Game Thread: Miami Heat Game Thread for December/January

[Andresrenee]

BTW Charlotte just went into Memphis and won by 24. This is the team you're scared about? You can back out now if you would like. I would totally understand.

A deal is a deal. Charlotte smoked us too. The Pacers had lost 3 in a row also. We are not playing very good right now....U will have Paolo all to yourself!

 

[Andresrenee]

Spoelstra says Heat have to own struggles, 'get better at it'

The bags under the eyes of Spo are telling. He is obviously losing a great deal of sleep over these struggles. Some will suggest he does nothing to get this team out of a slump because he is stubborn or incapable or whatever crap - but this video tells me the guy is tirelessly trying but just can't seem to get a grasp on that key ingredient to turn it around. Maybe thats on the players? hmm...

OK im done

He better be trying....he gets paid a ton of money. We have the 3rd highest payroll in the league and a deep team. He needs help on offense. Too stubborn to realize it before. These are his coaches. He got rid of the old guard. Bet he misses them a little now? Quinn not quite like others that were canned. The problem is that I am not sure he is capable of outcaoching a good NBA team when his team is on offense and not defense. Spolestra got a loaded roster. He needs to make it work. I am done...

 

[bksballer89]

A deal is a deal. Charlotte smoked us too. The Pacers had lost 3 in a row also. We are not playing very good right now....U will have Paolo all to yourself!

All games you're speaking of were away from Miami. We play much better at home

 

[Andresrenee]

All games you're speaking of were away from Miami. We play much better at home

Like I said, I really hope we win but not optimistic.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[Paolo305613]

He better be trying....he gets paid a ton of money. We have the 3rd highest payroll in the league and a deep team. He needs help on offense. Too stubborn to realize it before. These are his coaches. He got rid of the old guard. Bet he misses them a little now? Quinn not quite like others that were canned. The problem is that I am not sure he is capable of outcaoching a good NBA team when his team is on offense and not defense. Spolestra got a loaded roster. He needs to make it work. I am done...

The Heat are as deep as they may seem. Evidence is the last few games where we have had guys not play because they are injured and have had to go with other guys and they haven't produced up to the level needed.

Depth is something that not only do you put together in the offseason but you build upon it during the season - and that is still a work in progress for the Heat.

Where our payroll ranks doesn't mean shit. Year one of the big 3 we probably had the highest payroll then and probably the most talented team in just 3 players and yet that season was a failure with your boy Queen James disappearing in 4th quarters almost on a nightly.

I don't know what it is with you and the Heat assistants. I know you don't like doing homework/research before spitting out stuff in here - But, they weren't " canned" as you call it. They were reassigned to different roles on the team - And if you did some research in the case of McAdoo he wanted to step aside for family and health reasons. His last season as an assistant he was out a few games because of recurring blood clots. Rothstein wanted to move on to doing TV work. Which he clearly enjoys doing and feels apart of the team still by the way he talks.

 

[Paolo305613]

I meant to say the Heat aren't as deep as they may seem

 

[Paolo305613]

Nothing to this. Nothing at all. Consider the source. Wallace is one of the famous national/former local writers famous for making something out of nothing when it comes to the Heat.

The Heat are on a 3-game losing streak. Thats really all there is to it. There is always a tendency within the sports fan base of this city to panic over even small bumps on the road - or vice versa.

Keeping things in perspective is not a strength of the south florida sports fan base.

After results last night we fall from 4th to 7th seed, but the way things work in the NBA this year - we can move up again with just one , two wins. No one is running away with the east. 1st seed and 8th seed are separated by no more than 2.5 games as of this post.

Where we are in the standings on December 12th 2015, 21 games into the season means very little. This season is about just getting hot at the right time going into the playoffs - in the playoffs anything can happen.

Perspective is a weakness for south florida sports fans but it is greatly needed during these times.

 

[Paolo305613]

ASK IRA: Are the Heat NBA dinosaurs?

Cant wait to read the Ask Ira following our next win - people will probably be thinking " CHAMPIONSHIP" the up and down reactions are getting out of hand

 

[Paolo305613]

Anyone in here going to watch the annual Army-Navy game today? Should be a heck of a game as always. Bowl season is a week away. Where my Canes fans at?

 

[Paolo305613]

Ira Winderman: Trade market opens; are Heat shopping?

 

[Andresrenee]

Nothing to this. Nothing at all. Consider the source. Wallace is one of the famous national/former local writers famous for making something out of nothing when it comes to the Heat.

The Heat are on a 3-game losing streak. Thats really all there is to it. There is always a tendency within the sports fan base of this city to panic over even small bumps on the road - or vice versa.

Keeping things in perspective is not a strength of the south florida sports fan base.

After results last night we fall from 4th to 7th seed, but the way things work in the NBA this year - we can move up again with just one , two wins. No one is running away with the east. 1st seed and 8th seed are separated by no more than 2.5 games as of this post.

Where we are in the standings on December 12th 2015, 21 games into the season means very little. This season is about just getting hot at the right time going into the playoffs - in the playoffs anything can happen.

Perspective is a weakness for south florida sports fans but it is greatly needed during these times.

Unfortunately, perspective is why some South Florida sports fans are not so optimistic. For starters, look how bad the offense was last year and again this year once Spolestra lost Lebron and retooled. Secondly, look how bad we have been on the road and a road heavy schedule awaits in January. Also, the coach is not playing one of our most dominant defensive players in the 4th quarter and Wade and Bosh seem to be getting frustrated. Meanwhile, the coach promised Dragic a faster pace, and he has not delivered. Perspective is why many of us are concerned. Still plenty of time to turn around and get better on the road and improve offensively but we also see the potential drop. Ah, such is life on the cliff. With the Eastern conference so strong, getting into the playoffs will not be automatic.

 

[Paolo305613]

Also, the coach is not playing one of our most dominant defensive players in the 4th quarter and Wade and Bosh seem to be getting frustrated.

They are always frustrated - but as our broadcaster E-Reid said the other day, their frustration, especially in the case of Wade, it is often misguided frustration. The guy likes to blame shit on people and take no responsibility.

As for our so called most dominant defensive player not playing in the 4th quarter, more so than anything, foul trouble and really the game slipping away late in the third was reason Hassan didn't play the 4th no sense in having him out there at that point risking injury, giving up more fouls etc.

As I said on Dragic last night, his inconsistencies thus far are more so just misfortunes more than anything else - he is thinking too much - much like was the case McRob. I see him stuck between wanting to play fast, but having to turn it down a notch or two to better accommodate the pace that is best suited for this group of players.

I also said this yesterday, this is why Spo has to continue to explore different lineups throughout the course of games, especially while its still early in the season - so that he can find combos for Dragic to play comfortably at the pace that he wants to try to get him going and comfortable to play at a slower pace when needed.

20-21 games into the season it is extremely doubtful that any or most NBA teams have their rotations set in stone - many, much like the Heat are still trying to find their way.

 

[Paolo305613]

As for getting into the playoffs not being automatic, it never has been. In some form or another, at some point or another - every team has to fight for it - unless, of course, you are the Warriors.

 

[Paolo305613]

 

[Paolo305613]

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Ira Winderman: Trade market opens; are Heat shopping?

BEASLEY TIME: It might not be his venue of choice, but three-time Heat forward Michael Beasley again is thriving in China, including a recent game-high 29-point performance that lifted his Shandong Flaming Bulls (no, really) to a lopsided victory over Stephon Marbury's defending-champion Beijing Ducks. Beasley, who has been regularly posting his exploits on Instagram, is listed fourth in scoring in the latest statistical dispatch from the China Basketball Association, at 32.5 points per game on .544 shooting, behind only fellow imports Jonathan Gibson, MarShon Brooks and Dominique Jones. Among those Beasley is outscoring in China are former NBA players Von Wafer, A.J. Price, Andray Blatche and Jason Maxiell. Beasley also is ranked ninth in China in rebounding (and 10th in turnovers). In terms of overall efficiency ranking, Beasley is third in the CBA, behind only Gibson and Michael Harris. Then there is former Heat forward Dorell Wright, who is averaging 18.7 points in China, but recently put together a 46-point, 10-rebound game. Depending on their teams' playoff status, most players currently in China are eligible to sign in the NBA in either February or March.

 

[Paolo305613]

ASK IRA: Is Winslow's lack of scoring becoming a liability?

 

[bksballer89]

BEASLEY TIME: It might not be his venue of choice, but three-time Heat forward Michael Beasley again is thriving in China, including a recent game-high 29-point performance that lifted his Shandong Flaming Bulls (no, really) to a lopsided victory over Stephon Marbury's defending-champion Beijing Ducks. Beasley, who has been regularly posting his exploits on Instagram, is listed fourth in scoring in the latest statistical dispatch from the China Basketball Association, at 32.5 points per game on .544 shooting, behind only fellow imports Jonathan Gibson, MarShon Brooks and Dominique Jones. Among those Beasley is outscoring in China are former NBA players Von Wafer, A.J. Price, Andray Blatche and Jason Maxiell. Beasley also is ranked ninth in China in rebounding (and 10th in turnovers). In terms of overall efficiency ranking, Beasley is third in the CBA, behind only Gibson and Michael Harris. Then there is former Heat forward Dorell Wright, who is averaging 18.7 points in China, but recently put together a 46-point, 10-rebound game. Depending on their teams' playoff status, most players currently in China are eligible to sign in the NBA in either February or March.

Beasley would be nice but the Heat need to focus on getting a 3 point specialist. That should be their #1 goal

 

[bksballer89]

ASK IRA: Is Winslow's lack of scoring becoming a liability?

YES