Can Miami be realistically stopped in the East?

[thabisyo]

Everyone keeps coming with reasons why a certain team can stop Miami. Forgetting the usual stuff that you can beat Miami with size, Miami has shown an ability to hardly ever lose two games in a row and win almost at will after a loss.

For Miami to win big games, either Wade or Bosh have to show up cause Lebron will be their once the press starts criticizing him. One of the Most overlooked factors when it comes to Miami is how Lebron hates it when the press starts attacking him and he retaliates at will against the opposition.

Chalmers becomes an unstoppable beast in important games during a series. The guy has cold veins and can just take over a game as well as some of the best in the game.

I still do not see how Miami loses in the east, bigman or not :confusedshrug:, unless Lebron gets injured, I really can not see them losing east. Some how, some way, they will be just fine against the bigmen in the east as usual

[cos88]

yes the knicks look solid this year with the 1st round pick bargnani and the defensive specialist artest :roll:



on: indiana really has chances, also nets.

[KrizMiz]

Yes! no doubt, no TEAM is unstoppable!

[Mr Exlax]

I'm still gonna say that my Pacers can beat them.

[miles berg]

Brooklyn will give them all they can handle, Indiana & Chicago are already in that category.

The East semi's should be amazing this year.

[treadster]

pacers, bulls, maybe nets could challenge the heat

[The JKidd Kid]

Nets, Bulls, Pacers all have the size to beat the heat.

[SilkkTheShocker]

The Nets best player is Deron Williams. They aren't winning a title.

[DMAVS41]

I'd favor the Pacers right now over them in a series. Even more if the Pacers flip Granger into things they actually need before the trade deadline.

[boozehound]

yes, they almost lost to the pacers last year when their best player off the bench was psycho t and they had no ball handlers off the bench. Granger is coming back (or will be traded for quality pieces), scola is a massive upgrade and so is collison.

[thabisyo]

yes, they almost lost to the pacers last year when their best player off the bench was psycho t and they had no ball handlers off the bench. Granger is coming back (or will be traded for quality pieces), scola is a massive upgrade and so is collison.

but you are forgetting an injured wade

[red1]

They were taken to 7 games by a pacer team who's stars are still improving, a team that holds serious match-up advantages over them. If the seeding goes according to prediction, the heat will have to beat two of either the pacers bulls and nets - all teams who can physically bully the heat. By the time the ECF and nba finals roll around, the heat will be more beat up this year than they have ever been. They are coming off a third straight trip to the finals and will be matching up against teams with large frontcourts, so yes, of course they can realistically be stopped.

[SilkkTheShocker]

but you are forgetting an injured wade

They always seem to forget. All the haters have is "almost" scenarios :oldlol:

[Bigsmoke]

They were taken to 7 games by a pacer team who's stars are still improving, a team that holds serious match-up advantages over them. If the seeding goes according to prediction, the heat will have to beat two of either the pacers bulls and nets - all teams who can physically bully the heat. By the time the ECF and nba finals roll around, the heat will be more beat up this year than they have ever been. They are coming off a third straight trip to the finals and will be matching up against teams with large frontcourts, so yes, of course they can realistically be stopped.
That isnt always the case


The Hawks took the 2008 champs Celtics to 7 game. Despite that, they were never looked at as a bigger threat than the Lakers that year nor that following year.

[DMAVS41]

That isnt always the case


The Hawks took the 2008 champs Celtics to 7 game. Despite that, they were never looked as a bigger threat than the Lakers that year

That is a different example in my opinion. The Pacers are going to be better this year and unless the Heat get Oden and he's great for them...the Pacers, Bulls, and Nets all play a style that is a nightmare for the Heat.

Combine that with old age and wear and tear...and it's trouble. Unless Wade or Bosh gets back to playing great ball...the Heat are in big trouble.

[red1]

That isnt always the case


The Hawks took the 2008 champs Celtics to 7 game. Despite that, they were never looked as a bigger threat than the Lakers that year
The difference is the fact that the pacers will always have huge advantages over the heat and the pacers are still improving. If the hawks replayed the celtics we all know who would win the series. If the heat replay the pacers, I might put some money on indiana

[red1]

pacers were a lebron game-winning layup away from having the chance to go up 2-0

[SilkkTheShocker]

pacers were a lebron game-winning layup away from having the chance to go up 2-0

This isn't good logic. The 13 Heat responded to every playoff loss with a win. I don't think its fair to assume Pacers still take game 2.

[Uncle Drew]

The Nets best player is Deron Williams. They aren't winning a title.
Although I do agree you can't win a title with Deron ''scrub'' Williams as your starting PG, he isn't the Nets' best player. They should start Shaun Livingston over Williams.

[thabisyo]

This isn't good logic. The 13 Heat responded to every playoff loss with a win. I don't think its fair to assume Pacers still take game 2.

Exactly, They were not losing two consecutive games

[Trollsmasher]

They were taken to 7 games by a pacer team who's stars are still improving, a team that holds serious match-up advantages over them. If the seeding goes according to prediction, the heat will have to beat two of either the pacers bulls and nets - all teams who can physically bully the heat. By the time the ECF and nba finals roll around, the heat will be more beat up this year than they have ever been. They are coming off a third straight trip to the finals and will be matching up against teams with large frontcourts, so yes, of course they can realistically be stopped.
:biggums:

[qrich]

Indiana will have the best shot. They nearly upset them this past year, and have only improved going from Hansbrough to Scola while essentially adding Granger as well. If not adding Granger himself, whatever pieces they can get in return for him would pay dividends as well.

The improvements of Stephenson and Orlando Johnson will also further strengthen the bench, not to mention the addition of CJ Watson behind George Hill and hopefully the debut of Solomon Hill in the association works out as well.

[boozehound]

This isn't good logic. The 13 Heat responded to every playoff loss with a win. I don't think its fair to assume Pacers still take game 2.
and this is terrible logic. They got killed in game 2. the pacers win game 1 if the coach isnt a complete dumbass about subbing out hibbert, twice.

basing something on a probability such as, well, they never lost 2 in a row is the same as basing something on the existence of Sasquatch.

[DaSeba5]

Of course. A team hasn't been to 4 Finals in a row since the 85 Lakers.

[El Kabong]

Indiana can probably beat them if they play their best, Brooklyn maybe too. Chicago is still a ? at this stage. I'd give a team other than Miami coming out of the East like a 20% chance of happening.

[Spaulding]

Nets, Bulls, Pacers all have the size to beat the heat.

Too bad Pacers are only ones good enough to do so.

Sure you can say healthy rose and new Nets but regardless healthy rose still couldnt beat heat before injury and new Nets are gonna need a year or two to be actual contenders.

[boozehound]

Too bad Pacers are only ones good enough to do so.

Sure you can say healthy rose and new Nets but regardless healthy rose still couldnt beat heat before injury and new Nets are gonna need a year or two to be actual contenders.
the nets are either contenders this year or not at all.

[SilkkTheShocker]

and this is terrible logic. They got killed in game 2. the pacers win game 1 if the coach isnt a complete dumbass about subbing out hibbert, twice.

basing something on a probability such as, well, they never lost 2 in a row is the same as basing something on the existence of Sasquatch.


We don't know what kind of intensity Miami comes out with in game 2 if they lose game 1. And lmao at your insistence of posting "if" scenarios anytime it involves the Heat. I hate to break it to you, but the Miami Heat won the 2013 Championship. Ifs, woulda, coulda, shouldas......that does nothing for me.

[Fresh Kid]

Tha knicks are Tha only team that can stop dem, even David stern knew dat thats why he rigged Tha playoffs last year with knicks injured, hangover, and gave overrated pacers way more free throws than us. Bulls lost a step with Nate gone, and bk nets are overrated, prehistoric and garbage

[Dagouch]

If Everbody is healthy come playoff time the Heat are Clearly the Favorites again to come out of the east by far.

1. Pacers are still built to possibly stop Miami but I'm still not convinced they have enough scoring and has Hibbert really broken thru.

2. Bulls at full strength with even an 80% percent Rose will be there as well. Thibs and his defense will always keep them in it but like the Pacers they don't have that second scoring threat.

3A The Nets and Knicks are a flip flop. Can't deny that the Changes they made have clearly made them better. KG and Pierce shouldn't have that much damage like they did when they logged big minutes last year. However Injuries and rotations will be key. I'm not certain if J. Kidd is the right coach for this. Maybe

3B The Knicks are basically the same with additions with Bargs and Metta. Amare will be on a minutes watch. This one has so many questions. Not sure how Woodson will handle this rotation.

Barring any Major Heat injury they should win the East but we all know thier will be a bunch of X-Factors going in for next season. Should be very interesting to see how the East will shape up.

[boozehound]

We don't know what kind of intensity Miami comes out with in game 2 if they lose game 1. And lmao at your insistence of posting "if" scenarios anytime it involves the Heat. I hate to break it to you, but the Miami Heat won the 2013 Championship. Ifs, woulda, coulda, shouldas......that does nothing for me.
The difference being that my hypothetical scenario changes the substitution pattern for 1 play in a game. Whereas your rewrites an entire game.

Dont you think they came out hard after having to force overtime and barely winning in game 1? Or they were like, a W is a W, we dont need to worry about this team. get out of here, homer

[SilkkTheShocker]

The difference being that my hypothetical scenario changes the substitution pattern for 1 play in a game. Whereas your rewrites an entire game.

Dont you think they came out hard after having to force overtime and barely winning in game 1? Or they were like, a W is a W, we dont need to worry about this team. get out of here, homer


Homer? Please. Like I said, these hypotheticals on ISH do nothing for me. All of them are always geared to why the Heat should have lost. What if Wade was healthy? Do they still go 7 games with Indy/SA?

[boozehound]

Homer? Please. Like I said, these hypotheticals on ISH do nothing for me. All of them are always geared to why the Heat should have lost. What if Wade was healthy? Do they still go 7 games with Indy/SA?
wade is what he is. Hes just as likely to be hurt next year. We are talking about 1 play with a poor substitution. I never said the heat didnt win or that they shouldnt have won, so direct your bs elsewhere.

[SilkkTheShocker]

wade is what he is. Hes just as likely to be hurt next year. We are talking about 1 play with a poor substitution. I never said the heat didnt win or that they shouldnt have won, so direct your bs elsewhere.

Im directing BS? You're the one that insists on harping on all the woulda/coulda garbage in any topic involving Miami. :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[The JKidd Kid]

Although I do agree you can't win a title with Deron ''scrub'' Williams as your starting PG, he isn't the Nets' best player. They should start Shaun Livingston over Williams.

Irving fans have been super salty lately. Are you mad that your one dimensional chucker will never be the Point Guard Williams is?

[SilkkTheShocker]

Irving fans have been super salty lately. Are you mad that your one dimensional chucker will never be the Point Guard Williams is?

Does that include losing a playoff series to Nate Robinson's Bulls?

[Uncle Drew]

Irving fans have been super salty lately. Are you mad that your one dimensional chucker will never be the Point Guard Williams is?
Still mad about the Kyrie > Williams thing I see?

[The JKidd Kid]

Still mad about the Kyrie > Williams thing I see?

But hes not though, like in any way lol.

[Uncle Drew]

He is, deal with it.

[SilkkTheShocker]

He is, deal with it.

:applause:

Deron = whiny little bitch

[The JKidd Kid]

Does that include losing a playoff series to Nate Robinson's Bulls?

Deron didnt lose the series though. Lopez lost it to Joakim Noahs Bulls if we only want to pick 1 player from each team.

[The JKidd Kid]

He is, deal with it.

But hes not in any way. Not passing, shooting, defense or any other part of the game. But you can keep telling yourself he is. :roll:

[SilkkTheShocker]

Deron gets destroyed by Jeremy Lin and Nate Robinson and he is a great defender? :oldlol:

[The JKidd Kid]

Deron gets destroyed by Jeremy Lin and Nate Robinson and he is a great defender? :oldlol:

When did he get destroyed by Lin you mean the first game Lin ever played? Robinson only out played him for one quarter of the entire series, but you trolls just cant wrap your mind around that can you?

[Uncle Drew]

Deron gets destroyed by Jeremy Lin and Nate Robinson and he is a great defender? :oldlol:
I'd take Brandon Jennings over Deron Williams.

[grantz]

yes the knicks look solid this year with the 1st round pick bargnani and the defensive specialist artest :roll:



on: indiana really has chances, also nets.


After giving this some serious thought and created some spreadsheets to simulate all of the permutations among the east coast teams, relative to the possibilities of some of the incomplete rosters, my conclusion is the same. Adding Bargnani to the Knicks makes them the "Heat-Killer" for the East.

[retaxis]

Grantz Bosh hates physical play and bargs is no physical player. Only team that can bring that to them is the pacers. Even the bulls have a psychological disadvantage due to Lebron giving them the thump for many seasons (from the cavs to the heat).

Psycho T was a perfect fit, he played D hard and he was the guy who was willing to give hard fouls when needed. Scola is a little girl compared to him. When it comes to a tough series (and it always does) scola will throw himself to the ground like when fisher gave him a love tap.

[ralph_i_el]

The only good team that got worse was the celtics. Bulls, Pacers, and Nets should be significantly better next season

[Peteballa]

I'm scared as **** of the Pacers. They took us to 7 and only got better, while we got worse. They could definitely beat us.

Bulls and Nets could also beat us possibly. I'm more worried about the Bulls, because we have no idea how good the Nets really will be, but if everything falls in place for them, watch out.

[thabisyo]

The only good team that got worse was the celtics. Bulls, Pacers, and Nets should be significantly better next season

Bulls are overrated when it comes to the heat. The heat will still beat them with ease. as far as the nets go, I can not say for now till they play the first game

[Dro]

I'm scared as **** of the Pacers. They took us to 7 and only got better, while we got worse. They could definitely beat us.

Bulls and Nets could also beat us possibly. I'm more worried about the Bulls, because we have no idea how good the Nets really will be, but if everything falls in place for them, watch out.
Wow a rational Heat fan...Nice:applause:

[ILLsmak]

Of course. A team hasn't been to 4 Finals in a row since the 85 Lakers.

yea, I think it's time for them to lose.

-Smak

[retaxis]

Pacers are built to stop the heat but can they stay healthy?

[hawke812]

but you are forgetting an injured wade

No one is "forgetting" an injured wade. We all forgot what a healthy wade in the playoffs looks like. Dude has been injured year in and year out if he plays during the regular season.

You believe that will change as time goes on? It will only get worse.

[thabisyo]

Pacers are built to stop the heat but can they stay healthy?

They cant stop the heat. The heat were not even healthy and yet they won :lol

If wade , lebron and bosh are healthy, they wont beat the heat. This size obsession is ridiculous

[TylerOO]

Absolutely. Bulls and Pacers are gonna be a problem

[thabisyo]

Absolutely. Bulls and Pacers are gonna be a problem

Not the bulls dude

[boozehound]

They cant stop the heat. The heat were not even healthy and yet they won :lol

If wade , lebron and bosh are healthy, they wont beat the heat. This size obsession is ridiculous
no one is fully healthy. they barely won. It took bad player management and a miracle shot. I wouldnt be so cocky.

[Unbiased_one]

That is a different example in my opinion. The Pacers are going to be better this year and unless the Heat get Oden and he's great for them...the Pacers, Bulls, and Nets all play a style that is a nightmare for the Heat.

Combine that with old age and wear and tear...and it's trouble. Unless Wade or Bosh gets back to playing great ball...the Heat are in big trouble.

I just think the heat played well below their talent level for most of the playoffs. No one in the east should have been able to touch them but the heat played down to their opponents' levels.

[Unbiased_one]

Not the bulls dude

Why not? The bulls have a legit superstar who has by far the best supporting cast in the league.

[Jameerthefear]

They can definitely be stopped, but I don't think anyone can do it but the Pacers. They have gotten better and they definitely have the tools.

[DaSeba5]

The Pacers scare me. I can't say that about any other team in the East. We have to see how the Nets will play.

[SCdac]

Bosh and Wade don't even have to be amazing for the Heat to win championships

[NumberSix]

Can't be stopped, won't be stopped.

I thought I told you that we won't stop. Ah ha ha ha ha.

[lakerspng]

Barely got through an injury riddled East this past season. Only looked really impressive in last year's playoffs in a few games, were they playing down to competition or are they really just not that great? I don't think, "just good enough" is going to be good enough to win next year, like it was this past year. They're going to have to get better and unfortunately for them, Wade's only going to be a year older and probably more injured/less impactful than he was this season. I wouldn't put my money on the Heat next year unless they make some big roster upgrades, mainly in the front court.

[thabisyo]

Can't be stopped, won't be stopped.

I thought I told you that we won't stop. Ah ha ha ha ha.

These teams have a better chance in 2015, maybe :banana:

[JBrizzy]

The Miami Heats almost got knocked out themselves several times into the playoffs. If the ball bounced a different way they would have been knocked out. They were beatable this year but they still won anyway.

[It's A VC3!!!]

As others have mentioned, the Heat were once bounce away, one rebound, one game winning shot from having zero championships in the last three years. They are not some high and mighty unstoppable team that coasted through the playoffs.

[sportjames23]

Barely got through an injury riddled East this past season. Only looked really impressive in last year's playoffs in a few games, were they playing down to competition or are they really just not that great? I don't think, "just good enough" is going to be good enough to win next year, like it was this past year. They're going to have to get better and unfortunately for them, Wade's only going to be a year older and probably more injured/less impactful than he was this season. I wouldn't put my money on the Heat next year unless they make some big roster upgrades, mainly in the front court.


This here.

[Mr Know It All]

Healthy Bulls, Pacers, and MAYBE Nets can take them out.

My money is on the Bulls. Especially if they can snag Aldridge before the season starts or even at the trade deadline. They're going to be rooting for Portland to bottom out quickly.

I'd like to believe in the Pacers, but they have to show that they can take it to another level offensively. When the Heat turned it on in game 7 they looked pitiful.

And again, the Nets are a wild card. They'll either be a dangerous veteran team or an unfortunate pretender. Hard to trust J-Kidd as a coach or D-Will as the big dog but we'll see.

[diamenz]

Wow a rational Heat fan...Nice:applause:

fo' real. mad respect!

[thabisyo]

What now bitches ?

[oh the horror]

What now bitches ?


What now? I wouldn't bank money on Oden being available for the playoffs dude.

[ihoopallday]

Pacers do scare me. They took Miami to 7 games without one of their best players. Miami has got lucky with star players being hurt during the playoffs. At the same time though, it's not their fault.

[thabisyo]

What now? I wouldn't bank money on Oden being available for the playoffs dude.
He will, wait and see. Even if he is not, the only threat is pacers and they are still going down :roll:

[Apogee]

Out of all the teams in the East, the pacers have the best chance of taking us out. They are built to beat us and it showed during the last playoffs. I haven't been worried about the Bulls for the last couple of years.. They got back Rose but that doesn't really mean much because we've been able to handle before WITH Rose. Bulls haven't gotten better. They need another scoring option to keep up the Heat. Nets.. eh we'll see how the mesh. The potential is there, lets see what happens.

[ConanRulesNBC]

Miami faces it's toughest competition this season out east.

Bulls
Pacers
Nets
Knicks

all those teams are capable of beating them in the east.

[KOBE143]

2 former number 1 draft pick in the same team (LeBron/Oden) with 3 more superstars (Bosh, Wade, Allen) and bunch of good role players.. Is this the kind of help that LeBron needs just to win a cheap ring.. Aside from Wade, its a shame that they cant win a championship for the team that drafted them and needed to join together just to win this ass cheap ring.. Where is the competitive spirit now? Is Kobe the only one remaining with this kind of competitive mentality? If he is then Im embarrass to be a fan of NBA..

[Jax]

Miami faces it's toughest competition this season out east.

Bulls
Pacers
Nets
Knicks

all those teams are capable of beating them in the east.
Yet, we still will hear how weak the East is :oldlol:

[lakerspng]

Yet, we still will hear how weak the East is :oldlol:

It is. Those are all middle/bottom of the playoffs pack in the Western Conference.

[HiphopRelated]

Miami faces it's toughest competition this season out east.

Bulls
Pacers
Nets
Knicks

all those teams are capable of beating them in the east.
and in June we will hear a different tune

[poido123]

Out of all the teams in the East, the pacers have the best chance of taking us out. They are built to beat us and it showed during the last playoffs. I haven't been worried about the Bulls for the last couple of years.. They got back Rose but that doesn't really mean much because we've been able to handle before WITH Rose. Bulls haven't gotten better. They need another scoring option to keep up the Heat. Nets.. eh we'll see how the mesh. The potential is there, lets see what happens.

Maybe you should stick to your own team and not say stupid things like that with the bulls. Bulls are definately better, more experienced and have better players to help rose. Don't underrate the addition o f dunleavy and butler since that 2011 team. Every heat fan says the same thing, we are no different to 2011.:no:

Butler alone a huge upgrade, a guy who can defend lebron better than anyone. Dunleavy can knock down 3s for floor spacing and makes good decisions

[secund2nun]

2 former number 1 draft pick in the same team (LeBron/Oden) with 3 more superstars (Bosh, Wade, Allen) and bunch of good role players.. Is this the kind of help that LeBron needs just to win a cheap ring.. Aside from Wade, its a shame that they cant win a championship for the team that drafted them and needed to join together just to win this ass cheap ring.. Where is the competitive spirit now? Is Kobe the only one remaining with this kind of competitive mentality? If he is then Im embarrass to be a fan of NBA..

Lmao you are hilarious....seriously.

Allen a superstar?

Kobe was drafted by Charlotte.

Kobe had Dwight and Nash join LA. Also he once played with Shaq, Malone, and Payton on one team.

[Fresh Kid]

yes the knicks look solid this year with the 1st round pick bargnani and the defensive specialist artest :roll:



on: indiana really has chances, also nets.
Seek professional help bro.

[Doranku]

Indiana, Nets, and Bulls all have a chance at beating the Heat in a series. For the first time since the Big 3 colluded, they actually have competition in the East.

I'll actually be impressed if they manage to win a title this season unless it's 2013 part 2 again with the injuries.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Indiana, Nets, and Bulls all have a chance at beating the Heat in a series. For the first time since the Big 3 colluded, they actually have competition in the East.

I'll actually be impressed if they manage to win a title this season unless it's 2013 part 2 again with the injuries.
I don't fully agree with that statement. The Heat almost lost to the Celtics in the 2012 playoffs. Last season they almost lost to the Pacers and the Spurs. One more rebound or made shot by the opposing team and LeBron has 0 rings. He will have more competition like the Nets and Bulls, definitely. I just don't know why people think that LeBron never had any competition. It's not like the Heat went 16-0 in the playoffs. 2012 was very weak, aside from the Celtics, but last year was very tough for the Heat. Game 7 against the Pacers and Spurs. A game winner by LeBron saved the series against the Pacers and two offensive rebounds and a clutch three pointer by Ray saved the Pacers series.

But yeah, the Heat's run is over next year. The Nets, Pacers or Bulls will finally knock them out.

[Goldrush25]

As currently constructed, and barring injury or change to a best-of-3 playoff format, no I don't see any current Eastern conference team beating the Heat 4 times in the playoffs.

[Lakers2877]

Pacers getting Granger back. Another year under George and Hibberts belt

Not buying the Nets. No way on the Bulls.

Indy is the only team next year who could possibly upset the Heat

[SamuraiSWISH]

East is toughest conference now, and a playing style best equipped to dethrone Miami. Not saying that anyone of these teams will do it, but they all have the ability depending on execution and the health of Wade.

Pacers
Bulls
Nets
Knicks

[Lakers2877]

Lmao you are hilarious....seriously.

Allen a superstar?

Kobe was drafted by Charlotte.

Kobe had Dwight and Nash join LA. Also he once played with Shaq, Malone, and Payton on one team.
Couple things

Kobe was drafted by Char because that's who Jerry West told them to draft. The Hornets agreed to trade the pick to the Lakers form a solid center vlade divac

Second Nash broke his leg in game 2 of the season and missed the first 2 months. Howard was coming off a major back. Surgery and played almost thee entire year with a torn labrum.

I know alot people don't like kobe and that's cool but if you follow the nba you know the lakers were raved by injuries this year

[Lakers2877]

East is toughest conference now, and a playing style best equipped to dethrone Miami. Not saying that anyone of these teams will do it, but they all have the ability depending on execution and the health of Wade.

Pacers
Bulls
Nets
Knicks
How do you figure it's tougher than the west?

[SamuraiSWISH]

How do you figure it's tougher than the west?
Miami struggles against physical teams, with interior defense and rebounding. The only teams out west that can replicate this are San Antonio (old as hell), and Memphis. OKC I don't believe is talented enough without Harden now to be much of a scare. Otherwise, I think the teams I mentioned have a toughness, and style to them that would give Miami fits. Especially when healthy. Look at the fights Chicago and Indiana gave them all while not being healthy. Chicago alone was missing 4 of their 8 best players during their playoff series.

[thabisyo]

Miami struggles against physical teams, with interior defense and rebounding. The only teams out west that can replicate this are San Antonio (old as hell), and Memphis. OKC I don't believe is talented enough without Harden now to be much of a scare. Otherwise, I think the teams I mentioned have a toughness, and style to them that would give Miami fits. Especially when healthy. Look at the fights Chicago and Indiana gave them all while not being healthy. Chicago alone was missing 4 of their 8 best players during their playoff series.

As much as Miami struggles against the physical teams, I don't think the other teams have enough fire power to take out Miami unless the role players go crazy