Series Thread: 2) Toronto Raptors (56-26) vs. 3) Miami Heat (48-34)

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I hope it goes seven...would love to see that Miami team have to slog its way through 2 seven game series' and all the physicality that goes along with that while the Cavs are patiently awaiting them and getting their rest.

If you are honestly concerned about anything you've seen from the Heat/Raptors, then you're prob 3 weeks away from getting an ulcer when you have to face a real contender.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Yeah....god forbid you take on a challenge right?

You know he's hoping to God that Curry isn't healthy.

 

[WiggyRuss]

If you are honestly concerned about anything you've seen from the Heat/Raptors, then you're prob 3 weeks away from getting an ulcer when you have to face a real contender.

no doubt about it....my stomach is gonna be in knots for the first couple weeks of june that is for sure...after that it will be expelling bile and alcohol along the by-ways of downtown Cleveland.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

no doubt about it....my stomach is gonna be in knots for the first couple weeks of june that is for sure...after that it will be expelling bile and alcohol along the by-ways of downtown Cleveland.

Losing makes you sick?

 

[trojanfan12]

no doubt about it....my stomach is gonna be in knots for the first couple weeks of june that is for sure...after that it will be expelling bile and alcohol along the by-ways of downtown Cleveland.

 

[Heatles84]

You know he's hoping to God that Curry isn't healthy.

I agree. In each of the 4 years that Miami had Lebron, the Heat had to overcome some type of obstacle:

2011: Got past the Celtics big 3 in the 2nd round. Overcame Chicago (who had HC) in the ECF. Lost in the Finals.
2012: Got by an upstart Indiana team in the 2nd round w/out Bosh. Overcame a 3-2 deficit to the Celtics big 3 in the ECF. Won Lebron's first title against OKC who had HC.
2013: The path to the Finals was probably at its easiest that year given that Chicago was without Rose who we played in the 2nd round. We would then beat Indiana in 7 games in the ECF. Probably the hardest and most impressive series came against the Spurs in the Finals (7 games). Miami's the only team that can claim a victory over the Spurs in a Finals series.
2014: Took out Indiana in 6 games, despite them having HC (the laughter that ensued was epic given that Indiana wanted the number 1 seed so they could have game 7 at home...the irony). Lost to the Spurs in horrifying fashion in 5 games.

Point being, championship teams have to go through shit sometimes in the playoffs. Looking back, you appreciate what your team was able to accomplish. Wiggy wants the easiest path as possible. Meanwhile, Golden St. is proving that they're still a pretty good team w/out Curry (not championship caliber though), while we know what Cleveland looks like without Lebron. San Antonio will be in a dog fight in this series and in the WCF against Golden St., but they're geared up. Meanwhile, Cleveland is going through cupcakes in Detroit and Atlanta and has a guaranteed spot in the Finals.

It'll be a shock for Cleveland once they face the Western conference champion. And that added rest doesn't mean a whole lot as the Finals format allows for plenty of rest.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I agree. In each of the 4 years that Miami had Lebron, the Heat had to overcome some type of obstacle:

2011: Got past the Celtics big 3 in the 2nd round. Overcame Chicago (who had HC) in the ECF. Lost in the Finals.
2012: Got by an upstart Indiana team in the 2nd round w/out Bosh. Overcame a 3-2 deficit to the Celtics big 3 in the ECF. Won Lebron's first title against OKC who had HC.
2013: The path to the Finals was probably at its easiest that year given that Chicago was without Rose who we played in the 2nd round. We would then beat Indiana in 7 games in the ECF. Probably the hardest and most impressive series came against the Spurs in the Finals (7 games). Miami's the only team that can claim a victory over the Spurs in a Finals series.
2014: Took out Indiana in 6 games, despite them having HC (the laughter that ensued was epic given that Indiana wanted the number 1 seed so they could have game 7 at home...the irony). Lost to the Spurs in horrifying fashion in 5 games.

Point being, championship teams have to go through shit sometimes in the playoffs. Looking back, you appreciate what your team was able to accomplish. Wiggy wants the easiest path as possible. Meanwhile, Golden St. is proving that they're still a pretty good team w/out Curry (not championship caliber though), while we know what Cleveland looks like without Lebron. San Antonio will be in a dog fight in this series and in the WCF against Golden St., but they're geared up. Meanwhile, Cleveland is going through cupcakes in Detroit and Atlanta and has a guaranteed spot in the Finals.

It'll be a shock for Cleveland once they face the Western conference champion. And that added rest doesn't mean a whole lot as the Finals format allows for plenty of rest.

was there one year where the Heat were not the favorites to win it all when the playoffs started?

 

[bksballer89]

was there one year where the Heat were not the favorites to win it all when the playoffs started?

2011 I would say. I could be wrong. 2014 probably also. It was clear the Spurs were the team to beat

 

[WiggyRuss]

2011 I would say. I could be wrong. 2014 probably also. It was clear the Spurs were the team to beat

wrong. favorite every year. not even really close.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

was there one year where the Heat were not the favorites to win it all when the playoffs started?

Always favored to win the East, but prob not in the Finals if we didn't have HC.

 

[lakersrule]

If the Cavs were watching the game last night, they can't be too worried about their ECF opponent.

 

[bksballer89]

wrong. favorite every year. not even really close.

Where is your proof? Are you just talking out of your ass again?

 

[bksballer89]

If the Cavs were watching the game last night, they can't be too worried about their ECF opponent.

Not sure why they ever would be. Its the reason why it is a title or bust for them. You have to win one series where a team is close to being on your level and you have the best player in the world

 

[bksballer89]

Where is your proof? Are you just talking out of your ass again?

Lakers were the favorites to win the 2011 finals followed by the Spurs.

The Odds of Lakers, Celtics, Everyone Else Winning It All

Why the Thunder Are Clear-Cut Favorites

2012 NBA Finals: Thunder favored by Vegas oddsmakers

 

[bksballer89]

So after doing a quick search, Miami were only favorites in 2013 and 2014

 

[WiggyRuss]

Early 2010-2011 NBA Championship Vegas Odds and Predictions – Miami Heat the Favorite

 

[lakersrule]

Not sure why they ever would be. Its the reason why it is a title or bust for them. You have to win one series where a team is close to being on your level and you have the best player in the world

Yup, that series will be in the Finals. I thought Miami would pose more of a threat, but I just don't see, especially if Wade is going to be gimpy.

 

[Heatles84]

was there one year where the Heat were not the favorites to win it all when the playoffs started?

The Heat and Lakers were the heavy favorites in 2011, no one really saw the Mavs coming up the way they did.

In 2012, at the time the Finals started, OKC was actually the favorite.

2011-2012 NBA Championship Odds: Miami Heat the Early Favorite for Next Season
2012 NBA Finals: Thunder favored by Vegas oddsmakers

In 2013, Miami was again the favorite to meet the Lakers in the Finals.

Las Vegas: Miami Heat top Los Angeles Lakers as preseason 2013 title favorites

2014 Miami was the favorite.
Breaking down team future odds for the 2013-2014 NBA season

So yes, during the big 3 years in Miami, they were usually the odds on favorite to win. However, some in the national media always doubted if Miami could win. I guess this came with the national attention that this team was getting as well as how Miami was so under-sized compared to the rest of the league.

Needless to say, and this is not a knock on the Cavs, more a reflection of what the state of the East looks like right now. Although the East is more balanced, there's no team that's constructed that even presents any semblance of a challenge of what Miami had to go through with Boston, Indiana, or Chicago. If Bosh had been healthy, Miami would've'/may have been that team. I've said it before, Miami will be Cleveland's best challenge in the East, but the most that series is going is 6.

 

[bksballer89]

Yup, that series will be in the Finals. I thought Miami would pose more of a threat, but I just don't see, especially if Wade is going to be gimpy.

Miami never stood a chance unless Bosh came back. Go through too many extended droughts in the playoffs with no Bosh. This team is more of a regular season team. If Bosh was available, we would really compete with them.

Best case scenario for Miami (if they knock off Toronto) is to lose a 6 game series. I think Cleveland would win in 5 though

 

[Heatles84]

Yup, that series will be in the Finals. I thought Miami would pose more of a threat, but I just don't see, especially if Wade is going to be gimpy.

Wade looks to be fine. But yeah, if Wade is hindered it definitely doesn't help Miami out.