STUFF PEOPLE ASK ME ON TWITTER

While I was flying back to Miami …

Nick de la Torre (@NickdelaTorre) asks, assuming Bosh isn't ready for Game 1, does Spoelstra stick with the same lineup and rotation from the last three games?

The rotation is the rotation … Seriously, you never really know what you’re going to get from Spoelstra when it comes to his rotations. I mean, this is the guy who started Dexter Pittman at center when the Heat was down 1-2 on the road. That said, I don’t foresee any tinkering for the Eastern Conference finals. Dwyane Wade scored 99 points in the Heat’s last three games against Indiana. LeBron James scored 98. Why go and potentially disrupt that?

Joel Estrada (@joeljestrada) asks, is Turiaf part werewolf? He howls at every play.

He’s fuzzy in the face, so I see where you could be confused. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that Ronny Turiaf is “part” werewolf. You’re either full-on werewolf or zilch-o. Some people believe there is an international conspiracy, started by the Roman Catholic Church, to conceal the existence of werewolves. Wikipedia is a purveyor of these alleged lies. According to Wikipedia, werewolves, “also known as a lycanthrope, is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shape shift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse and/or lycanthropic affliction via a bite or scratch from a werewolf, or some other means.” This is misinformation. I’m not even going to get into the whole Teen Wolf discussion.

’85 Jordan (@flightsnofeelns) asks, can the Heat beat Boston/Philadelphia without Bosh? Or do they truly need him?

The Heat has won about 4,303 straight games against the Sixers. Draw your own conclusions there. If Boston advances to the ECF, they’ll do so without Avery Bradley, who had season-ending surgery shoulder on Friday. That gives the Heat a clear advantage on the wing. Of course, the Heat already had the advantage there, but at least Bradley could keep up with Wade. Ray Allen cannot. Kevin Garnett would provide the Celtics with an advantage at power forward, but that would probably be the case whether Bosh plays or not. Here’s what I’m wondering: How does last season’s Eastern Conference finals turnout if Rondo doesn’t go down with an elbow injury? I’m sure Rajon will be highly motivated.

Arn (@tagamalangkaw) asks, will coach Spoelstra consider playing @DwyaneWade coming off the bench to improve bench production and save his legs for the fourth quarter?

His legs looked fine to me on Thursday. Come off the bench? Were you sober when you wrote this? Under no circumstances do you limit Dwyane Wade’s minutes in the playoffs by bringing him off the bench. OK, I’m kidding. It’s a fine question. Other people have asked it. Spoelstra already staggers Wade and LeBron throughout the game with their own rotations.

DJonne Jackson (@DJacK206) asks, do you believe the Heat want to play Boston or 76ers?

The players probably want Boston. The coaches probably want Philly.

James Catania (@Catania_Cutz) asks, who would be an easier match up for the finals, Spurs or Thunder?

The Heat will be the underdog in both scenarios. Given a choice, I’d take my chances with San Antonio for the simple fact that the Thunder is full of young players. The impact of the long postseason combined with the condensed regular season will likely have a greater impact on the Spurs.

Kno Name (@JayXIX) asks, what’s the likelihood of Bosh returning for the start of the ECF?

Not likely. Think about it. If he was anywhere close to being healthy he would have been with the team in Indianapolis. Probably still 10-12 days away.

Kyddhere (@kyddhere) asks, is Mike Miller going to get more playing time in this next series? He should?

Mike Miller is really hurt, guys. He’s playing as many minutes as his body will allow. During games, players have to help him off the ground. Seriously, when he falls, he can’t get up! His 12 points on four three-pointers was a heroic effort on Thursday. I just don’t know how much more pain he can take.

Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) asks, prediction if we face Boston? 76ers?

Boston in 6. Philly in 5.

Juan A. Calvo (@omertajclv22) asks, can you get me some tickets for a Conference Finals game in Miami?

Only if you magically unclog the streets in South Beach this weekend.

Josh Harris (@JoshHarris305) asks, is Danny Granger gonna unfollow LeBron James on Twitter?

Today is #UnfollowFriday.

Rolly Mendoza (@rollzter) asks, do you think D-Wade belonged on the All-Defensive Second Team?

No. He missed 17 games this season. That said, Wade’s defense is underrated. Name a better shot-blocking guard in the NBA?

Carlos J. Gimenez (@CJG1977) asks, does the Heat look for ways to keep the lanes open for LBJ and D-Wade when Bosh comes back, and let Bosh get his through kick outs?

Whatever the Heat has done over the last three games to jumpstart its offense, it shouldn’t have to change it when Bosh returns to the lineup. Udonis Haslem has found his spots nicely playing the Bosh role.

shgieb (@shgieb) asks, if you wink a @ByTimReynolds during a Spoelstra presser will the Herald suspend you for three games?

In this scenario, who did I elbow?

Dos Minutos (@DosMinutos) asks, how do you think Mario Chalmers would look with a full beard and mohawk? Better or worse than James Harden?

Better, obviously. Chalmers is an Alaskan.

Mark Tiapkov (@TiP54) asks, where did Dwyane purchase those pants?

I’m assuming his stylist purchased the pants and then had them delivered to Wade's hotel room. A better question, will podium pink extend into the Eastern Conference finals?

Gustavo Villamizar (@gusvillamizar) asks, where will the Heat players meet to watch the Game 7 in Boston?

Chuck E. Cheese’s, of course. LeBron is a big Skee-ball guy.

Spencer Dandes (@sdandes) asks, who was Pittman winking at?

Pat Riley.

h (@phinzmakesmercry) asks, what did u think about D-Wade’s pink pants and can you rock them?

Everyone knows I can rock any style but, on principle, I refuse to wear pink pants. Frat boys with Justin Bieber hair wear those things where I come from (Alabama). A general rule: if the color belongs in an Easter basket, it's not to be worn as clothing. Sunglasses and shoes are different stories, obviously.

Jean Moises (@jmoises) asks, what Heat player has the best looking shot? My opinion, Chalmers.

Great question. James Jones’ shot is the most efficient and Mike Miller’s shot is a work of art. It’s a toss up between those two players.

John Tunas (@kingdomecome03) asks, which Avengers characters do you think Wade and LeBron are?

For obvious reasons, Wade is Captain America. LeBron is like a mix between Iron Man and Hulk.

Josh @UnbiasHeatFan) asks, are the Pacers next year’s biggest threat?

They have money to add someone like Nash. The hate is there already.Considering the Bulls are going to be without Derrick Rose next season, the Pacers certainly have the potential to win the Central Division next season. The addition of Steve Nash would make them a legitimate contender if Roy Hibbert continues to develop. Hibbert kind of faded down the stretch in the playoffs. I mean, he should have been the go-to option every game against the undersized Heat and that just wasn’t the case. Granger took a lot of grief in the second round but he’s a smart player with an expanding all-around game. Of course, what if Nash comes to Miami for the minimum?

Mike Richman (@mikegrich) asks, will Joel Anthony ever make consecutive lay ups?

It happened once during a Heat practice. Spoelstra gave the team the rest of the day off.

Comments

[eduardo1garcia]

Good shit.

[buxster]

THUMBS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dashi]

Good job Joe keep it up.

Someone has to be the peoples voice for the heat and it looks like ur the only one that doesn't give in to the national media pressure.

Unlike some of the other reporters for the herald. Can the rest of ya stand up for ur team (pitt & haslem). Good to see someone have their own opinion, not just repeat what ESPN puts out

[Nasty 8]

This writer is high. I like it.

[taheati]

@OfficialSanta Hey Santa: if I ask real nicely and be good the rest of the year, could you PLEASE give Joel Anthony a new pair of hands?

---

Why Joel deserves new hands: because claws are for birds and JA ain't no chicken; because Jo-el is tired of sipping food thru a straw; because Anthony can't satisfy Cleopatra without a little foreplay; because you can't or shouldn't wear a championship ring on your toes.

[Dashi]

Get Him some Stick'em or tape his fingers with Double-Sided Tape. There should be a JUGG machine for Basketball.

[taheati]

Good col on Mike Miller by JG. I thought Miami's 2nd unit actually won the game during an 11-point swing btw the 1st & 2nd quarters. The Heat started slow, trailed by 10 at one point, when Miller -- then Cole, Jones & even Howard began to trickle in against Pacer subs. Voila1! A 7-pt deficit becomes a 4-pt lead which, I think, killed any Pacer hopes the Heat might lay down after the suspensions and/or any desire to play game 7 at home.

EVERYONE just assumed Miami's bench was second to all -- that EVERY playoff opponent had more & better depth than the Heat. The Pacers thought so too. You could see it on their faces. Surprise. Resignation. Fear. You could hear it as well -- in the restless silence of a crowd that expected a beatdown but got instead -- beat up.

So props to the Dirty Dozen for the stops, makes, tips & energy that played a big-though-understated role in closing out the series.

More, MORE, M-O-R-E will be required.

[Dashi]

We got the players. Bench Included. That's not our Weakness. It's someone else.

Last Year we had no bench, this year we use no bench. Milk and JJ are our best shooters. U tell me we can't bring them in for Bron and Wade for a quick 2 minutes. Yeah they might not run and jump like them, but they can't shoot like Milk and JJ either. We will lose some D, but at least our bench will score. Shane Shouldn't be shooting over any of those two (they wouldn't let him do it on any other team). His 3pt % is worst than C. Bosh

Wade will "Never" be traded. When wade is done his number will be right next to ZO's and Timmy's as the greatest heat of all-time. Lebron to if he wins 3 titles for us. Don't know about Bosh. Doubt it.

[Dom]

Gents. Nash would b perfect because he's set up first. It would allow bron and wade to play even more pf each other. Plus Nash is deadly shooter. It adds chalmers to the Bench makin our bench even stronger. What if Lamar Os head is right. He loves here, wife has biz here, and he has home here. After head case season, no team is gnna over pay. Maybe Nash takes vet min and Lamar mle or vice versa. Hvin odom as 6 th man and chalmers off bench gives us s top bench. If somehow we can get nene who does not want to be in Dc a this point of his career, that would really b missin piece. If u get odom. U can always package miller, Joel (nene runs and can score ) and our 2012 1st rounder. Then u still have haslem chalmers odom battier off bench and nene an Nash in Startin lineup. And maybe next yr curry is back to normal. But nene can get 7-8 boards, finish and run. He ran in den. Perfect c for heat. And den traded him to Dc. He wants out and wiz can get a 1, Joel a good defender, and mike miller. Remember, nenes 12'm a year or so. What does a rebuilding team need to pay that for 1 player not an all star. Nash and Lamar for mle and vet min. Nene for mike m , Joel 2012 #1. Salaries shuld work for trade.

[black the trucker]

NO, but we have to focus on the Celtics for right now..

[Dashi]

Heat by 20 tonight. Set the tone for the series

Like the "Fake/Unoriginal" Boston Gangsta will say

Let's do it

P.S.- Member what happen to Bart's team for saying that punk

[jpejeff]

I thought i could never ever get bored of a win. I was wrong. Thanks a lot Boston. You guys stop playing after the Heat turn up the defensive intensity in the 3rd period. Dam i wish the heat would have kept playing and blew ya'll out of Miami. Dam them for showing mercy. 9/16 of the way to a championship......let's go heat

[Dashi]

Let's Do it KG