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

[lakersrule]

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

I thought he was dealing with a knee issue? Whiteside too?

 

[bksballer89]

I thought he was dealing with a knee issue? Whiteside too?

He is but didn't sound too sound concern about it. Looked good yesterday in the 2nd half also

 

[lakersrule]

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

This was going to be fun according the SI cover

 

[WiggyRuss]

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.

yah...i found both ones for and against miami being favortes......it was close a couple years...I actually saw the Lakers as favorites in 2011 as well as the HEat-- OKC as wel as the HEat in 12 etc.....

 

[WiggyRuss]

This was going to be fun according the SI cover

cmon. FUN is going to be Cleveland Miami ECF---- honestly- if preseason u could pick the matchups for the conference finals you GOTTA say that Cleveland v. Miami and SPURS vs. GSW are the most compelling with the best stories and most exciemtnet....i cant wait...i just hope Miami and the Cavs get there.

 

[bksballer89]

cmon. FUN is going to be Cleveland Miami ECF---- honestly- if preseason u could pick the matchups for the conference finals you GOTTA say that Cleveland v. Miami and SPURS vs. GSW are the most compelling with the best stories and most exciemtnet....i cant wait...i just hope Miami and the Cavs get there.

If everyone knew Bosh would be out, I don't think anyone in the preseason would want to see a Miami/Cleveland conference finals

 

[lakersrule]

cmon. FUN is going to be Cleveland Miami ECF---- honestly- if preseason u could pick the matchups for the conference finals you GOTTA say that Cleveland v. Miami and SPURS vs. GSW are the most compelling with the best stories and most exciemtnet....i cant wait...i just hope Miami and the Cavs get there.

That was in reference to the '12-'13 Lakers (SI Nash/Howard cover) not this season.

 

[Kold]

thats the thing...Lowry and Derozan are just not guys i trust at all. DeRozan is gonna get PAID too...

Scares me that the Lakers might just be in the running of teams to do that...

 

[WiggyRuss]

Scares me that the Lakers might just be in the running of teams to do that...

if DeRozan could shoot a three id feel better about paying him....

i mean- the 3 pointer is just too important in todays game. ITs hard to have a position like SG have a guy that cant shoot a 3...you NEED to make up for it somewhere else than- and its not like JV is hitting 3's....

 

[trojanfan12]

Scares me that the Lakers might just be in the running of teams to do that...

People say that, but I'm not sure I buy it. First of all, they don't need him, they have Clarkson. I guess they could have interest in DeRozan as an SF, but he seems a little small to play that position full time.

If they did get DeRozan, my guess would be that it is because either Clarkson or Russell were involved in a trade that brought someone like Cousins or Jimmy Butler. If that were the case, I wouldn't have much problem with them getting DeRozan because they wouldn't be relying on him to be a #1 option.

I do agree with @WiggyRuss that I would want to see him improve his 3 point shot. He's 28% for his career. He did improve to 34% this season, but he needs to get that closer to 40%.

 

[Black Adam]

Friends forced me to drink with them for Cinco De Mayo. Trying to stay about 2 hours or so. Leave by 730 so I can get home by 830 or a little after

lmao picturing punchline being "FORCED to drink"...

 

[Black Adam]

punchline and crew being "forced to drink"...

 

[WiggyRuss]

I thought he was dealing with a knee issue? Whiteside too?

do you think their is a game in Dwades last 5 seasons where his knee has not been at least some what of an issue?

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

do you think their is a game in Dwades last 5 seasons where his knee has not been at least some what of an issue?

No way to know.
Unlike some teams/players/fan bases, Wade is a stand up, no excuse player.
I've heard Spoelstra say that Wade has a 3:1 ration of preparation time vs game time.

 

[Heatles84]

do you think their is a game in Dwades last 5 seasons where his knee has not been at least some what of an issue?

Once Wade got a new trainer, he's actually been pretty healthy this season. He had Valucinas fall on his knee in the first half of game 2, as well as caught in an awkward situation on an in-bounds pass late in game 1 that has put the knee in question. From what I'm seeing it's not a big deal.

 

[bksballer89]

do you think their is a game in Dwades last 5 seasons where his knee has not been at least some what of an issue?

yes

 

[bksballer89]

So with Whiteside likely out for the rest of the season, that pretty much ends this series. No reason for this series to come back to Miami for game 6 if Toronto is any good

 

[trojanfan12]

So with Whiteside likely out for the rest of the season, that pretty much ends this series. No reason for this series to come back to Miami for game 6 if Toronto is any good

D-Wade is currently disagreeing with you.

 

[Flauge]

D-Wade is currently disagreeing with you.

I love BKs.. but he has so little faith. He ended the Hornets series after 5 games. Over react from game to game. This series is not over no matter what happens tonight. Period.

Also, Dwyane Wade is the mother effn man.

 

[bksballer89]

I love BKs.. but he has so little faith. He ended the Hornets series after 5 games. Over react from game to game. This series is not over no matter what happens tonight. Period.

Also, Dwyane Wade is the mother effn man.

No need for you to lie on me dude. I could pull up what I said on the game thread after game 5