Fuck Colin Powell!
Let me know if you agree!
The fallacy that the Heat is a Hot Team that’s on a Roll
The Heat received most of their criticism in the fall when they struggled to win in close games and play well against teams above 500. Let’s take a look at how they closed the season.
The Miami Heat (15-8 to close the season) with a 3-6 record during their low moment against teams over 500 (2-4 against top 4 seeds).
Sun 27 vs New York L 86-91
Thu 03 vs Orlando L 96-99
Fri 04 @ San Antonio L 95-125
Sun 06 vs Chicago L 86-87
Tue 08 vs Portland L 96-105
Thu 10 vs LA Lakers W 94-88
Sat 12 vs Memphis W 118-85
Mon 14 vs San Antonio W 110-80
Wed 16 vs Oklahoma City L 85-96
After examining their 12-2 to close out the season, only 5 of the games were against teams over 500 with one against a top 4 seed. They got over their slump but they didn't play a tough schedule (as evidenced below).
Fri 18 @ Atlanta W 106-85
Sat 19 vs Denver W 103-98
Wed 23 @ Detroit W 100-94
Fri 25 vs Philadelphia W 111-99
Sun 27 vs Houston W 125-119
Tue 29 @ Cleveland L 90-102
Wed 30 @ Washington W 123-107
Fri 01 @ Minnesota W 111-92
Sun 03 @ New Jersey W 108-94
Wed 06 vs Milwaukee L 85-90
Fri 08 vs Charlotte W 112-103
Sun 10 vs Boston W 100-77 (after Perkins trade)
Mon 11 @ Atlanta W 98-90
Wed 13 @ Toronto W 97-79
When compared the to Bulls last 23 games (where they finished 21-3) is is clear that the Bulls are the hotter of the two teams!
21-2 (11-1 against teams over 500)
Fri 04 @ Orlando W 89-81
Sun 06 @ Miami W 87-86
Mon 07 vs New Orleans W 85-77
Wed 09 @ Charlotte W 101-84
Fri 11 vs Atlanta W 94-76
Sat 12 vs Utah W 118-100
Tue 15 vs Washington W 98-79
Thu 17 @ New Jersey W 84-73
Fri 18 @ Indiana L 108-115
Mon 21 vs Sacramento W 132-92
Tue 22 @ Atlanta W 114-81
Fri 25 vs Memphis W 99-96
Sat 26 @ Milwaukee W 95-87
Mon 28 vs Philadelphia L 85-97
Wed 30 @ Minnesota W 108-91
Fri 01 @ Detroit W 101-96
Sat 02 vs Toronto W 113-106
Tue 05 vs Phoenix W 97-94
Thu 07 vs Boston W 97-81
Fri 08 @ Cleveland W 93-82
Sun 10 @ Orlando W 102-99
Tue 12 @ New York W 103-90
Wed 13 vs New Jersey W 97-92
Playoff Competition
Although the Bulls had the number 1 seed, they faced tougher competition. The Pacers were 37-45 but they were 20-17 under coach Frank Vogel (a winning percentage of 54%). The Heat played Philadelphia 76ers in round 1 who were 41-41 overall (500%).
The Atlanta Hawks were near full healthy with Jeff Teague playing a career level (and at a higher level than what Kirk Hinrich had played during his stint with Atlanta).
The Boston Celtics were highly regarded but the trade of Kendrick Perkins lowered their talent level. The trade of Nate Robinson nullified their back-up point guard position (D. West is not a PG). Shaq was hurt and not a factor in the playoffs. Jermaine O’Neal played with a bad back. And Rondo played with that nasty elbow injury (w/ no back-up PG). If this scenario could be replicated over a full season, the Celtics would be the equivalent of a 40-45 win team.
It is my contention Boston’s talent level with all of their injuries is lower than that of the Atlanta Hawks who were near full strength (and w/ Teague playing very well) while playing in the second round.
With that said, the Heat did not play better Basketball than the Bulls in the 1st two rounds.
In the playoffs the Heat are 8-2 w/ one blowout and a blowout loss (+15)
Sat 16 vs Philadelphia First Round W 97-89
Mon 18 vs Philadelphia First Round W 94-73
Thu 21 @ Philadelphia First Round W 100-94
Sun 24 @ Philadelphia First Round L 82-86
Wed 27 vs Philadelphia First Round W 97-91
Sun 01 vs Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 99-90
Tue 03 vs Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 102-91
Sat 07 @ Boston Conf. Semi-Finals L 81-97
Mon 09 @ Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 98-90
Wed 11 vs Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 97-87
In the playoffs the Bulls are 8-3 with 3 blowouts and no blowout losses.
Mon 18 vs Indiana First Round W 96-90
Thu 21 @ Indiana First Round W 88-84
Sat 23 @ Indiana First Round L 84-89
Tue 26 vs Indiana First Round W 116-89
Mon 02 vs Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals L 95-103
Wed 04 vs Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 86-73
Fri 06 @ Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 99-82
Sun 08 @ Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals L 88-100
Tue 10 vs Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 95-83
Thu 12 @ Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 93-73
The Carlos Boozer Effect
Chicago Bulls fans have been pissed with Boozer (myself included). Boozer has been inconsistent with a turf toe. While many mentioned his inconsistencies to him not being as good as everyone believe, I contend that it is due to foul trouble. In 8 of the 11 playoff games Boozer has had two fouls within the 1st 15 minutes of the game. In the three games where he did not have foul trouble he averaged 18.3 ppg and 13.0 rpg on 51% shooting.
Boozer, whom is not a good defender, had foul trouble because he had to defend scoring PFs in Hansbrough and Josh Smith. Under normal situations Noah guards the best big on the other team but could not do so against IND and ATL because they have starting centers who are better scorers (Hibbert and Horford).
Boozer will not have to guard a scorer this series as Noah will guard Bosh (whom he held to that 1-19 night). Boozer will have to guard Joel Anthony and Illgauskas (who is no longer a scorer at this point of his career).
Boozer will not have foul trouble in this series and we should expect him to average around 18 and 13.
Bulls Front Court and depth Advantage
The Bulls have a solid 9 man rotation with all players being of starting. It is well understood that the Heat bench is not very productive but they do not have a solid 5 to place on the court. This is evidenced by Lebron and Wade accounting for 80% of the heat offense (when considering points and assists).
None of the Heat bigs would be in the rotation on the Bulls. The Bulls top 5 bigs (Boozer, Noah, Asik, Gibson and Kurt Thomas) have length, athleticism and rebounding advantages over all of the Heat bigs.
Rebounding allows teams to control the pace of games which slows in the playoffs. The heat has demonstrated that they are most effective when they have a high volume of possessions and when they get into transition. It is well understood that the game slows in the playoffs and possessions are fewer in the playoffs. This will be further compounded by the Bulls distinct advantage in the front court.
Media Manipulation and Prediction
The media has all but held a coronation for the Heat as the next NBA champ.
Lebron and Wade are tremendous players but the Heat will not be able to compete with the Bulls unless they have an A game every night. They cannot afford to have one off night.
The media understands everything mentioned above but has kept this info out of the story-lines. This is not a slight to the Chicago Bulls or any other remaining team in the playoffs. After, supposedly, correcting their issues, the heat are being played by the sports media as it’s a bigger story for the Heat to be beat by falling off of a throne!
This series will be slow-paced and ugly but the Bulls will win in 5, maybe 6.
Let me know if you agree!
The fallacy that the Heat is a Hot Team that’s on a Roll
The Heat received most of their criticism in the fall when they struggled to win in close games and play well against teams above 500. Let’s take a look at how they closed the season.
The Miami Heat (15-8 to close the season) with a 3-6 record during their low moment against teams over 500 (2-4 against top 4 seeds).
Sun 27 vs New York L 86-91
Thu 03 vs Orlando L 96-99
Fri 04 @ San Antonio L 95-125
Sun 06 vs Chicago L 86-87
Tue 08 vs Portland L 96-105
Thu 10 vs LA Lakers W 94-88
Sat 12 vs Memphis W 118-85
Mon 14 vs San Antonio W 110-80
Wed 16 vs Oklahoma City L 85-96
After examining their 12-2 to close out the season, only 5 of the games were against teams over 500 with one against a top 4 seed. They got over their slump but they didn't play a tough schedule (as evidenced below).
Fri 18 @ Atlanta W 106-85
Sat 19 vs Denver W 103-98
Wed 23 @ Detroit W 100-94
Fri 25 vs Philadelphia W 111-99
Sun 27 vs Houston W 125-119
Tue 29 @ Cleveland L 90-102
Wed 30 @ Washington W 123-107
Fri 01 @ Minnesota W 111-92
Sun 03 @ New Jersey W 108-94
Wed 06 vs Milwaukee L 85-90
Fri 08 vs Charlotte W 112-103
Sun 10 vs Boston W 100-77 (after Perkins trade)
Mon 11 @ Atlanta W 98-90
Wed 13 @ Toronto W 97-79
When compared the to Bulls last 23 games (where they finished 21-3) is is clear that the Bulls are the hotter of the two teams!
21-2 (11-1 against teams over 500)
Fri 04 @ Orlando W 89-81
Sun 06 @ Miami W 87-86
Mon 07 vs New Orleans W 85-77
Wed 09 @ Charlotte W 101-84
Fri 11 vs Atlanta W 94-76
Sat 12 vs Utah W 118-100
Tue 15 vs Washington W 98-79
Thu 17 @ New Jersey W 84-73
Fri 18 @ Indiana L 108-115
Mon 21 vs Sacramento W 132-92
Tue 22 @ Atlanta W 114-81
Fri 25 vs Memphis W 99-96
Sat 26 @ Milwaukee W 95-87
Mon 28 vs Philadelphia L 85-97
Wed 30 @ Minnesota W 108-91
Fri 01 @ Detroit W 101-96
Sat 02 vs Toronto W 113-106
Tue 05 vs Phoenix W 97-94
Thu 07 vs Boston W 97-81
Fri 08 @ Cleveland W 93-82
Sun 10 @ Orlando W 102-99
Tue 12 @ New York W 103-90
Wed 13 vs New Jersey W 97-92
Playoff Competition
Although the Bulls had the number 1 seed, they faced tougher competition. The Pacers were 37-45 but they were 20-17 under coach Frank Vogel (a winning percentage of 54%). The Heat played Philadelphia 76ers in round 1 who were 41-41 overall (500%).
The Atlanta Hawks were near full healthy with Jeff Teague playing a career level (and at a higher level than what Kirk Hinrich had played during his stint with Atlanta).
The Boston Celtics were highly regarded but the trade of Kendrick Perkins lowered their talent level. The trade of Nate Robinson nullified their back-up point guard position (D. West is not a PG). Shaq was hurt and not a factor in the playoffs. Jermaine O’Neal played with a bad back. And Rondo played with that nasty elbow injury (w/ no back-up PG). If this scenario could be replicated over a full season, the Celtics would be the equivalent of a 40-45 win team.
It is my contention Boston’s talent level with all of their injuries is lower than that of the Atlanta Hawks who were near full strength (and w/ Teague playing very well) while playing in the second round.
With that said, the Heat did not play better Basketball than the Bulls in the 1st two rounds.
In the playoffs the Heat are 8-2 w/ one blowout and a blowout loss (+15)
Sat 16 vs Philadelphia First Round W 97-89
Mon 18 vs Philadelphia First Round W 94-73
Thu 21 @ Philadelphia First Round W 100-94
Sun 24 @ Philadelphia First Round L 82-86
Wed 27 vs Philadelphia First Round W 97-91
Sun 01 vs Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 99-90
Tue 03 vs Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 102-91
Sat 07 @ Boston Conf. Semi-Finals L 81-97
Mon 09 @ Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 98-90
Wed 11 vs Boston Conf. Semi-Finals W 97-87
In the playoffs the Bulls are 8-3 with 3 blowouts and no blowout losses.
Mon 18 vs Indiana First Round W 96-90
Thu 21 @ Indiana First Round W 88-84
Sat 23 @ Indiana First Round L 84-89
Tue 26 vs Indiana First Round W 116-89
Mon 02 vs Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals L 95-103
Wed 04 vs Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 86-73
Fri 06 @ Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 99-82
Sun 08 @ Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals L 88-100
Tue 10 vs Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 95-83
Thu 12 @ Atlanta Conf. Semi-Finals W 93-73
The Carlos Boozer Effect
Chicago Bulls fans have been pissed with Boozer (myself included). Boozer has been inconsistent with a turf toe. While many mentioned his inconsistencies to him not being as good as everyone believe, I contend that it is due to foul trouble. In 8 of the 11 playoff games Boozer has had two fouls within the 1st 15 minutes of the game. In the three games where he did not have foul trouble he averaged 18.3 ppg and 13.0 rpg on 51% shooting.
Boozer, whom is not a good defender, had foul trouble because he had to defend scoring PFs in Hansbrough and Josh Smith. Under normal situations Noah guards the best big on the other team but could not do so against IND and ATL because they have starting centers who are better scorers (Hibbert and Horford).
Boozer will not have to guard a scorer this series as Noah will guard Bosh (whom he held to that 1-19 night). Boozer will have to guard Joel Anthony and Illgauskas (who is no longer a scorer at this point of his career).
Boozer will not have foul trouble in this series and we should expect him to average around 18 and 13.
Bulls Front Court and depth Advantage
The Bulls have a solid 9 man rotation with all players being of starting. It is well understood that the Heat bench is not very productive but they do not have a solid 5 to place on the court. This is evidenced by Lebron and Wade accounting for 80% of the heat offense (when considering points and assists).
None of the Heat bigs would be in the rotation on the Bulls. The Bulls top 5 bigs (Boozer, Noah, Asik, Gibson and Kurt Thomas) have length, athleticism and rebounding advantages over all of the Heat bigs.
Rebounding allows teams to control the pace of games which slows in the playoffs. The heat has demonstrated that they are most effective when they have a high volume of possessions and when they get into transition. It is well understood that the game slows in the playoffs and possessions are fewer in the playoffs. This will be further compounded by the Bulls distinct advantage in the front court.
Media Manipulation and Prediction
The media has all but held a coronation for the Heat as the next NBA champ.
Lebron and Wade are tremendous players but the Heat will not be able to compete with the Bulls unless they have an A game every night. They cannot afford to have one off night.
The media understands everything mentioned above but has kept this info out of the story-lines. This is not a slight to the Chicago Bulls or any other remaining team in the playoffs. After, supposedly, correcting their issues, the heat are being played by the sports media as it’s a bigger story for the Heat to be beat by falling off of a throne!
This series will be slow-paced and ugly but the Bulls will win in 5, maybe 6.
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