Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
just like in the days of michael jordan's run on those 2 three-peats, i was rooting hard for the other team as i can't bear a jordan dynasty. so this time, since the c's are in complete disarray, i have no other team in the east to pin that hope in beating the heat other than the knicks, with the pacers a second choice. the knicks have personnel pieces man for man, imo, to match up with the heat. the heat's big advantage is their experience of winning games in playoffs and being a cohesive well-oiled machine and i give a lot of credit to their coaching staff, pat riley included (his input as a former multi-ringed coach is too valuable). in short, the heat is a very consistent team. chandler and new discovery kenyon martin, plus a returning amare can clog the lanes in the mold of the dallas championship team a couple of years a go. no 1 player can defend lebron. and rick carlisle's tactic then was to throw lebron with many defenders and play the mini-zone. celtics were 1 game from knocking off the heat and at home for the kill but had no answer for lebron's 45 game night. it shows lebron has the will now to carry everything in his shoulders and that is yet another advantage they have over anyone. if only melo can have that mind-set. maybe he needs to grow some beard and look tougher. it takes more than player personnel to beat the heat. it takes a fierce and hungry team effort, i hope the knicks can revive those slam bang rivalries with the heat and play tough. otherwise, it will be just like jordan's bulls - it will be destiny for the heat.
Phil
I have told you so many times how I truly enjoy your narratives on basketball as well as your unbelievable memory of scores in games decades past. I can't remember what I did yesterday
Keep em coming buddy.
BTW when do you come to LA again as I am but an hour south.