Why are the Heat "elite"?

[jasonresno]

Think most can agree the bulls are a better team than the heat right now. Is that what you wanted to hear?

Nope. I want to understand the sport wide denial. Seriously, search any sports website that ranks teams. Miami is consistently top 3. It baffles me.

I know Chicago is better than Miami. Every metric that matters proves it.

[Hulk Hogan]

The Miami Heat were 1-9 against top teams in 2006. "Mavs, Spurs, and Pistons, and Suns"

I don't think the refs will gift the championship to miami like they did in 06.
Unless ofcourse if stern interferes.

[Javat_90]

What do rankings or media/public perception matter? Nothing. All that matters is holding the trophy in June.

Personally, as of now, I see Boston and Chicago with more chances of doing that.

[kaiiu]

Because they have 2 top 5 players in Lebrick and Wade. Honestly as a whole team, the Celtics, Bulls and Knicks are all better

[cteach111]

Because they have 2 top 5 players in Lebrick and Wade. Honestly as a whole team, the Celtics, Bulls and Knicks are all better

hold up on the Knicks now. They had an impressive victory, but give them some time first.

[Koop1]

Think most can agree the bulls are a better team than the heat right now. Is that what you wanted to hear?

Lol the Heat would win a series in 5 with the bulls loool you serious

anyone who states otherwise come playoff time, kill yourself

Bulls are the biggest pretenders in the league atm

[Javat_90]

Lol the Heat would win a series in 5 with the bulls loool you serious

anyone who states otherwise come playoff time, kill yourself

Bulls are the biggest pretenders in the league atm

Just like it happened in the Regular Season huh?

[kaiiu]

hold up on the Knicks now. They had an impressive victory, but give them some time first.

Im talking just as an all around team. Miami is the only "contender" who have no one besides the 3 players who can step up while the other team has other players who can step up on a given night. U see yesterday the Knicks had Bill Walker and Shawn williams step up not to mention they have Landry Fields

[Koop1]

Just like it happened in the Regular Season huh?

Ok, loool
insidehoops will be ready to eat their words come playoff time when Chicago is on the brink of elimination, and Miami is cruising

short term memory or what

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Px-jPm_TU

[hkfosho]

Think most can agree the bulls are a better team than the heat right now. Is that what you wanted to hear?

I thought it was already known the bulls are better than the heat. We are now questioing if the heat should be even categorized in the elite group of teams.

[crisoner]

Because Heat and Elite rhyme.

lol

But to answer the OP's question...they are. Bron and Wade could beat any team on any given day.

[cteach111]

I thought it was already known the bulls are better than the heat. We are now questioing if the heat should be even categorized in the elite group of teams.

Miami will always be elite as long as they have Lebron/Wade/Bosh on the roster. It's more about what they can be than what they are.

Do they deserve to be called elite? It's hard to say no because.. well.. they have Bron/Wade/Bosh on the roster.

[Heat007]

Lol the Heat would win a series in 5 with the bulls loool you serious

anyone who states otherwise come playoff time, kill yourself

Bulls are the biggest pretenders in the league atm

A "healthy" Heat team beats a healthy bulls team in 5 or 6.

no question about it.

The Heat match up defensively with the bulls as both teams are top 3 in defense. But the Bulls don't have the offensive firepower to beat the heat in a series.

[kaiiu]

A "healthy" Heat team beats a healthy bulls team in 5 or 6.

no question about it.

The Heat match up defensively with the bulls. But the Bulls don't have the offensive firepower to beat the heat in a series.

I disagree. They have a PG who can average 25 ppg in a series. A 20/10 guy, a 18/7 guy. A Center who can dominate on the offensive boards. A bench player who can get hot and average over 10 ppg.

[oldschool4ever]

OK and for that "great defense" point, here's what they give up against "elite" teams (San Antonio, Dallas, Chicago, Boston etc..)

88
112
106
98
99
85
93
=
giving up 97 PPG against "elite" teams.

while putting up

80
107
95
96
96
82
89
=
92 PPG of offense against elite teams with "two of the best players in the game"

You don't face Timberwolves/Wizards/Cavs come playoff time. And those are the kind of teams that inflate their stats. They are awful against good teams.

Sorry if I'm underwhelmed.

this. they inflate their defensive numbers against shitty teams. can anyone look up how much points they give up to teams in the west?