Why the Indiana series will help the Heat win the title

 
After closing out a hard-fought series against the Indiana Pacers in six games, the Miami Heat are poised to make a return visit to the NBA Finals. While the Pacers seemingly had the Heat on the ropes early on in the series, this series (more than any other series in the Eastern Conference) will go a long way towards helping the Heat win this year's championship.

* Note:  In writing this, I do recognize that the Heat still have to defeat either the Celtics or Sixers in the Eastern Conference Finals in order to advance to the NBA Finals. While the outcome of the Eastern Conference Finals is far from decided, I do think that the Heat will be able to advance over either of those teams in no more than five games.

1.  The Pacers are a physical team, similar to the Western Conference teams.

The Pacers showed their physicality throughout the series and had an obvious advantage over the Heat in the frontcourt. Both teams left in the Western Conference will have an advantage over the Heat in the frontcourt and will look to capitalize on that advantage in facing the Heat. The ability for Miami to respond to the physicality of the Pacers and to somewhat nullify the Pacers frontcourt advantage will help to give the Heat a blueprint on how they will face either the Spurs or the Thunder.


2.  Spoelstra discovered a lineup that can cause problems for many teams.

With Bosh going down in Game 1 of the series, Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra was forced to do some tinkering with the lineup. At a variety of times throughout this series, the Heat went with a lineup that included Wade, James, Miller, Battier, and Anthony. While I don't have any numbers to reference, this lineup seemed to be the most effective lineup for the Heat. Offensively, having Miller and Battier to space the floor, allowed more room for Wade and LeBron to post or attack the paint. Defensively this lineup was effective guarding pick-and-rolls and rotating to open shooters, while their length caused problems as well for the Pacers.

When you look forward, this lineup could also cause problems for both Western Conference teams. While the Spurs are a deep team and can employ a variety of lineups, the Thunder can probably match up with that Heat lineup more effectively than the Spurs can. However, if a healthy Chris Bosh can return and replace Anthony in this lineup, his ability to shoot the perimeter jump shot will also create more room for both Wade and James as well.

3.  Wade and LeBron played together the way many Heat fans envisioned they would.

The last three games of this series is essentially what Heat fans have wanted to see since this team came together. While Bosh's injury hurt the Heat initially, I think that it may have helped the Heat in the long run. With Bosh down, LeBron and Wade knew that they had to perform at a high level, and more importantly, perform together at a high level in order for the Heat to advance. After the Heat's, and especially Wade's, terrible performance in Game 3 (5 points and 5 turnovers), Wade and LeBron both put the team on their shoulders and together carried the Heat to the series victory.

In the last three games of the series, Wade had a combined 99 points (33.0 ppg), 22 rebounds (7.3 rpg), and 11 assists (3.7 apg), highlighted by a 41 point, 10 rebound performance in last night's closeout game. LeBron combined for 98 points (32.7 ppg), 34 rebounds (11.3 rpg), and 24 assists (8.0 apg) in those three games, highlighted by a 40 point, 18 rebound, 9 assist performance in Game 4. Game 4 was probably the best game that the two have played since coming together. In addition to LeBron's 40 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists, Wade finished with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Wade finished the series averaging 26.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, while LeBron averaged 30.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in the series.

I think that the last point is the most telling point of all. If Wade and LeBron can combine for 65-70 points per game moving forward, the Heat will be a hard team to beat. Only OKC has the tandem that would be able to match that type of production. An OKC-Miami matchup in the NBA Finals would be an interesting proposition and one that many NBA fans would look forward to seeing.

Prediction for tonight's Heat-Pacers game

Quick prediction for tonight's game:

I've been riding with the Heat throughout the season and I am picking them to win tonight. Even though Haslem has been suspended for tonight's game and Pittman has been suspended for the next three games for their hard fouls in Game 5, Miami will be able to close out the Pacers tonight. While the suspensions will hurt Miami on the floor, it will actually work in their favor psychologically. Let me explain . . .

If anyone on the Miami squad is considered an 'enforcer' it would be Udonis Haslem. Indiana has been physical with the Heat throughout this series. With the hard fouls and the scrutiny that this game will have, the game will be officiated tightly right from the outset. Indiana will try to impose their will right from the opening tip and will continue to be physical. However, the tighter whistles will work against them. I expect early foul trouble for either David West or Roy Hibbert, possibly even both. I also expect Hansbrough to be called for a flagrant foul tonight and for multiple technical fouls to be called on the Pacers' players. Throughout it all Miami will be without their 'enforcer' and will be perceived by the officials as more of the victim in a lot of the situations that will unfold tonight. Expect Miami to shoot a ton of free throws and eventually win the game by double-digits.

New Media Alert

No, I haven't been ignoring this blog, even though it has been more than a month since my last post. It has been a little difficult juggling the variety of outlets that I am involved in - Examiner.com, usbasket, Yahoo Contributor Network, shoreball.com, and the ShoreBall Podcast Show. But I think I have devised a way to improve how I maintain the variety of outlets and keep everyone here informed of my movements. I will post a brief blog post here entitled 'New Media Alert' and I will provide a description and link when a new article is written, our website is updated, or a new podcast is uploaded. It will look something like this:

Examiner.com:  Sixers capture Game 6 victory with Allen Iverson in attendance

Hopefully, this will effectively link the variety of media outlets and keep everyone here updated. Enjoy!

More action from the PIT

Above are some more pictures from the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Below are more links to articles that I wrote concerning the PIT. Enjoy!

Portsmouth Invitational Tournament - Day 3

Portsmouth Invitational Tournament - Day 4

No-win for LeBron James

It amazes me just how much of a no-win situation LeBron James is in. Don't get me wrong, everyone remembers the Decision and I will agree with everyone who says that it could have been handled a different way. But the way that LeBron gets criticized it unlike anything that I have seen.

After the Finals performance last year, he was crucified and criticized for not being a closer. The criticism has continued this year at various times - not taking the final shot in the All-Star game, passing to Haslem versus the Jazz, etc. Last night in a game against the New Jersey Nets, the Miami Heat were trailing for the majority of the game. Lebron James was 5-6 from the field and 7-7 from the line in the final five minutes of the game, scored Miami's final 17 points, and outscored the Nets team 17-12 to lead Miami to a comeback win.

In the ESPN analysis after the game, all the analysts could talk about was how terrible the New Jersey Nets' defense was in the final minutes of the game. Critics will look at that performance and point out that it was against the Nets and he needs to prove it on the big stage in the Finals. Yet, the same critics will be the first to criticize him for not taking the final shot in the All-Star game - a game that truly counts for nothing. So what's created is a no-win situation that may not be resolved until LeBron James and the Miami Heat win a championship. In either case it was interesting to see the commentary about LeBron versus the Nets' defense, when if another player had made the same plays with the same result, that player would have been applauded for his will, effort, competitiveness, and closing ability. But, just my two-cents. Here is a rundown of some of LeBron's baskets during that 17-point outburst:

ShoreBall at the PIT

These are a few images from Thursday night's action at the PIT. More pictures will be forthcoming as this weekend progresses. Check out the following articles covering the PIT on Examiner.com and stay updated as more articles are posted.

Previewing this year's Portsmouth Invitational Tournament

Portsmouth Invitational Tournament - Day 1

Portsmouth Invitational Tournament - Day 2

My Favorite Non-Basketball Player

Ray Lewis has to be, by far, my favorite non-basketball playing celebrity. I say that because he can be a powerful motivational speaker and after watching many of his videos, I've felt like I could put on a helmet and some shoulder pads and stick a running back coming through the hole.

Recently, he spoke to the Stanford basketball team prior to their NIT semifinal game, a game in which they defeated UMass, 74-64. They went on to defeat Minnesota, 75-51, in the championship game. After watching this video, I can see why.