Let's Be Honest, the Heat are Lucky to Play in the East

[Clippersfan86]

Also, you can't just move Miami to the West. To make things fair, you'd have to swap them with the top Western team (right now that is Memphis).

So swap them with Memphis.

Okay, so in round 1 they'd get 8th seeded Houston.

Round 2 they'd play the Spurs.

Round 3 they'd play the Thunder.


So their path would be: Houston - San Antonio - OKC

That's not any harder than what they did in 2011 in the Eastern playoffs: Philly - Boston - Chicago.

Dude... Houston isn't getting the 8 seed most likely. Dirkless Mavs will bounce back, Nuggets should pick it up. Also who's to say they would even be the 1 seed if they played in the west? I can easily see them at 3 in the regular season behind the Thunder and Spurs which would mean they can face a huge number of quality teams in the lower brackets. Jazz, Mavs, Rockets, Nuggets, Warriors etc.

[tmacattack33]

This year we have played what 15-20 games? It's WAY too soon to act like these teams are all finished products because most of the contenders still aren't conditioned or 100 percent.

Bottom line is you need to pay respect and acknowledge that some teams give Miami matchup problems. Every team in the NBA has matchup strengths and weaknesses. Miami doesn't do well vs these big, athletic and skilled frontcourts and we've seen it time and time again the last 3 years. Memphis and the Clippers have torched them winning 4 of 5 a piece vs Miami in the Lebron era.

Spurs have given Miami problems in recent years too. No shame in admitting that you have a weakness. For example my Clips have problems with the Lakers and Spurs. Doesn't mean they can't win, just means it's a huge challenge and would be a dogfight.

I'm not saying Miami wouldn't beat these teams but rather to act like they wouldn't be more challenged by these teams is stupid and ignorant.

Actually, in the playoffs, we have never seen that (and no, Dirk is not a big and physical big man, and Dallas didn't win by bullying Miami's front court around)

This argument of teams with big and strong front courts bullying Miami was the same one we heard in 2011 about Boston and Chicago. And Miami dominated them.

Even Hibbert and West are pretty good front court and were supposed to bully Miami around...never happened. Even without Bosh.

[ripthekik]

The 2012 Miami Heat B1tchslapped the Spurs in the regular season. Back to back 30 points @$$whooping.

Please, Spurs bench with Timmy, Parker, Ginobilli watching tv from home were one possession away from beating the Heat with Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Ray all playing heavy minutes

[Y2Gezee]

Actually, in the playoffs, we have never seen that (and no, Dirk is not a big and physical big man, and Dallas didn't win by bullying Miami's front court around)

This argument of teams with big and strong front courts bullying Miami was the same one we heard in 2011 about Boston and Chicago. And Miami dominated them.

Even Hibbert and West are pretty good front court and were supposed to bully Miami around...never happened. Even without Bosh.

Tyson did kinda do some bullying down there.

[#number6ix#]

Please, Spurs bench with Timmy, Parker, Ginobilli watching tv from home were one possession away from beating the Heat with Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Ray all playing heavy minutes

But Miami won tho... If they blew the spurs out people would say it was because the big 3 didn't play. I was happy to see a good close game. Don't hate just appreciate my brotha

[Clippersfan86]

Actually, in the playoffs, we have never seen that (and no, Dirk is not a big and physical big man, and Dallas didn't win by bullying Miami's front court around)

This argument of teams with big and strong front courts bullying Miami was the same one we heard in 2011 about Boston and Chicago. And Miami dominated them.

Even Hibbert and West are pretty good front court and were supposed to bully Miami around...never happened. Even without Bosh.

Dirk would fall under big and skilled despite not being athletic. You guys also struggled with Chandler. So yes the Mavs are a perfect example of it. Last year you face a far smaller Thunder bigman group and look at the difference?

Hibbert has solid post skills but isn't exactly the most physical guy who's going to "bully". West again is capable on the block but is mostly a finesse player who prefers the jumper so bad example.

[#number6ix#]

Okay the heat are lucky to play in the east whatever helps u guys sleep at night

[LoneyROY7]

Let's be honest, you're not being honest.

[G-train]

All you western homos can cry all you like.
You can only beat who is put in front of you.
Miami got through two great teams from last season in Indiana and Boston, while missing one of their most important players, and with Wade hobbled with a knee injury.
They then smacked OKC on the ass, the very best out of the West.
The Heat played unbelievable ball, led by one of the greatest players ever.
Crybabies.

[G-train]

The ball dont lie and deal with it.

[IGOTGAME]

All you western homos can cry all you like.
You can only beat who is put in front of you.
Miami got through two great teams from last season in Indiana and Boston, while missing one of their most important players, and with Wade hobbled with a knee injury.
They then smacked OKC on the ass, the very best out of the West.
The Heat played unbelievable ball, led by one of the greatest players ever.
Crybabies.

[tmacattack33]

Dirk would fall under big and skilled despite not being athletic. You guys also struggled with Chandler. So yes the Mavs are a perfect example of it. Last year you face a far smaller Thunder bigman group and look at the difference?

Hibbert has solid post skills but isn't exactly the most physical guy who's going to "bully". West again is capable on the block but is mostly a finesse player who prefers the jumper so bad example.

Dirk played well against us, but not in the way that you are trying to say that Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Blake, D. Jordan, and Tim Duncan would.

Also, so you are saying Tyson Chandler is a good/great big man? Great...we smacked his azz up in the first round last year. And this year we will likely be playing them again in the playoffs...so there goes your "you guys are lucky you didn't play great big men" excuse.

[Mr. Jabbar]

Of course they are lucky.

They are spoon-fed lottery teams until the finals, where they arrive with fresh legs to face a banged up western team that carries the scars and exhaustion of the competitive elite western confernce.

And even after that, if they still face trouble in the Finals, referees have no shame in putting on their cHeat jerseys.

[#number6ix#]

Of course they are lucky.

They are spoon-fed lottery teams until the finals, where they arrive with fresh legs to face a banged up western team that carries the scars and exhaustion of the competitive elite western confernce.

And even after that, if they still face trouble in the Finals, referees have no shame in putting on their cHeat jerseys.

Lol sure

[asdf1990]

Of course they are lucky.

They are spoon-fed lottery teams until the finals, where they arrive with fresh legs to face a banged up western team that carries the scars and exhaustion of the competitive elite western confernce.

And even after that, if they still face trouble in the Finals, referees have no shame in putting on their cHeat jerseys.

heat vs thuder went to 5 games, heat vs celtics went to 7 games, hopefully next time the west can send out some "elite" competition that at least challenges the heat more than a team consisting of retirement home players.