Speaking of streaks, the Houston team that won 22 straight didn’t even get out of the first round. Injuries, sure, but they had injuries during the streak too. The regular season is a wonderous thing.
The Spurs and Lakers did. The '06 Heat did even though Wade was the one who put them over the top. Last year’s Heat didn’t - not if you’re talking about a dominant low-post center - the Pistons didn’t, the Celtics didn’t, and Chandler’s a very good defensive player but I’m not sure I’d count him as an HOF big man.
There are some good teams in there, but this version of the Heat (with LeBron working on the block more and a more fluid offense) would compete with any of them, I think. To me they stood out compared to the rest of the league more than any team since then. The Pacers gave them a lot of trouble because of Hibbert and their overall size and defensive intensity, and people are reacting as if this team is helpless against anybody with a decent center. They clearly aren’t. Getting outrebounded wasn’t exactly a crippling flaw for them during the regular season or last year either.
The Celtics and Mavs count if you include power forwards as bigs (KG and Dirk), as most do. While not a Hall-of-Famer to this point, Bosh is a multiple-time all-star, and LeBron plays power forward in many of their lineups.
There are some good teams in there, but this version of the Heat (with LeBron working on the block more and a more fluid offense) would compete with any of them, I think.
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Agreed. While '06 Shaq would give '13 Miami trouble on the block, for instance, '13 LeBron would destroy '06 Antoine Walker, '06 Udonis Haslem, and '06 James Posey. '13 Bosh would pull the lumbering '06 Shaq away from the rim on defense, allowing the '13 Heat pick and roll to operate freely. It’s a toss-up at best, but I’d wager on '13 Miami.
Spot on. Note that the '08-current Celtics have been an awful rebounding team, especially on offense, yet won a title and went to a game 7 in another finals. Also, Miami gets a lot of its shot deficit from being outrebounded back via all the turnovers they force.
Whoa, Lionel Hollins has freaky fingers! What happened?!?
But they play the same kind of game Bosh does. They’re guys who can step out and stretch the defense, not primarily back-to-the-basket low post players. Wasn’t that the point? I’ll grant that of course they’re better than Bosh is - Garnett is a great defensive player and Nowitzki is the best shooting big guy ever.
Which makes it much closer to a wash. I can imagine maybe the recent Lakers teams would be able to keep the Heat’s small lineups off the floor because they would have Gasol and Bynum out there. Then again, an offense featuring Metta World Peace and Derek Fisher against the Heat defense?
You’re not wrong, I was just saying that while several recent champions haven’t had Hall-of-Fame caliber centers, they’ve had Hall-of-Fame caliber bigs. As Miami does, with LeBron at power forward. And Bosh is an 8-time All-star, no slouch. So, I’m agreeing with you that an elite center isn’t necessary to win a title, but an elite big is, and Miami has that. See also: the Tim Duncan at PF, Fabrico Oberto at C lineup that won the title in '07.
The '09 Lakers would have given them trouble, World Peace had a lot more left in the tank then and could have limited LeBron to some degree, and Bynum and Gasol would play high-low and be very hard to stop.
Fisher would be a liability, but he’d be guarding Chalmers, who’s only a decent off-the-dribble, attacking scorer. Fisher would be stuck chasing Chalmers around picks and down screens, and he can do that kind of stuff.
Looks to me like he broke them and didn’t receive proper treatment, or didn’t wear a brace on them.
Zach Lowe has a typically insightful and thorough Finals preview at Grantland.
The Nuggets fired George Karl. He had one more year on his contract and wanted an extension, and they didn’t want to give it to him- at least not right now. The team reportedly wants to interview Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw, who seems to be interviewing for every job.
The NBA Coach of the Year award is like some kind of albatross around your neck. They need to stop giving it to up-and-comers or coaches who overachieved with a mediocre team and giving it to the actual best coach. Popovich should have won it at least 3 times, and Phil Jackson 4. The way they determine COTY is not good for long-term success
I agree coach of the year selection can be flawed, but that has little or nothing to do with Karl getting fired. The Clippers are supposed to be very interested in him, by the way, and the Grizzles have spoken to him briefly.
The Nugs didn’t just lose coach of the year but they let the exec of the year walk too.
How could they be interested in him? He just got canned a few hours ago! I thought he was going to stay. Yeah, being bounced out in the first round as a 3 seed is embarrassing, but Denver’s kind of used to that.
Beats me. But I guess they talked on the phone briefly. And yes, Denver lost in the first round after losing one of their best players and playing a hot team that matched up very well with them, but I don’t think the problem was the coach. Without Ujiri and Karl I think that team is ready to take a step backward. Too bad, since they were fun to watch.
Just got to to say Damn!!! at Norris Cole taking it to the tin with the left between the 2 bigs. That was nasty!!!
ETA - Dayum!!!
Forgot to mention Parker’s baseline teardrop, what a beautiful play (including the deft pass from Duncan). Parker also just had a fantastic drive; and Duncan with the buzzer beater.
Wade bringing it tonight.
That shot by Parker was a foul first, then a travel, then a buzzer beater.
Thought he maintained his dribble when he fell.
Refs called that game great. Only 12 personal fouls for each team. Most of the Ind-Mia games had over 50.
The Spurs D sure stiffened in the 2nd half. LeBron James led Miami with only 18 points. If Kawhi Leonard could have hit a couple of those 3s he was open for, SA would have won by 10.
James was too passive in this game; the strategy of getting Bosh looks early is detrimental. I anticipate a monster game from LBJ on Sunday.
When he fell yeah, but when he shot he changed his pivot foot.
Ginobili speaking during the post-game said he thought it was late as well, but it was just sooooo close to call. He said he was glad that they called it good, but it wasn’t the best play by any means.
I thought the replay was very clear that the ball was out of Parker’s hand before the light went on, so I’ll take it.
GO SPURS GO!!!