Arizona's Finest
Your My Favorite Mistake
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2005
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Ok I went to the game here in Miami last night and due to an very wonderful birthday present I received - I had center court ticket 5 rows back! The seats themselves were even better than courtside as you could see the entire floor from slight incline and the players were SO close. The night was great for many reasons including Anna Kournikova rejecting my halftime Grey Goose lounge "buy you a drink" offer (true story
) but most of all because I got a feel for this team unlike i had since I moved from Phoenix.
My Observations:
1. This team has serious defensive issues. I am going to give it time because it seems our defense gets a lot better when we start putting pressure on teams offensively but the rotation, postion we were giving, and closing out was all below average stuff. In the first half especially a team as offensively challenged as the heat were rotating and hitting wide open shots. I was especially disappointed in how far in the post we let Shaq get, further solidifying everyones greatest fear that any solid big man will pick us apart.
2. I was amazed to see Marions stat line at the end of the game - as usual. He just didn't seem to be a factor in the win although without him would we have had one rebound. Boxing out was atrocious.
3. I love Amare to death but he has not developed his mental dominance of the game. He was forcing things and looked passive on defense. Its almost as if he doesn't care to go get power rebounds and play tough heads up D. That will be the difference between him and Duncan/KG until he figures that out. His offensive acumen left much to be desired as well as he forced things.
4. Barbosa made a comment after the game that was somewhat ominous. He said he was distracted by "cheers" as he was shooting in the second half. That venue was somewhat loud but no where near what he will face in the playoffs or even in tougher venues. LB needs to develop more mental toughness. Still He was solid last night.
5. Bell is an absolute warrior. In the huddle, talking to refs and on the floor he is a chippy guy. He has missed alot of open shots (again) but he is a absolute stud for our team and provides chippiness to a bunch of nice guys.
6. Boris is so passive offensively. He is the oppositie of Amare in that he thinks too much. He either passes out of easy shots or falls away when he shoots. Who knows if he will ever get agressive?
7. Skinner is somewhat effective but without Amare I was amazed we didn't get more punished by Shaq at the end. Credit must go to Diaw in that respect.
8. Nash is the best player here since Barkley and his performance last night was AMAZING in person to witness. He just took over the game ala Kobe or MJ and you could just tell when he shot he was going to make it. Personally I would like to see much more of Nash with scoring. He might be the best shooter in basketball. His defense on Jason Williams - especially at the beginning - was atrocious but I will never say anything bad about our captain. He is one of the five best players in the league and I could tell he is still working his mental acuity into his game this season and will just continue to get better. He could win MVP this year but he is going to have to put this team on his back.
If we would have lost this game I would have been very worried. But for everyone who keeps making comments about our close losses at 1-5 last year being better that 4 - 2 this year is crazy. A win is a win is win. I can tell that this team is still getting its feet under it and we will round into form in the next few weeks. Remember this season has been for the second season in a row working Amare back in with new guys. Thats key. Everything will come together.
But a big body NEEDS to be picked up. Duncan, KG, and maybe even Yao will eat us up when it counts otherwise.
) but most of all because I got a feel for this team unlike i had since I moved from Phoenix.My Observations:
1. This team has serious defensive issues. I am going to give it time because it seems our defense gets a lot better when we start putting pressure on teams offensively but the rotation, postion we were giving, and closing out was all below average stuff. In the first half especially a team as offensively challenged as the heat were rotating and hitting wide open shots. I was especially disappointed in how far in the post we let Shaq get, further solidifying everyones greatest fear that any solid big man will pick us apart.
2. I was amazed to see Marions stat line at the end of the game - as usual. He just didn't seem to be a factor in the win although without him would we have had one rebound. Boxing out was atrocious.
3. I love Amare to death but he has not developed his mental dominance of the game. He was forcing things and looked passive on defense. Its almost as if he doesn't care to go get power rebounds and play tough heads up D. That will be the difference between him and Duncan/KG until he figures that out. His offensive acumen left much to be desired as well as he forced things.
4. Barbosa made a comment after the game that was somewhat ominous. He said he was distracted by "cheers" as he was shooting in the second half. That venue was somewhat loud but no where near what he will face in the playoffs or even in tougher venues. LB needs to develop more mental toughness. Still He was solid last night.
5. Bell is an absolute warrior. In the huddle, talking to refs and on the floor he is a chippy guy. He has missed alot of open shots (again) but he is a absolute stud for our team and provides chippiness to a bunch of nice guys.
6. Boris is so passive offensively. He is the oppositie of Amare in that he thinks too much. He either passes out of easy shots or falls away when he shoots. Who knows if he will ever get agressive?
7. Skinner is somewhat effective but without Amare I was amazed we didn't get more punished by Shaq at the end. Credit must go to Diaw in that respect.
8. Nash is the best player here since Barkley and his performance last night was AMAZING in person to witness. He just took over the game ala Kobe or MJ and you could just tell when he shot he was going to make it. Personally I would like to see much more of Nash with scoring. He might be the best shooter in basketball. His defense on Jason Williams - especially at the beginning - was atrocious but I will never say anything bad about our captain. He is one of the five best players in the league and I could tell he is still working his mental acuity into his game this season and will just continue to get better. He could win MVP this year but he is going to have to put this team on his back.
If we would have lost this game I would have been very worried. But for everyone who keeps making comments about our close losses at 1-5 last year being better that 4 - 2 this year is crazy. A win is a win is win. I can tell that this team is still getting its feet under it and we will round into form in the next few weeks. Remember this season has been for the second season in a row working Amare back in with new guys. Thats key. Everything will come together.
But a big body NEEDS to be picked up. Duncan, KG, and maybe even Yao will eat us up when it counts otherwise.
