Official Boston vs. Miami Thread!

[asujbl]

As a LeBron hater I'm not going to go overboard and say they are a mediocre team - obviously they will get better and win their 55-65 games (not that he couldn't have done that in Cleveland) but at the end of the day the Heat, even after one game, have serious fundamental flaws - no matter who the players are. They're small, they have no inside defenders or real post presence, they aren't great shooters (Miller will help obviously), and they have no depth - not to mention that Wade is going to have to significantly change. He can average his 20+ a game but he is going to have to fundamentally learn to play without the ball - because LeBron is going to dominate it every possesion before he decides to jack a 3 or make a pass with 5 or 6 seconds left on the shot clock.

I see a Top 4 in the NBA team - I do not see a team that is complete enough to compete with Boston/LA/Orlando in a 7 game series. No matter how much they "gel" over the next 81 games they can't all grow 6 inches and learn a post game during the season.

[Scottish Punk]

As a LeBron hater I'm not going to go overboard and say they are a mediocre team - obviously they will get better and win their 55-65 games (not that he couldn't have done that in Cleveland) but at the end of the day the Heat, even after one game, have serious fundamental flaws - no matter who the players are. They're small, they have no inside defenders or real post presence, they aren't great shooters (Miller will help obviously), and they have no depth - not to mention that Wade is going to have to significantly change. He can average his 20+ a game but he is going to have to fundamentally learn to play without the ball - because LeBron is going to dominate it every possesion before he decides to jack a 3 or make a pass with 5 or 6 seconds left on the shot clock.

I see a Top 4 in the NBA team - I do not see a team that is complete enough to compete with Boston/LA/Orlando in a 7 game series. No matter how much they "gel" over the next 81 games they can't all grow 6 inches and learn a post game during the season.

I didn't disagree with anything you said, I predict another Boston/LA final. I am just saying, they will look better as the season goes on. The elephant in the room, as you mention, is who is going to guard Howard, Shaq/Perkins/Oneal, or Gasol/Bynum?

[cgb_orl]

I didn't read the other posts but Miami will be ok. There are enough bad teams to where they'll win by intimidation. I think Boston did come off the pedal a little. You see it a lot with older teams to get their rest. Right around the time Nate came in jacking up early shots in the third it was obvious. They could've pounded the ball inside all night with the personnel they have. I think Miami will have problems with those quick, aggressive PGs and post players. Rondo caused havoc but what will they do with a guard who can shoot and penetrate? I also think upping the tempo on them may be just as effective as slowing it down. There's a lot of holes it seems but it's still early.

[selby56]

Maybe it is just me...but last nights Miami team looked a lot like Cleveland last year. I only watched the second half, but from what I saw, Wade's role looked just like Mo's role the past two seasons, and when you look at his stats, they look like the same stats Mo usually had on a bad night.

Bosh looked like a JV player getting called up to varsity trying to make the most of every touch because he never knew when he would get his next one. Reminds me of Jamison when the Cavs first got him, except Jamison actually did better and made more out of his touches. Bosh just didn't seem comfortable with that role.

Jones is pretty much the equivalent of Anthony Parker. Eddie House is Daniel Gibson. Haslem is J.J. Hickson. Joel Anthony is just like Varejao, except his offense is non-existent. And Ilgauskas is Ilgauskas. Arroyo was not even there really, so I have no clue who I'd compare him to from the Cavs last year. Maybe Sebastian Telfair?

I know it is only one game, but in my opinion, they looked just like the Cavs last year, maybe even slightly worse.

[Thrillseeker]

Nice win for Boston. I think Shaq looked pretty good at times, but I expect him to look tired at times this season. I liked how Glen Davis looked as well. I'm not a Nate Robinson fan, so I look forward to Delonte West coming back. LeBron looked like LeBron looked last season, and Chris Bosh isn't worth the hype he gets. And I said that when he was in Toronto.