up arguments.

I'm no authority on it...just an interested spectator....with a big mouth.....

....And Spoelstra baffles me.

Guess I'm not too smart huh?

Have People Lost Their Minds?

2009-04-20T21:01:00.003+01:00

Just read this.......David Hyde - Michael Beasley Needs To Grow Up Fast

I must admit it has left me ever so slightly non-plussed. Apparently, in the warm up last evening, Michael was taking circus shots and goofing off rather than, as the seriousness of the Play-Offs demands, being totally focused and toe-ing the line.

Big WOW!!!!

What I will say is that unless I'm very much mistaken the kid went on to have another double/double 10 and 10, albeit in ( as my friends at Dos Minutos rightly call it ) garbage time. He had as many defensive rebounds as Haslem, Jones and O'Neal put together. Throw into the mix 2 blocked shots and two steals also and I reckon the Rokkie can hold his head a lot higher than many of his senior, more illustrious colleagues.

Don't give me this nonsense about him not caring...not having the right attitude...he is being stifled. He was probably pissed off but resigned to the fact that Haslem would waltz back in (with one hand) and that either Jones, Moon or Diawara would be there before him too....I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd launched a ball at Spoelstra's head never mind the rafters at the Phillips Arena.

The Head Coach asked him for performances....he has definitely upped his game.....the Head Coach promised him minutes if he performed well.....does this equate to meaningless court-time when the Heat are so far in arrears they need a telescope to find the Hawks?

I am totally baffled and I think Beasley is too....the more Spoelstra mucks around with his mind the more you will see behaviour akin to a twelve year old (nice one Dwyane).

As I've said before, this isn't rocket science.......it's simple man-management, being honest and allowing those in your charge to be trusted....Here's the ball Mike - go and show us what you can do......it's too late to ask him to grow up now....he was placed in the dark after a handful of regular season games and has been fed bulls**t ever since.

GAME #1 Awful....Just Bloody Awful.

2009-04-20T16:01:00.003+01:00

MIAMI HEAT 64 - ATLANTA HAWKS 90 (0-1)

Is it best to just forget about this one? I think so.

I'll guarantee you that is what Erik Spoelstra is doing right now because he never makes mistakes. I have yet to hear him blame himself....hold his hands up and say, "Hey, you know what? I really screwed up there....I really don't know what I'm supposed to be doing and could do with a little help...please."

No........what do we get instead?......his standard response....

"Defensively we were slow. We were slow in the mind, and whenever there seemed to be a loose ball or a rebound, they seemed to have much more desperation than we did and physicality than we did."

Inspire your team Erik.....for God's sake.....do your job.

I'm not even going to go into the box score on this one. This has been the Miami Heat all season long.....who'd bet against them coming out and tearing homecourt advantage away from the Hawks in Game #2.......not I.......D-Wade has had his bad game and he's had it early. Coach Spoelstra will almost inevitably now look to our superstar to bail him out, once more.

....and incidentally why is Udonis Haslem playing?......he's injured....Michael Wallace over at the Miami Herald made him "Player of the Game"........I truly despair.

Derrick Rose - Rookie

2009-04-19T17:46:00.002+01:00

It's not that I like to see Boston lose.......well.........it is actually.

I enjoy the fact that Paul Pierce only connects on 9-21...that makes my day....call me sad if you wish. I'm kind of conflicted though when that defeat is inflicted upon them by non other than the Chicago Bulls. There have been one or two testy moments between the Heat and the Bulls this season already....who can forget Vinnie Del Negro's "Remember this....Remember this !!!" outburst. Still you've got to admire Derrick Rose.

Rookie - first playoff game - 36 points - 11 assists -49 minutes

Hello! ROOKIE...ROOKIE...ROOKIE.....I repeat RRRRROOOOKKKIE.

Against the champs no less..............lots of faith has been shown in the #1 draft pick......ofcourse there is a difference between him and others as he has automatically become the franchise player in Chicago and the team is to be built around him but he has played every game and been allowed to develop and make mistakes during the regular season. Wouldn't it be amazing if now, having climbed that steep learning curve we hear so much about, Rose went on to dominate the Celtics.....what a story that would be.......not saying it's going to happen but just shows you what having a little faith and trust in your rookie can deliver.

Business As Usual.....

2009-04-18T00:55:00.004+01:00

Well folks....what did you expect?

Upon reading dear old Ira's blog this evening.

Haslem will play regardless of how the lacerated finger has healed....Beasley, who has, beyond any reasonable doubt, earned his minutes recently will sit on the bench.

Of course, that is, until the Heat go down big in the first quarter and he'll be asked to spark the rescue mission....from his chair....once again.

Starting five for game #1......Chalmers, Wade, Moon, Haslem, O'Neal....no doubt about it.

Is there any point at all in getting irate over this? I've been calling out the Head Coach for a while now and really, it doesn't make me feel any better.....nope....Are there any Heat fans out there with the realistic expectation that we're going to go on and actually win the whole thing???!!!

Then why the rush to play Haslem?....his back is suspect and he's got an injured thumb....we have a more than able substitute.....what is going on?

As I've said already.....if Spoelstra has a plan it's a tad hard to comprehend.

Unleash Beasley on the Hawks and let's see what he can do....you already have your success Erik, now take a gamble...that's a laugh!

Prediction Time

2009-04-16T21:12:00.002+01:00

Okay, so we now plunge headlong into the Post Season.

All the match-ups have been decided....it's time to make your predictions.....here are mine

IN THE WEST

Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Blazers

IN THE EAST

Cleveland, Orlando, Boston, MIAMI

You didn't honestly think I would bet against our boys did you? It's going to be one hell of a struggle against a well equipped Hawks team but I just have a feeling......if our esteemed Coach decides to be a little creative.....that we could pull it off....then, bolstered by a Series win who wouldn't fancy us giving anyone a game??

Keep everything crossed....maybe this topsy turvy season will finally level out.

Here Endeth The Regular Season....Game #82

2009-04-16T16:08:00.002+01:00

DETROIT PISTONS 96 - MIAMI HEAT 102 (OT ) (43-39)

Another meaningless game for the Heat to finish off the season?

You try telling that tale to Chris Quinn, Dorrell Wright and Michael Beasley.

After playing 28, nearly 29 minutes on Tuesday, against the Hawks and registering a big , fat donut hole on the box score as regards points, Quinn came out all guns blazing and showed real character in a career high performance......26 points on 9-13 shooting, 5-5 from beyond the arc.

Wright had a big 10 boards in a display that will surely give him heart come the off-season.

Beasley continued his current hot form running up 22 and pulling down 5 rebounds before being poked in the eye by Amir Johnson midway through the third quarter...he'd played about 19 minutes by then and didn't return....the injury isn't serious and he was heard to be joking about it afterwards.....careful Mike, don't want to be joking around too much or it'll be sackcloth and ashes for you my friend!

With Dwyane Wade securing the scoring title and masquerading as the main cheerleader from courtside it was a happy ending to regular season 08/09 for the Miami Heat.

As far as I am concerned everything from here on in is a bonus. The Hawks are tricky opposition but opposition that we are well capable of beating.....it really is down, now, to the Coaching Staff to get some sort of formula worked out that will facilitate all of the talents of this young squad...not just D-Wade....as I've mentioned already this season the Heat are at their best when the scoring is spread.....yeah sure, we're going to need big nights from #3 and I'll welcome those but we must NOT become one dimensional, go into our shells and be totally reliant on him...we must utilise our most potent scorers and look for Coach Spoelstra to be true to his word.

I think you know what I'm alluding to here......I see no gains from sitting the kid down at this juncture........NONE, period.

Beasley Burns Brightest in Meaningless Loss...Game #81

2009-04-15T06:51:00.002+01:00

MIAMI HEAT 79 - ATLANTA HAWKS 81 (42-39)

Not a lot to report on last night's game apart from the fact that Michael Beasley came out of the traps like a man possessed scoring 12 points and corralling 11 boards in the first quarter....personally I'd have liked to see him play on last night, instead of motoring through is 24 minutes but there you go....Coach Spoelstra obviously has a key role for him.....ya think?

And the Good News Is......Game #80

2009-04-13T08:20:00.006+01:00

NEW YORK KNICKS 105 - MIAMI HEAT 122 (42-38)

You'd quite honestly think that with 28 points, 16 (count them) rebounds and 2 blocked shots that we'd be talking about how Michael Beasley slayed the Knicks at the AAA last night. Well....let's put it this way....he certainly softened them up.

BUT

The fatal blows were dealt by #3...When you consider D-Wade you just have to sit back in awe. I know I have been critical of Erik Spoelstra's "D-Wade" offense but last night was such a show of virtuosity that you cannot do anything else but admire it....55 massive points, a career high in a season of bests for Wade. Remember too he was on the bench for the first 5 and a bit minutes of the second quarter.

I suppose if we are fortunate enough to have a player of this calibre there are going to be nights when we jump on his back and let him pull us along.....any Coach in the league would do the same thing.

The most pleasing bit for me was Beasley.....you could see the fear and disappointment in his face when he got called (dubiously) for his second foul with 2.26 left in the first and had to sit down....had this been a couple of weeks ago he'd have disappeared without trace but the kid had already scored 5 points and pulled down 7 rebounds....Coach Spoelstra is slowly starting to believe in him and he only got called for one further infringement in his 40.16 minutes. Maybe he fact that he has only been playing in the mid 20's all season will be a huge boost to the Heat when the series against the HAWKS starts......Michael certainly looks fresh.......my friends over at DOS MINUTOS ( a very entertaining Miami Heat blog and much more insightful than this)certainly think he's looking more interested.

So that's fifth spot locked down....Wade can now take a well earned rest and O'Neal can get treatment on the calf. Hopefully the Heat will have as near to a healthy roster as possible come Play-off time.

Closing Out....

2009-04-12T09:25:00.002+01:00

The Heat have had problems closing out games in recent weeks and now they have to close out this regular season. That means beating the Knicks, the Hawks and the Pistons and creating a springboard into the play-offs.
The Knicks visit the AAA today and will be hell bent on putting a further skid under the Miami Heat who have dropped their last two. Games against he Knicks are always feisty affairs and it'll be interesting to see what transpires.
Securing 5th spot in the division has been the most realistic aspiration for Miami for a while and with a little help from Toronto this evening that could become a reality. A victory for the Raptors against the 76ers would mean that Miami would avoid facing any of the division leaders in Rd.1 and be matched up with the Hawks.
Let's just get the job done against our opponents and let other events take care of themselves.

Celtics Close It Out At The Garden.....Game #79

2009-04-11T08:26:00.003+01:00

MIAMI HEAT 98 - BOSTON CELTICS 105 (41-38)

Okay I got it wrong...but for long, long spells of this game the Heat hung with an excellent Celtics team and overcame what seemed like an endless stream of questionable calls from the officiating team.

With Jamario Moon out of the line up due to a minor injury, Michael Beasley stepped up off the bench and played just shy of 39 minutes. He recorded a big double/double - 23 points and 13 boards (leading all players on rebounds). A good night for Michael was tarnished somewhat when in crunch time he threw an errant pass over the head of Mario Chalmers and out of play with the score tied at 95 . Boston connected on the subsequent possession (Pierce free throws )and moved away.

It's easy to use the rookie as fall-guy and it WAS an ugly mistake...no doubt about that.... BUT take into consideration Miami's performance from the charity stripe 60.9%....that isn't too pretty either....D-Wade 7-13? Boston were over 95% and also well over 60% from three point range as Miami once more froze up from beyond the arc.

My least favourite NBA player...Paul "The Truth" Pierce (there's a misnomer if ever there was one)...once more put the Heat to the sword, he was chief executioner for the Celtics with 28 points.....he also was the fortunate recipient of some dodgy calls.

Tough night for the Heat.....but for once I agree with Coach Spoelstra, there's got to be a silver lining in there, somewhere.

Philadelphia's loss to Cleveland leaves everything as it was.

Back to The Banknorth

2009-04-10T12:53:00.002+01:00

Miami head towards Boston without (definitely) Udonis Haslem and (probably) Daequan Cook....the Celtics will still be playing under-strength too, which they seem to have been doing for a while now....hasn't dented their standing in the division too much.

The series, this regular season, stands at 2-1 Boston.....so the Heat could square it tonight.

I believe this to be an excellent opportunity. Most people are looking, quite understandably, at NY and Detroit as the most winnable games out of the four we have left....I fancy this one for some reason.

Don't ask me why......I could be wrong.....I was wrong once before.

Heat Lose To Hornets in OT....Game #78

2009-04-09T22:43:00.003+01:00

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS 93 - MIAMI HEAT 87 (41-37)

You know, I usually like having a pop at Ira but below is a really good blog entry.....It really says all there is to say about the end of this game....a game the Heat could and should have won.

You Foul Now. Always. Forever.

Wel done Michael Beasley....superb....kept the Heat in it for spells.

Hats Off To The Yak....Game#77

2009-04-06T22:38:00.003+01:00

MIAMI HEAT 118 - WASHINGTON WIZARDS 104 (41-36)

So what should I do now....eat copius amounts of humble pie?

Not likely, you must know me better than that by now......but credit where it is due - the Yak turned up and played...it was also (even more) interesting to read that this was thrashed out between Spoelstra and Beasley pre-game. The Rookie agreeing that he would have more impact with the second unit.....there are obviously still question marks over his defense......on and on it goes......Michael Wallace over at the Miami Herald teases out the argument much more eloquently than I ever could.....Look here

Anyway, back to the game, which turned out to be a three point fest for the Heat...they took 32 shots from beyond the arc and connected on 14....Good ol' Yakhouba racking up 4-9, D-Wade shooting 4-7 and JAMES JONES...yessir!! 3-7 were the main protagonists from downtown. Eight of these threes came in the final quarter (breaking a franchise record ) which the Heat galloped away with 38-27.

Back to back wins....and NJN give Philly a thumping into the bargain...could be worse.

Heat Dancers Rule Supreme

2009-04-06T21:27:00.002+01:00

In a world where chaos seems to reign it's nice to know that there are still some "constants".....

Well done the Heat Dancers....champions once more....and by far the finest looking in the competition.

Off to See the Wizards....

2009-04-04T16:18:00.003+01:00

Our Miami Heat take a weary and beaten up bunch of players to the Verizon Center in Washington DC for tonight's game against the Wizards, who, have been showing a little bit of late season form. Not unusual that considering the freshness of Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood, both playing in only their second game of the season.

I think there is a bigger opportunity for Michael Beasley to get a starting spot ( and won't be putting my children at risk on this one ) but I still think Spoelstra will start Diawara........and d'you know what.......

Who cares?....I mean, really, should we care?

This Coach has his own agenda and maybe,in a way, we should admire that he will not be swayed by anything or anyone. The fact that this season has been cobbled together and the team, to date, show limited understanding of his "philosophy" (whatever it may be - "Wade Offense" anyone?) is basically immaterial.

I once heard a rugby commentator say, about a coach who made some strange team selections....

"One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome."

So, when the Heat fall into another hole at the Verizon Center tonight Coach Spoelstra will look down the bench and call upon #30....as he has done time and time again.....if we are developing Beasley, what are we developing him to be? an impact player? a fire-fighter? a miracle worker?

I'll admit that he hasn't made the impact that I thought he would make and there have been some very steep learning curves but in the main it's quite simple....Spoelstra has a blueprint in his mind....Yakhouba Diawara is obviously closer to that blueprint than Michael Beasely is.

Where does that leave us?

Aren't you glad that nothing in life is simple?........Go Heat!!........and GO Pistons too!!

Post Season Beckons....Game #76

2009-04-04T09:28:00.003+01:00

MIAMI HEAT 97 - CHARLOTTE BOBCATS 92 (40-36)

No matter what conflicting thoughts Heat fans across the globe may have, getting to the 40 Win mark and securing a play-off berth is a massive achievement for everyone at the AAA. Bearing in mind the aberration that was season 2007/08 everyone has a right to slap each other on the back and say, "Well done."

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that it hasn't ever been pretty to watch....peaks and troughs all the way....but then again, maybe that's what a transition season is all about. We certainly aren't a cold blooded, cohesive unit, as last night's first quarter will testify but what we do have is plenty of heart, guts and determination....Oh and D-Wade!

Last night's game was important also as it showcased the continued re-emergence of Daequan Cook. This young man deserves much admiration. Think on the 08/07 Heat and playing out your rookie year amidst that fiasco....tough....but Cook has prevailed. He's shown character and is now slowly easing himself back after his three point shot was lost in transit on they way home from Phoenix, he's also an excellent defender. Good news for the play-offs.

Most important statistics from this game...50% from the field...53.3% from downtown......that's getting back to some kind of form but as we've grown accustomed to seeing this season the next game could read....38%....17% so we'll just take things as they come and try our best to enjoy what is left on this particular rollercoaster ride.

Do you think I'll manage that?

Let's Bring Up 40....

2009-04-03T14:27:00.003+01:00

...And secure a play-off place.

There's a chance tonight, against the Charlotte Bobcats, to do just that. The Miami Heat travel to the Time Warner Cable Center still smarting from a 2 point loss to the Mavs. That defeat came partly as a result of some dodgy officiating and some dodgy coaching as the game clock ticked down.

"TIME OUT!!"

Okay, it's easy to call it two days later but hey, I've been on holiday. I'm certainly not going to slap Coach Spoelstra, in congratulatory fashion, on the back for inserting all his rookies at the death (as IRA is doing )....it's a little late for that.....shouldn't experience build over a series of games? over a season of games?.......I just don't get it......once more we are left wondering, what this season is all about?

Development? or getting dumped in Round 1 of the Play-Offs?

Whatever!

Let's just sit back and see how many more wins the Heat can muster this season. The whole thing is just too confusing for my small brain.

April Fool? Games #73,74 and 75

2009-04-02T20:23:00.003+01:00

I've been away on a short holiday so an enforced break was imposed on my "Heatwaving" activity....I return to find the following.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS 85 - MIAMI HEAT 102 (39-34)

ORLANDO MAGIC 101 - MIAMI HEAT 95 (39-35)

MIAMI HEAT 96 - DALLAS MAVERICKS 98 (39-36)

Philly are still pushing hard......so no change really.....Luther Head goes down (sorry!) with a broken hand. Step up Daequan.

Well Said My Friend..

2009-03-27T07:41:00.001Z

This post came into Ira Windreman's blog last night..

The guy has a point, don't you think?

I know I haven't posted in a while trying to reserve my opinion on the season until the playoffs, but I couldn't take it anymore....
1st of all, Spo doesn't have a clue on how to run an efficient NBA level offense. I mean just the basics like pick n rolls, give n go's, weak-side cuts or anything else for that matter. He doesn't really adjust well in-game or from game to game or team to team. We've tried to beat every team we've played thus far the same way every game and it bothers me that he doesn't even feel the need to adjust to what most teams do against us.
I remember 15 games into the season when he 1st benched Beasley, I knew what kind of season it was going to be.

ALL D-WADE ALL THE TIME!!!

Which didn't sound like a bad idea at the time we were 8-7 and Beasley got some pressure taken off of him to produce right away and we went with Anthony at the 5.
I said to a friend of mine, we look like anyone of those Larry Brown and AI 76ers team (excluding the 2001 Finals runner-up squad), but with a better superstar.
I'm not here to bash Spo or praise Beasley, but something needs to change if we're going to keep a hold on the 5th or 6th seed, 5th I hope.

Spo's got this double-standard. It's ok for Chalmers to get cooked by K. Dooling, L. Ridinour and A. Miller or Haslem to get cooked and outrebounded by any 4 he plays against, but still gets his 35+ mins every night, all while having these high expectations from this ROOKIE who doesn't get consistent mins on a daily basis and then he gets yanked at the first sign of a mistake. At what point do you really sacrifice W's for player development. It will be very sad to see next season if Beasley still doesn't gel with D-Wade, because then that'll tell you one thing about this whole season. We won a couple of playoff games but our 2 best players still have NO CHEMISTRY TOGETHER!!!!!! But we made the playoffs, though. Then you're right back where this season started next year trying to develop Beasley.

Now I know I'm no NBA level coach or nothing like that, but I believe in almost any walk of life that experience is one of the best teachers. When will Beasley finally get some real experience to learn from, I'll tell you when.When he fails in the playoffs for not getting a chance to mess up during this LONG 82 games season, that's already broken down D-Wade and Haslem. Why? Because Spo had to make the playoffs. I did a post before the season started about balancing W's and developing young talent at what expense.

Does it really matter that we get 45 wins and our young talent gets pushed to the back burner or get 42 and give D-Wade and Haslem some much needed rest and the young'uns get some much needed development game time. One of the better games thus far this season was the Boston game last week, I know it was a L, but we saw we can compete a little bit without D-Wade. Chalmers can actually run an efficient offense when given the opportunity and Beasley can produce when given the opportunity and the rest of the bench plays with a lot more urgency when there is no D-Wade bailout program to rescue them.

Chicago Get Their Revenge......Game #72

2009-03-27T07:20:00.002Z

MIAMI HEAT 87 - CHICAGO BULLS 106 (38-34)

You'll forgive me if I turned off my computer at around 1.15am(UK time) this morning. Back to back nights of listening into the witching hour took its toll and by that time the Bulls had buried the Heat finishing off the third quarter with a 15-0 run.

I feel, once again, it's pretty pointless in poring over the stats of this game....I mean, what's new?

Wade scores his mandatory 30+ points, nobody else does anything of huge significance...we've seen it a lot this season.

Spoelstra's WADE offense.

He actually had 21 by half time and I was quite hopeful of a good result....then the wheels fell off collectively.....even more spectacularly than they did at the Conseco.

Teams are now rushing up behind Miami and I think holding onto a play-off place may be a tougher proposition than we expected a week ago. Someone needs to take this team by the scruff of the neck....I reiterate, Spoelstra isn't the man to do that.

But he's a big man when it comes to calling out rookies.

Alas No....Game #71

2009-03-26T17:14:00.005Z

MIAMI HEAT 88 - INDIANA PACERS 90 (38-33)

Managed to get a connection to Mike Inglis at the Conseco Fieldhouse last night. He's got to be one of my favourite radio commentators of any sport, anywhere. During yetserday's match commentary you couldn't help but feel his exasperation as the Heat seemed to collectively crumble before his eyes....."This is Church League versus NBA!" he was heard to say at one point.

Church League...hmmmmm.

What you could certainly see, without moving pictures, was that T.J Ford had Mario Chalmers and just about anyone else the Heat threw at him on toast. Open jumper after open jumper, drive after drive, connection after connection. The defense was, you have to say it, patchy and miserable...the offense...well, that's D-Wade usually, isn't it? He was 5-24 from the field so that put and end to that..our only other bona-fide scorer was given twenty minutes...which is about a six minute decrease in time...strange that, not exactly the deal that seemed to have been struck beween player and Coach...but there you go, why am I not surprised by that.

17.6% from 3 point range is pretty abysmal.

Maybe Udonis Haslem's remarkable recovery from a bad back and return to scoring form has shunted Beasley further down the bench again....his rebounding performance was huge last night....as huge as J.O's was miniscule.....yes, okay, it is a worry.

Chicago Bulls tonight....win tonight and we sweep them for the season.

Will It End....This Time?

2009-03-24T20:13:00.002Z

Jermaine O'Neal seems to think so....he's fit and good to go for tomorrow's night match-up, which is good news, finally someone who knows how to play in the Conseco Field-house.

The Heat were unreservedly rumped the last time they visited....check here if you don't believe me. Giving up 66 points in one half of basketball is never a good formula for winning games...let's hope there is no repeat as it rained three pointers on the Miami defense.

Mike Dunleavy who lit us up like a Christmas tree is, thankfully ( and I mean this in the nicest possible way ) injured and unavailable....hope he recovers soon. However All Star Danny Granger is lurking dangerously...he was carrying a slight injury last time we played...didn't seem to bother him.

Miami will need to impress itself on this Pacers team....they should be struggling having dropped their last five games but will be keen to snap the slide. We will need our shooters to have a keen eye, let's hope Daequan finds his missing jump-shot....we seem to have been saying that for weeks now.

Right Team...Right Time...Game #70

2009-03-24T07:04:00.005Z

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 82 - MIAMI HEAT 94 (38-32)

Yes, an ideal match up....that seems to be the message from all areas today.

For once the Heat came out of the traps quickly and put away the Grizzlies in the first quarter....at this point in the season, against a team with nothing to play for, it was just what was required. Leading by 16 points at the half you would have imagined that Coach Spoelstra would have wrapped Wade in cotton wool and sat him down until the Grizz got within 10.

Nope. Wade did rest, for a good part of the second quarter but was still out on the court with two minutes to play in the fourth. I must admit I'm with Michael Wallace on his one....it is a very questionable decision given what has occured in recent days (hip flexor pain) and given Dwyane's medical history...whose decision it ultimately was, may or may not have something to do with scoring charts.....it's all academic now anyway.

That said Wade was at his usual dynamic best and was ably supported from the field by Jamaal Magloire who had a big double double as he deputised for the missing Jermaine O'Neal (bruised hip). If only Magloire could find a consistent scoring touch he'd be even more of a monster than he is...10 points and 12 boards is a huge return from him in 28 minutes....Michael Beasley after his lecture from Coach Spoelstra reacted with 17 points and 9 rebounds. He probably would have had more were it not for foul trouble....his playing time was slightly up too. Udonis Haslem's jumper seems to be back to stay (fingers crossed), does his recent return to form mean that his back complaints are now over or that he is still playing hurt? Jamario Moon did a good job of locking down Rudy Gay who seemed to get really frustrated late on...he also chipped in 9 points and 5 (all defensive) boards.

I don't really like the thought of going back to the Conseco Field-House. The Pacers really do hold some kind of hoodoo over the Heat but hope springs eternal. Like I said yesterday winning the next two games would propel us to 40 W's for the season and that would be an amazing feat. We already laid our Toronto "curse" to rest his season, now let's do the same in at Indiana.

Maybe I've been a "little bit" reactionary in some of my comments recently but I'm loathe to make any apologies, that's what blogging is all about. The spleen needs to be vented and questions require to be asked. Maybe this season is all about growing pains.....that's never an easy journey.

AND...Philadelphia winning in the Rose Garden is just totally inconsiderate!

Here Come The Grizz....

2009-03-23T16:24:00.003Z

The Memphis Grizzlies are nothing short of shocking having only won two of their last eighteen games...they do however have something in common with the Miami Heat...the last team that they beat was the Detroit Pistons, four games ago.

Let's not forget that Memphis swatted us aside with wreckless abandon in our last meeting ( 102- 86 on December 14th at the FedEx Forum ) and O.J Mayo had a big night with 28 points. One thing is for sure they will have done their homework and will be looking to make lots of connections from three point range....the Heat's achilles heel all season long.

Jermaine O'Neal will make a difference against Marc Gasol who seems to be tiring as we come to the business end of the season.

If we get off to a bright start and DON'T give the Grizzlies any encouragement what-so-ever then it may be the perfect opportunity to rest D-Wade and (dare I say it?) give Michael Beasley a run as the main offensive threat.....run some plays for him....make him feel like he belongs with this team.

If Wade has to play big minutes in this game it will be counter-productive

Yeah, I now....fat chance.

We'll Take That.....Game #69

2009-03-22T22:44:00.003Z

MIAMI HEAT 101 - DETROIT PISTONS 96 (37-32)

Not pretty....not pretty at all.

However D-Wade, 39 points and all finally got a little bit of help from his fellow starters tonight and the Heat managed to carve out a road win against the under-manned Pistons.

Most significant was the fact that one of the big performers was Jamario Moon who had 17 points and 6 boards.....our friend IRA has been calling him out recently.....he concedes that Moon has a good game tonight and turns his venom once more on Jermaine O'Neal. For goodness sake Ira get in touch with reality, O'Neal is class and clearly displayed it when, having been stuffed twice at the rim, stepped back and drained a 17 foot jumper in crunch time.....no fear, ice in his veins.

Spoelstra distrusts Michael Beasley and Beasley played like he knew that tonight. This coach is single-handedly dismantling our most prized asset. Haslem managing to connect on a couple of shots meant even less time tonight but Michael's head was never in this game. It's sickening to watch....this guy is the NO.2 overall pick!!!! and Spoelstra doesn't have a clue what to do with him.

Still a win is a win and it keeps the Pistons at arms length. If we can get to 40 wins in the next three, how good would that be? We go back home now so that's a start.

Onto The Motor City....

2009-03-22T16:38:00.002Z

With the Detroit Pistons only two games in arrears of the Miami Heat as regards 5th spot in the Eastern Conference a lot hinges on tonight's game.

It can go either way. Miami come out of the slump or Miami continue to struggle. The Pistons look as though they'll be without the services of Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Alan Iverson....this would usually give you increased hope but Miami could do nothing against a short handed Celtics so don't hold your breath.

Everything, unfortunately, depends on D-Wade. I'd personally like to see the rest of the team step up rather than constantly be asked to defer. Confidence is through the floor, sure we need Wade to lead but he has to drag his team-mates with him.

Miami are at their best when the scoring is spread. Teams don't know how to handle Wade when he's dishing as well as scoring...but for that to happen some early shots need to fall for others or he'll go solo again.

Onto the Palace.

Waves of Unrest....

2009-03-21T19:44:00.002Z

Yes there are mutterings and not just from me...Heat fans are blocking up the forums with their posts regarding the suitability or ability of Erik Spoelstra to lead this team anywhere but to a first round play-off exit......then you get IRA who on his latest blog entry witters on about how the Heat can plot a path through their remaining games and in which of these games D-Wade should play......absolutely preposterous and he gets told so by a few bloggers....this for example

"How about you skip the bit about the schedule, which anyone with access to the internet can get from ESPN.com, and go ahead and call out the ineptitude of the current head coach and his pandering to the ineptitude of Udonis Haslem. Your job is to hold the team accountable in the public eye. Start holding Spo accountable; and maybe throw in a couple words about how Udonis Haslem continues to hold onto the starting job. Or do you not know, either?"

There is a lot of unrest out there at the moment amongst Heat fans who just can't get a handle on what is behind some of the glaringly ludicrous decisions that Erik Spoelstra continues to make game after game after game....you are supposed to learn from mistakes....he keeps with his in the blind hope that eventually he'll get it right...by then it'll be too late.

From Bad To Worse......Game #68

2009-03-21T10:29:00.005Z

MIAMI HEAT 88 - NEW JERSEY NETS 96 (36-32)

Slipping....sinking.....slowly towards 0.500. That's the picture at the moment with just too much indecisiveness both on and off the court.

There are certain things that need to be resolved...in jig time.

(A) Dwyane Wade's fitness...as Ira Winderman says on his blog...you would hope that the Heat staff wouldn't risk him if he wasn't fully it...then again, is this Dwyane having the final say-so? If it is then that's bad, really bad and could jeopardise everything. If he is operating at anything less than 100% he shouldn't be out there.....we aren't going to win anything his season, so why risk it? Just plain dumb!

(B) Rotations....if you can call them that....Sorry, it's the same old tune but - Yakhouba Diawara in crunch time!!!?? In last night's game we had players on the court who can't buy a basket just now... Chalmers fouled out again....but Cook is stone cold and Udonis Haslem is hurt and slow and shouldn't be out there when we need points. Michael Beasley who once more provided his spark from the bench (earlier last night) sat for most of he third and fourth quarters. We all saw the error he made....okay....take him aside, call him a naughty boy, AND PUT HIM BACK IN....don't try to make some kind of STUPID point.....this kid is going to give up soon and I don't blame him.

(C) Three point shooting....we can't make them and we can't defend against them...any work being done to rectify his matter. Teams are loading up against us....if I can see it and legions of other Heat fans can see it why can't our coaching staff recognise the problem, which, has been prevalent all season. I don't know why Daequan Cook is so, so cold at the moment....his confidence seems shot to pieces.....effective man management is what is required to get him back on track.....Diawara ( bless him ) isn't the answer and James Jones is taking longer to heat up than my old diesel.

(D) This season....what is it all about? What has been Spoelstra's brief? What targets have been set for him and how far along the road to meeting these targets has he travelled? Thnk about last year....okay don't....but I think that because we have bounced back from such a torrid season in 07/08 the Head Coach is been applauded for the turn-around.....this is not the whole truth....especially when our main ofensive strategy is "Give the ball to D-Wade and get out of the way"....hardly brain surgery.

(E) The Coach......his finger prints are all over A-D also. I've lost patience with this guy. He was described on another blog that I read as "a rabbit caught in the headlights"....this gives you a fairly good idea of what is going on. He consistently makes decisions which completely dumfound seasoned basketball aficianados and Joe Public alike? There isn't the same pressure on him than there was on Van Gundy. That team was assembled to win. This team isn't taking any shape because Spoelstra can't read the assembly instructions.... and we are 68 games into the season.

"Just give it to Dwyane"

Last night's game was crap.....an average NJN team seemed to be scoring on us from all over the court....we'll be lucky to old onto 5th with Detroit and Philly two games back, especially if we are to take a ride on the Wade injury merry-go-round.....and the Coach continues to coach like he's doing just now.

Pat? any ideas?

Will He?...Won't He?....Aaaargh!!

2009-03-20T20:40:00.005Z

For goodness sake just tell us if Wade is playing or not....I cannot suffer all this "cloak and dagger" nonsense.

It must be fairly obvious if he is leaving the decision until just before game time that the hip hasn't settled down.....why on earth would you leave a decision like that so late?.....Why on earth would you take a risk on him at this stage of the season?.....Is Jesus Christ about to stroll through the Miami locker room and order Dwyane to "pick up his bed and walk!".

Doubt it.

So, let's just get on with the game. The players at our disposal are well and truly capable of mounting a charge against a Devin Harris-less Nets. They showed enough in the Boston game to provide encouragement as long as the Coach can avoid the tunnel vision and give Beasley a fair shake of the stick, maybe START him hitherto avoiding putting him in the game ONLY after we have gone double digits in arrears.........and pigs may fly.

The Heat have won all of the match-ups with the Nets this season so far so a victory in this final meeting at the IZOD Center

would see us sweep them. Pressure is on Vince Carter to produce something resembling an A-game, especially with Harris out....we'll see. All the games have been close ones with the last going to OT....let's hope that doesn't happen tonight....the Heat have taken part in too many recently.

I fancy the Heat to take this one, with or without Wade. These next 6 games are all winnable and if we can cope without #3 for a stretch then it will be a huge boost when he does come back, ready for the post season and the Hawks in round 1.

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda, Spoelstra....Game #67

2009-03-19T08:03:00.003Z

MIAMI HEAT 108 - BOSTON CELTICS 112 (OT) (36-31)

My children are safe....you didn't really expect anything different did you?

I have now officially given up trying to understand what is going through the mind of Coach Spoelstra. I knew he wouldn't start Michael Beasley, even though this may have been a good opportunity to shake things up and look at different possibilities. Let's not forget the Celtics were without two thirds of their "big three". Nope Michael didn't start and very quickly the Heat found themselves in a 15 point hole and unable to buy a basket....that's when he rookie got off the bench. He gave he Heat a spark which drove them onto a massive second quarter, blowing the Celtics off their home court 33-15 and tying up the first half in front by 54-49.

Things looked good.

Then came some more questionable coaching decisions. It's fairly obvious that Spoelstra has got the "hots" for Mario Chalmers.....now the rookie played another scintillating game last night BUT with regulation running out he missed a crucial free-throw which could have won the game for Miami....that's just bad luck.....however, why run a play for Chalmers in the first place......now I'm no coach but even I could deduce that James Jones had the hot hand and was perfect from the field.....worth a look at least?? Spoelstra also replaced Jones with the misfiring Cook, late on, which not only meant no scoring but also allowed Pierce to get back into rhythm.

I reckon, and there are those who agree, that it may have been a sensible ploy to try Michael Beasley on Pierce in OT.....I think the rookie would have risen to that challenge and put Pierce under a lot of pressure....as it was he more or less iced the game for the Celtics as Miami went ice cold.

Eddie House was, again, a factor.....will we ever learn to pick this guy up?

Decent performance without D-Wade....poorly coached. One saving grace Philly and Detroit both lost as well. I really think we're staring at Atlanta now.

Falling like Flies

2009-03-18T22:46:00.002Z

One wonders if there will be ten players on court for the tip-off between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat......Heat superstar guard Dwyane Wade misses his first game of the season tonight....a calculated call by the Heat backroom staff as Boston are without half of their team.....Ray Allen the latest casualty with a hyperextended elbow.

So who will get the starting spots for Miami.......I'll eat my children if Beasley gets the nod!!!!!

Survival of the Fittest?

2009-03-18T18:06:00.003Z

Two beaten up teams meet tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusettes.

Betaen up in different ways.

The Celtics are under real pressure to get something resembling a starting five on the court....with Garnett approaching fitness, but still out....Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine join him on the long term list. Glen Davis, Leon Powe and Ray Allen are all apparently day-to-day. The Celtics welcomed Rajon Rondo back for the recent games against Milwaukee and Chicago but his inclusion seems to have made little impact as Boston dropped both games....admittedly these were road games but you still expect a bit more from the defending champions.

Miami on the other hand have been fortunate to be able to rest up for these past two days. Having run out of steam against the Sixers, Wade and company should be able to come out strongly tonight and put in an effective defensive performance. On the other end it'll be interesting to see if the Heat will go through Jermaine O'Neal especially with Garnett and Powe (?) absent or if Wade will shoulder the scoring burden once more. It was interesting to read in the press that he was distancing himself from the scoring title, claiming that Kobe and LeBron were on play-off teams already and he (Wade) still had unfinished business in the pursuit of the best slot available. If Miami can score from a variety of sources tonight I think they might pinch this one.

Watch out for Eddie.....don't let him become the "Hot" House.

A Little Perspective...Game # 66

2009-03-16T22:12:00.003Z

MIAMI HEAT 77 - PHILADELPHIA 76ers 85 (36-30)

Dog-tired.

You've got to hold up excuses on this one....Utah were dumped in similar fashion by Orlando.

Both teams were just dog tired after battering each other senseless for a shade over three hours.
It's actually a credit to Miami's fitness that they hung around until midway through the fourth before the wheels finally came off and Philly moved away. You can't be too tough on the guys for this loss and I don't reckon anything can be gained from poring over the box score.

J.O had a good night at the Wachovia Center as the offense went through him rather than the tired Wade...twenty points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Two days of rest will be much needed as the next game is against the defending champs who will have Rondo back in harness.

Heat Triple Up in Triple OT.....Game # 65

2009-03-15T12:02:00.004Z

UTAH JAZZ 129 - MIAMI HEAT 140 (36-29)

We are quickly running out of superlatives as regards Dwyane Wade's most recent games for the Miami Heat. Once again a massive, massive performance....50 points on a night when Miami fought back from the brink at least twice and then put the game to rest in the third overtime of a marathon encounter with the Jazz.

Utah have been playing really well but have stuttered recently. They found their form once more, last night, and proved to be extremely difficult opponents. Deron Williams is back on top of his game and Andriy Kirilenko has returned from injury to boost their offense and defense.

That being said the Heat must surely now have great belief in themselves having dug their way out of another slow start. However as things started to unravel in the fourth quarter the Jazz assumed control going ahead by what looked like an unassailable 8 point lead with two minutes left......but the Heat rallied and James Jones stepped up to convert free throws to tie the game.

The same pattern emerged in OT #1 and the Heat once more came back strongly....OT #2 still could not separate the teams but in OT #3 the Heat pulled away winning the period 15-4 to seal the win.

A new mental toughness seems to be emerging and they are going to need it tonight as we visit Philadelphia. This sapping victory will surely take some of the zip out of the legs...let's try and get out to an early lead and put the game away.....it's a lot to ask but momentum is with us.

Heat Register Back to Back W's Again.....Game #64

2009-03-12T08:11:00.008Z

BOSTON CELTICS 99 - MIAMI HEAT 107 (35-29)

After the game at the Quicken Loans Arena I was worried that Miami could struggle from here on in....then came D-Wade against Chicago and now Boston. It would be unfair to the other players to say that Wade has single handedly catapulted the Heat to two big wins, but it's not too far off the mark.

As an understrength Celtic side surged back from a double digit fourth quarter defecit, Flash nailed their coffin shut on a crunch three pointer with 35 seconds left.

In the main a good night, offensively, for Miami with all five starters registering double figures.

For me the performance of the evening came from Jamaal Magloire who came in and slowed Leon Powe ( who was torching the Heat inside ) down. The Big Kat put himself around and at this point of the season, where things might get a bit ugly, he's the right kind of guy to have on your bench and a perfect rotational man for Jermaine O'Neal....I think O'Neal responded to Magloire's effort last night. J.O put in some big blocks and altered the route of many others.

Jamario Moon was once more at his athletic best..........he made Mike Inglis "howl".......it doesn't get any better than that.

Utah next, and they stumbled against Atlanta last night after going for so many games unbeaten.....it'll be interesting

Beat-Up Boston in Town.

2009-03-11T22:57:00.002Z

Don't be fooled....don't be lulled into a false sense of hope.

The Boston Celtics are without 5 players this evening, two of whom are long term victim Kevin Garnett and more importantly Rajon Rondo. I'm not upset about Rondo being absent, every defense in the league seems to have struggled with him, so his sprained right ankle comes at a welcome time for the Heat who are trying to get a run going again.

This could mean a few minutes for Luther Head this evening....I welcome that.

What we mustn't forget is that Boston are very, very dangerous.....count Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Stephon Marbury under that umbrella. I'm not counting any chickens.

What I will say is that if fatigue isn't a factor we'll give them a game.....but PLEASE no slow start tonight....The Celtics, five players down or not, will noit let it slip.

Strange Metamorphosis...

2009-03-11T22:46:00.003Z

Mark Heisler in the South Florida Sun Sentinel has written my favourite headline of the season so far.

Winning Makes LeBron James Worthy Of MVP

Okay, I know, but it's a bit funny....no?

SHOCK NEWS...Ira Grudgingly Gives Support to Beasley

2009-03-11T08:08:00.003Z

Reading the Winderman blog this morning you will find this phrase which seems to be giving reluctant ( he does say "perhaps" ) support for Michael Beasley.....it's only taken sixty games....an injury to Haslem.....an some excellent performances in a tough rookie season. Michael has been learning a new tune all year whilst other rooks are singing the same song and not been asked to make such big adjustments. His development and attitude is superb but he should be given more time on court.....you learn by doing.

The "fear factor" is preventing Spoelstra ( the disciple ) from putting him in....you know how Riles was with rookies.....the franchise need to come out and say what their exact target is and how they are going to achieve it. From what I can see, at the moment, our offense consists of...

1. Give it to Wade and get out of the way ( Spoelstra's Mantra )

2. Klank a three

3 A Moon Alley-Oop

Hardly rocket science.

Remember Ira wanted Beasley traded for Caron Butler after only a handful of performances this season....he certainly knows a player when he sees one.....NOT!

"For Wade to endure, there has to be more, perhaps more confidence in Michael Beasley"

Ira Winderman

The Cool Light of Day

2009-03-10T08:45:00.003Z

Okay, so the dust has settled at the American Airlines Arena.....
I've managed to get roughly 5 hours sleep and have just been reading the online posts, blogs and articles about last night's massive win by the Miami Heat over the Chicago Bulls.

Now, sure, this victory turned out to be a little harder fought than we all thought it was going to be with the Heat getting off to their customary slow start but rallying back to lead by 14 somewhere in the third quarter....we ended that quarter up by 10 and still looking solid.

Then somebody stuck a pin in Ben Gordon......he has a habit of torching the Heat and he lit them up for 19 points in the final period, scoring five from beyond the 3-point arc in the process....this then saw the Heat turn to Wade for a game saving three pointer, which he duly drained with aplomb.

The over-times were just completely exhausting to watch. Wade missed on a difficult reverse lay-up to close out the game in the first after he'd already missed on two free throws to push the Heat four ahead....shall we call hm out for it?.....Don't reckon so.

With the teams bludgeoing each other and the game clock ticking out in the third the bulls had a chance, after a Udonis Haslem miss to kill off the Heat........the didn't reckon on Wade, stealing the ball from John Salmons (who had a superb night for the Bulls ) he tore up the court elevated from outside the three point line as the last seconds expired and swished the floater through the hoop for the victory.

Wade ended up standing on the media in, now, familiar pose......"This is my house!..." who can argue.

THE SUPPORTING CAST

All five Miami starters ( and Michael Beasley ) found double figure scoring last night. They tried to support Wade as best they could. Questions are being asked of Jermaine O'Neal's rebounding again, only 4 in total, all in the second half...well we can linger on that or talk about he three huge blocks he had in a two minute stretch of the fourth when the Bulls were looking to surge back and wrest the game away from the Heat...had J.O not made those stops he Bulls would have been up 103-96 and looking tasty...don't underestimate what the big guy can give (Ira!)....he'll come good.

Udonis looks done in...there is no need for Spoelstra to ride him like this....if continues to do so Haslem will be a non-factor come play-off time....rest him, now. I'd definitely sit him out for he Boston games...what is there to lose.

OUTRAGEOUS!!! Game #63

2009-03-10T02:59:00.004Z

CHICAGO BULLS 127 - MIAMI HEAT 130 ( 2 O/T) (34-29)

Have you ever seen anything like that?

As I watched this game come to a conclusion at 3am in the morning UK time(!) I was as wide awake....riveted by the drama that was unfolding.

Credit to the Chicago Bulls....they were playing short-handed and only utilised 7 players all night.....testament to the fitness of these individuals that they hung around to the bitter end....I say bitter end, it turned out fairly sweetly for the Heat but I had doubts as Chicago kept on bouncing back time and time again.

That Dwayne Wade flying three point swish at the end of game buzzer will be long remembered and go down in Heat folklore. It broke the deadlock, sealed a three point victory and capped another astonishing display by a player who must now be the front runner in the MVP race.... 48 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals (includng the one to close out the game). Nothing short of awesome.

What effect will this victory now have on the team? I'll reflect on that tomorrow once I've had some shut-eye....goodnight.

Clueless in Cleveland....Game # 62

2009-03-08T08:22:00.006Z

MIAMI HEAT 89 - CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 99 (33-29)

So finally the run comes to an end.....at 2 games....enjoy it?
I know I certainly did. Aw come on it's difficult not to be facetious.
Finally managed to get my broadband radio connection to pick up the voices of Mike Inglis and John Crotty last night so settled down to what I hoped would be a humdinger of a game.....
8 turn-overs later, staring into a 12 point abyss ( not for the first time this season ) and with 28 seconds left on the first quarter clock...Michael Beasley comes off the bench for the first time.
Let's get one thing straight here...right now...at this precise moment...he should be starting in place of Udonis Haslem. The reasons are well documented and can be read in stat sheets night on night ( or medical reports, if you wish ). Haslem is hurt and is playing like it.

"Bloody Hellish" is how Mike Inglis described Miami's first half performance.

You'll be amazed to read that I blame the Head Coach....nah you probably won't be. I don't feel anything for this guy anymore. I don't see smart coaching plays or organisation, all I see is "give it to Dwyane, let's see if he's on?"
You can only go so far on that philosophy. It's clear that the frustration is now boiling over, given Wade's ejection ( his first ever in an NBA game ). He's being asked to do too much night in, night out and the heavy lifting, (especially against teams like Cleveland, Boston,Orlando and Atlanta and all the bigs out West), is bound to take its toll.
The Heat now need to sit down and think about how they are going to close out the rest of this season and hang on to a play-off place. Luther Head will hopefully come in and give some poise at the point guard position ( Rio is running on empty at the moment ) and maybe Daequan will find some consistency again. J.O needs to find some rebounds and Michael Beasley needs more than 25 minutes ( he's our only other scoring threat ). Wade needs to feel that he has help.

Spoelstra needs to eat some humble pie and admit he's lost the plot.....Technical fouls don't show that you care....they are just a symptom that something else is wrong...don't piss and moan about Varajeo's foul on Wade late in the fourth, piss and moan about the first quarter....piss and moan about the unwillingness to change things until it's too late.

Oh and by he way....Mo Williams scored 29....you obviously did your homework there, Erik.

We could well lose the next five games.....one dimensional offense and lack-lustre defense won't get it done a this point in time.

The "Quicken" - ing....

2009-03-07T18:36:00.004Z

Re-match......

The Heat travel to the Quicken Loans Arena ( pictured )tonight for game four against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the regular season match-ups. The Cavs hold a 2-1 edge in games so far and it's a tall order for the Heat to contemplate upsetting the odds with a victory, especially when you take into consideration that it's a stadium where the home team have lost only ONCE to date.

Looks like we'll be in for a Lebron v Dwyane show again although I'd like to think that some of the Heat supporting cast will play more of a part in proceedings....I'm placing a big bet on Daequan Cook to drain his first jumper....if so, things will look rosy.

Secret to tonight's game?

Try to stop Mo Williams....he's killing everyone....LBJ will do his thing, who knows, he may have another quiet night but I doubt it, not when D-Wade's around, we're in for another round of oneupmanship....in the real world Williams is the assassin, we need to stop him.

Wade Pours It On In Toronto...Game # 61

2009-03-07T08:54:00.003Z

MIAMI HEAT 108 - TORONTO RAPTORS 102 (33-28)

BACK TO BACK WINS!!

A big psychological boost, you would hope, as the Heat now head southwards on this mini road-trip to face the Cavs tonight. Cleveland took a beating, last night, at the hands of close rivals for the overall top spot, Boston ( who are still KG-less ). It's a bit worrying that LeBron was so quiet and only 5-15 from the field.....why can't he save nights like that for us?

Anyway the Miami - Toronto match-up at the Air Canada Center turned into a showcase of D-Wade's skills as he tormented the Raptors for 42 points. It was again one of those nights where it appears that Wade is doing all the heavy lifting but if his shot is falling he's going to load up every time down the floor.

The rest of the team had relatively quiet nights..the stand out being the artist formerly known as Chris Quinn - 10 points in 4 minutes. Dorrell Wright also got a 5 minute cameo.

A nice win against a team we haven't beaten since, would you believe, April 3rd 2007.....also note that this is the fourth straight game in which the Heat have won the battle of the boards outrebounding the Raptors 37-32.

The Worrying Thing Is....

2009-03-06T23:25:00.002Z

W,L,W,L,W,L etc etc

Marry this to the fact that the Toronto Raptors have "owned" the Miami Heat in recent meetings and you have good reason to be concerned. Wednesday's big win over Phoenix would normally give you hope for another victory this evening at the Air Canada Center but predictability hasn't been the Heat's forte this season.

You would hope for big nights from Jamario Moon and Jermaine O'Neal....then again Shawn Marion may turn up ready to play.....the Raptors have some potent weapons and they are underachieving.....Marion may feel he has something to prove.

I'd love if Cook and Beasley could back up their "career nights" with another big performance.

Moutnwatering, this one........back to back wins would break this alternating cycle that Miami are in and set us up for another big game with King James.

Head-room....

2009-03-06T07:44:00.003Z

Okay, I'm a little behind on this but it's taken me this long to think up a suitable title that didn't make reference to oral sex....such is my sad little life.

Anyway, Luther Head....could easily be a Bond villain couldn't he?.....has been signed by the Heat this week and finally brings the roster up to a balance of 15. Head who can play shooting guard or point guard was being watch by a gaggle of teams so it's great that the Heat have pulled this off (sorry!).

He'll bring a defensive philosophy from Houston, hopefully chip in some points when required and allow D-Wade some real rest without things going pear-shaped on the court.

Let's hope so.....should make his debut tonight in Toronto.

Speaking of Toronto, first night back in Canada for Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon since their trade to sunnier climes...it's funny that Moon has been the one to flourished most since making the transition, interesting match-up for him tonight....O'Neal, who's definitely under more pressure to perform ( think salary here ) is still a work in progress, the numbers aren't there consistently but he's still a big presence. I think Magloire should be employed to tenderise some opponents then J.O can clean up afterwards.

Just a thought.

Monster Win...Welcome Back Daequan!...Game #60

2009-03-05T08:02:00.003Z

PHOENIX SUNS 129 - MIAMI HEAT 135 (32-28)

The pattern continues....alternate W's and L's in our last 12 games......in a previous post I said we were two games away from a run, there's one of them....I don't want to tempt fate.

Last night's game was huge in so many ways......it was huge quite literally because Shaquille O'Neal's head and backside were back in the AAA, not easy to miss those. He has also been putting up huge numbers recently... 45 and 33 point games....last night he got 22.....nothing to write home about. He was contained effectively.

Story of the night has to be Daequan Cook.....back in the kitchen.

After being nothing short of dreadful in the last however many games, Cook obliterated that memory with a career high 27 points and the mojo was back from downtown ( a very significant 6-8 from beyond the arc ) Phoenix must have brought it over with them in their hand luggage....thanks for that!

However Cook wasn't the only one having a career night....Michael Beasley receiving about a one minute increase in playing time ( 26.59 mins big WOW!!) chipped in 28 points and 9 rebounds.....serious questions now need to be asked in this situation....I'm sick of going on about it....the boy is a star, let him play.

This was a night when Wade, who got his mandatory 30+ was ably supported by his teammates again...when that happens things go well for the Heat.

Unklike most of the others I'm going to ignore the whole Shaq-Heat thing. He's gone and this game has been consigned to history. However I have a feeling that the echoes of "M-V-P" will still be ringing around The Diesel's head in a few days time.

Method in his Media...

2009-03-03T15:54:00.005Z

Why does Erik Spoelstra insist on playing Undonis Haslem over Michael Beasley at the end of games? Monday night against Cleveland he did it again. The Heat were up 91-88 with more than five minutes to play, and you know what Spoelstra was thinking as a Pat Riley disciple: He was thinking maybe they could shut out Cleveland with defense the rest of the way. Hence, Haslem.

But as a Riley disciple Spoelstra also should believe in the plus-minus differential. Beasley was a plus-seven that game, Haslem a minus-12. This is a recurring issue. Neither player was great that game. Haslem had nine points and eight rebounds in nearly 31 minutes; Beasley had eight points and four rebounds in nearly 25 minutes.

But when Cleveland's Mike Brown made the coaching move that changed things, running two players at Wade to make him give up the ball, the Heat needed a guy who could handle the ball a little and score a lot like Beasley on the court. What Haslem did was keep following Cleveland's Varajao out to Wade, as if to clog up everything more for Wade. Beasley could've stood at the top of the key, then drained the shot if left open.

Thank you David Hyde at the South Florida Sun Sentinel......you have spoken for a great many Heat fans who remain unconvinced by our Coach....now have a word with Ira who still seems to think that Spoelstra is calling everything right.

Cavs Roar Back in Fourth....Game #59

2009-03-03T08:51:00.003Z

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 107 - MIAMI HEAT 100 (31-28)

Say what you like about LeBron James and Dwyane Wade but statistically, for me, the most important player on the court last evening was Mo Williams.....you look at it.....does the Heat have a player who is backing up their superstar player with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists?... and remember 15 of the 30 came in crunch time, including two clutch 3 pointers, to wrestle this game away from a fading Heat....nope, don't think so. Williams has been huge for the Cavs this season and is in confident mood.....it's clear he has LeBron's back...how I wish some of the confidence would rub off on the Miami Heat bench.

Once more, last night, there was a no-show from that area.

You have to wonder what is going on for so many players to be stone cold all at the same time. I think we are fully vindicated in asking questions of the coaching staff.....these players are obviously drained of confidence....is it because they don't know what their roles are or because they don't feel of value to the team or because they just don't know what rotation Coach Spoelstra will employ and if it will include them?

We now have Daequan Cook passing up open threes....not good and I believe someone sent a search party out to look for Mike Beasley!

I'm not saying we would beat teams like the Cavs but we were 11 points up with just a little under 8 minutes left in this game. A confident team or a team with a little belief in themselves would have closed this game out.

Get to work Coach and start to inspire these players out of the doldrums.....this win, lose, win, lose pattern is killing morale. As I see it we are two wins away from going on a run and one win away from going on a slide.

Wouldn't the Big Cactus just love that?

Cleveland Come A-Calling

2009-03-02T23:39:00.002Z

LeBron James.....there I said it.

What can the Heat do to stifle this guy and the rest of the surging Cavs.....well, step up Jamario Moon, tonight is the night for you my friend. Moon is fast becoming a bit of a cult figure with Heat fans with his all action approach....the more you look at the Marion trade the more you must respect Pat Riley, we got ourselves a steal in Moon and J.O isn't playing all that badly....I mean c'mon, there's a hundred times the pressure on the big guy to deliver....just a bit more patience please.

Any way back to this evening....the Heat MUST be up for this one, the Cavs lead the Eastern Conference, by a nose, from the Celtics and have won their last two. They are coming off a hard earned victory against the resilient Hawks last night ( Atlanta having the ball in their hands to win the game)....Cleveland are powerful.....Miami are huge underdogs but hey, Detroit beat Boston so obviously anything can happen.

Big "D" tonight and pray to some greater being that some of our shooters rediscover their touch.

Let's hope that it won't boil down to LeBron and Dwyane slugging it out....c'mon guys let's make this a statement game and see the record show back to back wins for the first time in.....well, ages.

Just hope I can get Mike Inglis....the Cleveland announcers are pretty dull.

Heat Close Out February With Vital Win...Game #58

2009-03-01T14:23:00.003Z

NEW YORK KNICKS 115 - MIAMI HEAT 120 (31-27)

I'm sure it was Dr. Bruce Banner who first uttered those famous words...

"Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

Last night at the AAA Dwayne Wade gave a performance of Hulk-like

proportions to propel the Heat over the Knicks. In truth, this performance was nothing short of breathtaking....now I know I was uber-critical of the "50 point game" but last night was a whole different kettle of fish.

It's a different story when your star player takes a couple of pops to the mouth and comes up with fire in his eyes.....there has to be a time where you just let him go because you know that something big is about to happen.....the Orlando game wasn't it....this most definitely was. I take my hat off to Coach Spoelstra who made his best coaching decision of the season so far.....

" Give it to Dwyane and get the **** out of his way!"

This was the right time and it could be the catalyst for the Heat to start playing as though they mean it.

With the 4th quarter looming and the Heat 15 points in arrears things looked grim once more until a swipe of Danilo Galinari's elbow ( which in truth just grazed Wade's face )

and a further whack by Al Harrington with about 8 and a half to go got Flash all riled up and saw him go into "Hulk" mode. Wade subsequently tore the Knicks to shreds, scoring 15 of Miami's points in a 19-0 run that saw NY's lead all but evaporate. The difference was Wade's team-mates followed him....he WAS their leader last night, this had nothing to do with scoring leagues or remaining in touch with Kobe and LeBron, this was about being pissed and dragging your team by the scruff of its neck to the same level of intensity as you...they responded....37-17 in the fourth quarter is responding in anyone's book.

Jamario Moon seems to have solved a problem at Small Forward....why did it take Spoelstra so long to work it out? Once more he makes Yakhouba look stupid way down there at the dark end of the bench...use the guy properly, don't make him try to do things he's incapable of, one minute he's a starter the next you need sat-nav to find him.....poor man-to-man management.

Moon was huge last night -18 big points and 12 huge rebounds - high octane performance for a fraction of Shawn Marion's salary...you've got to hand it to the guy. Jermaine O'Neal scored 18 points and had 7 rebounds and a couple of blocks....even James Jones had his most productive night since....since...can't remember.

Daequan and Mario continue to struggle offensively and Michael Beasley got his customary 25 minutes from the bench scoring 12 points and pulling down 7 boards in that time....Udonis Haslem had 8 points and 10 rebounds in 38 minutes....go figure.

Last night was all about D-Wade....46 points and 10 assists....he emerged as a real TEAM leader and was right to point out to the onlooking NY fans that the AAA is, without doubt, "his house!"

Today's Game

2009-02-28T17:23:00.003Z

The wonderfully inconsistent Miami Heat welcome the New York Knicks to the American Airlines Arena tonight.

The law of averages states that the Heat, after last night's garbage, will win this game handsomely.

How I hope I'm right.

Michael Beasley the Heat's top scorer against the Hawks will miss his first three field goal attempts and be benched.....despite what common sense tells us Beasley will continue not to get a fair crack.

How I hope I'm wrong.

"REBOUND - AL HORFORD!"...Game #57

2009-02-28T08:10:00.008Z

MIAMI HEAT 83 - ATLANTA HAWKS 91 (30-27)

Due to further difficulties with the NBA audio pass not giving me access to the Miami Heat radio coverage I was, once again, forced to listen to the commentary provided by the presenter for the opposing team. Last night it was "Voice of the Atlanta Hawks" - Steve Holman ( a face you'd never tire of slapping ). I've listened to several different commentators around the league this season and have found most of them ( whilst rooting for their team, which what they're paid to do ) to provide a decent, balanced account of the proceedings...this guy Holman is a buffoon...he completely dissed the Heat over the airwaves last night and contested just about every single call that went against the Hawks. If I were a Hawks fan I'd be embarrassed by him....Mike Inglis he isn't. The most annoying thing was I had to sit and listen to him bellow "REBOUND, AL HORFORD!" a total of 22 times.

22 times people!

So what occured last night? Well Al Horford, for one, seemed to want the Hawks to hold onto fourth place in the division. In fact the Hawks had this game under total control most of the time and the Heat were totally underwhelming.

The collective of Diawara, Jones, Quinn and Anthony provided nothing by way of points and three rebounds in total....Jamario Moon was lost doing nothing significant in his 22.18 minutes....Daequan Cook has left his three point shot in Phoenix, he should go back to look for it and, whilst he's there, see if he can find Udonis Haslem's jump shot because he's lost that somewhere down the road ( or is it because he's playing 33.12 mins with a back injury...who knows that answer!!?)yeah he got a double /double but all of his buckets were from underneath, where he shouldn't miss....Jermaine O'Neal seemed to start brightly enough but once Horford got into his stride you wondered if there any Heat defenders in the paint at all....it took he and Haslem to match Horford's total, that speaks volumes as regards effort expounded....not enough ( headband made a difference then?). Mario Chalmers is really struggling at the moment and I feel heart sorry for the rookie...he's under severe pressure to perform and his game is suffering. He's losing the handle a lot in games and is turning the ballover a lot...things are only going to magnify between now and the season's end ( unless help is brought in? ).

So that leaves Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley.....Wade had 21 points which is below his average but he made up for that with 10 assists, he's now being made to remove the ridiculous band-aid ( maybe we can get back to playing ball now?). He was ably assisted by Beasley who was the Heat's top scorer on the night with 23 points, he also pulled down 5 rebounds.....THIS WAS IN A MEASLY 24.30 MINS.

I'm sorry folks....this game was never within the reach of the Heat, in all fairness, but when Beasley is playing like he was why do others still get the call over him. Spoelstra is not doing the right thing by this young man....this Coach, much to my surprise, isn't learning and now looks, I hate to admit, as if he IS being controlled remotely from somewhere in the AAA.

This loss is very significant as regards the overall standings especially with Philadelphia winning and Detroit notching a victory in Orlando. The pressure is going to be very much on and the Heat look unstable. I'm confused as to what the targets for this team are....anyone care to enlighten me?

Can We Close The Gap?

2009-02-27T23:14:00.002Z

The Miami Heat head to the Philips Arena in Atlanta tonight.

This is one big game, very important if you think that the Hawks play 9 of their next 12 games there....although they are in stuck in a losing track at the moment they aren't playing all that badly, especially when you take into consideration the fact that Josh Smith and Mike Bibby have been absentees lately.

The Heat will, once more, have to be on top of their game to get anything from his match-up. The fact that they can close to half a game behind the Hawks must be incentive enough. If they do that and beat Atlanta tonight then it may be the case that heads will drop at the Philips Arena and the impending home stand may seem like a mill-stone around their necks.

Lots of ifs and buts.....let's just try and do the business this evening and see what happens.

How Long Has He Carried The Injury?!!

2009-02-26T15:19:00.002Z

I'm reading this article on the SFSS's website.

It's just another "I cannot believe it" story. If the man is hurt he should be mended, he shouldn't be allowed to dictate to the franchise that he is okay to play and then, as he would surely admit himself, play substandard minutes. Udonis Haslem is a true warrior and will endure pain that probably no one else on the roster would but if his numbers aren't adding up, if his rebounding (the corner-stone of his game) dips then it's time to look at the problem and address it.

As with Wade, no player should dictate what goes on.....he should know better....the TEAM always comes first.

If UD is hurt badly as is alluded to by the article he could be rested....there's no shortage of cover, or options at the moment and who knows, something surprising may come out of the enforced change? Maybe there's a chance for Magloire and O'Neal yet? It would be an interesting experiment if nothing else.

Hawks Lose It In Denver

2009-02-26T07:54:00.002Z

Rewind to last night's game between the Denver Nuggets and the visiting Atlanta Hawks.

After 3 quarters of play the Nuggets are up by 14 points (92-78) and looking safe.....then the Hawks come on strong and Al Horford's jump-shot got them to within a point with about a half a minute left. Chauncey Billups ran the clock down as best he could then missed on his attempt to force the Hawks into a "three" to tie. On the ensuing and final possession Atlanta's Flip Murray (pictured) got a good look from 14 feet but the shot bounced away leaving Atlanta with nothing to show for a tough night's work.

Remember the Hawks had lost their previous two games and were without two starters . When you think on that and the fact that the Pepsi Center is something of a fortress for Denver this performance was pretty big by Atlanta....I don't somehow think they'll be approaching the upcoming game with the Heat low on confidence....they'll think they can beat us, especially with Bibby back.

No matter what we think, the fact remains that without lifting a finger the Heat have closed to within two games of fourth spot in the overall Eastern Conference standings....a win in our next game will see that numeral change to one.....maybe then we can kick on?

Big Third Dismantles Detroit....Game #56

2009-02-25T07:25:00.003Z

DETROIT PISTONS 91 - MIAMI HEAT 103 (30-26)

Detroit now plunge to a seven game losing streak on this defeat at the hands of Miami.....feel sorry for them?.......not one bit.

Surprise!

The Heat went back to team basketball last night with six of its nine active players registering double digits in the points column. Dwyane Wade, after going scoreless for most of the first half, caught fire in the second and was there to put Detroit away after they made a spirited run in the fourth....he finished on 31 points and a career high 16 assists.

16 assists?....yes, 16 assists. The tale behind it could be the difficulty that rookie Mario Chalmers is experiencing at the moment as regards personal fouls..another 5 last night..the need for a veteran back up at this position seems more apparent with each passing game, if only to take the pressure off the kid and give D-Wade a rest from ball handling duties.

Let's not get carried away but this was a fairly complete win albeit against a truly ailing Detroit....we've reached 30....can this now be a springboard to better things. Friday will prove to be he acid test.

Footnote: Yakhouba started and played good "D" against Tayshaun Prince..credit where credit is due...if only he could do it more consisently, as his Coach obviously believes he can, he'd be a bona-fide superstar.

Hanging by a Thread....

2009-02-24T19:53:00.002Z

Amazingly, given the recent debacle in Mouse-town, the Miami Heat hang onto fifth spot in the Eastern Conference Standings. This ofcourse was made possible by last night's reversals suffered by Philadelphia and Atlanta.....well especially the Sixers...but the Hawks losing means that the upwards gap hasn't widened to the fourth spot.....we've just got to want it bad enough.

The Detroit Pistons splutter their way into the AAA this evening. This is a team in free-fall having lost six straight and 15 out of its last 20.......they were mercilessly clobbered by the Cavs in their last outing (33 points adrift at half-time)....they are an extremely wounded animal......I just can't help but wonder what the "Bad Boys" would make of it all.

I would hope that the Heat after a painful showing of their own against Orlando will continue the trend of win,lose,win,lose,win,lose and rebound in this game ( literally ) but who knows.....every game is a surprise....I'm dying to see who is given the starting berths tonight, if poor old Yakhouba starts then I will just lose all faith.....I will have to assume that Coach Spoelstra is throwing the pieces in the air and hoping they land favourably.

Let's just hope the Pistons are licking their wounds and aren't ready to fight back....there's always bad blood between these two and J.O has previous....let's get to 30....GO HEAT!

Oh Ira!

2009-02-23T21:04:00.003Z

Just when I was starting to feel all warm and fuzzy towards Ira Winderman he goes and posts this..

"DEBATE THE "50" - BUT THE "2" IS THE ISSUE"

He quite rightly has a "pop" at the Miami "team" ethic......an ethic that allows D-Wade to do whatever the hell he chooses, whenever he chooses to do it.

BUT..

Then he goes onto to *iss and moan about Jermaine O'Neal pulling down a measley 2 rebounds...give me a break Ira......the guy has played three games and you are sharpening your claws and ripping into him already?

That's sensible....that's a balanced argument....not!

The 50 point display needs to be debated because it exposes huge weaknesses in the Heat coaching staff. There is little to be gained by D-Wade scoring 50 points apart from D-Wade staying close to LeBron James in the scoring charts...it means nothing to this "TEAM"....it is an individual landmark.....well done Dwyane, hope you've got it out of your system. I must ensure that no-one takes this as a swipe at Dwyane, he'll do what he needs to do....but the coaching staff must do like-wise....he's our franchise player but he is a player, part of a team, just like the rest.

How long can the Heat go on looking like a well-oiled cohesive unit one night and a rollicking shambles the next...well let's just say when Coach Spoelstra starts working out some sort of rotation system in his head and puts it on the court.

I feel sorry for Yakhouba Diawara....it's not his fault.

Sycophantic Mumbo Jumbo....

2009-02-23T15:35:00.002Z

Reading through the reams of doggeral being written about Dwyane Wade 50 points last night.

The Sun Sentinel seem to be gushing over this...

"Wade magnificent in loss...." ( photo montage )
"Wade's Masterpiece wasted..." ( Ethan .J. Skolnick )

Garbage!

Chris Perkins ( Palm Beach Post ) and Michael Wallace ( Miami Herald) seem to share my concerns and feel that a stronger decision should have been made when this game was out of sight - Wade should have sat the entire fourth, no question...at least then we may have seen what some of the others could do. Even Ira is hinting that it was a questionable decision.

I don't care what anyone says, basketball is a team game and the best teams always win....you can bemoan the fact that The Magic shot three pointer after three pointer but they have a team FULL of three point shooters and then the beast that is Dwight Howard in the paint..... they had an embarrassing number of players in double figures last night.....go figure....rocket science it aint.

This was a dreadful call by Spoelstra and he should be hung out to dry over the heads of it.

There was so much wrong in this game......Diawara starts again, ridiculous....Beasley is given mop-up duties in the fourth, ridiculous........Cook isn't taking shots - he's the three point champion, ridiculous.......I could go on and on.

A bad loss....a bad message sent out....a bad taste in the mouth....a bad way to achieve a very personal milestone....

Thank god for Detroit!.....but then again we seem to be the only team that can't beat them!!

Ugly,Ugly,Ugly....Game #55

2009-02-23T07:13:00.003Z

MIAMI HEAT 99 - ORLANDO MAGIC 122 (29-26)

When I said " this will be a close one.." what I actually meant was.........oh forget it.

What on earth was that? To be perfectly honest I could only thole three quarters of watching, assumedly, top professional basketball players look as though they had lost all recollection of how to shoot a basketball. This was as dreadful a display as any this season. The Heat were back to their old ways, even O'Neal and Moon being infected with the "can't get off the starting blocks" disease.

What the hell is going on??

I'm sorry but I'm furious that Wade was allowed to dictate, once more, that he stay in the game when it had clearly disappeared over the horizon as early as seven minutes in. This clearly shows where our main asset's thoughts lie....he wants to stay close to LeBron and Kobe...that is bad and it is equally bad that our Coach is being dictated to in such fashion. So he scored 50.....strange that it occurs a couple of nights after LeBron goes for 55.....let's not forget LeBron's team won their game. He should have been "TOLD" that he was sitting....he should have understood that the best thing to do was sit......absolutely dreadful, spineless coaching.

There is little point in talking about stats in this one except to make mention of 17-32 from three point range for the Magic....that's hard to live with and when your Coach stands in front of the camera at half time and says "We're late on everything" it seems to me there's a communication breakdown somewhere. This is a team that has built its limited success on its defense.If that fails and you ally it to complete ineptitude from the field then there's only one way to go.

Mr. Hyde returns.

Full Steam Ahead...Orlando Here We Come

2009-02-22T18:16:00.005Z

The Heat haven't won in their last five visits to the Amway Arena (pictured). So what better time to start than this evening on their way to notching up 30 wins for the season....sounds like a plan.

The Magic may have something to say about that...they've been through a major blip losing Jameer Nelson for the season to a D-Wade-esque shoulder injury...but now they seem to be recoverimg their composure and have signed ex-Heat player Rafer Alston from the Houston Rockets to fill up the void left by Nelson at the point.

This is another big game for the Heat and it'll be interesting to watch the contest between Jermaine O'Neal and Dwight Howard....J.O looked good last night and I reckon he'll only get better once the wave-length between him and Wade is perfectly tuned in. The heat will also be looking for Daequan Cook and Michael Beasley to step up after lack-lustre performances against the Sixers.

This'll definitely be a tight one and I reckon it could hinge on the bench players....the Heat's bench need to come out strong tonight....also Mario needs to stay out of foul trouble and hit a couple of early shots...in recent games, he seems to have gotten into a rut early and then goes chasing the game....this then exposes Miami's lack of depth and experience at the point position.

Still Thinking About Last Time?....

2009-02-22T08:25:00.003Z

This ofcourse is a Heat team that will look very different to Stan Van Gundy when they take the court,this evening, at the Amway Arena. The last game between the two sides saw Miami squander a huge lead but still hold on for the victory at the AAA mainly due to a couple of inspirational plays between D-Wade and Udonis Haslem, late in the game ( read title link ).

I also called out Coach Spoelstra after that game for his utilization of Michael Beasley.Given last night's big display by Jamario Moon you'd have to be thinking that Spoelstra will now use him more often. To be fair to the Coach he gave Beasley a fair crack of the whip last night, 25 mins or so, things just didn't click. What we have to remember is that this Heat team are now hunting W's, rightly or wrongly, if Michael doesn't get off the mark quickly he'll be benched.

I think our other star rookie Mario Chalmers could do with some quality support at the point guard position. He found himself galloping into foul trouble again against the Sixers and that leaves Chris Quinn being asked to do a bit too much at this stage. I find myself, for the second time, agreeing with IRA!

If you read his blog post...it's linked opposite, under "Oh Ira!" you'll find him calling for the pressing need to add some veteran savvy at the point guard position. This is a good call....plus, the Heat are still one short of the 15......room for someone like......Sam Cassell?

I'd go for that.

BIG Win....BIG Difference - Game #54

2009-02-21T23:09:00.004Z

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 91 - MIAMI HEAT 97 (29-25)

This game, between two very evenly matched teams, see-sawed back and forth until late in the final chapter. Basically this game could have gone either way and it looked like the Sixers were gaining the upper hand when Lou Williams, having a big night off the bench, connected on a three to give Philly a one point lead then, from a Wade turnover on the next possession, Marreese Speights extended the lead to three.

Coach Spoelstra called a 20 second time out and for the next minute or so the game hung in the balance with Andre Miller driving the Sixers on. With one minute 53 sconds left on the clock and the Heat up by one Lou Williams turned the ball over on a travelling violation. Udonis Haslem scored on the next play and the Heat didn't really look back from there.

Huge contributions from the new acquisitions......

Jermaine O'Neal played 35 big minutes and provided the presence the Heat require on his way to a double/double (17 points and 10 rebounds) and what about the surprise package Jamario Moon? With Beasley, Cook, Diawara ( a starter again?!!!) and the injured Jones basically non factors, he chipped in a priceless 12 points and bags of energy.

D-Wade had a superbly balanced game and wasn't forcing. UD had another double/double (13-10). This was a crucial win for the Heat and they did it shooting an impressive 51.4% from the floor.

Onwards....and a visit to Mouseville tomorrow.

Footnote: Dorrell Wright was on the bench.

And Today's Matinee Is....

2009-02-21T17:52:00.002Z

Amazingly over the past couple of days, which included an ugly loss to the T-Wolves, the Miami Heat have clung onto the fifth play-off berth in the Eastern Conference. This is, of course, mainly due to he fact that the chasing pack have all continued to suffer losses....both The Bucks and the Hawks losing last night.

What that means is that a win, in this afternoon's early fixture, against The 76ers would project the Heat out to 29 wins before facing Orlando on Sunday and open up a slight gap. In the last game, in Philadelphia, the home team were boosted by big nights from Royal Ivey and Marreese Speights. Speights, in particular was massive on both ends of the floor scoring, rebounding, blocking, deflecting and just being a complete nuisance.

After that game I made my feeling clear about the need for a quality big man and stated that Miami needed Jermaine O'Neal.....well, now they have him. I would be looking for he big open door that existed, in the Miami paint during the last meeting between these two sides, to be firmly closed.

James Jones is a doubt for Miami and Philly point guard Andre Miller is questionable. D-Wade was sent home from practice on Thursday with "flu-like" symptoms.....that's not the first time....is there a medic in the building?

T-wolves Pour Cold Water On Heat...Game #53

2009-02-19T08:13:00.003Z

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 111 - MIAMI HEAT 104 (28-25)

Not the best of starts to a new "era".

In saying that (and here I go again) it must have felt like "business as usual" for Michael Beasley who was given a shade over 17 minutes...he scored 8 points on 4-10 shooting.....James Jones, Coach Spoelstra's choice to start at small forward, scored a big fat donut hole in his 17 minutes...the thing that annoys me is that Jones would probably have played more had he not re-injured his wrist....he did nothing....nothing?....how can that be good?

Minnesota torched the Heat off the glass....you can draw your own conclusions regarding J.O's single rebound but if the truth be told no-one in a Heat uniform can really hold their hand up and say.."I did my job". As for 3 point shooting, well, Daequan must have left all his cook books in Phoenix....the Heat only hit 25% (5-20) whilst the Wolves ripped the floor up with 63.6% (14-25), Sebastien Telfair going 6-10 from downtown on his way to 30 big points.

This was supposed to be the easiest game in schedule that going to fill up with tough match-ups in the next couple of weeks....I reckon we'll see a positive reaction to this defeat.

That Worked Out Well, Didn't It?

2009-02-18T22:46:00.003Z

Unusually, for me at least, last evening's theorising became reality as I checked in with the scores earlier on this morning....very pleasant indeed.

So this means that the Heat can nudge themselves further away from Detroit, Philadelphia and Milwaukee and make up some ground on Atlanta should they do the necessary against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the AAA tonight. It's true to say that the T-Wolves have been pretty woeful this season but last night they overcame a 19 point deficit to the Wizards before throwing it away in the fourth, having actually built a winning lead...they are desperately missing center Al Jefferson but Foye and Love can play a bit. Love is becoming a double/double machine with 5 in his last 6 games.

Jermaine O'Neal will wear the number 7 shirt vacated by Shawn Marion and Jamario Moon will pull on the number 8. Judging by the talk in the media it's unlikely that either of them will start the game ( wise, I suppose ) but I'd imagine the Heat faithful will turn out in numbers tonight to pass judgement on the trade.

Time is getting tight now as regards bringing in someone at the point guard position....does Riles have something else up his sleeve?

Tonight's Movers and Shakers....

2009-02-17T21:40:00.002Z

Can the Heat still be all alone in fifth place by the end of today's play?

Well..........

Philly visit Indiana.....Indiana are good at home.....the Sixers could lose that one.

Detroit play Milwaukee at The Palace....I'd normally fancy the Pistons but the recent records show the Bucks on W2 and Detroit on L3....that's a coin toss.

The Atlanta Hawks who are edging away from the Heat in fourth spot head out to LA LA Land...I reckon that might spell the end for their two game winning streak.

So if the Pacers, Bucks and Lakers all win it'll be "as you were" with Milwaukee moving up onto 27 wins.

Could happen......and this would leave the Heat with a nice game against the T-Wolves who have given up their last 4 contests on Wednesday to keep their noses in front....the next 5 games after that are going to be very demanding....let's hope O'Neal and Moon hit the court running.

Nice Job So Far...

2009-02-15T19:53:00.003Z

Well it's been a good weekend for the Miami Heat players in Phoenix so far. Michael Beasley was the high scoring rookie in the Rookie v Sophomore game with 29 points and Daequan Cook was back in the kitchen to roast the opposition in the three-point challenge. Nice going.

Now all we need is for Dwyane Wade to collect the MVP in the All Star game and that will be perfect....who's bet against it?

Telling It Like It Is....

2009-02-14T18:33:00.003Z

I enjoy reading Greg Cote's various blogs and articles in The Miami Herald...he talks a lot of sense.

Below is his take on the recent Heat/Raptors trade scenario...it's worth a look.

I cannot believe that there are people still whimpering about the prospect of Amare Stoudemire coming to Miami...that would have been catastrophic for us.....we've aquired some quality, veteran talent in Jermaine O'Neal and set things up beautifully for the future..Pat I shouldn't have doubted you.

Greg Cote

Deal is Done....At Last!

2009-02-14T00:29:00.004Z

Shawn Marion's emphatic dunk from a Dwyane Wade bounce pass with one second remaining in regulation time was the final act in his short Miami Heat career. Marion now heads to Toronto along with Marcus Banks whilst Jermaine O'Neal, Jamario Moon and a future first round draft pick travel in the opposite direction.

Those of us that have been clamouring for this deal to go through must now hope that it will pay off. The Heat are in a very good position at the moment....4 games above 0.500 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. We must hope that the parts will gel together quickly and the play-off push can be maintained, however, patience might be the order of the immediate future. J.O will undoubtedly give us an inside presence and threat and it's going to be interesting watching a Heat team with that dimension.

Moon looks like he may be able to fill some of the gaps defensively....he's rangy and athletic.....I can't wait for the All Star weekend to finish.

Intriguing situation regarding point guards....wonder what will happen before the 19th?

Heat Reach All-Star Break Alone in Fifth......Game #52

2009-02-13T09:03:00.002Z

MIAMI HEAT 95 - CHICAGO BULLS 93 (28-24)

The position may be temporary..it may not...but let's just use the break to savour this moment. Looking in the "W" column and seeing "28" provides some cheer, doesn't it?

What we don't want is Pat Riley looking at it and thinking that things are hunky dorey, they most definitely aren't and the Jermaine O'Neal deal is more important now than ever. Coach Spoelstra could NOT have dropped a bigger hint last night with Magloire not playing and Anthony being given a handful of minutes. This ofcourse opened up some minutes for Michael Beasley who duly responded with 9-10 shooting....21 points and 7 rebounds ( tied on total rb's with Marion and Haslem - 5 of them defensive ). He played just over 30 minutes....I can't help but think that if O'Neal comes this kid's game will improve even more. UD has the heart of a lion but he is not the answer in he middle...I don't think anyone is claiming that, in fairness.

One further point on Beasley..Ira Winderman - "Beasley Tormentor in Chief"..actually sprang to the rookie's defense in his blog today by criticising the Coaching during the 4th quarter (SHOCK!! HORROR!!), he said...

"Taking out Beasley midway through the fourth quarter when he is 9-10 from the field? Did the Heat think it was going to shut out Chicago the rest of the way?"

Okay so it's only faint support as he's alluding to the fact that Michael, despite last night's numbers wasn't playing "D"....but there is a glimmer of support there and a faint whiff of disdain as regards the coaching and tactics.....changed days my friend.

Shawn Marion and Dwyane Wade came up wih the game winning play and if it is to be the last action that Marion sees in a Miami uniform then at least he can remember it as a thing of beauty. Wade, sensing the double team, nipped an exquisite bounce pass into the path of the driving Marion who flushed it for the win.

The Bulls have been playing well recently and for Miami to go to he Windy City and take their scalp signifies a noteworthy victory...especially when you take into consideration the topsy turvy form of the Heat, not just between games but within games too.

This one was no exception.....oh, and it would seem that Vinnie Del Negro forgot..... Mr Nocioni?

Your facial is ready.

Good News...and Bad News

2009-02-12T19:02:00.004Z

The good news is that Detroit lost again....the bad news?....Atlanta beat them.....and further bad news....Philadelphia won too....so with the Heat inactive Wednesday they have slid down to 7th spot in the play off picture. Three teams now sit on the 27-24 tally.

However, let's not be too despondent, with a victory over the Chicago Bulls, in Chicago, this evening, all will be "rosy" heading into the All-Star" weekend.

Sounds easy doesn't it.

Let's take a look....The Bulls have recently finished a gruelling 7 game Western road trip which saw them return with a creditable 4-3 record, picking up wins against The Clippers, The Kings, The Suns and The Hornets and losing to the T-Wolves, Rockets and Mavericks. They then beat the Pistons, which everyone but Miami seems capable of, on Tuesday night. The win over the Pistons was fuelled by the desire to produce a big display on a night when Johnny "Red" Kerr, the first coach of the Bulls and lifeblood of the franchise was honoured before the United Center (pictured) faithful....losing was not an option.

Hopefully all the adrenalin ( on the Bulls side ) will have receded when the teams take to the court a little after 7PM (ET).....but I doubt it.....Remember this?

I'm sure Mr.Del Negro will have them well pumped up for this game.

One Trick Pony Falls Coming Out of Starting Gate....Game#51

2009-02-11T07:40:00.002Z

DENVER NUGGETS 99 - MIAMI HEAT 82 (27-24)

This game was all over by the end of the first quarter....Miami, once more, against a top drawer opponent failed to show up then looked to Dwyane Wade to dig them out of the hole. He did his best but was left, well and truly on his own, as the Heat stumbled and fumbled its way to another heavy defeat.

Ofcourse, Michael Beasley is receiving most of the unmitigated bile this morning. Let's remember he was called off the bench with 17 ticks left in the first....the Heat were already 12 points in arrears and in my opinion too far off the pace to do anything....so what is the route of less resistance?....kick the rookie....pathetic.

Daequan Cook struggled terribly from three point range, as did James Jones..the Heat collectively scored 30% from beyond the arc....but bear in mind he Nuggets only shot 23.8% fro downtown and still won by 17......turnovers were big and they converted on just about every one.

Dwayne Wade scored 33 points that's about all you can say about this game.

The Heat have Chicago next and they beat Detroit last night.....and they are harbouring a grudge from the last game.....who could forget Vinny Del Negro's "Remember This!!....Remember This!!"

as Coach Spoelstra inserted his bench.

It'll be interesting to see if we're up for that fight.

Things To Do With Denver....

2009-02-10T23:25:00.003Z

Denver are a pretty tasty outfit.....They are currently sitting on a 34-17 record and have a great 1-2 punch in Chauncey Billups ( my favourite PG in the league ) and Carmelo Anthony. Throw Kenyon Martin and Dahntay Jones into the starting mix and we're looking at quite a formidable line-up....Nene round things off ruggedly at the center position.....oh and let's not forget J.R Smith and Linus Kleiza off the bench.

So how on earth did the get cuffed so easily by the Nets on Saturday night....114-70...??

That's one hell of a beating.

Let's hope that Denver carry no sense of grievance down to the AAA tonight, let's not forget the Heat have lost seven straight to them, stretching back to he 2005/06 season. This would be a surprising but very welcome win for the Heat....Defense is key and lets hope that one or two of our guys catch fire early...we can't afford to come out of the traps slowly and let the Nuggets get the drop on us...if we stay with them through three....we'll see.

Method in the Madness?....I Don't Think So

2009-02-10T17:51:00.004Z

Methodical : (adj) 1. arranged or proceeding in regular, systematic order

2. characterized by ordered and systematic habits or behaviour.

Michael Wallace, of whom I have a lot of respect, writes in today's Miami Herald...

"Michael Beasley's season has been marked by inconsistency as the Heat takes a methodical approach to the rookie's development..."

Oh Michael....that is just a load of absolute nonsense.

A Coach is a teacher, of sorts, wouldn't you say? From time to time a Coach will work with rookie players and must do what they see fit to bring those young players on and allow them to work their way in whatever rotational ideas he may be formulating. As far as I can see Coach Spoelstra is plain scared of allowing Michael Beasley time on the court unless the rookie is tearing it up on both ends...there is no room for manouvre for this kid.....it's all or nothing and it stems from the fact that the Heat find themselves in a much better position in the standings than they could have hoped for. This is bad for Beasley as the Coach is thinking about the "W" for win, not the development of this amazingly talented young player.

There is absolutely nothing methodical in the approach whatsoever...I do agree however that it is full of inconsistencies but the inconsistencies you speak of do not generate from Beasley, they generate from the Coaching staff who, even now, have no idea of rotations and what their best is....And you have players calling the shots...D-Wade has obviously said he wants UD and Cook on the floor at specific moments, so that's what he gets, regardless of how these guys are playing.....(Haslem has been less than sparkling since the start of the year. Cook is becoming more pivotal as the sesason wears on.)

Inconsistency begets inconsistency....I don't think you can blame Beasley entirely for some of his performances....I'm sure he's as bemused as many of his supporters when he is constantly "hooked"....I don't care that he's learning behind veteran depth, Chalmers (a revelation) has been allowed to make his mistakes on court and is becoming a much stronger player mentally because of that....again inconsistency, a rookie policy is a rookie policy, it's bogus to say that Chalmers has a clear court in front of him....he has made howling errors but still starts, every single game - it's to Michael's credit that he keeps his head down and gets on with trying to help the team....superb attitude from, let's not forget, the No.2 pick....that means he's very good, remember?

Give him time, get him on court, allow him to make mistakes, allow him to play. BE CONSISTENT in your approach!

He's got it all this kid....and now there are whispers that Riley may be coming up with a blockbuster to bring in Bosh or Stoudemire....no thanks.....Beasley is the future of the franchise and we should be doing everything we can to nurture his talent.

What a Difference a Daequan Makes....Game #50

2009-02-09T07:22:00.005Z

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS 92 - MIAMI HEAT 96 (27-23)

With Charlotte putting up stuffy resistance in the fourth quarter, with Dwyane Wade ailing from flu and a gashed eye, with he Heat hanging on to a perilous 79-77 lead, it was left to the returning Daequan Cook (ably assisted by Mario Chalmers ) to finally shut the trap door on the Bobcats and lock it down.

It's so comforting to look at a box score and once more view, an above 50% statistic like, 4-7 (from three point range) as this has been conspicuous in Cook's absence with a thigh contusion. It didn't take him long to heat back up and reiterate how important he is in this/these Miami rotation(s).

Chalmers also had a big night..a double/double (16 points -13 assists)....this drew faint praise from "super-hack" Winderman over at The Sentinel....Chalmers is definitely a steal and will be huge for this franchise in years to come.

Other than that...nothing much to report....save for a "Riddle me this, Batman!" opportunity......

Joel Anthony leaps from single digit minutes in the past 4 or 5 games to well over half an hour of court time and Michael Beasley once more warms up the bench?

Now I know that the kid is leaving a lot to be desired on the defensive end but this up and down treatment of many players within the rotation just makes you wonder......seems to me if the Coach doesn't really "fancy" you and you miss a couple of details....you're out....unless your name is Udonis Haslem who seems to be untouchable.

I don't buy into this flexibility nonsense.....he just doesn't know what his best rotation is..... makes you wonder if Jermaine O'Neal will feature in the starting 5 when he arrives?

Miami's Soft Center Exposed Yet Again.....Game #49

2009-02-08T09:12:00.003Z

MIAMI HEAT 84 - PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 94 (26-23)

If you're looking for team basketball at its best then last night's 4th quarter display by the Sixers was what you were after. With their offense mis-firing and losing through three quarters to a seemingly confident Heat, new Head Coach Tony DiLeo went to his bench and summoned Marreese Speights and the wonderfully monikered Royal Ivey. Speights was colossal on both ends of the floor blocking, rebounding and scoring a handy 15 points. Ivey connected for two murderous three pointers ( remember only 7 were scored in total in this game 4 by Philly, 3 by Miami ) and gave huge energy to the Sixers line up. The Heat simply and inexcusably disappeared.

My question, once again, is........why do Anthony and Magloire sit whilst Speights cleans up Haslem. Surely you get them in the paint to bang Speights about until they run out of fouls....Speights was just killing us with is energy.

Coach?

There is definitely the faint whiff of a "skid" surrounding the Miami Heat at the moment and you get the impression that Pat Riley is sitting in the front office not really knowing what kind of a deal will solidify this franchise. If he does know, why is he taking so long?

There has been reams of talk about Amare Stoudemire - that's a bad idea - no defense and an enormous ego....Chris Bosh has also appeared on the radar - Marion AND Beasley would have to be part of a deal there so that's just plain stupid......for me Jermaine O'Neal remains the obvious choice for various reasons. He'd certainly have made a difference last night.

If the Heat lose against Charlotte tonight the serious talking will start.

Current Play-Off Picture...

2009-02-07T09:43:00.006Z

Heat fans, in general, are just pleased that this season hasn't turned into another debacle (like last year) but now, with the scent of a play-off berth in their nostrils, they are looking to see where the best spot might be. The Heat are aiming for fourth seed which would see them avoid (probably) Boston and Cleveland. Orlando are, at the moment, in third position but if last night's defeat at the hands of Indiana is indicative of how life will be for them without the injured Jameer Nelson, they'll have to be looking over their shoulder. Atlanta who lie second in the Southeast Division behind Orlando and hold fourth play-off spot at the moment are a breath away from 30 wins and have won their last two. There's still along way to go.

The Heat will need to find a way to peg Atlanta back and also to fight off the attacks from below, especially from teams such as the Philadephia 76ers. The Sixers were surging until Elton Brand, their franchise player, was re-inserted briefly after injury. Brand now is out for the season requiring surgery on his shoulder and hey, wouldn't you know it, Philly start to win again. They are very, very dangerous and the Heat face them at the Wachovia Center (pictured)tonight.

Over the next six games we'd really look for the Heat to pick up at least 4 wins....Charlotte, Chicago, Minnesota and one of the two Philadelphia match-ups are the best possiblities....at this point I don't see the American Airlines Arena as being much of an advantage.

What's The Hold Up?

2009-02-06T14:10:00.002Z

I agree with Chris Perkins over at the Palm Beach Post when he says that trade rumours must be having an unsettling affect on the Miami Heat. It must be difficult to remain focused when you know that your future is up for grabs and you don't really know where you might be in, say, two weeks time. There are lots of variables to take into consideration....not just what takes place on court.
There is a sense of indecision around the Heat franchise just now....good teams are built on trust and mutual respect....I don't think they are too far away from getting the right chemistry but from what I can ascertain there are still inconsistencies, especially regarding rotations.....that doesn't build trust and it makes players question their roles and themselves and results in sub-par performances.
Take Yakhouba Diawara for example...decent enough player...but a bench player not a starter. To my mind too much was expected of him and now he's retreated into his shell...he had a role, off the bench, which he could perform most nights...let's know our limitations here
.
The O'Neal trade needs to go through as it will undoubtedly improve the Heat by giving us a top drawer, big player in the middle who can score, rebound, block and create. He will make a massive difference come play-off time.

Please Pat....sign this deal now.

Pistons End Home Losing Streak..Game #48

2009-02-05T18:46:00.003Z

MIAMI HEAT 90 - DETROIT PISTONS 93 (26-22)

It would have to end against the Miami Heat, wouldn't it? The Pistons finally ended their home drought at 4 games but they had to work damned hard for it.....and carried the necessary rolls to get over the line.

Okay, where to start regarding last night's game at the Palace of Thrills and Spills.....well, it was a close one. I certainly got the combative game that I was after and as far as I could see the "Hail Mary" launched by Rodney Stuckey (with the shot clock at 0.01 and the game clock at 0.46 seconds) was the tipping point....I agree with Wade's post match assessment of Stuckey's "brick" that went in, high off the glass....

"Man, that was some luck."

But there you go....some nights the bounce favours you, some nights it doesn't....it certainly was "Lucky Stuckey" last night. Had he missed that shot I think the Heat may have assumed control. I'm sure Coach Spoelstra would have, at that point, pulled them in and calmed things down then Michael Beasley wouldn't have TO'd and......ah well, it's immaterial isn't it.

Tough game....tough loss....but you always knew the Pistons would be up for this one.

One thing is for sure, D-Wade was most certainly up for it....there seemed to be a fair bit of posturing going on and his frustration at being on the losing side in this match simmered over when he pounded the ball into the crowd after Beasley's error and Rasheed Wallace's resulting trey.

I wouldn't advise that you repeat that error Mike....fortunate there was nothing more important at stake....another tick in the "learned" column.

Although this was an "L" I think this shows that the Heat is more than a match for physical trash talking teams like the Pistons. They competed even when their centers sat for most of the game. For me it makes the case for Jermaine O'Neal all the more pertinent, put quality in the middle and we start to look pretty good, I'm convinced of it and I think it will happen. Marion, although he is a model pro should contribute more but it's unfair to expect it...the fit isn't right....no hard feelings, let's get this deal done and move on.

Off To The Palace....

2009-02-04T21:34:00.003Z

Don't imagine the Heat can expect a royal welcome.

This will most probably be a bit of a ding-dong battle and it's unusual but you would have to say that on current form ( neither side being outstandingly consistent) that the Heat possibly have the edge.

After competing with the Cavs for three quarters at the weekend the Pistons went out with a whimper, eventually succumbing by 10 points....that is NOT Pistons basketball. They are most definitely missing the smooth orchestration of Chauncey Billups and the early season promise of Rodney Stuckey has all but dried up. 'Sheed and Tayshaun are toiling and Rip Hamilton has a new gig, starting from the bench. That said...never, EVER discount the Detroit Pistons.

I think it would be good for this Heat team if they got involved in a bit of a battle tonight - a really close, physical game where they win at the buzzer - of course we don't wish for these things... a 20 point blow out would be brilliant...but tight finishes have been few and far between for the Heat. A scrap, where they have to step up to the mark away from home may be just what is needed to provide some stability and galvanize this squad further. As long as no-one loses any limbs in the process.

Wonder how much time Coach will allow Beasley against the (Not So) Bad Boys? He'll have to be at his best defensively that's a given.

Marion definitely in for Diawara anyway....Khouba will probably have a career night off the bench!

Ah...Good Doctor, Nice To See You....Game #47

2009-02-03T07:16:00.005Z

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 95 - MIAMI HEAT 119 (26-21)

Yes. The good Miami Heat turned up last night thankfully.
Once again Yakhouba Diawara, who has been nothing short of shocking in the past six games, was in the starting line-up. The returning Shawn Marion began this game from the bench but was quickly out of his warm-up suit and onto the court as his replacement ( for the past six games as a starter ) continued to show absolutely no form at all........I don't get how Diawara merits a starting slot....it must just be a hit and hope.....but for six consecutive games?

Hello!.....wakey wakey!!....the guy is struggling, quit making it worse by starting him!!

Once the under pressure Diawara sat down, a kind of normality returned to the Heat's play. Okay, this was, let's not forget, the Clippers who have been stinking up the courts recently and are in a tie for the leagues worst record with Washington but it was just the kind of game that this Heat team needed......easy.
D-Wade came up with another big display, 32 points, to lead all scorers. Haslem, Chalmers, Marion and Beasley all had double figures with Beasley the pick of them at 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Hopefully this will now put them in better spirits for the trip to Detroit, who are embarking on another losing streak, falling in their last two.....it's a crucial game.....for confidence.

The Heat have now moved up to 5th in the Eastern Conference rankings and are breathing down hard on the necks of the Hawks....a game ahead...in fourth.

Empty Kitchen......

2009-02-02T20:00:00.003Z

Daequan Cook does not play against the Clippers tonight and looks certain not to travel with the Heat to Detroit and Philly.

Unfortunate for Cook but I think the small break may do him some good. I'm sure even he'd admit that his batteries were drained somewhat and this enforced lay-off may allow him to recharge and come out shooting again.

Nothing certain on Shawn Marion as regards tonight's game but we could do with some sort of defensive presence after the last two fiascos.

Further to what I said in my previous post here's seasoned veteran Udonis Haslem, in the Miami Herald, bemoaning the fact that the Pacers and the Mavericks had the temerity to hit so many shots......

''Any team that shoots that high of a percentage is going to be tough to beat,'' Heat forward Udonis Haslem said. ``You'd think that they can't keep shooting like that, that eventually they'd start missing. They didn't.''

Ridiculous....just get your butt out there and defend, quit making excuses.

The Clippers enter tonight's game with a 10-37 record and on a losing streak which stands at 5.

This would normally be a good opportunity for the Heat to get things back on the rails but we'll have to wait and see which Heat team turns up.