Friday, June 10th, 2011 at 10:15 am  |  291 responses

Can the Miami Heat Bounce Back?


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

What began so promisingly for the Miami Heat in these NBA Finals has turned into an absolute nightmare. After winning the series opener in convincing fashion, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for America’s Most Hated Squad.

LeBron James hasn’t lived up to the hype (on both ends of the floor), Dwyane Wade — brilliant throughout the series — is dealing with a potentially worrisome injury, Erik Spoelstra has been outcoached by Rick Carlisle, and Dirk Nowitzki is threatening to run away with the Finals MVP.

But all hope is not lost, despite a 3-2 series lead for the Dallas Mavericks. After all, the Lakers were in this exact same situation last year in the Finals. And things turned out OK for them.

The Heat need two consecutive victories to survive and clinch a title, and they’ll have a couple of chances at home (potentially) to get it done.

Though clearly concerned by the predicament they currently find themselves in, Miami’s two superstars and its coach know they still have an opportunity to do something special.

From ESPN and the Sun-Sentinel:

James and Wade were supposed to shine together in these moments on their way to winning multiple championships. That talk is gone, with the Heat needing to win the last two games to keep this season from ending in disappointment. Now, the discussion is whether James can perform on the grandest of stages.

The Mavs have never stopped believing they were going to win this series, and the Heat have helped them along, so often giving them an out. Now, Dallas looks like the more confident team even as it will have to overcome the Heat’s last resort — home-court advantage in the final two games of the series. When Game 6 and then maybe Game 7 are close at the end, the Mavs will have no problem believing they can pull it off. They did in Games 2 and 4, and those achievements made Game 5 felt like a haymaker.

“We just got to push through it,” James said. “At this point we have no choice, honestly.”

It’s been an incredibly entertaining series up to this point. It’s now up to the Miami Heat to ensure that it somehow goes to even greater heights.

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  • http://www.slamonline.com MichaelG

    @ Enigmatic do you have 4 handles?

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    Man I ain’t seen you in the threads in weeks man.

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    MichaelG, the triple double is respectable. However, the Heat offense was clearly stalling in the final couple of minutes. Shouldn’t the best scorer on the team get a few buckets? The only shot he made in the 4th was an uncontested layup. I feel like 09-10 LeBron is superior to 10-11 Bron.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    @Caboose 09-10 Lebron is definitely waaaay better than 10-11 Lebron

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    Nah, just two. And a third one (Unf★ckwitable) once.
    @BlackPhantom – I was going by my real name on here.
    Rigo Gonzalez? That’s me.
    But I’m giving serious thought to switching back to this. Gonna playing around with both lately.

  • ebz

    wow all these supposed basketball fans and cant tell this is fixed watch the games closely its all fixed miami in 7 the big bad 3 will win the title with lebron having two huge games to secure the finals mvp story book ending with mike jordan theatrics included thanks for ruining the sport

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    I freakin knew it! Dang it I guessed that like weeks back, but wasn’t really sure.

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    Yeah BP, this new LeBron just seems like he doesn’t have an identity. Everyone wants him to be the killer villain but he doesn’t have it in him. I hate speculation, but maybe all the hate from fans/media is getting to him?

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    Ha!
    It wasn’t no secret, lil’ homie.
    I said on here I was gonna switch to using my government name, but like I said, I’m kinda on the fence about it.
    “Enigmatic” has a history on here. That’s still what most people know me as.

  • Slam_Reader

    Eboy, where are you, baby?!

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    Hey Enig, I know I don’t comment on here much, but I think “Enigmatic” is the way to go. It’s what we all know you as.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    @Caboose, He doesn’t act like it doesn’t get to him. If it doesn’t get to him I’m sure he’d be playing better right now.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    Man, that Eboy response earlier was GANGSTA.
    He just let the insults fly.
    And man it’s nearly impossible to watch the video of the Miami stars mocking Dirk’s illness.
    It’s been deleted from both links posted here.
    DunkGate allover again :)

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    True BP. I’ll be honest, I don’t like the guy but the scrutiny he’s under has to be back breaking.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    *better in the 4th quarter

  • B.J.
  • http://fkjslf.com Jukai

    Dark: they weren’t making fun of Nowitzki. They were making fun of the media making a big DEAL out of Nowitzki’s illness.
    I figured you’d look more into that.
    Wade was asked about it and he said Dirk was a ridiculously skilled player and didn’t need all the dramatics (which one could look as hypocritical, but in a bubble Wade is right). He said Nowitzki never used the illness as an excuse, so the media shouldn’t hype it up either. EVERYONE is injured or sick at this point, but the media chooses the stories to glorify and the ones to ignore.
    That is why Lebron and Wade were joking around about being ill.
    It had nothing to do with Dirk.

  • http://www.slamonline.com MichaelG

    @Caboose, Yeah 09’10 Lebron also had Mo Williams as a 2nd scoring option. That said, you’re right. In this situation, he needs to stop defering to Wade soo damn much and do him. like another commenter suggested…”decide to bring his talents to the 4th qtr”. If Spo cant figure this out after 5 games, and doesn’t put a game plan together that focuses on LeBron being the agressor than he’s gone. This has to be painfull for Riley to watch. He knows what Phil knows. If you have 2 of the best players in the game, and one happens to be the most dominant…HE’S your option #1! and every player in the locker room, like it or not needs to recognize. LeBron is a big boy tho, and he needs to man the bleep up and go handle his Bidness. Its time for him to have a “Lambert” moment.

  • giogolo

    Media is the only way we all can converge from around the world and talk about the game we love Everything is a process. So is Lebrons journey, so is the evolution of following the game. What this players need to put in their heart and their minds is that everyone in the media and casual fans would be humbled if they stay true to what brought them to their position in their first place. Like Magic said, if you love the game of bask etball. It’s just so easy..and all these haters and manipulating media..is just garbage. Kill the competition Lebron. Everyone hates you bcoz ur not doing what ur supposed to do. have a quality game. Be a bigger jason kidd. Stats are nada. Just kill em. Silence em.

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    Agreed Michael. That said, I would think LeBron would take control of the game even if Spo didn’t run set plays for him. I’m no expert on Miami’s playbook, but it seems that they run plays for the lesser players but just let Wade and LeBron isolate without play calls. I mean, maybe LeBron is staging all this for an incredible home comeback. Sounds crazy, but not out of the question. Either way, the media is gonna kill him for Game 6 if he doesn’t come out guns blazing. However, given what I’ve seen this series, I don’t know if it’ll happen.

  • Niyagirlfresh

    Why are you guys feeling sorry for LeBron the most hated man in the league for the past decade or so Kobe Bryant should feel slighted. I don’t remember people or fans coming out of the woods defending him everyone jumped on the bandwagon to bash him and Kobe didn’t have to do a take my talents to another team interview to be hated he’s been hated for 15 seasons plus for no damn reason lol. But LeBron will come out and play to his level during game 6. All players respond well with their backs against the wall for some reason. I think it’s the scientific boost adrenaline gives your body when it’s nervous, anxious and excited. There’s still two games left in this series. Both teams should have figured one another out by now if not their coaching staff isn’t doing their job. Going to be interesting Sunday. Defense and refs decide the games. I’m going for Dallas because Jason and Dirk need their rings now, Miami has a roster full of fresh legs so they have a couple of runs left before they win a title. Dallas needs it now.

  • http://fivemag.de Speedy

    Niyagirlfresh
    Kobe as rookie refused to play for the team that drafted him(charlotte) so that they had to pull a trade that send him to LA.
    So he made his way to sunny California without ever playing a game above high school level.
    Think of that before you talk about LeBron’s ways.

  • B-More Mike

    The man REFUSED to play for Charlotte? News 2 me & probably everyone else. Why no has ever brought this up is beyond me, thought that was the logo working his usual magic.

  • B-More Mike

    When you go by the moniker”The King” or “chosen one” and your going 2 be compared 2 all time greats just leave it on the floor. Yeah the greats had bad games, but you never seen them like this on the biggest stage. He is by far the most talented, physically gifted player I’ve ever seen, but the guys he’s compared 2 were stone cold killers who didn’t mind failing as long as they left every ounce of sweat on the court. When you’re given everything as a adolescent, coddled as a pro you don’t know how to handle when someone tells you no. They don’t hand out rings cause you’re the most talented or because you chose 2″ take your talents 2 south beach” I actually think he thought everyone would roll over & just give them the ring. YOU HAVE 2 TAKE IT. People call him the KING 4 what, he ain’t done $hit. I want so bad 4 this guy 2 take off (I thought this was over after the C’s & Bulls) so all this worshipping can be justified by his croonies.

  • B-More Mike

    Now it’s fatigue, 2 weeks ago he was best conditioned athlete who ever walked the earth thanks 2 yoga, pilates & swimming. Now he’s fatigued. I blame the Media 4 some of back & forth with lebron cause 1 minute they you have thinking he’s gods only begotten son the next he’s friggin lucifer over here. Oh yeah Rashard Lewis is linked 2 his baby momma. Google it!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    @Speedy Kobe didn’t refuse to play for Charlotte, the Lakers really wanted him, he didn’t beg for the trade on draft day.

  • http://fivemag.de Speedy

    @Black Phantom
    Then german basketball mag ‘Basket’ (only source for B-Ball back then for me) made it up.
    I just read that Kobe wanted to play in a big market and so Divac and someone else got traded for him.

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    Not to mention that whole thing in Colorado…

  • B-More Mike

    Yeah that thing in Colorado where the broad had 4 different semens in her draws. Gotta love how everybody on this site are stand up, god fearing men & women. Who knows what hides in your closet Caboose?

  • http://fkjslf.com Jukai

    B Moore Mike & Speedy: Kobe’s agent made it pretty clear that no one else should draft Kobe but the Lakers or Kobe may wind up in Italy. The Hornets drafted him cause they knew they could trade him. So yeah, Kobe didn’t refuse to play for Charlotte…. he refused to play for anyone but the Lakers.
    Not saying Kobe’s antics are worse then Lebron’s excuses, just correcting your perceptions of the situation.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Max

    Heat fans click this
    http://imgur.com/e5u9S
    In these bad times, just to cheer you up a bit

  • BostonBaller

    They don’t need to bounce back…they are at home for the next game and possibly a 7th game (I love game 7′s) They are super talented and if The Beast awakens along w/ Wade being Wade they could play out of this world and all the LBJ bashing would be forgotten. lol. I want Kidd to get a ring so I’m pulling for The Mavs but when it’s all said and done I just want to see some great ball games. This has been a great series!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    Thanks Jukai, I knew he wanted to play for LA, but I was like going on 2 when he was drafted(yeah im very young, started watching b-ball in ’99)so I didn’t know absolutely everything but I know he didn’t really REFUSE to go to Charlotte like Eli Manning in the ’04 NFL Draft when he refused to go to San Diego.

  • pca

    I hope Miami Heat loses (sorry Heat fans)
    James and Wade need to grow some humility (making fun of Nowitzki) that was nasty, foolish and a bad example for young fans.

    Go Dirk

  • http://slamonline.com Jukai

    B-More Mike: Even a promiscuous girl has a right to tell a guy no to bending her over a chair and ripping her a-hole open. Her being a smut doesn’t give Kobe the right to do what he wants to her. Even if she agreed to sleep w/ him, she said no to that and he didn’t listen. Kobe is arrogant and felt he was entitled to be an uninvited an*l guest. That’s one of the reasons ppl don’t like him. I know you won’t understand why that is wrong, because you guys in Baltimore do that type of stuff to boys and girls alike from the time you are teens, but it’s wrong.

  • B-More Mike

    I’m just saying everybody an all-American when it comes to judging others. I like Kobe & Lebron so if either had a run in with a chick Im not getting on slam talking high & mighty cause it could easily be me. As far as guys in Baltimore raping, naw we don’t do that. We sell drugs & get money. Do your research before you come out your mouth sloppy.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    Damn Kobe…

  • http://fkjslf.com Jukai

    B-Moore Mike: The 7:15 post ain’t mine, someone grabbed my screen name. I’d never say ‘ppl’

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    Kobe really did that? I mean she comes into your room and you pull THAT?? I don’t think I’d ever do an*l, it’d probably be weird as hell.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    Yo Eboy, getcha glow sticks, E, and house music ready! The Mavs are soon to be world champs, baby.

  • Kyle

    It’s so hilarious that people are saying that LeBron is one of the top 3 basketball players on this planet. At times he’s been the 10th best player in the 4th quarter(almost every game in the Finals so far.) Does that make sense?

    He and Wade are injuries waiting to happen, and Dirk’s style of play is something that will get better with age. I think most guys would rather have Howard, Wade, Kobe(even if he’s getting older), Dirk, Paul, Durant because of his age, or Nash who’s a better point guard(I know James would rather pass in the 4th quarter but is that what he’s paid to do?) Deal with it… he’s overrated.

    Look at the numbers in the fourth quarter… Haslem is outscoring him.

  • http://fkjslf.com Jukai

    ^^^ I feel most guys would still rather have Lebron. Just BTW.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    I’d rather have Lebron if we’re talking Cleveland Cavs Lebron and it’s the whole quarter instead of the last shot.

  • Basketball Beast

    Yea i know with heat playin at home. they will win i bet they will win. if not lebron did not play his hardess

  • http://fkjslf.com Jukai

    I don’t really think there is a difference between the Cleveland Cav Lebron and the Miami Heat Lebron. I think he’s having a subpar series and is having trouble decision making, juggling between finding scoring opportunities and not throwing off Wade, who is performing wonderfully.
    I mean, does the Chicago and Boston series 4th quarters count as Cleveland Cavs Lebron or something?

  • http://fivemag.de Speedy

    So Kobe refused to play for any team but the Lakers.
    Makes it even worse.

  • http://fivemag.de Speedy

    Thanks for the info, Jukai.

  • http://www.slamoline.com Max

    @ Jukai
    Lebron having troubles making ‘decisions’?
    DAMN!

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    Carmelo will be playing long after LePrince and Wade are both finished. BOOK IT!

  • Marklewis2307

    At the end of the day why doesn’t everyone just wait and judge Lebron when is playing days are over!! I remember a game when Jordan only scored 10 and things turned out ok for him! Now I’m not saying lebron is the next Jordan but if mikes so much better than Bron like everyone on here is quick to highlight surely that goes to show even the greatest players have subpar games now and then!!! Let’s just see how many rings he has in 8-10 years and then talk

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