No matter how you felt about the Miami Big 3 Era, it was super exciting

[lilteapot]

from 2011-2013 it was an exciting team to watch. Lebron-Wade duo was as exciting, if not more exciting than we expected it to be, and that Heat team provided us with some great playoff battles, and just basketball moments in general.

I'm going to look back at that team very favorably in a few years. you just gotta appreciate what that team was able to accomplish in the short time they were together.

[ripthekik]

nah, it sucked. Killed competition, made things easier, made the league a joke.

[lilteapot]

nah, it sucked. Killed competition, made things easier, made the league a joke.
How did it kill competition when:

1. 1 year they weren't the 1st seed
2. they got taken to game 7's in a number of series
3. lost 2/4 finals that they were in

[Cocaine80s]

it wasnt exciting for the rest of the league:oldlol:

[SpecialQue]

I honestly found their style of basketball boring. I was much more entertained by the Clippers and Spurs.

[poido123]

I enjoyed watching them as my team lead by their best player ate skittles in a suit.


Keepin it real yo

[HEAT111]

How did it kill competition when:

1. 1 year they weren't the 1st seed
2. they got taken to game 7's in a number of series
3. lost 2/4 finals that they were in

Don't fall for him. He's another below-average poster. Always talking smack against the Heat.

[Cold soul]

It was exciting to watch for sure and I say this as someone who rooted against them each game every season.

[Real14]

It wasn't good watching LeBron flop like there's no tomorrow and the refs pampering them like crazy.

[JT123]

It revitalized interest in the NBA. They basically became the Dallas Cowboys of basketball. You either loved them or hated them, and there was not a single fan who could honestly say they didn't care about what was happening with them. It's really too bad that Wade declined off a cliff after 2011, cause if he hadn't we could have seen an all time great dynasty. :(

[stalkerforlife]

Actually, it was boring. It was like me playing against a two year old. No one with any sense of real basketball knowledge was impressed with that sideshow.

Stacking your team and eliminating competition due to cowardice didn't excite me at all.

[Real14]

It revitalized interest in the NBA. They basically became the Dallas Cowboys of basketball. You either loved them or hated them, and there was not a single fan who could honestly say they didn't care about what was happening with them. It's really too bad that Wade declined off a cliff after 2011, cause if he hadn't we could have seen an all time great dynasty. :(

don't ever compare them to the 90s cowboys. Just don't.:facepalm

[JT123]

don't ever compare them to the 90s cowboys. Just don't.:facepalm
:facepalm That clearly went right over your head. I was comparing them to the Cowboys in general, not just the 90's version. It doesn't matter if the Cowboys are good or horrible, EVERY NFL fan cares about what is going on with them on Sunday, and always will. It was the same for the big 3 era Heat. The majority of NBA fans were rooting against them, but they probably generated the most interest of any NBA team has since Jordan's Bulls. Simply put, they were really good for the league.

[tpols]

it was very exciting.. lots of great battles.

[KingMichael23]

:facepalm That clearly went right over your head. I was comparing them to the Cowboys in general, not just the 90's version. It doesn't matter if the Cowboys are good or horrible, EVERY NFL fan cares about what is going on with them on Sunday, and always will. It was the same for the big 3 era Heat. The majority of NBA fans were rooting against them, but they probably generated the most interest of any NBA team has since Jordan's Bulls. Simply put, they were really good for the league.
Kobe and Shaq Lakers and Kobe and Pau were more exciting than the 11-14 Heat

[JT123]

Kobe and Shaq Lakers and Kobe and Pau were more exciting than the 11-14 Heat
Kobe and Shaq were more exciting, but they were no where near as polarizing as Miami's big 3. Wade and Bron could have been more exciting if they had teamed up a few years earlier, prior to Wade's decline. :confusedshrug:
Kobe and Pau don't really belong in this conversation. :oldlol: They were good, but not exciting or polarizing. :no:

[AnaheimLakers24]

no memorable games, other than when paul milsap destroyed them

[Cold soul]

Kobe and Shaq were more exciting, but they were no where near as polarizing as Miami's big 3. Wade and Bron could have been more exciting if they had teamed up a few years earlier, prior to Wade's decline. :confusedshrug:
Kobe and Pau don't really belong in this conversation. :oldlol: They were good, but not exciting or polarizing. :no:

Kobe might be the most polarizing NBA player maybe ever. I disagree here.

[RedBlackAttack]

I honestly found their style of basketball boring. I was much more entertained by the Clippers and Spurs.
Agreed. For all the talk about the high flying, transition dunking, no-look passing theatrics we'd be seeing on a nightly basis, it turned out to be a pretty bland brand of offensive basketball.

That isn't to say they weren't very good and their defense was fun to watch at times. When they really locked in during their peak years, they were the best defensive team in the league. Watching them master that hedge and recover style of defending was something to behold.

But, I don't think all that hype was about what they'd be doing defensively. And, while they won two championships, I never thought all members of the Big Three played at their maximum potential together, on the same floor, at the same time. You just always had the feeling that one or two of them had to told back for one or two of them to maximize their respective game.

It was an interesting experiment and I'd say it maybe met expectations, just because they won two titles... but I never found it particularly riveting basketball.

[Heavincent]

Watching them lose in 2011 and 14 was glorious.

[bdreason]

It would have been more exciting with LeBron in Cleveland and Wade in Miami. The East would have been a slugfest the past few years.

[Mr. Jabbar]

scratch half of the league (east) fun factor, and take into account the heat were boring to watch and all you had left was watch the west and hope miami loses.

not exciting

[RedBlackAttack]

no memorable games, other than when paul milsap destroyed them
You have to try a little harder than this, Anaheim. Come on man. The one sentence trolling can be entertaining/funny, but you're just not even trying at this point.

[Collie]

It revitalized interest in the NBA. They basically became the Dallas Cowboys of basketball. Miami fans loved them and everybody else hated them, and there was not a single fan who could honestly say they didn't care about what was happening with them. It's really too bad that Wade declined off a cliff after 2011, cause if he hadn't we could have seen an all time great dynasty. :(

Fixed

[SamuraiSWISH]

They were polarizing, but they inspired a strong reaction out of you one way or the other. No middle of the road stuff. And they were excellently cast as the league's heels. I had fun rooting against them. In terms of on court product? They were exciting when D-Wade was still himself, and high flying. But beyond that, I think the way LeBron's game meshes with Kyrie, and Love would make them a more entertaining on court product.

[stallionaire]

I honestly found their style of basketball boring. I was much more entertained by the Clippers and Spurs.

Is this a joke?:lol :lol :lol

[stallionaire]

Heat were exciting as **** when they were firing on all cylinders and all their guys were playing up to potential when brought in by Pat Riley. LeBron was nothing short of masterful outside of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Finals series where he completely disapeared. Other than that he has been nothing short of masterful and dominant, somehow improving his game in some area during every year of that Heat era. It's insane to think that he will somehow be better in another area next season when he is already too good but I digress.....

That heat team when it was PLAYING TO POTENTIAL was nasty as f.u.c.k.... LeBron's passing and facilitating made him one of the greatest passers in the league when he got to the Heat because he finally had people to dish to. LeBron being able to draw a double team and kick the ball out to one of their many 3pt specialists during the era, Bosh catching with space to shoot at mid-range and always drilling the jumper, Wade's baseline dunks and ability to increase the tempo of the game.

It's too bad Wade was a shadow of his former self during the entire era except during some regular season games and that one Indiana series. They would have went 4/4 if Wade could hit his jumpers at an acceptable %. Dude was disgusting from beyond the arc yet that didn't stop him from throwing up around 2 a game. Just boneheaded and a huge ego. It would really piss me off when you would see Wade yell at LeBron. **** off Wade, LeBron is Albert Einstein compared to your honey boo boo basketball IQ.

[ArbitraryWater]

It would have been more exciting with LeBron in Cleveland and Wade in Miami. The East would have been a slugfest the past few years.

Are you kidding me? Miami and Wade wouldn't have had a shot... In 2011 maybe.. Beyond that? Nah.

[2swift4u]

It's a pity Wade wasn't 100% most of the time. Nevertheless they produced a ton of highlights! I'm sure in a couple of years people (even the haters) will enjoy the Wade+Bron highlight videos on youtube!!

(this just made me think of Wade's full court alley oop to Bron a couple of seasons ago :bowdown: )

[Kaspah]

Hell no

Wasn't exciting at all

I liked their defense, but whenever they had the ball it was like watching the annoying villain you wanna punch in action movies.

They were extremely unlikeable and I'm not just saying that, was very widely known and accepted as such.

[3ball]

Ur right OP... the WWE is fun... :applause:

[SpecialQue]

Is this a joke?:lol :lol :lol

See RBA's post. I'm not bashing their talent, but they certainly weren't the Harlem Globetrotters show that everyone was predicting.

Also, I know this has been run into the ground and is a cliche at this point, but them playing in the east made it a lot less exciting because you knew they were getting to the finals every year. Yes, there were some seven game series, but the outcome was never in doubt.

[r15mohd]

See RBA's post. I'm not bashing their talent, but they certainly weren't the Harlem Globetrotters show that everyone was predicting.

Also, I know this has been run into the ground and is a cliche at this point, but them playing in the east made it a lot less exciting because you knew they were getting to the finals every year. Yes, there were some seven game series, but the outcome was never in doubt.


i'd disagree on the outcomes...they've been picked against on numerous occasions during these past 4-years. Chicago and Pacer series, even the Boston series. These were seen as overcoming expectations going into the series IMO.

regardless, a LOT more attention turned to the NBA by the Big3 in Miami. that cannot be refuted, whether it be hate or pleasure in their collaboration, it came with 4 years of excitement and anticipation to fail from the majority, than there was to succeed (Lebron/Heat fans primarily).

[pegasus]

The cHeaters were boring but they sure knew how to lose in an exciting fashion.

[coin24]

It was funny watching all the die hard cavs fans suddenly all become heat fans..
And what a surprise they're all cav fans again:lol

Back to 1 page heat game threads:cheers:

[lilteapot]

It was funny watching all the die hard cavs fans suddenly all become heat fans..
And what a surprise they're all cav fans again:lol

Back to 1 page heat game threads:cheers:
What a surprise, people want to watch good basketball.

[coin24]

What a surprise, people want to watch good basketball.


False. Bandwagon betas follow bran around..

The heat played boring basketball. The Spurs play good basketball

[dynasty1978]

Kobe and Shaq Lakers and Kobe and Pau were more exciting than the 11-14 Heat

:applause:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association_Nielsen_ratings

The Finals ratings don't lie. Despite the decision, heat index and unprecedented hype by ESPN and the like, the Heat's finals ratings didn't even top the Shaq/Kobe era.

Let's not even bring up the comparison to Jordan's bulls, it's really no contest national-interest wise.

The closest comparison would be to the Kobe/Pau Lakers. The Heat averaged a 10 Finals rating compared to Lakers 9.4.

[JohnnySic]

False. Bandwagon betas follow bran around..

The heat played boring basketball. The Spurs play good basketball
:applause:

Watching LeBron and Wade dribble-drive and kick to open 3 point shooters. That's supposed to be exciting? :sleeping

[JohnnySic]

Watching the Spurs dismantle them was the highlight of the era. Too bad they couldn't close them out in '13 as well.

[lilteapot]

:applause:

Watching LeBron and Wade dribble-drive and kick to open 3 point shooters. That's supposed to be exciting? :sleeping
Did you miss the entire heat season from 2012-2013?

[HEAT111]

Agreed. For all the talk about the high flying, transition dunking, no-look passing theatrics we'd be seeing on a nightly basis, it turned out to be a pretty bland brand of offensive basketball.

That isn't to say they weren't very good and their defense was fun to watch at times. When they really locked in during their peak years, they were the best defensive team in the league. Watching them master that hedge and recover style of defending was something to behold.

But, I don't think all that hype was about what they'd be doing defensively. And, while they won two championships, I never thought all members of the Big Three played at their maximum potential together, on the same floor, at the same time. You just always had the feeling that one or two of them had to told back for one or two of them to maximize their respective game.

It was an interesting experiment and I'd say it maybe met expectations, just because they won two titles... but I never found it particularly riveting basketball.


Well, you can't really say at nightly bases because they're not really Harlem Globetrotters nor did you followed the team every night when they had game. The Heat were one of the best fast-break teams in the NBA and exciting. You guys forget that they were also called Lob City East. Hell, we even had a couple nice full-court passes.

And of course you didn't find it "particularly riveting basketball" because deep down you hated LeBron playing for Miami and now you're giggly giddy after seeing The Cavalier's scrimmage.

[JT123]

Well, you can't really say at nightly bases because they're not really Harlem Globetrotters nor did you followed the team every night when they had game. The Heat were one of the best fast-break teams in the NBA and exciting. You guys forget that they were also called Lob City East. Hell, we even had a couple nice full-court passes.

And of course you didn't find it "particularly riveting basketball" because deep down you hated LeBron playing for Miami and now you're giggly giddy after seeing The Cavalier's scrimmage.
:lebronamazed:
This post is pure truth. Notice how everyone claiming that the Heat were "boring" is a known Lebron hater, or was one at the time. :oldlol:
It's clear as day that the only reason they found the Heat boring is because they hated watching Lebron succeed. Anyone who seriously watched that team knows that they moved the ball the same way the Spurs do, which is why they had the most efficient offense in the league.

[coin24]

Watching the Spurs dismantle them was the highlight of the era. Too bad they couldn't close them out in '13 as well.

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Optimus Prime]

It was actually pretty boring watching The Super Friends dominate The Least.

I barely watched Leastern Conference games because they just didn't matter. Miami was the only team that mattered because The Least was pathetic.

[lilteapot]

It was actually pretty boring watching The Super Friends dominate The Least.

I barely watched Leastern Conference games because they just didn't matter. Miami was the only team that mattered because The Least was pathetic.
You're aware that in 2013 they were taken to 7 games by Chicago and Indiana right? Also by Boston in 2012? You literally have no idea what you're even talking about. They had plenty of competition.

[LBJ 23]

Agreed. For all the talk about the high flying, transition dunking, no-look passing theatrics we'd be seeing on a nightly basis, it turned out to be a pretty bland brand of offensive basketball.



I think they delivered in the department you are describing and I can't agree with you on that one. Especially in their first 2 seasons when Wade was still flying high. We have seen crazy chemistry between the two when it came to putting the ball through the net in a really exciting manner. We've seen full court alleyoops, Lebron jumping over a player, countless fastbreak alleyoops when it came to a point that it was not exciting anymore.We've seen crazy passing chemistry between Wade and James.

Then you had games like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaj1Xl8gOVo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT_byiSjeAc

And chemistry, even if you don't like them can't say that's not exciting to watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3WreF0pmPo

[LongLiveTheKing]

You're aware that in 2013 they were taken to 7 games by Chicago and Indiana right? Also by Boston in 2012? You literally have no idea what you're even talking about. They had plenty of competition.
Chicago didn't take them to seven games it was a five game series.

[Real14]

2011 and 2014 finals were my favorite moments though.:cheers:

[Le Shaqtus]

Those Heat teams were mad boring to watch :lol

[Real14]

Those Heat teams were mad boring to watch :lol
the refs made it worse especially in 2012 postseason.

[Kblaze8855]

It wasnt as exciting as it should have been. Wade fell off with the injuries. 06-2011 Wade for that whole run would have made for more entertaining ball. I can only be so excited watching him square up and take 2 seconds measuring an 18 footer. Also didnt get as much of this:

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dwade-crossover.gif

As he slowed down and handled the ball less.

And Bosh was never just some exciting player. Not like Blake...or pre injury Amare.

How exciting is an open corner 3 or a stepback jumper?

And they lacked the precision and beautiful passing of a team like the spurs that makes average finishes into highlights because of how well they are set up.

They had very tenses moments...some great games.

The team just wasnt as exciting as it would have been with a healthy/younger Wade.

[Ocks]

This team was very exciting to watch for all but last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRBt6uT4txQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuq2mopPUw

I remember in the first half of this game the Lakers were not able to get into their offense at all, the Heat's perimeter defense was top-notch

[BrownEye007]

Not that exciting for me. I still watched basketball but not nearly as much I did the years prior just because I already knew who would be in the finals in the east every year. West coast games were rarely on t.v. around where I live. Soo happy it's over.