Postgame Breakdown: Thunder 100, Heat 87

There's no way to sugarcoat this. The Heat got punked. This was Manny Pacquiao versus Miguel Cotto.    
   This was Jay Z versus Soulja Boy. This was WalMart versus K-Mart.

It was no contest.

When you've got a jump-shooting center, a roster full of jump-shooting forwards, a spot-up point guard who doesn't really spot up all that much and one dude consistently capable of going to the basket to generate offense, it's easy to jump to these sort of conclusions after one bad night.

Make that two bad nights. The difference was Dwyane Wade's three-point gift from God was able to help the Heat get past New Jersey with one-tenth of a second left. But there was no Wade-to-the-rescue moments for the Heat's offense in Tuesday's 100-87 thumping at home by Oklahoma City.

The only productive thing the Heat can take out of Tuesday's meltdown to end its five-game homestand was the team's red-eye chartered flight to Atlanta for Wednesday's game against the Hawks. Poor shooting ripped through the Heat as if it were a strain of the swine flu.

D. Wade was off. Mike Beasley was off. Udonis Haslem was off. Anyone not named Daequan Cook in the second half was off. Anything resembling perimeter defense was off. Tuesday's loss prevented the Heat (7-3) from matching its best 10-game start in franchise history.

It was also a wake-up call. Or at least it should be. Wade needs a consistent sidekick he can rely on during games when he's simply human. The Heat needs a high-jumping, shot-blocking, rebounding, long-armed, in-the-paint finishing big man that can dominate on both ends. Or at least have a presence.

Man could this team use an Alonzo Mourning or a James Posey right about now. Even at this stage in their careers. Because Kevin Durant, Russell West and the Thunder were Larry Holmes whipping up on an old, flabby, lifeless Ali at AmericanAirlines Arena Tuesday night.

D. WADE'S DOINGS: Perhaps filming that Gatorade commercial after a grueling practice on Monday took a bit out of Wade. Especially if he had to film several takes during the shoot at AmericanAirlines Arena. The man simply had nothing left on Tuesday. Wade was 6 of 19 from the field and had six turnovers in 40 minutes. He scored 9 of his team-high 22 points from the free-throw line. He added seven assists and six rebounds. But credit Thabo Sefolosha for at least making Wade work hard. There are going to be nights when Wade goes for that fourth-quarter switch and can't flip it on. This was one of them.

TURNING POINT: The Thunder used a 16-1 run midway through the game that allowed it to take a commanding double-digit lead in the first half. During that run, Westbrook bulled over Mario Chalmers for an offensive foul and then got into a bit of a dust-up with Jermaine O'Neal. Westbrook didn't back down and had to be pulled away by Wade. That moment showed the Thunder was here for a fight. The Heat didn't have much of a punch. Miami would get as close as three at the half, but another run in the third put it away for OKC.

LOSING EDGE: OKC's starting forward tandem of Durant and Jeff Green outscored the Heat's forward duo of Michael Beasley and Quentin Richardson 45-10. That's a damn shame. Beasley has disappeared since he had what was thought to be a breakthrough 24-point performance three games ago against Cleveland. Since then, Beas has gone 6 of 26 from the field the past two games. Richardson has been hit-or-miss offensively. And that's OK. But he's in the starting lineup to provide perimeter defense. That part of his assignment went undone against the Thunder.

HEAD-SCRATCHER: Grant Long, a member of the Heat's inaugural team during the 1988-89 season, certainly didn't show much love for Miami's current superstar. Long, now a commentator for the Thunder's television broadcast team, said he doesn't consider Wade as one of the top five players in the league. Asked to give his fav five of sorts during the broadcast, he named Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan and Paul Pierce as the five best and most complete players in the league. "I can't put him in my top five," Long said. "I want two options in a guy. A guy who can drive (or) shoot when the game is on the line. Right now, I don't go to Dwyane Wade. Right now, he's primarily a driver."

KEY CONTRIBUTION: The silver lining was Daequan Cook's emergence from his shoulder injury-induced shooting slump. Cook was 5 of 11 from the field and 4 of 9 from three-point range for 17 points off the bench. He will need to continue that hot streak for the Heat to have any chance of getting past the Hawks and Raptors on the upcoming two-game trip. Jermaine O'Neal had his third double-double, with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

NEXT UP: Heat at Hawks, Wednesday 7 p.m. Phillips Arena

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Comments

[Don Juan]

Wallace whats ur excuse for Haslem getting so many minutes this time?

[Luke in Sydney]

I would say Beasley playing 23 minutes without a single rebound or assist.... Seriously this boys gotta stand up!

[ron]

dwade is not playing his game. he must take responsibility out there just like michael jordan did. always taking responsibility especially when the game is on the line and to mention the players who guarded were really tough. i like him but he is just making excuses for his failure in leading the team. mj did not. man, i hate it when i read about "defence against dwade" thing and couldn't score!!! he is focus on the money right now, with all those commercials and promotions, he is simply not focus on winning. damn!!

[kaycee]

grant long is a stupid motherf@#*&^4 saying d wade is not a top five player in the league.. please somebody tell him to keep his comment to his self... wat u think lebron is dummy d wade is one of the best player in the league and u grant long is just a bummy commentator 4 grizzles...

[jpejeff]

Spro did the right thing by making Beasley play
garbage time minutes because thats what he played like. 0 rebounds is pathetic.He just need to grow some balls with the rest of the team.Wade 30% shooting with 6 turnovers in the
1st 3 quaters,Haslem 28% shooting and terrible
D,Rich/Rios poor everything smelled just as bad
.Every last one of them should have done garbag
e time and ended that game.Spro consistently will not make adjustments when things are not
going right.I knew it was a matter of time b4
he replaced a reserve with a starter during garbage time.To do it when every one was playing poorly was foul.He continue to hold just 1 person on the team accountable.The rest
of the team gets a pass. How bout sending a message to anyone who needs 1 and stop being a
puss.Good coaches make hard decisions.Its easy
to beat up on Beasley especially when he deserves it.

[UD's biggest fan]

So how is playing Haslem all those heavy minutes and treating Beasley like the scrub backup all this season working out for Spo?

[UD's biggest fan]

Haslem gets 32 minutes a game at PF and averages 11 points. If you don't understand why this team cannot score or defend then I don't know what you are watching.

[rockstarjc]

the bobcats make moves... how about us? what we waiting for??? we should do something...

trade:

CHALMERS, Q-RICH + 1ST ROUND PICK(last) 2010 TO (GSW)

*MONTA ELLIS

JONES,D.WRIGTH, DIAWARA, MAGLOIRE + 2ND ROUND PICK & DRAFT RIGTHS DOZIER... TO (MEM)

*RUDY GAY & MARC GASOL

BUY-OUT: QUINN

[rockstarjc]

OR HASLEM & QUINN TO (portland)

*OUTLAW & BAYLESS

LINE-UP WOULD:

sg wade / cook
pg *ellis / arroyo / *bayless
sf *gay / outlaw
pf beasley / *gasol,m.(C)
c o'neal,j.(pf) / anthony, j.

we still have the space cap for AMARE/BOSH

thougths???

[UD's biggest fan]

Thoughts???

Haslem gets the 2nd most minutes on the Heat. Spo is not going to coach a team that doesn't have Haslem on it.

Trade Beasley and filler for vets because Spo cannot coach rookies or 2nd year players.

[RP]

First, Mike Wallace is spot on. And, Grant Long is a complete idiot!

Next, we all saw what happened. The Heat were outworked and outcoached. Thunder's guards picked up the Heat defensively at 3/4 court the whole game causing the rest of the Heat offense to start further out on the perimeter. Nothing was working including making foul shots or layups. Spo's stubburn mindset to grind every possession through Wade works when Wade is on...last night he obviously was off. Why not try utilizing the Heat's depth versus the Thunder's lack of depth to just run at every opportunity - screw the half court tempo because nothing else was working !

Also, Beasley needs to be set up. Look at other teams, other players...there should be multiple plays, picks, and spots on the floor where Beas should be getting set up. He's being left out on the perimeter with nothing. The Heat only have 3 guys who can handle in traffic (Wade, Chalmers & Arroyo) so leaving Beasley 30 feet from the basket is not the answer.

Lastly, the only guy who could match up with Durrant would've been Bob McAdoo back in the day. There's a ton of similarities in their games.

[UD's biggest fan]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ybhteaq

Beasley to Cavs
JJ Hickson and Delonte West to Heat.

We get our 20/10 backup PF for Haslem and we play Delonte West at PG.

[Diggity Dave]

Grant Long is a moron. I just lost all respect for him.

[Mac]

We need a pg. go get AI. Chalmers does not provide anything as a pg. His assists are low, his scoring is low, and his defense is poor. Why didnt we use jones.

Why do we continue to start the fourth quarter with the second unit, and then leave them in for a long time.

[RGF]

I loved grant long when he played for us but that comment was the most riduculous remark anyone can say, he should be embarrassed for saying that on TV, so what he had a bad game against your team in the thunder.....i only hope wade goes for 50pts the next time we play the thunder and d-wade does it by shooting all jumpers! what a moronic comment, i lost alot of respect for grant long

[Daz]

They were outhustled and outcoached. Spo should have scrapped his game plan, and put youth on the floor after half-time. We were only down by 3.

DW-at PG

Cook over Q- because he was on, but either would do

Joel Anthony over Oneal because he's more aggressive

Wright-rebounds and block shots

Beasley-scoring threat if Spo would design plays for him

*What's wrong with James or Diawara?

[Heatup]

This team badly needs a point guard that can make more plays or at least play some D...Chalmers is a nice player and all, but he gets schooled nightly...I don't like AI's attitude but he's starting to look like an option...A Dwade/AI back court dosen't sound too bad. AI's defense is not much better than Chalmers' but at least he can make some plays and we can try to outscore people.

[heatfan]

What a difference a couple weeks makes. First few games the Heat were moving and distributing the ball and looked like a real team. Now we are back to last year's struggles. Why are we not consistently feeding O'Neal when he is on the court. He makes good moves around basket and has a nice jumper. Work through him instead of Wade. Wade should let game come to him. So sick of when he tries to take over and does nothing but create turnovers. Just have to say that I watched the game with my girlfriend who hardly ever watches basketball but she said to her that Ok City made the game look easy and that the Heat make it look so hard. I thought about this and she was right on. The Thunder pass and move and work as a team while the Heat just wait to see what Wade does. We need to get back to that fluidity of the early games. This team now is a joke. Going to get blown out in Atlanta tonight playing like that.

[low p]

Grant Long, let's see game winner again against NJ, game winner against Chicago, game winner against Utah, clutch shooting against NY, carried the team in clutch moments in the NBA Finals, seriously dude what is your malfunction?

[WadeLikesHisShots]

http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5289502

[Don Juan]

Spo is killing beasley's confidence but atleast he is boosting Haslem's ego but someone should tell him he is never gonna be anything but a career backup. AC Green! I guess he was a championshiop caliber power forward? give me a break!

[black the trucker]

well, this has to be starting to sound by now, but plz sign ai... let charlmers back him up for one year, i mean at least he gets a chance to learn behind a guy who has gotten it done and learn because i do think charlmers has it, but will need to grow into his talent.. on another note, we have to do something before this season gets out of hand... its early but thing can go bad very fast... and whatever you do, Dee, don't try to do or fix this by yourself, its just not going to happen... don't risk injury... this is for the top guys, you have to make the moves that will help this TEAM get or be better... this roster needs some upgrading.... there are some teams out there looking to trade players, we have contracts that are available to move... move them... tonight its atlanta, there good, lets see what happens...

[The Truth]

This team has more holes than the moon!!

Terrible free throw shooting, no consistency behind the 3pt line, no rebounding, atrocious defense, no athleticism beyond Wade, no 2nd option, etc...

This is clearly not a recipe for success, as we may not even make the playoffs at this rate!

Wade will not comeback for this, unless they make a bold move this season for a difference-maker...

Lastly, it seems as if something is wrong with Wade... He just doesn't seem to be the same player as last season... His shot is WAY-OFF, he looks lathargic at times, disappears for stretches, etc... If this is the Wade we are getting this season, U can kiss the playoffs goodbye, because without 30-35 points a game from him we are bound for the lottery!

Do not be surprised if we lose tonight by 30!

[black the trucker]

well, to add to that, i don't think wade should try to go out and score 50 every night because that would get him hurt and than we would be even worst off.. look this is very simple... o'neil stays because we need his contract after the year, wade is the main guy here.... now what is it going to take to get this team back in contention... everyone esle is tradeable....

[black the trucker]

now, do we know if bosh is coming next year because if he isn't, lets start the making of the new heat taem now... you know cory maggette would be a good three off the bench, he's a good scoring three who draws fouls and hirts his free throws, somewhat like what manu does for the spurs off bench... now monta ellis is a young point who is also available who could help but he does have a big contract and who knows... that might be a trade... i still would sign pops... maybe camby gets waived,who knows.. for this year anyway.. but to what i said earlier o'neil should still be resigned after the year even if or whomever else comes in..

[dmt]

Riley is largely chillaxin' for this year, so Wade is too. Sounds reasonable to me.

Beasley's chillaxin' on the rebounds now too. B-Easy.

[black the trucker]

here's a blockbuster trade; one; wright, beasley, cook, qrich to golden state.. two; ellis, james jones to new orleans.. three; magette to memphis.. four; maimi gets chris paul, rudy gay, james posey, thabeet... now qrich gets bought we resign him for alot less and camby gets bought out and we sign him.. i know, i know.. now i wake up..

[pmartin]

this is CRAZY with Beasley getting token minutes and Wade and Spo in love with Udonis Role Player Haslem.
Just trade Beasley.
And Chalmers is a back up pg.
THERE IS ONLY ONE TEAM IN THE NBA THAT WOULD START CHALMERS!!
THE ANSWER IS:
DUMB RILEY AND EVEN DUMBER SPO !!!!

[Joel Delgado]

First thing Grant Long is an idiot!,second thing no rebounds for Mr.Beasley is terrible,and lastly get Dwade some freaking help! Spoelstra can say all he wants about this team being more balanced but thats crap cause when your leading scorer gets 28pts a game and your second gets 15pts a game there's something wrong and it's like Dwade is selfish he just needs a true sidekick that can get 18 to 20pts. Hope the team steps it up or the Hawks are gonna beat that ass.

[black the trucker]

worst case, sign ai, pops...

[UD's biggest fan]

Pops is not available. He's with the Raptors.

[black the trucker]

listen, the first ten games were ok...but the next ten are brutal, if we don't make a trade sometime soon this season could get away from us fast... i feel sorry for wade... lebron got help and they had the best record last year... this team got beat in the first round and you want to stand pat.. what are you, crazy...

[black the trucker]

and as far as grant long, good, you keep those guys as your fav five because wade is our top guy and we want to get him some help so we can win another title so keep talking because all that does is get us stronger...

[pugtv]

- No to any trades that will cap our flexibility in 2010.

- I feel bad for Beasley. It looks like the team bully (Spo) finally destroyed his confidence.

- D Wade carries too much of the load. We should drop dead weight Spo.

- Byron Scott is available

- J, Did you keep your panties on? Do you still think we're elite? How's Spo working out for you? Are you still acting cowardly and calling others dumbasses and idiots behind that anonymous blog name of yours?

[THE FUTURE]

Atlanta being the #1 team in the league right now will cause Spro to panic and start Haslem.This will lead to Miami getting blown out early allowing the youngsters on the team
to get plenty of PT.They will shine and make a
game of it until the starters led by Haslem comes back in to lose by 20+pts.This game will expose Spro's flawed coaching skillz. I HAVE SPOKEN!

[cp12]

Haha. Good blog entry Wallace.

I would not be surpised if Miami pulled out a win tonight in Atlanta.

This team can be surprisingly resilient at times.

www.blogmiamiheat.com

[redbaby]

Sorry, but for those of you who thought the Heat's fast start was indicative of their season are just plain wrong. They are a young and talented team, but at this point, DWade is the only consistent scorer the Heat have presently. I say presently, because Spo must give Beasley time to adjust to his starting role, match ups, the pressure ect. I'm confident he will respond, but he can't be jerked out of the line up every time Spo thinks he wasn't "defending" well. Beasley is a natural scorer. The management must have patience. He will respond just like A-Rod did for the Yankees. The player I'm worried about is Mario Chalmer's--where is the significant improvement in his play? With no really good back up PG, Mario is going to have to step it up big time. Also, Richardson has been a soft spot. It might be time to give Dorell some meaningful minutes....

[JDOGTHEDOG]

GRANT LONG??????? HE PLAYED FOR THE HEAT? lol..

[rockstarjc]

what are we waiting for????????

LET ELLIS IN HEAT UNIFORM!!!

TRADE: CHALMERS, Q-RICH, DRAFT RIGTHS DOZIER + 2ND ROUND PICK 2010 FOR:

(gsw)*MONTA ELLIS...

we're losing now!!! D.WADE needs help PAT!!!

also trade:

JONES, DIAWARA, MAGLOIRE, DRAFT RIGTHS BEVERLY, 1ST ROUND PICK (last) 2010 FOR

(mem) RUDY GAY & MARC GASOL

BUY-OUT: QUINN!!!

USE TRADE EXEMPTION FROM TORONTO IN ACQUIRING EITHER BOSH/AMARE IN 2010 FREE AGENCY + HASLEM IN PACKAGE DEAL... OUR CAP SPACE COULD ACQUIRED EITHER ONE OF THEM...

LINE-UP BEFORE FEB. 2010:

sg WADE / COOK
pg *ELLIS / ARROYO
sf *GAY / D.WRIGTH
pf BEASLEY (sf) / HASLEM / RANDOLPH,S.
c O'NEAL,J.(pf) / *GASOL,M.(pf)/ ANTHONY,J.

2010: @ PF: AMARE or BOSH / BEASLEY...(sf)

ADD BYRON SCOTT ON OUR COACHING STAFF...

thougths???