Are the Miami Heat simply a "good" team without Chris Bosh, and nothing more?
After the last two games of their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, I think that's a fair question to ask.
The Heat, led by LeBron James and Mario Chalmers, played well for the second half of the first quarter and first half of the second, but that was the extent of their success tonight. With the exception of that particular stretch of time, the Pacers were clearly a better team than the Bosh-less Heat.
Center Roy Hibbert dominated the paint for Indiana, while guards George Hill and Darren Collison played quite well on the perimeter. The Pacers have more depth and more quality professional players than the Heat, and it showed this evening.
Erik Spoelstra's team is in serious trouble right now, and Dwyane Wade's insubordination certainly didn't help. Wade showed up his head coach on national television, displaying the attitude of a superstar player who has absolutely no respect for his superior. Wade has a championship, Spoelstra has none -- it looked like "Flash" was trying to throw that weight around in one, contentious Heat huddle.
When Spoelstra tells Pat Riley what happened, I wonder who Riley will side with. Who is more important to the Miami Heat...Erik Spoelstra or Dwyane Wade? The answer is simple: Wade. And I suppose, in a way, that's the central problem in this scenario.
If the Pacers play as well (or close to) as they played tonight in Game 4, they will likely take a 3-1 series lead. With the emotional and physical fragility of the Heat right now, I don't think they can overcome that kind of deficit. Too much pressure, too many controversial aspects at play.
With that in mind, Game 4 is an absolute must-win for the Heat. We'll see how they respond. LeBron should know he has to go for 40, or 30 and 10-15 assists. It's hard to project that type of performance from him. Where was he in the second half tonight? It was the Mario Chalmers show.
Overall, it's such a fascinating running storyline. I want Miami to reach the NBA Finals so we can all see how LeBron handles himself under the utmost pressure, but it doesn't seem like they'll get there at this rate. Hopefully now people will understand why I consistently label Chris Bosh as "one of the most underrated players in the NBA."
Everyone always hates on him instead of giving him the credit he deserves as a solid, talented NBA power forward. Anyway, since it's 11:29 p.m. and the Clippers/Spurs game is currently in progress, I should really switch over.
11:30: The Spurs are leading 74-63 with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, but I have to say, I admire the Clippers' resiliency. San Antonio could have stretched the lead a couple of times thus far, but Los Angeles continues to make it a game. I can't see them pulling off a critical come-from-behind victory, but it also seems unlikely that the Spurs will extend to a 16-24 point lead.
11:31: Chris Paul is heating up. "This is going to become a close game," Chris Mullin says. Not if the Clippers can't find a way to stop the Spurs' incredible ball movement and team play.
11:32: Spurs up 78-67 after three.
11:37: I can't believe how valuable PF Reggie Evans has been off the bench for the Clippers this postseason. Oh, those role players. It's a real thing.
11:38: Gary Neal knocks down a jumper. I'm not kidding...I feel like he never misses. I absolutely love his stroke. I have so much confidence in him, and I'm sure Coach Pop has even more than I do.
11:39: Boris Diaw just dropped a dime on a silver platter for Tiago Splitter, who was hacked by my buddy Kenyon Martin. I like the way Splitter plays and finishes around the rim. The Spurs are bringing him along at the proper pace.
11:42: I think Stephen Jackson is the better player in the trade that involved SF Richard Jefferson, but in all honesty, I don't think Coach Pop needs either player. I like the Spurs with Parker, Green, Leonard, Duncan, Diaw, Ginobili, Neal, Splitter and Bonner. It's funny that PF DeJuan Blair doesn't necessarily have to touch the court. Incredible depth.
11:46: Not related, but I'll be pretty surprised if the Lakers find a way to win more than one game in their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. I actually kind of think the Thunder will sweep, a la the opening round series against the defending-champion Mavs, who also had a good chance to win Game 2.
11:47: The Spurs opened up the lead to 14, but Mo Williams responded with a sweet jumper for two.
11:51: Tough call on Bonner there -- I thought he played Griffin surprisingly well there. TV timeout.
11:55: How about the old timers Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett this postseason? Talk about a resurgence. Unbelievably impressive. Gotta love those competitors.
11:59: At the end of the day, the cream comes to the top. The Spurs are running away with this one at home. I'm calling it a night. Stay well, everyone.
The Heat, led by LeBron James and Mario Chalmers, played well for the second half of the first quarter and first half of the second, but that was the extent of their success tonight. With the exception of that particular stretch of time, the Pacers were clearly a better team than the Bosh-less Heat.
Center Roy Hibbert dominated the paint for Indiana, while guards George Hill and Darren Collison played quite well on the perimeter. The Pacers have more depth and more quality professional players than the Heat, and it showed this evening.
Erik Spoelstra's team is in serious trouble right now, and Dwyane Wade's insubordination certainly didn't help. Wade showed up his head coach on national television, displaying the attitude of a superstar player who has absolutely no respect for his superior. Wade has a championship, Spoelstra has none -- it looked like "Flash" was trying to throw that weight around in one, contentious Heat huddle.
When Spoelstra tells Pat Riley what happened, I wonder who Riley will side with. Who is more important to the Miami Heat...Erik Spoelstra or Dwyane Wade? The answer is simple: Wade. And I suppose, in a way, that's the central problem in this scenario.
If the Pacers play as well (or close to) as they played tonight in Game 4, they will likely take a 3-1 series lead. With the emotional and physical fragility of the Heat right now, I don't think they can overcome that kind of deficit. Too much pressure, too many controversial aspects at play.
With that in mind, Game 4 is an absolute must-win for the Heat. We'll see how they respond. LeBron should know he has to go for 40, or 30 and 10-15 assists. It's hard to project that type of performance from him. Where was he in the second half tonight? It was the Mario Chalmers show.
Overall, it's such a fascinating running storyline. I want Miami to reach the NBA Finals so we can all see how LeBron handles himself under the utmost pressure, but it doesn't seem like they'll get there at this rate. Hopefully now people will understand why I consistently label Chris Bosh as "one of the most underrated players in the NBA."
Everyone always hates on him instead of giving him the credit he deserves as a solid, talented NBA power forward. Anyway, since it's 11:29 p.m. and the Clippers/Spurs game is currently in progress, I should really switch over.
11:30: The Spurs are leading 74-63 with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, but I have to say, I admire the Clippers' resiliency. San Antonio could have stretched the lead a couple of times thus far, but Los Angeles continues to make it a game. I can't see them pulling off a critical come-from-behind victory, but it also seems unlikely that the Spurs will extend to a 16-24 point lead.
11:31: Chris Paul is heating up. "This is going to become a close game," Chris Mullin says. Not if the Clippers can't find a way to stop the Spurs' incredible ball movement and team play.
11:32: Spurs up 78-67 after three.
11:37: I can't believe how valuable PF Reggie Evans has been off the bench for the Clippers this postseason. Oh, those role players. It's a real thing.
11:38: Gary Neal knocks down a jumper. I'm not kidding...I feel like he never misses. I absolutely love his stroke. I have so much confidence in him, and I'm sure Coach Pop has even more than I do.
11:39: Boris Diaw just dropped a dime on a silver platter for Tiago Splitter, who was hacked by my buddy Kenyon Martin. I like the way Splitter plays and finishes around the rim. The Spurs are bringing him along at the proper pace.
11:42: I think Stephen Jackson is the better player in the trade that involved SF Richard Jefferson, but in all honesty, I don't think Coach Pop needs either player. I like the Spurs with Parker, Green, Leonard, Duncan, Diaw, Ginobili, Neal, Splitter and Bonner. It's funny that PF DeJuan Blair doesn't necessarily have to touch the court. Incredible depth.
11:46: Not related, but I'll be pretty surprised if the Lakers find a way to win more than one game in their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. I actually kind of think the Thunder will sweep, a la the opening round series against the defending-champion Mavs, who also had a good chance to win Game 2.
11:47: The Spurs opened up the lead to 14, but Mo Williams responded with a sweet jumper for two.
11:51: Tough call on Bonner there -- I thought he played Griffin surprisingly well there. TV timeout.
11:55: How about the old timers Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett this postseason? Talk about a resurgence. Unbelievably impressive. Gotta love those competitors.
11:59: At the end of the day, the cream comes to the top. The Spurs are running away with this one at home. I'm calling it a night. Stay well, everyone.
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