After watching Miami/Chicago last night, and given the choice, i'd rather face Miami in the first round. The Bulls are just to deep and their defense makes even super stars look awkward. Miami has talent, but they are also flawed and there is a subtle stench of disharmony and ego there. Chicago is just a good, deep fundamentally solid team. They are a team while Miami still looks like a team strugling to find its identity....although still dangerous.
We seriously need to grab the 7th spot from Philly. Chicago looks like a lock for the #1 sede.
I still prefer Chicago, knowing how we match up with them. We've played Chicago tough each game, to the wire. We don't matchup particularly well with Miami, especially with our point guard situation. Either way, as long as we're playing our best ball by season's end and Amare's getting his sea legs back, we should be competitive with any team we face in the 1st round.
Miami's definitely looked vulnerable. Celtics took it to them pretty good the other night too.
We've played Chicago hard this season (first 3 games decided by a total of 9 points), but I don't think it's a given that Miami just 'turns it on' in the post season.
Either matchup is going to be rough, but I'll take the team with motivation concerns.
Rookie wrote:After watching Miami/Chicago last night, and given the choice, i'd rather face Miami in the first round. The Bulls are just to deep and their defense makes even super stars look awkward. Miami has talent, but they are also flawed and there is a subtle stench of disharmony and ego there. Chicago is just a good, deep fundamentally solid team. They are a team while Miami still looks like a team strugling to find its identity....although still dangerous.We seriously need to grab the 7th spot from Philly. Chicago looks like a lock for the #1 sede.
here's the one problem with Miami: their defense is at the wings, exactly where the Knicks are at its weakest: Wade, LeBron, and their pesky PGs.
martin wrote:Rookie wrote:After watching Miami/Chicago last night, and given the choice, i'd rather face Miami in the first round. The Bulls are just to deep and their defense makes even super stars look awkward. Miami has talent, but they are also flawed and there is a subtle stench of disharmony and ego there. Chicago is just a good, deep fundamentally solid team. They are a team while Miami still looks like a team strugling to find its identity....although still dangerous.We seriously need to grab the 7th spot from Philly. Chicago looks like a lock for the #1 sede.
here's the one problem with Miami: their defense is at the wings, exactly where the Knicks are at its weakest: Wade, LeBron, and their pesky PGs.
Not to mention they could turn it on at any moment and blow other teams off the court. Sure this can be said of many teams, but the Heat made it to the finals last year and they are arguably a much better team this year with more time to play together under their belt.
The Heat are not the team you want to play in Rd. 1
MaTT4281 wrote:Miami's definitely looked vulnerable. Celtics took it to them pretty good the other night too.
We've played Chicago hard this season (first 3 games decided by a total of 9 points), but I don't think it's a given that Miami just 'turns it on' in the post season.Either matchup is going to be rough, but I'll take the team with motivation concerns.
It's not a given but it is likely to happen. The Lakers have done it in the past why would the Heat be any different? They have played very well this season and in some stretches looked like a lock to take it all - I wouldn't discount them so quickly.
OasisBU wrote:martin wrote:Rookie wrote:After watching Miami/Chicago last night, and given the choice, i'd rather face Miami in the first round. The Bulls are just to deep and their defense makes even super stars look awkward. Miami has talent, but they are also flawed and there is a subtle stench of disharmony and ego there. Chicago is just a good, deep fundamentally solid team. They are a team while Miami still looks like a team strugling to find its identity....although still dangerous.We seriously need to grab the 7th spot from Philly. Chicago looks like a lock for the #1 sede.
here's the one problem with Miami: their defense is at the wings, exactly where the Knicks are at its weakest: Wade, LeBron, and their pesky PGs.
Not to mention they could turn it on at any moment and blow other teams off the court. Sure this can be said of many teams, but the Heat made it to the finals last year and they are arguably a much better team this year with more time to play together under their belt.
The Heat are not the team you want to play in Rd. 1
They threw the kitchen sink at Lin in that game before the All Star Break. I don't even want to know what they'll do to Baron (Shudders at the thought).
OasisBU wrote:martin wrote:Rookie wrote:After watching Miami/Chicago last night, and given the choice, i'd rather face Miami in the first round. The Bulls are just to deep and their defense makes even super stars look awkward. Miami has talent, but they are also flawed and there is a subtle stench of disharmony and ego there. Chicago is just a good, deep fundamentally solid team. They are a team while Miami still looks like a team strugling to find its identity....although still dangerous.We seriously need to grab the 7th spot from Philly. Chicago looks like a lock for the #1 sede.
here's the one problem with Miami: their defense is at the wings, exactly where the Knicks are at its weakest: Wade, LeBron, and their pesky PGs.
Not to mention they could turn it on at any moment and blow other teams off the court. Sure this can be said of many teams, but the Heat made it to the finals last year and they are arguably a much better team this year with more time to play together under their belt.
The Heat are not the team you want to play in Rd. 1
I keep seeing Woodson preaching to control the boards. It's the only way to slow Miami down. Make them beat you in the half court game, limit their fast break.
I think mimai gives us more trouble. If you think about it we beat Chicago without 2 of our starters. the first two games against them we should have won. last game we had a bad night but i'd still rather take my chances on the Bulls and not the Heat
IrishKnickFan wrote:I think mimai gives us more trouble. If you think about it we beat Chicago without 2 of our starters. the first two games against them we should have won. last game we had a bad night but i'd still rather take my chances on the Bulls and not the Heat
Bad night or great defense? Their D will make you have a bad night
We are going to finish 7th or 8th so whoever we play its not going to be easy. We will have to be on top of our game. Both teams are beatable. No one wants to face the knicks certainly not a healthy knicks
Rookie wrote:IrishKnickFan wrote:I think mimai gives us more trouble. If you think about it we beat Chicago without 2 of our starters. the first two games against them we should have won. last game we had a bad night but i'd still rather take my chances on the Bulls and not the Heat
Bad night or great defense? Their D will make you have a bad night
No doubt they can defend but miami can defend as well and they are quicker
gunsnewing wrote:We are going to finish 7th or 8th so whoever we play its not going to be easy. We will have to be on top of our game. Both teams are beatable. No one wants to face the knicks certainly not a healthy knicks
Does the return of Lin and Stat come at the expense of chemistry since both will be rusty? We are assuming they will be able to produce at a high level but that is not a given.
Our team without them is not deep enough to make a run though.
If we do get Miami, Woody should make them watch the Bulls-Heat games again, and again, and again, until they internalize how to keep Lebron out of the lane, make Wade throw up jumpers and make Bosh doubt whether he knows how to play basketball.
I'm rooting for the Nets tonight, can't believe it. By the way, Howard is out for 2, maybe 3 games. Could Orlando slide into eighth or beyond?
Don't let these games fool you Rook..I think Miami is bored and are currently playing at 60% of the energy level they were playing at in the beginning of the season...No way they could keep up that pace...They can and I think the will turn it on again in the playoffs...These guys have pride.Don't bet against them..
holfresh wrote:Don't let these games fool you Rook..I think Miami is bored and are currently playing at 60% of the energy level they were playing at in the beginning of the season...No way they could keep up that pace...They can and I think the will turn it on again in the playoffs...These guys have pride.Don't bet against them..
If you haven't already...watch the 4th Q and overtime of last nights game. It was a hard fought game, and could have gone either way with both teams playing their asses off. Bulls made a run... Miami made a run and took the lead with under a minute left. James missed the clinching free throw and the Bulls fans went out of their minds as the Bulls made some unbelieveable shots to tie and pull away.
They ripped Miami's heart out and ate it in front of 20k fans going out of their minds. Miami left the court pouting, walking down the tunnel sulking. They didn't even do the customary meet shake hands after the game...James just rolled the ball to half court with 5 seconds left and the entire team walked straight to the dressing room crying. It was a colossal failure, they got punked and they knew it
Oh, and did i mention, they got beat by the Bulls bench
I have seen this before..In a seven game series they will regain their confidence..You will again see the team that completely dismantled us in Miami, trust me on that...They have nothing to prove..They are driven and want to win it all..They have two Superstars to the Bulls one who is hurt...I'll take hurt..Not every player also show up in the playoffs..Miami knows how to win there..Bulls stil have to prove they are not just a regular season team...That's why Tib's contract hasn't been renewed yet...You don't want to tangle with the beast in the first round..Rose isn't 100%..Let's go at him..
The Bulls bench wont be hitting those shots in the playoffs..They will be squeezing the ball harder in the playoffs..I have seen this movie before...U will soon find out who has heart and who doesn't ..It will be clear as day..Bulls still have to prove it..
Rookie wrote:holfresh wrote:Don't let these games fool you Rook..I think Miami is bored and are currently playing at 60% of the energy level they were playing at in the beginning of the season...No way they could keep up that pace...They can and I think the will turn it on again in the playoffs...These guys have pride.Don't bet against them..
If you haven't already...watch the 4th Q and overtime of last nights game. It was a hard fought game, and could have gone either way with both teams playing their asses off. Bulls made a run... Miami made a run and took the lead with under a minute left. James missed the clinching free throw and the Bulls fans went out of their minds as the Bulls made some unbelieveable shots to tie and pull away.
They ripped Miami's heart out and ate it in front of 20k fans going out of their minds. Miami left the court pouting, walking down the tunnel sulking. They didn't even do the customary meet shake hands after the game...James just rolled the ball to half court with 5 seconds left and the entire team walked straight to the dressing room crying. It was a colossal failure, they got punked and they knew it
Oh, and did i mention, they got beat by the Bulls bench
The Heat continue to be a bunch of babies.
Hope they never won a chip
holfresh wrote:I have seen this before..In a seven game series they will regain their confidence..You will again see the team that completely dismantled us in Miami, trust me on that...They have nothing to prove..They are driven and want to win it all..They have two Superstars to the Bulls one who is hurt...I'll take hurt..Not every player also show up in the playoffs..Miami knows how to win there..Bulls stil have to prove they are not just a regular season team...That's why Tib's contract hasn't been renewed yet...You don't want to tangle with the beast in the first round..Rose isn't 100%..Let's go at him..
The Bulls bench wont be hitting those shots in the playoffs..They will be squeezing the ball harder in the playoffs..I have seen this movie before...U will soon find out who has heart and who doesn't ..It will be clear as day..Bulls still have to prove it..
Both teams have something to prove. I wasn't rooting for either team until Lebron choked on the pressure with 11 seconds left...miami is flailing. That lockerroom has to be toxic right now....maybe i just want to see the Knicks upset the Heat in the first round. It's a longshot i know, but it would be glorious
Lebron still has to prove that he can be clutch when it counts, that game was just another failure in a clutch moment. His head has to be totally effed up right now. I'm lovin' it
Rookie wrote:holfresh wrote:I have seen this before..In a seven game series they will regain their confidence..You will again see the team that completely dismantled us in Miami, trust me on that...They have nothing to prove..They are driven and want to win it all..They have two Superstars to the Bulls one who is hurt...I'll take hurt..Not every player also show up in the playoffs..Miami knows how to win there..Bulls stil have to prove they are not just a regular season team...That's why Tib's contract hasn't been renewed yet...You don't want to tangle with the beast in the first round..Rose isn't 100%..Let's go at him..
The Bulls bench wont be hitting those shots in the playoffs..They will be squeezing the ball harder in the playoffs..I have seen this movie before...U will soon find out who has heart and who doesn't ..It will be clear as day..Bulls still have to prove it..
Both teams have something to prove. I wasn't rooting for either team until Lebron choked on the pressure with 11 seconds left...miami is flailing. That lockerroom has to be toxic right now....maybe i just want to see the Knicks upset the Heat in the first round. It's a longshot i know, but it would be glorious
Lebron still has to prove that he can be clutch when it counts, that game was just another failure in a clutch moment. His head has to be totally effed up right now. I'm lovin' it
I'm a Yankee fan...I can't tell you how many times the Yankee look disinterested going into the playoffs...I get scared...5 rings in 15 years later, I respect talent and guy who go deep into the post season...Miami was there already, the Bulls aren't there yet...It took Dirk many years to figure out how to win...Miami will learn, hopefully not against us...The Bulls will be vulnerable going into the post season if Rose isn't 100%...I rather hunt the wounded deer...
OasisBU wrote:MaTT4281 wrote:Miami's definitely looked vulnerable. Celtics took it to them pretty good the other night too.
We've played Chicago hard this season (first 3 games decided by a total of 9 points), but I don't think it's a given that Miami just 'turns it on' in the post season.Either matchup is going to be rough, but I'll take the team with motivation concerns.
It's not a given but it is likely to happen. The Lakers have done it in the past why would the Heat be any different? They have played very well this season and in some stretches looked like a lock to take it all - I wouldn't discount them so quickly.
I'm not discounting Miami. It's a long shot to upset either team in the first round, but right now Chicago is #1 for a reason. If you were to say Miami has the most room for improvement in the playoffs, I'd agree, but currently they're losing some big games against teams like Chicago, and Boston, and even Indiana. (Just checked their schedule, throw in a blow out loss to Memphis in Miami).
It seems like they're more or less coasting at the moment and figure they'll just flip the switch come the post season. It can take a little while for a team to get back to firing on all cylinders. Best chance of an upset to me seems like catching an underperforming team off guard. We have a chance to see how the current incarnation of this team will fair against them this Sunday.
