Heat-Bulls G2: Uh oh

     The intrigue of a seven-game series is that every result can thoroughly reshape perceptions. Miami could have claimed momentum coming home at 1-1. Not now.

     Chicago, 107-89 for a 2-0 series lead and uh oh, Miami.

     Dwyane can't be Dwyane and suddenly the Heat looks sort of old and sort of slow against a younger, quicker opponent.

     Welcoming thoughts on Tuesday's game (what didn't go right/what needs to change), and on the series overall as it swings down here. Can the reeling champions still recover to win this series?

Comments

[J-lectric]

Posey better be covering Deng, not D-Wade.

[J-lectric]

Posey better be covering Deng, not D-Wade.

[z]

Heat need to out-physical Bulls, to win

[Alex]

The heat have three great on the ball defenders who should be on Deng and on Gordon and Wade is not one of those, especially a banged up Wade. Posey, Jones, and Wright should be guarding those two. Wade is a great help defender when he's healthy. But coming off injury he's going to take it easy no matter what Riley expects of him. Even Kobe's defense became non-existent when he came back from knee surgery.

[enough]

This series is a toss up. Probably will end up being the best first round series of them all. (unless golden state gets some momentum).
The 2 different styles/teams going at it make for great drama. The bulls unselfish, rapid fire, frantic attack... the Heat's more deliberate Shaq based offense with D-wade's superstar league wide status.
Chicago is more fun to watch for a pure basketball fan. However shaq's power is amazing.
Chicago tonight.

[Aaron]

Heat had better send a tape of all the screwups the refs did to the league, like Cuban and the Mavs do, or the refs will continue to call it one-sided.

Shaq, if you are gonna get called for the foul anyway, make them pay for the foul, rather than being so gentle to them. Otherwise, go back to the 'finesse' game of game 6 last year, and score 30 and get 20 rebounds while floating away from the opposition. Bulls fans are proud of their flopper, Big Ben, who used to be a man on the Pistons, but was told by Coach Skiles that flopping is worth more than his manhood.

[junior]

even if we lose game 2 this thing ain't over as we know from the finals last year. and didn't we go up 2-0 on chicago last year and they tied the series at 2? this series should go 6 minimum.

we came to chi town to get a split. if we do we're on course to win in 6. if we don't we need to win two at home before thinking about anything else.

game 2 is not do or die. but a plit will give us some momo heading into miami.

one way to get ben wallace off the court is to go into hack-a-wallace like riley did in game 1 vs. detroit last year when we won that first game on the road. we were winning late and before detroit could make a run to get back in the game riley had big ben fouled every time down court. the move was sheer brilliance because in game 6 flip was afraid of hack-a-wallace so he kept big ben on the bench in the 4th quarter (one of the reasons ben left detroit). riley's move in game 1 was a great move that not only helped win game 1 but paid dividends in game 6. riles might want to think about going to hack-a-wallace again if we have a lead late.

[RE:Enough]

Speaking about floppers, what is a "man" the enormous size of Shaq doing attempting to take charges on a small forward, Nocioni, when Shaq is over seven feet tall and well over three hundred pounds of pure muscle, he should have swatted the ball in to the stands, but no, he was to busy FLOPPING! And oh yeah, the arc under the basket is there for a reason, dumb rule of course but a rule none the less. You can watch the replay over and over and his foot will always be in the restricted area. Its to the same affect as a three point line, if the smallest tip of your foot is on it its a two, so quit whining you over grown baby. Bad calls went both ways, if not watch tape and ask PJ and Hinrich.

[I'm a spectator]

I'm muy glad Riley is calling people out. Shaq believes the Bulls are FMing him and he's insulted, but, that's what the Bulls are trying to do ... dominate the Heat's mindset. The Bulls still have to climb the brick wall and battle the defenders 3 more times. I'm looking for the presence inside, I'm looking for Alonzo to smack around Wallace with his grit ... I know the Heat can dominate the boards, it's just a matter of teamwork and discipline, we got UD, Walker, Posey, Shaq, Alonzo, Doleac, yeah, we can grab R-bees and dominate the boards, the glass. I'd like to see Kapono, JWill and Posey be more aggressive. Sucking it up and less complaining would be advantageous for the Heat

[Matt]

Makes me ill to watch this team. I'll say it, Miami has no chance of defending their title. Wade is a SHELL of who he was last season (that will change...next year, after he finally gets an offseason to rest). Shaq too is a shell of who he was, and Riley hasn't got it anymore either. Riley just needs to retire, and probably Shaq too (unless he's ok with fewer minutes). Antoine Walker needs to be shown the door, he's too inconsistent. I still see the Heat winning this series, probably in six, but the age is apparent, and Riley is failing this team in preparation and under him the team is executing very poorly (his fault as well IMO). I like Posey, Wade, Kapono, and Haslem, but few and far between beyond that.

Just wish we could have shown more team pride instead of playing like chuckleheads. Chicago is a joke, and yet we can't even guard them, making us the joke.

[Peter Gibbons]

I love the fact that Mourning is playing garbage minutes. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy...well maybe Posey...no...definitely Mourning.

[Now that was an ass whoopin']

Defending champs? Bwhahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahhahaha!

[tcdtcd]

Are all you people going to complain that its the refs' fault again??? Face it, the Heat look very OLD and very OUTCLASSED by the Bulls. Miami wins one at home, loses in 5, and all you people can go home and cheer on your Marlins.

[mina]

WOW MIAMI...talkin like ur gonna handle game 2 with ease, and next thing u know u guys get fukkin raped...wow...now evry game is a friggin must win

[Shaq's walker]

What's that? The sound of crickets in the banana republic....

[Pert]

tcdtcd, you idiot the Marlins SUCK!!

[Mikey]

Hey Chicago did outplay Miami by a long shot tonight I admit the refs didnt cheat this one out. The Bulls have a very young healthy team its just too bad their fans dont have any class.

[kenny]

If the Bulls win this series, the depressing thing will be that Ben Wallace will be 3-1 in his career vs. Shaq. One guy is 7'1" and over 340 lbs. The other is listed 6'9", probably more like 6'7", and weighs 100 lbs less. What's wrong with this picture? Depressing.

Heat need to win 3 & 4 in Miami. Then, I'll like their chances. Not that hard to do. Come on, Heat!

[dkzz]

The Bulls are a joke? They are an actual team... you know pass the ball, defend, run plays etc... not clear it out and let your "star" go one-on-one. The Heat's style is not only boring it's looks like it's becoming ineffective. As for Bulls fans having no class... wa wa what? The bulls fans have endured some very low years recently and supported the team all the way through.... this team was built from the ground up and is starting to pay dividends.

[I'm a spectator]

Yu gotta be friggin kiddin me. That's all I have to say.

[Jimmy]

Heat got outplayed tonight by these Bulls. But the Heat will win the next two at home and regain the momentum. Chicago can't shoot this well from three point range for the rest of the series, and some defender please brush off Deng a little bit, He seems too comfortable taking shots. Wade is a liability offensively and defensively (i can't believe i am saying that), but it's true. He needs to drive to the basket like he always does. Tonight's game could not have gone anymore wrong for the Heat.

[jopz]

Hey, Bulls fans ... cheer up !! this is your final shout-out... Next 4 games it would be shut-down for the bulls fans and for the bulls team... Heat gonna take 4 wins... I agree also if big ben is the asset of the bulls in defense, he's also liability in offense.. hack a ben is the best sollution to stop their momentum for their quick jump score.. It's better to spend 12 fouls on ben rather their outscored heat by 20 points... atleast big ben can shoot free throw like shaq did..

[Reverend Shonder]

Yes, there is a lot of basketball left in this series, but I don't think it's premature to start wondering about what is next for the Heat. They clearly need to retool. Obviously, this is it for Gary Payton, but it looks like Antoine Walker, Eddie Jones, and Posey--maybe even Jason Williams--will be gone, too. But who to bring in? They surely need to get younger and more athletic, but can they reassemble on the fly and still make a run next year? I can't see Shaq having more than two seasons left--if that. Thoughts? Comments?

[okiekegler]

I gotta give it to the loyal Heat fans who still insist that the Bulls are the lesser team here. Chicago just beat you for the 5th time in 6 games this season. How hilarious is it to hear you people say you want to stop the Bulls offense by hacking Ben Wallace? Wasn't the term "Hack-a-Shaq" coined from people with no other hope doing it to your big guy? These Bulls are better than they were last season and your Heat are, well..........a year older! The Bulls play good, team basketball. Dwyane Wade's waiting for the Bulls shots to stop falling, but doesn't realize that he has to find a way for his team to make some for it to matter. Good luck next season, Miami......this one is over!

[papi]

Who's got the fork?

[wow]

C'mon heat fans, we of ALL fans should know that it aint over till we say its over! Just because Chicago has this lead doesn't mean anything but a 2-0 lead! They protected thier house like expected, now we have to protect ours. We shouldn't cry about what could be, or should be, because its not. What we can do is start playing some inspired defense, to remember 15 STRONG!! whatever happened to that?!!

[Oscar S. Benitez]

This Heat team is not the same. I will continue to be a fan, but this series should be over in 5. The Heat cannot handle the bulls. We have not done it all year, why should we start now?

[JC]

The Heat is tired...tired from winning a championship last year....tired from being older...if any team needs rest and some retooling it is my beloved HEAT...you got to figure there are some other players who want to PLay with Wade and Shaq...

They just need rest....that is all....what have the Bulls done since Jordan? Nothing...they can not handle the West in the end because their tactics will not work

The Heat should rest and come back next year! We love ya Heat!

[Boston Larry]

The Heat suck. They were lucky to win last year, won't come close to winning this year, and when Shaq retires and Wade leaves as a free agent in a few years, they will go back to being the insignificant bottomfeeder that every other team down here is. It's what they deserve, and it's what you pathetic fans deserve. Miami sucks, in all sports, and in life in general.

[David Tucker]

I'm not worried. Are the Heat in a hole? Yes. But they've made a living off climbing out of holes. Last year vs the Mavs. This entire season. The playoffs are a microcosm of the season so why would this series be any different?

The Bulls are playing to win and Miami is going to have to shut them down to win but if any team can, its the defending champs.

[Ben]

Miami Heat suck monkey balls!!!!
Bring out the brooms you guys are done. Go cry like all your players do.

[GlenRice]

DIVE DWADE
I said this before the playoffs started and so far its held true, Wade should have never come back. It was a selfish move as he has hurt the team a whole lot more than he has helped them. He can't play defense with that gimpy arm because he refuses to fully extend it. On offense the team was saying he would be a distributor, etc. Well the numbers are worse than a backup PG on a bad team. SEVEN TO's in game 2 and 12 for the series compared with 10 TOTAL assists and he's not doing the little things like rebound and get steals or tipped balls.

Bulls in 5

[mhoban]

Face reality Heat fans, in the regular season the Bulls went 3-1 with the heat, 3-1 with the pistons, 2-2 with the cavs, 1-1 with the suns and dallas. They can hang with any of these teams. They are for real and will be in the Finals. PS D-Wade is an over-hyped and injuried proned.

[DEEEEEEETROIT BASKETBALL!!!!]

To David, at some point all the chaos, injuries, depending on over the hill players and uncertainty catches up to a team, ala LA Lakers 2004. The Bulls look to be the much more athletic and in shape team, so the longer the series the goes the Heat will be at a disadvantage. One point worth mentioning, Skiles did a great job at half time because the Bulls came out focused and determined and blew the lead up to 17 points the first 6 minutes of the 3rd Qtr. They made 8 of 13 from the field while opening the Qtr on a 19 to 7 run. The only unfortunate aspect is the Heat won't make it through the 1st round to meet up with the Pistons so Detroit could WHUP that AZZ!!!!!

[erns66]

The Heat doesn't look like a team that wants to win another Championship. They talk, but they don't show it. Chicago out-hussled them. For Miami to turn this series around the whole team needs to get out of their lethargic state and play hard. They show they can keep up with the Bulls when they made their run from ten points down to close in within three at the half. But in the third quarter a combination of the Bulls desire and Miami's complacency sunk Miami to hole they could not, and would not get out of. Riley needs to do a better job of inspiring the team.

[DTodd]

All you non-HEAT fans are just remember this, we were the last team to hoist the trophy. You are all just jealous of what happened last year. fine , maybe the HEAT won't get past the first round. So be it. You cant take away last year's championship!! We'll be back, sooner than you think!

[Mason]

The Heat's Opening Night should have been a sign when they got waxed 108-66. That was the worst opening season loss by a defending champ, EVER!!!!! I remember Zo spouting about how "We will defend the crown" blah, blah, blah. Diva Wade should have just had the surgery and Riles should have built the offense to go through Shaq 100% of the time with spot shooters spacing the floor like JK and EJ and even Posey and let UH crash the boards. They would have been best to walk it up, control tempo and play tough D. This summer Riles will earn his salary as the Heat need to be overhauled and re-built around the Diva not the Diesel.

[POSEYSUCKS!!]

get your brooms out.... the heat are done.
Shoulda gone in for surgery dwade, i guess youlll just to settle with getting dissected by the bulls. Detroit watch out,, these bulls are hungry.

[POSEYSUCKS!!]

get your brooms out.... the heat are done.
Shoulda gone in for surgery dwade, i guess youlll just to settle with getting dissected by the bulls. Detroit watch out,, these bulls are hungry.

[Mason]

Sound the ALERT!!! Its official DTodd has thrown in the towel on his team "we'll be back sooner than you think" WOW!!!!! You must not be a die-hard fan. Listen closely.... the sound you are hearing is the sound of screaming fair weather fans breaking their ankles as they jump off the Heat bandwagon.

[Rich]

Posey should be playing linebacker for the Dolphins because he has no business being in a basketball uniform. But then this is the type of playing that Riley encourages. He did the same thing in New York when he did not have enough talent to win.

[jimsr]

the refs did a better job in game 2
with only about 5 or 6 very bad calls!
Mourning throwing a flagrant elbow
at the end proves beyond a doubt what
a jerk he can be and that 'cheap shot'
posey may need to step up his game or
loose his place as "public enemy No.1"
in chicago.

[Steven H.]

The heat need to contain Gordon and Deng. Last night they combined for 55 points. A banged up Wade cannot cover Deng. Riley needs to realize this. My hopes are down. I dont think they can coem back from a 2-0 deficit. With a healthy Wade maybe, but not when he is 80 percent

[Steven H.]

The heat need to contain Gordon and Deng. Last night they combined for 55 points. A banged up Wade cannot cover Deng. Riley needs to realize this. My hopes are down. I dont think they can coem back from a 2-0 deficit. With a healthy Wade maybe, but not when he is 80 percent

[DieHardHeatFan!]

I hate sissy ass bandwagon fans. I havent heard the fat lady sing just yet and people like DTodd are saying well be back? Incredible.

The series is 2-0 heading back to Miami. All Chicago did was protect home court. Now its our turn to do the same. The Heat are a complete different team at home. Youd have to be crazy to think that this Heat team is just going to lay down and get swept by these baby Bulls. I give credit where credit is due and the Bulls straight up whoped our asses last night. So far they have played with a lot of heart and fierce intensity. I am very impressed with they way they have played and the effort they have shown. However, dont get to caught up with those 2 wins at home. Miami will bounce back and make this a series and hopefully come out on top at the end. The Bulls will not shoot lights out like they did last night every game. Ben Gordon was on fire for most of the game and Deng was just rediculous in the fourth. Riley needs to make some major adjustments. Wade can not and should not cover Deng again in his life. He also needs to take his panties off and play with some balls. Fuck the shoulder, just play. You cant be effective if your playing not to get hurt.

I expect to see a completely different Heat team on Friday. This series is far from over.

[Sheed]

Listen closely.... the sound you are hearing is the sound of screaming fair weather fans breaking their ankles as they jump off the Heat bandwagon. Them cats are reeeediculous, down 0-2 and they're already talking next year.

[Big Dee Chi-Born]

First off Dwyane needs to change his shoes asap!! His knees won't make it to game 4 the way he's sliding all over the place.

Second, Pat Riley should shorten up Wade's game. Wade shouldn't have to catch the ball 30 feet from the basket to go to work. He should be coming off curls and when he pops out he needs to play below the freethrow line! He would kill Hinrich if he could get to the rim in one dribble and still have the option of nailing basically a freethrow.

Third Posey needs to start now!! Either JWill or Eddie has to sit. I would sit JWill personally. We need rebounds and we need defense.

Fourth set some screens for Shaq so he doesn't have to bang all night long to get his points. There's no rules against setting screens for big men!! Set some "guard on big" screens, have Haslem set a cross screen. We have to be much more creative in getting Shaq easier baskets!!(and not just in the first half either) We have to help him continue his production when we go through dry spells. We have the most lethal weapon on this planet, but we continue to waiste his potential by just leaving him on the left block!!

Fifth, put Zo and Shaq on the floor together. If the Bulls continue to start Ben and PJ why not? They aren't any threat to put the ball on the floor. That way we can come off the bench with an open floor uptempo offense. We can run pick and pops with Haslem and Doleac all day and let that be Wade's time to create. Put Zo on the left block and Shaq on the right block. They have no answers for that! We have to start dominating every matchup! That would maximize our roster.

Starting lineup:Wade/Eddie/Posey/Zo/Shaq

Bench: JWill,Kapono,Walker,Haslem,Doleac

All we have to do is make little adjustments that keeps everything in our favor. Riley is not standing by his 15 strong and he's letting this team suffer with Wade's recovery. Wade is not above this game and is going to have to put in more work to be the Wade of old(he was out six weeks!). Wade is our Mariano Rivera right now. He's our closer. Run more of the plays we ran when Wade was out! He's needs those plays right now to help him be effective without the ball.

Finally D up! Since they run a lot screens to get people open shots we need to put more pressure on the passers!! THE PASSERS!! That means our point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards, and centers need to put pressure on whoever is looking to pass! We should be making people turn their back to the basket just to keep their dribble! The Bulls have too much time to run what ever they want!

It's a shame because Walker is the only guy that has and idea of trapping these little guards when they are coming off picks!(how many times did Ben Gordan throw the ball away when he was trapped?)

[dean]

i don't think anyone is confusing d wade with willis reed. i like his little black half shirt, but i think it would look much nicer on jessica alba. sidney crosby plays over two weeks on a broken ankle. d wade?

why hasn't pimp daddy riley sent him home to heal? instead, he throws him back out on the street like an old ho to turn some more tricks.

the nba sucks, i just can't help myself.

[DTodd]

I said "MAYBE" the HEAT will not get past the first round. Am I giving up? NO. I am a HEAT fan since the beginning and not a bandwagon jumper. My comment of "We'll be back sooner than u think" was to imply that we will be back in the series after taking care of business at the AAA. That was intended for those who are giving us no chance. When Miami evens the serie 2-2, it will be interesting to see how Chicago will answer if doubt creeps into their heads. Nothing has changed since the beginning of the series. All Miami has to do is win ONE game in Chicago and they still would have 2 more opportunities to do so! If it comes down to Game 7, all the pressure will be on the BULLS! GO HEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jj]

All through their struggles during the year the Heat could have developed Earl Barron, Dorell Wright, and Wayne Simien with some playing time. Now it's too late. Instead who do we bring off the bench Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, and Eddie Jones who, by their play so far, look like they're ready for social security. When the Bulls are running by them they can feel the creeks in their knees. Give Shaq his choice of walker or wheelchair. If there is a seventh game have ambulances ready, oxygen tents ready, and the defibulators ready. The Heat will need them.