Ray Allen, Celtics Unafraid of Miami’s Big Three

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• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 9:05 am
  Ray, if you could have made a shot in the Finals after you jerked your load so early, your team may have been regarded as the favorites this season….otherwise, you’re just a speed bump for the two Florida teams. Good luck getting looks from JO, dummy.

• Shanoooooooo Posted: Jul.14 at 9:17 am
  I’m not even on the Heat Bandwagon, But C’mon Ray….. It sounds good and looks even better in print but everyone knows your jus blow’n smoke.

• wayno Posted: Jul.14 at 9:18 am
  Boston is still the best defensive team in the league…It’s funny how Miami fans (Eboy) think they already won the 2011 title just because they signed LeBron…Why don’t we wait until they play a few games. I know that Big Z and Juan Howard center combo is going to be huge for them and all…A healthy Celtics team in the playoffs is still VERY dangerous.

• cp3fan Posted: Jul.14 at 9:24 am
  The Celtics are still the Eastern Conference Champions and if the Heat don’t play defense, they will lose. And none of those players have the killer instinct that Kobe has besides D-Wade. The Lakers are still too big. So even if the Heat get by the Celtics, the Lakers are still the favorites. I’m eager to watch these two teams play though. I wish KG, Ray and Paul were younger because that would be even better to watch.

• BETCATS Posted: Jul.14 at 9:25 am
  Celtics defense is proven, the Heat is all potential at this point. Not saying that the Heat wont win/the Celtics will win, but it is not all said and done.

• riggs Posted: Jul.14 at 9:29 am
  so let me get this straight, ray ray SHOULD tell the media that his team is scared of miami?

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 9:33 am
  The stupidity of the SLAM community carries on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eboy has never said the Heat are automatically winning the title. That’s just some dumb sh*t written by dumb di*k haters with little ability to transfer written words into processed thoughts. This is common place here though….Laker fans, Celtic fans, Bulls fans, sh*t every other teams fans are all trying to adjust their tampons as to stop the flow of rage coming from their lions, but alas, you all sound stupid, jealous, hateful, corny and moronic. Kind of like me when I hate the Lakers. See how that plays out when the shoes on the other foot, losers?

• LDR4 Posted: Jul.14 at 9:33 am
  Everyone is going to play Miami as hard as they can. They have the biggest target on them. With all the media attention that Miami is getting the target only grows bigger while the NBA champion, Lakers, are seeing their target shrink. Hell, I’m glad players have confidince that they are better than the Heat, hopefully that translates into great basketball this season.

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 9:35 am
  *loins

• MeloRush Posted: Jul.14 at 9:35 am
  @Eboy and Shanoooooooo Well i guess its a little unfair to insult an 8 time all star who made the biggest sacrifice with the C’s in 08.
  Blown smoke?
  No.
  i agree he did mess up his shooting form in the Finals but he’s only human. Atleast he did not give up after being a 7 year veteran and bolt to take help from 2 future HOF ‘WITHOUT’ informing his former Organisation. he gave his prime to wasted teams like the Sonis and Bucks.
  AND PLEASE REMEMBER THE 2008 NBA FINALS.
  THE SAME BLOWN SMOKE BLEW AWAY THE LAKERS BACK TO HOLLYWOOD.
  They have nice additions and can make a run for the CHIP. P.S- It will never be the same for Chris Bosh anb Bron Winning Chips in MIA.
  Not the same respect. AND Dont count out the Lakers. @ wayno I Feel you man
  10-11 Season starts in OCTOBER
  NOT ON JULY 1ST

• letsmotor Posted: Jul.14 at 9:37 am
  Yeah, Orlando’s much better than Boston, they’re going to destroy them… oh wait, that’s not true, Boston embarrassed Orlando in the ECF this year. And I’m still not sold on Miami. I’m just having a tough time imagining three great (or maybe Bosh isn’t great, but very, very good) players in their primes coming together and saying that they don’t care about scoring titles or MVP awards, they just want a championship. Is Wade still going to say “this is my house” (which has always annoyed me–why not “this my ‘OUR’ house”?)? Is LeBron still going to wear that “check my $tats” shirt? is he going to be ok when those $tats drop? and Bosh? not too long ago, he said that he doesn’t want to be mentioned as an addition–he wants to be a center piece. and we’re supposed to believe that he’s ready to sacrifice and be the third option? don’t get me wrong, those are three extremely talented players, and if they put their egos aside, they can make it work (although I still say they need more pieces). I just don’t think anyone should be surprised if an ego or two gets in the way.

• letsmotor Posted: Jul.14 at 9:39 am
  that last post was directed at Eboy, by the way.

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 9:42 am
  Speculation is funny, huh?

• MeloRush Posted: Jul.14 at 9:46 am
  In that case you lead the pack
  look who started it! Go Suck Bron’s B@lls

• JoeMaMa Posted: Jul.14 at 9:47 am
  @Eboy: I prefer to think that everyone has pet lions that act as rage outlets. And man, you sure have alot of anger! Just focus on your team, bro, and you’ll be fine; Miami’s looking pretty good, right?

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 9:52 am
  No anger, it’s just odd how everyone can b**ch and act like it cool to downtalk guys from morning to night (like I do with the Lakers)but when you stand up for your squad you’re made to be angry? I don’t get it.

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 9:55 am
  And why would any NBA team be afraid of another one? That’s just stupid. If you’re claiming you’re not afraid, I think you might be, just a little. They’re all pro’s…this is their profession, it’s not a war or a gang battle. That’s that must dumb sh*t created by asinine reporters with no other questions to ask in mid-July.

• oh snap Posted: Jul.14 at 9:56 am
  – The celtics actually play defense. Let’s see, if athleticism trumps actual skill. Because lets face it, that the ‘heat 3′ are better at jumping, but all three celtics player’s would kill these guys at any shooting contest. Lebron’s going to find out about going from a defensive minded team where everyone works hard at it, to one where everyone just want’s to score. –

• oh snap Posted: Jul.14 at 9:57 am
  The celtics actually play defense. Let’s see, if athleticism trumps actual skill. Because lets face it, that the ‘heat 3′ are better at jumping, but all three celtics player’s would kill these guys at any shooting contest. Lebron’s going to find out about going from a defensive minded team where everyone works hard at it, to one where everyone just want’s to score. –

• LA Huey Posted: Jul.14 at 10:04 am
  Barring a Krause-like dismantling, the defending league and conference champs are always the team to beat. I can understand the media focus on Miami but I would imagine the players would place their sights on the team trying to three-up. If not, wtf?

• Seth Posted: Jul.14 at 10:13 am
  The Celtics have beat these guys before, and there’s no reason they can’t do it again despite they’re on the same team now. It will be fun to watch either way though.

• underdog Posted: Jul.14 at 10:16 am
  These players could make a sacrifice for the team USA, probably they can do it again, this time for the Heat. The rings are still not guaranteed. Can’t wait the first Cavs - Heat game in Ohio. Funny, I can root for the Cavs again.

• LA Huey Posted: Jul.14 at 10:40 am
  @underdog, funny how that game will be the only nationally televised game the Cavs get this year.

• T-Money Posted: Jul.14 at 11:02 am
  Isn’t it already obvious that the new Big 3 has accepted to sacrifice? They all left 15 mil on the table and Wade and James accepted to share the spotlight (even though everybody said they wouldn’t). These guys understood that legacies are not based on stats but by rings and defining moments. Pau Gasol is posting up the exact same numbers he was having in MEM (and I’d argue that he’s the exact same player) but he’s now recognized as one of the premier PFs in the game. And I’m not even going to mention that they are actually the two best passing swingmen in the league.

• dsleepy Posted: Jul.14 at 11:13 am
  lebron is among the best passing swingmen, i don’t think dwade is. dude gets a lot of turnovers. that being said, lebron+wade+bosh looks much, much better than rondo+pierce+oldkg+inconsistentallen. god i hate lebron, but if they get a few decent role players, its a done deal.

• Aaron Posted: Jul.14 at 11:15 am
  Celtics are dust in the wind. They don’t seem to have bite like they used to. Heat-Lakers Finals would be the the most prolific matchup of our generation. Can’t wait to watch them in action!

• Hurricane Posted: Jul.14 at 11:18 am
  @ Eboy- What do the Heat have to be jealous of? Oh, that’s right NOTHING, What do the Lakers have to be jealous of? Oh, that’s right BACK 2 BACK CHIPS

• Ali Posted: Jul.14 at 11:26 am
  Pump ya breaks MIA bandwaggoners… Glad someone
  in the Eastern Conference has stepped up and said
  we ain’t jockin’ or scirred of MIA.

• ClydeSays Posted: Jul.14 at 11:28 am
  The Heat are already expected to win the chip and they haven’t even filled out their roster. Let’s see some games first…

• Sporting-Lisbon-Blazers Posted: Jul.14 at 11:37 am
  lol at this^ poor Cavs…and settle down Eboy..I think Jesus is telling the truth, look is it that diferent playing vs Kome, Gasol, Artest, Odom, Bynum OR Flash, Bron, RuPaul?? I dont think Miami should be favourites, LOOK at the bigs match ups, its not even close, while the wings are, with obvious advantage Heat, but still, close.

• AlbertBarr Posted: Jul.14 at 11:41 am
  Im jumpin on the Heat bandwagon, OFFICIALLY RIGHT NOW. Cause I think ya’ll are crazy if you dont think they are already a top 3 team in the L. THey will win a chip…and I will be supporting them. Unless they are playing the Kings…so until the the youngs Sac squad grows competitive, I will be rooting for MIA 80 games a year (-2 games for SAC v. MIA). Wade, LeBron, Bosh. THat is just KRAZY!

• The Nupe Posted: Jul.14 at 11:44 am
  I appreciate any team/player that has confidence. That includes Allen and the new Heat 3 (who have played together before and have an understanding of what it means to sacarafice for each other). That said, even pros (after the fact) have admitted to being intimidated by other teams knowing the game was over before they even got on the court. I think the Heat will have this edge many nights regardless of what other teams say. However, as good as the heat are, they still don’t have any gurantees. I remeber when Malone and GP went to the Lakers, everybody thought that team couldn’t be stopped - but they were. When the big 3 joined forced in Boston, some people even said they could go undefeated or beat the single season win record - they didn’t. On PAPER the Heat are a GREAT team and the fact that they are young and prime means they have multiple chances together to get a Chip. They don’t have a short window like the C’s, they have at least 5 years to put it together. I don’t know if they’ll win this year, but I’d bet they do win within the next 5. They have too much talent and too many opportunities to come up empty handed. However, anythings possible.

• vtrobot Posted: Jul.14 at 11:45 am
  “oh, the celts are so old” “the C’s will just be a speed bump” “hey, that’s weird, they just knocked my team out of the playoffs” keep it up. it keeps getting funnier every series. yes, the C’s are oldER now. think about the collective talent when jesus/PP/KG joined forces in ‘08. was it that much less than the amazing amount of total talent in a wade/bosh/LBJ mix? i think not. MIA will not have it easy.

• J Posted: Jul.14 at 11:48 am
  lets go cavs!

• niQ Posted: Jul.14 at 11:53 am
  Well, what did you expect Ray Allen to say? “Hey, things are not looking for for the League, lets just all retire until their contracts are over.”

• niQ Posted: Jul.14 at 11:54 am
  typo *things are not looking good.

• airs Posted: Jul.14 at 12:08 pm
  seems to me that chris bosh is getting way too much credit right now. a lot of C/PF’s would win that matchup. that is all.

• WangChung Posted: Jul.14 at 12:16 pm
  @vtrobot: Your argument may be valid if Shuttlesworth/PP/KG joined forces at the age of 25-28, which was definitely not the case.

• c_cantrell Posted: Jul.14 at 12:19 pm
  celtics still have plenty of fire left in them

• WangChung Posted: Jul.14 at 12:20 pm
  @airs: Dude, are you nuts? Bosh played out of his mind this year and put up career numbers against “a lot of C/PF’s”. And it’s not like Bargnani is a banger or anything.

• TruHero Posted: Jul.14 at 12:27 pm
  There’s no way you can’t be intimidated by that line up. Wait til we fill up the roster; no one believed we’d get all 3 of these guys, and no one believes they can get it done together now. see the trend?

• wayno Posted: Jul.14 at 12:27 pm
  Dude, Eb*tch - I’m not a hater, I actually quite interested in the whole thing. I think Miami is going to do well and are instantly in title contention, I’m just not about to hand them the Larry O’Brien trohpy(or EC championship trophy for that matter) before they play a single game together. Your vitriolic response to this article was funny to me…why do you automatically assume that the reigning EC champions are a mere speed bump for the two Florida Teams (One of which was beaten handily by Boston). I’m not a Boston fan at all, I’m just curious why Ray Allen’s response would evoke such an angry BS response from you. I understand being happy for your team and what not, but 90% of what you write on here is attacks against people.

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 12:33 pm
  Whatever whino….keep whining, little girl. It suits you.

• riggs Posted: Jul.14 at 12:35 pm
  celtics make it to the finals after being the top teams in the east and taking the top team in the west to 7 and still doesnt get any respect, some of you people really should leave slamonline and never come back.

• omphalos Posted: Jul.14 at 12:41 pm
  Losing Thibodeau (sp?) is a huge blow. Defending these guys is going to be a nightmare, and they could have used Tom on the sidelines and in the locker rooms. Barring big improvement from Howards offensive game, Cs are the only team with a chance against the Heat in the East. Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat…

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 12:45 pm
  Yes, because the “terrifying” Celts put a choke hold on the Lakers when they had the series in hand when they were up 3-2 and the title came back to Bos……oh wait, that DIDN’T happen?

• The Nupe Posted: Jul.14 at 12:51 pm
  The age of the C’s is going to be held against them each year regardless of how well they did the previous year. Last year many people said that IF they stay healthy they were the favorites. They never got healthy til the end of the season and many people thought they were out of it and they surprised many in the playoffs. Honestly if Perk was healthy in game 7 they could likely be the defending champs right now. But you could also say if Bynum was healthy it wouldn’t have even been a series. Celts still have a fighters chance this year IF they stay healthy. Rondo is getting better each year and PP/KG both still have serious game. I am however worried that Ray just isn’t the player he once was and his shooters touch has diminished too much from the Ray of 3+ years ago. He reminds me of AI - a former start that’s past his prime that is still capable of moments/games of glory, but not consistantly. I really like Ray, but the current version isn’t the threat he use to be and I put Mia and Orlandao ahead of them in the east. (Also got to consider Perk is out for a good portion of the season). This is no disrespect to the C’s just recognition of what other teams have done.

• Nick the Great Posted: Jul.14 at 12:52 pm
  It’s funny cause I occasionally read these boards, but I don’t typically comment… Let’s just say that I thought Eboy was a knee-jerking, self congratulatory, faux-know it all before this free agent summer, but I hadn’t seen anything yet.

• Eboy Posted: Jul.14 at 12:56 pm
  Nick, I’ve gone for 4 seasons having the Heat spoke about like they belonged in the ABA by all the guys with hurt feelings now. If you (or anyone else) thought I would stand down NOW, after they turned the team around in ways never to have been believed, then there’s some type of disconnect between you guys and the real world.

• jumpman3224 Posted: Jul.14 at 1:02 pm
  The Celtics big 3? Isn’t an Rondo and his backup trio these days?

• jumpman3224 Posted: Jul.14 at 1:08 pm
  it*

• Jackie Moon Posted: Jul.14 at 1:09 pm
  Didn’t anyone notice that Ray Allen’s quotes were repeated twice in the post?

• vtrobot Posted: Jul.14 at 1:10 pm
  @ WangChung: Yes, I realize that the Boston Big 3 would have been that much better if they’d joined the same team when they were in their mid-20’s. You might be able to create an argument that proved that the collective talents of a younger Boston Big 3 are greater than the current talents of the MIA Big 3. However, that didn’t happen, and that’s why I said that the level of talent in the 2008 Boston Big 3 is SLIGHTLY lower than what the MIA 3 are currently working with. You think it’s considerably less? Have you just seen the past couple NBA seasons or are you familiar with the full careers of the Boston Big 3? They’re each fairly decent players. Should be a pretty easy season for MIA then because the 2008 C’s pretty much steamrolled most of the league that season. Yeah, yeah, two 7 games series, blah, blah, what was the end result? Have fun going 82-0, MIA. Should be breezy.

• vtrobot Posted: Jul.14 at 1:19 pm
  @ The Nupe: Yes, Ray is hells more inconsistent these days, but a record for 3’s in the playoffs is a nice “moment” of glory. Yes, I know the following game in which another record was set proves your point. Ray’s been one of the baddest MFers in the league for a long time and has got another good year or two left. Please don’t ever compare Ray to AI again, unless your describing the epitome of a professional athelete and an example of the opposite. Praise Jesus.

• Nova Posted: Jul.14 at 1:23 pm
  Does ray know how fat and old PauL Pierce is these days. 3Heat is young and will DESTROY the C’s
  (If LeBron can figure out how to ever stop Rondo…)

• JTaylor21 Posted: Jul.14 at 1:25 pm
  Jumpman is right for the first time. It’s is rondo and the medium 3. It is now rondo’s team and he’s the main reason if the win or lose. Anyone who watched the finals so a KG that couldn’t rebound, couldn’t contest shots, and lost a majority of the lift he used to have 2 yrs ago. A allen that isn’t the same shooter he was 2yrs ago becuase he doesn’t have the same lift and a pierce whos not the one on one demon he used to be. They will also be losing perk for a majority of the season. Unless rondo can transform into a very good scorer and jumpshooter, I think the celtics run is over. Also the lose Thib, who was the brain behind that great defense. I’m not saying they’re done but they are the 3rd or 4th best team in the east.

• flipnoyce Posted: Jul.14 at 1:28 pm
  Well said RAY RAY! Mofos in here think so smart, that they actually believed Miami is the team to beat in the EAST without even playin the EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMP! Orlando? Miami? Get serious fellas, Orlando was a better team last year and look how they end up 3-0 to start. Untill the CELTICS are dethrone then nothing is guaranteed. Lakers got lucky again…. If Perks hadn’t gotten injured who knows what could of happen.****A quick reminder how basketball is played!!! There is only one ball per possession not 3! MIA scoring is only one at a time not 3 at a time. So whoever has that ball would be the guy to defend! I’m not worried how MIA looks on paper, they can’t spread the floor like Celtics can. Oh, wait- what happen if one of those MIA players suddenly get injure, would they still be the favorites???? I don’t think SO.

• Don Posted: Jul.14 at 1:32 pm
  Ray Allen is one of those players who makes NBA fans feel good about the league and it’s abilities to produce smart and intelligent athletes. Too bad Boston choked in the Finals though. It would have made me believe anything other than “say what you say … but the games still have to be played.” All things considered, an seriously aging Boston does not want to see a young and aggressive Miami in the playoffs. Trust me.

• JTaylor21 Posted: Jul.14 at 1:32 pm
  vtrobot no you can’t make a case for a young Bos. big 3 being better than the current heat big 3. KG was an all-around beast when he was young but bron is just better with his scoring and passing. Pierce was a great scorer when he was young but nothing more. Wade is a better playmaker, defender, and finisher than pierce every was. That leaves ray and bosh. Both were very good not great players who played for terrible teams. So they cancel each other out. I will take the current heat BIG3 over a younger bos BIG3 anyday.

• Cheryl Posted: Jul.14 at 1:34 pm
  Hey Eboy, most of these commenters are under 15–don’t try to have a reasonable debate.

• tealish Posted: Jul.14 at 1:40 pm
  hahahahha, EVERYONE needs to read EBOY’s 9:33 comment!
  He has already taken on the LeBronian trait of referring to himself in the third person!
  Haha, I love it. GO MIAMI!!

• vtrobot Posted: Jul.14 at 1:50 pm
  JTaylor21: i hear you. i said that you might be able to construct an argument that proves that point, not that you definitely could or that i want to bother to take the time to dig through years of #’s/averages/etc. to do it. bottom line: 1) people need to give those C’s players more credit. one of the best all around players ever. one of the top 5 (OK, top 6 or 7, whatever, i don’t want to argue every single point) players in probably the most storied franchise in NBA history. and one of the top 2 or 3 shooters ever to play. pretty solid trio. 2) people need to stop giving teams who haven’t actually done anything (yes, you’ve been on a ton of those teams, LBJ) the awards they’ve yet to win.

• WolfNast Posted: Jul.14 at 1:55 pm
  Thunder Up!!!

• vtrobot Posted: Jul.14 at 1:56 pm
  @ nova: pierce looked to be in some of the best shape i’ve seen him in at the start of last season. you are somewhat correct as he doesn’t seem to flail after contact quite as aggressively as he once did. he also recently switched to a fully motorized wheelchair as his arm muscles have atrophied too much to allow him to push a regular wheelchair. p.s. ray is considering playing with a cane next year. YOUTH = Championships! The Blazers and the Thunder both won the title last year. Right? Wait, what ..?

• WangChung Posted: Jul.14 at 2:21 pm
  Co-Sign JTaylor21. @vtrobot: The hype around this Miami squad isn’t too different from the summer when Boston assembled their Big 3. They ended up beasting the league that year. It would be a greater shock to me if Miami flops than if it dominates.

• ConeyIslander Posted: Jul.14 at 2:41 pm
  I love Jesus Shuttlesworth but sometimes it’s best to step over the beehive instead of stepping on it. SMH

• wayno Posted: Jul.14 at 2:51 pm
  wow…quite the comeback there Eboy…how old are you?

• vtrobot Posted: Jul.14 at 2:55 pm
  @ WangChung: I agree with the second statement in your last post. I think they should do quite well. I think that ‘Bron and DWade are better shooters than most people think, especially on the shots they need to hit. I also don’t think that ‘Bron will have any problem being unselfish. I don’t agree with your first point. I don’t think the C’s were the Vegas favorites at the start of 2008. Maybe they were, I don’t recall. However, since that big 3 came together people have been doubting them and saying that they are too old (there’s never been a team that won an NBA title with it’s 3 top scorers over 30 - i heard that one a couple times in ‘08). 14 out of 15 “experts” picked the lakeshow over the C’s at the start of the 2008 Finals. This MIA team won’t experience near that level of doubt, unless they start serious screwing things up (which I don’t think they’ll do). Peace.

• ab_40 Posted: Jul.14 at 3:00 pm
  boston was ready that year those guys they failed in confrence finales vs great teams KG was a former mvp who was just that two years ago and that year in minnesota before he went he had great stats. Pierce was 27 7 guy and ray was 25 ppg scorer we all see what happende to their stats when they got to boston. They shared the ball and played the best D we’ve seen in years. I don’t see the emphasis on D with guys like Z and juwan howard. They need young big bodies ans a few shooters. Mike Miller doesn’t want to be shooter he wants to show of his other ’skills’ instead of just being a shooter. Z has been done for the last two or three years. I don’t think D Wade can show these guys how it’s done. Spoelstra isn’t the defensive genious that is thibodeu and not the motivator that is rivers. LeBron needs others to do his scoring that’s what he’s been preaching the last two playoff outings. Wade is as willing a passer as kobe is (not really but when he sees it he will pass) and bosh was the best player on a bad team he’s never had good teammates and has never been the second option since his second year in the L. I don’t know who’s willing to sacrifice and who they can trust because they’re pissing people off who wanna go there but who in their minds does not fit the team. Mad vets means very very very hard fouls. LeBron is going to get most of the hits physicly and in the press

• Pardeep Posted: Jul.14 at 3:03 pm
  I just don’t see 3 guys in their prime as good as James,Wade and Bosh sacrificing it has never been done before. Erik Spoelstras the coach this a dangerous team if they sacrifice and actually play as a team though.

• Reflex Posted: Jul.14 at 3:10 pm
  lmao @ eboy, reminds me of when you’re young and you sip a little liquer for the 1st time, it gets to your hadbbut don’t quite know how to act…I’ve been team Wade from his rookie year so he’s got my support him till he retires, however there’s a 3peat to be had so h’s gonna have to hold out for at least another year before he can get his.

• Reflex Posted: Jul.14 at 3:11 pm
  *head but

• Pete Posted: Jul.14 at 3:19 pm
  who gives a damn if he is afraid or not

• Jukai Posted: Jul.14 at 3:21 pm
  If this was just Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, I’d say they’d have to worry about Boston.
  Mike Miller is a serviceable player who will spread the floor a bit — HUMONGOUS ON A TEAM WITH SUCH TALENT
  Haslem is a tough-nosed but mediocre power forward who knows his role—- HUMONGOUS ON A TEAM WITH SUCH TALENT
  Big Z/Juwon Howard will give you 20-30 minutes of lane clogging D, occasionally an open jumper, and very very little else — HUMONGOUS ON A TEAM WITH SUCH TALENT
  People are downplaying the pickups the Heat are getting because they, by themselves, are unimpressive players…. but you have two of the top-5/three of the top-10 players in the NBA on one team. Getting proven NBA talent instead of D-Leaguer/Second Rounders is such a massive improvement. They wont make the same mistakes. They will be able to knock down all open shots, grab all the open rebounds, and know how to play it on the defensive end.
  People need to recognize this, and stop using that “limited talent” baloney.

• Jukai Posted: Jul.14 at 3:22 pm
  Also, if Lebron moves to the point, Wade will be guarding the point guards. Lebron will guard the two/three spot. Duh.

• The Seed Posted: Jul.14 at 3:23 pm
  I am glad Ray Allen is not scared of the HEAT, Allen just shoot better against the B Team!!

• BostonBaller Posted: Jul.14 at 3:33 pm
  You should be pumped Eboy, your team is stacked and getting better but don’t group all other fans together. I recognize what the Heat are doing and they look very powerful but as you and I both know it isn’t going to be easy to get a chip. Yes, I still say my C’s will not only come out of the East but win the chip. We need a couple of more pieces and a bit of luck with health. Everyone can say we are old and that Ray is inconsistent (that’s why Miami wanted him huh) but do not count us out just yet. Don’t even get excited if we do not do great in the regular season b/c we all know that the playoffs are a whole new world. Oh yeah, I’m waaaay over 15. lol.

• doyouwantmore Posted: Jul.14 at 3:35 pm
  Eboy refers to Eboy in the third person. Lebron James would approve.

• BostonBaller Posted: Jul.14 at 3:36 pm
  Don my friend, do you really think the C’s “choked”? Yes, we ran out of gas, especially after Perk went down but there was no choking. as far as not wanting to see the Heat in the playoffs, A veteran team truly doe not care who they play in the playoffs they just adjust and play hard. You will be right at some point if you continue to say they are too old then you can say I told you so…”book it” or whatever. Everyone who rags on Ray would change their tune if their team had picked him up this year…don’t lie. I truly hope Rondo is working out with Ray this summer on his J and continues to work on his FT’s which were better in the playoffs. I think it’s a great sign that my grass is still plush and GREEN while everyone else’s has burned. hahaha (RANDOM).

• dub31582 Posted: Jul.14 at 3:47 pm
  Celtics have the best D in the East. D wins championships. Picking up Jermaine Oneal was a great move. Miami is putting some pieces together, but I wouldn’t be counting out Boston just yet.

• Sporting-Lisbon-Blazers Posted: Jul.14 at 3:51 pm
  WOW, Eboy looks like the typical new-rich guy, show some class whydontya?! instead of happy you spillin hate…thats not a good sign when your team got Flah, Bron and RuPaul…

• BostonBaller Posted: Jul.14 at 4:10 pm
  leave Eboy alone, he’s overjoyed and doesn’t know which way to turn…He’s probably bursting at the seems and can’t wait until the season starts. I was hyped up when The C’s got Ray then KG so I almost know how he feels. I just didn’t knock other teams and players in the process of my joy. lol. He knows they will not win every game and that they will lose to a couple of terrible teams but he has enough sense not to jump off a bridge when it happens. aaaaawwwww it’s raining, how refreshing. Time to go enjoy life.

• Anton Posted: Jul.14 at 4:52 pm
  Drake = LeBron (overhyped douche)
  Hannah Montana = Wade (da man)
  Justin Bieber = Bosh (skillful yet annoying)

• JTaylor21 Posted: Jul.14 at 4:56 pm
  Yeah sure picking up jermanine is great move. the same jermaine that went something like 4 for 50 vs the celtics in the playoffs. Thats has gots to be the worst conversion rate for someone that plays so close to the basket. I rather have sheed over Jo anyday.

• JTaylor21 Posted: Jul.14 at 4:59 pm
  Damn anton u listen to hannah more than drake. I know that drake can get on ur nerves with all that whinning crap but damn disney’s child slave.

• Overtime Posted: Jul.14 at 5:19 pm
  @Eboy,
  I did think it was funny when I read it as rage from a lion

• T-Money Posted: Jul.14 at 5:51 pm
  To commenters talking about Rondo and his supporting cast. Rondo just had a favourable match up against Mo Williams. I was SO disappointed by how he played vs Orl and especially LA. It was CLEARLY PP’s and KG’s team when the games really mattered. Rondo is overrated. I love his game but he shot 26% from the FT line in the Finals and didn’t want to get touch down the stretch. That’s a bad combo when your jumper is non existent. Now that the dust has settled, idiots can stop comparing him to CP3 or D Will or even Derrick Rose.

• riggs Posted: Jul.14 at 6:00 pm
  or not.

• fatmencantjump Posted: Jul.14 at 7:03 pm
  Haet’s 3 still have a lot to prove.. but hey they also have plenty of years ahead.

• hobbes Posted: Jul.14 at 7:36 pm
  Ray is on point just like his shot in Game 2. Miami wont pass the C at least not yet. Lakers all the way babe~

• Sporting-Lisbon-Blazers Posted: Jul.14 at 7:46 pm
  paaalease…dont put drose on cp and dwills place, tmoney, not there yet, not even close.

• Tarzan Cooper Posted: Jul.14 at 9:03 pm
  Cosign tmoney about rondo, he is way overrated. He couldnt shoot, and driving to the rim would result in badly bricked fts.he was shook in a major way. And lol @ bostonballer saying he shot fts better in playoffs, talk about greenglasses. And let eboy do his thing, its nothing lal fans havent been doing since the crybaby was given his teddybear(pau). And yea, if u say a team is too old , eventually u will be right

• phil Posted: Jul.14 at 9:12 pm
  @Eboy’s 2nd comment. talking about urself in the 3rd person. classic lebron

• Kid Canada Posted: Jul.14 at 10:26 pm
  if he isn’t afraid of them he is just stupid

• Shem Posted: Jul.14 at 10:27 pm
  Let’s be honest, all good defensive players are all athletic. I think the game of basketball is 60% skill 40% athleticism. But on the defensive end it may be a little more like 80% athleticism and 20% skill. I can throw as many percentages as I want out there, but there’s a reason why Zach Randolph, Greg Ostertag, Kurt Rambis etc. aren’t making any All- Defensive teams. Look at this year, Dwight, Rondo, Kobe, Bron, and Gerald Wallace. All top of the food chain athletes. The only unathletic great defender that comes to mind is Tim Duncan and he’s the greatest PF of all time. Back to the point, Boston is getting old and LeBron, Wade and Bosh CAN form a great defensive team (the Heat played great D last year). Boston is getting old, they’re proven but I think this would make a great series.

• The Philosopher Posted: Jul.14 at 10:43 pm
  @Shem:
  What about Shane Battier, Chauncey Billups, Bruce Bowen, Raja Bell, etc.?

• The Promise Posted: Jul.15 at 12:16 am
  Philosopher has a point, defense isn’t really about athleticism, its about sheer will a lot of times, who wants it more. LeBron is an overatted defender if you ask me, he gets away with a lot because of his shot blocking. Wade is the only great defender on that team. Don’t annoint these guys just yet, they have a lot to prove.

• sonyaNBA Posted: Jul.15 at 12:21 am
  hilarious that some ppl on here think lebron wade and bosh took some huge paycut. seriously funny. ever heard of state income taxes? players in miami haven’t. also, with all the publicity and endorsements that theyll get together playing on one team should just about make up for any chump change that they supposedly “left on the table”.

• Anton Posted: Jul.15 at 12:51 am
  @ThePromise - Bron is a good 2/3 defender when he wants to be. He basically took Wade out of the 1-on-1 matchups last season, especially in the 4th quarter. Did a good job on Pierce in the playoffs before he mailed it in too.

• Jukai Posted: Jul.15 at 2:03 am
  Shem: Please read up on some bball history before you speak. Kurt Rambis was pretty much on an NBA roster BECAUSE of his defense, both on the boards and man-to-man. He was never on a defensive team because he didn’t play enough minutes cause he was awful offensively. Lord…
  ThePromise: Lebron is one of the best defenders on the team. I really have no idea where you’re coming from on this one. Comparatively, Lebron is a better iso defender than Wade. The only HUGE problem Lebron has on defense is that he plays a bit away from his man and uses his ridiculous leaping abilities to throw a hand in someone’s face, and if a defender pump fakes him properly, Lebron is always called for the foul.
  Outside of that, he’s pretty solid to above average all around.
  People’s hate for Lebron really goes beyond limits.

• Jr Posted: Jul.15 at 2:39 am
  Lets all calm down guys. Lets just wait for the season to start.

• Eduardo Posted: Jul.15 at 3:10 am
  Miami Heat are the far superior team as they’re all in their prime while the Celtics are well past there’s. But an advantage that the Celtics have is that they’re deeper on the bench. Miami can only afford vet minimums for their bench besides Miller. Also proven with last year Doc Rivers manages his players minutes really well through injuries. So if they Big Three in Miami if either one of them get injured they could be in a bit of trouble with their supporting cast needing to step up. Celtics are also constructed around DEFENSE, so will have to see how the rest of this Heats team shapes up as LeBron is their primary defensive stopper.

• jdn41 Posted: Jul.15 at 3:30 am
  miami so stacked any if anyone doesn’t see that they are just straight up ignorant they will prolly win this year however wade will always have one more ring than lebron

• rikson Posted: Jul.15 at 4:50 am
  Always loved the Heat (since Tim) but I hate LeBron… you see my dilemma!

• Sturm Drang Posted: Jul.15 at 6:12 am
  The biggest problem with the Heat is that they are basically a completely new team. They have no established chemistry, they have no history together, etc. No, the Olympics don’t count - the US team dominated so excessively with its loaded roster that chemistry was never an issue and they were not truly tested.

• BostonBaller Posted: Jul.15 at 10:36 am
  @Tarzan Cooper I stand corrected (slightly) RR shot 62% in the reg & 60 in the playoffs but the glasses aren’t green. I should have worded my statement better by saying part of the playoffs he shot better (80% 1st round) I should have remembered that some of you can’t wait until something is written that might be a bit off so you can pounce on it to make your point seem more valid. lol. I’m not saying RR is #1 but he is top 5 and you have to be wearing glasses with bricks for lenses not to see that. Regardless if you use game stats or head to head matchups with the top pg’s you can clearly see he is up and coming. Again, I say I hope he is utilizing Ray and others to improve on his weaknesses. Where are you from and what is your team? A lot of cats on this site like to bash players on teams they don’t like even though those players may be better than those on their favorite team…glasses are shaded when you wouldn’t take another player over whom you have on your team. I’ve said plenty of times that I’d take Dfish, Bynum, Big Z and others as additions to the C’s but I guess the glare from my green glasses or The C’s trophies blinded some of you from those words. lol. BTW, The Magic, Cavs and last years version of The Heat don’t think RR is overrated. hahahaha.

• BostonBaller Posted: Jul.15 at 10:42 am
  True Heat fans are cool but band wagon jumpers get on my nerves just like those here that jumped on the C’s wagon as soon as we got Ray & KG..those same fans fell off during the season last year just to climb aboard during the playoffs. If you’ve been down with a team when they were down for years, of course you get amped when they finally get rolling and all bandwagoners do is drive up the price of merchandise. lol. good luck to real Heat fans who want to get a ticket w/out a 2nd job. lol

• Allenp Posted: Jul.15 at 12:26 pm
  Allenp thinks that some of y’all are funny. He believes that people are underestimating the mindset of the Heat who are likely hearing all the whispers about their collective egos, and the doubters who say they can’t co-exist. Allenp remembers how the player got along just find in the Olympics, and he wonders why people think they can’t do that for at least the next three years in Miami. Allenp thinks that by year 4, there will be definite problems as guys start angling for their last big contract and worrying more about numbers, but ultimately he thinks things will be fine for at least three years. Allenp enjoys the opportunity to bring his talents to Slamonline, and hopes fans will understand when he does things that don’t make them happy.
  Hi Eboy.

• BostonBaller Posted: Jul.16 at 3:12 pm
  Allenp is correct, Allenp understands the game, Allenp remembers the Olympics. I agree with Allenp when he says they should be able to check their egos especially since Wade will lead by example. They were indeed able to work together in the Olympics even though I’m sure it was easier to do then b/c of the caliber of talent with them. They should be able to play well together especially by getting and resigning quality players like they have so far. I’m just not buying into the whole automatic chip some ppl are willing to chew on. lol.

• JL Posted: Jul.23 at 4:32 pm
  It’s going to be heat lakers finals. lakers are looking good defensively and have a stronger inside game. heat have a better top 3. wade-kobe, bosh-gasol, and lebron against everyone else is still… well we’ve seen him go 1 on 5. it still works. it’s gonna be a close one! if bynum is healthy and banging then lakers have the edge. if not then it’s the heat. boston is good but too old, unless the refs let them play the same beat down defense, which no other team plays better. orlando still need to prove themselves to be consistent enough with their 3pt shots. you never know if they can get hot. carter hasn’t stayed hot in the playoffs though. lewis needs more shots.