11/21/24
March 07, 2011
Miami Heat Losing Streak Hits 4: The Miami Heat lost 87-86 to the Chicago Bulls Sunday as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade missed shots in the final six seconds with the game on the line. Wade said, "The Miami Heat are exactly what everyone wanted, losing games. The world is better now because the Heat is losing." Heat coach Erik Spoelstrasaid that players were crying in the locker room afterwards. The Heat are 1-9 against the NBA's top five teams and 0-6 against the Boston Celtics and Bulls.
posted by rcade to basketball at 08:38 AM - 27 comments
I thought there was no crying in basketball. Oh, wait, that's baseball. Sorry.
posted by graymatters at 09:17 AM on March 07, 2011
I know I'm going to have to take 3 or 4 showers after typing this, but stuff like this makes me appreciate Kobe Bryant. Kobe is a superstar like Magic and Larry and Michael and Isiah were superstars. If their teams lost 4 straight, they wouldn't be crying in the locker room or going off on childish "are you happy now, America?" rants. They'd kick a little ass in practice and take over the next game to ensure it didn't become 5 straight. Think BronBron or DWad will man up and do that, or will they just call for the coach's head after loss #5?
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go all Silkwood on myself...
posted by MeatSaber at 09:26 AM on March 07, 2011
You're going to drive your car off the road in suspect circumstances? (it's only a game - step back )
posted by kokaku at 09:59 AM on March 07, 2011
I'm not ready to write them off yet but it sure is nice seeing them struggle. I mean they were just a little too much to take before the season. Maybe now they are beginning to regret a few of their statements. A taste of humble pie is exactly what they needed. As much as I want them to fail, it may actually help them down the road. It seems they don't handle being a favorite well or dealing with a high expectation. It must be hard to play with the weight of all that bragging and expectation on your shoulders.
posted by Atheist at 10:51 AM on March 07, 2011
I'm not ready to write them off yet but it sure is nice seeing them struggle
Seconded. All of this schadenfreude is going to turn bitter in my mouth if this helps them win the playoffs.
posted by yerfatma at 11:23 AM on March 07, 2011
"I LOVE rooting against LeBron James. I don't mean this in a mean way. I mean it quite literally. I truly love watching Miami Heat games and rooting for them to lose." -- Joe Posnanski
posted by rcade at 11:57 AM on March 07, 2011
Joseph Goodwin of the Miami Herald reported that players were crying in the locker room afterwards.
The problem I have with this statement is that Goodwin didn't see any players that were crying. He simply repeated what the coach (Spoelstra) said in the press conference. I'm sure it happened, but it shouldn't be attributed as "Goodwin reported", as that gives it the legitimacy of a first-hand account, when it really is a second-hand account.
That said, I do enjoy watching "Two And A Half Men" struggle.
posted by grum@work at 12:15 PM on March 07, 2011
Good read, thanks rcade.
All good teams take time to gel. The hurdle is LeBron needs to somehow put out of his mind all of the accolades and financial success he's had so he can focus on basketball. A handful of plays decide games between top teams .. lack of concentration tips the scales in the opponent's favor and has been a major factor in the Heat's losses to top teams this year.
posted by cixelsyd at 12:30 PM on March 07, 2011
The problem I have with this statement is that Goodwin didn't see any players that were crying.
I thought he did. I've updated the link.
posted by rcade at 12:55 PM on March 07, 2011
It's funny how perceptions shift, I'm trying to remember that period when I liked LeBron James. He was a hyper-talented kid who had a good head on his shoulders, didn't take things too seriously, etc.
By nature, I hate the "gang-up" mentality as it applies to anyone (even superstar millionaires who could care less about me) but everytime I forget where the new perception of a hyper-talented, narcissistic, entitled dickhead came from, someone just has to play me this again.
posted by jeremias at 02:17 PM on March 07, 2011
You could see some of this coming before the season started. Erik Spoelstra has absolutely no clout when it comes to LeBron or the other two-thirds of the big three. The list of coaches who could tell these guys anything is rather short, and one of the only names on the list is Pat Riley.
As for players crying, who cares! I remember a point last year when everyone was writing off the Celtics. That proved to be ridiculous. I'm seriously doubting the Heat will go too far in the playoffs this season, but you don't know. I doubt any team is looking forward to playing them in a series.
It's like what was being said about Phil Jackson and the Lakers. They go through the motions during the regular season, then turn it on when the playoffs come around. I'll count the Heat out when they're actually eliminated.
posted by dyams at 02:37 PM on March 07, 2011
That said, I do enjoy watching "Two And A Half Men" struggle.
Oh, do not talk about Zydrunas like that!
I just love this. I actually kinda sorta root for the Heat but this is so ridiculous it's entertaining. Who gets this upset about losing a regular season game? It's just not important in the grand scheme of things. Where is their resolve?
With the Heat show, all the crazy trades, and the human highlight reel that is Blake Griffin it's been a really fun season. Though, my Bucks have the dial set firmly to 'suck'.
posted by tron7 at 03:24 PM on March 07, 2011
Stealth aficionado Bill Belichick is rubbing his hands together in his underground command center.
He's watching the Spurs streaking toward the enemy coast flying six inches off the water with nobody watching, wreaking unnoticed havoc on their way to being the first to 50 wins. In their radar deflecting black and silver unis.
If Tony Parker didn't have an injury and a uber-hot aggrieved ex, nobody would even remember that the Spurs were in the league.
All the commotion this season has been totally about everyone else, and San Antone must feel downright autonomous. Even the Cavs and Kings get more ink - for losing 2800 in a row, or threatening to defect to LA.
So I'm all for the continuation of the 2010-2011 NBA opera wherever it happens to be playing out elsewhere around the league. Major trades, Detroit's Egypt moment, you name it. It's been a wild spectacle thus far. Can't say the Heat aren't doing their share of the singing.
posted by beaverboard at 03:50 PM on March 07, 2011
When Lebron took his talents to South Beach, did his contract specify that they would have to earn the championships? I am thinking a good lawyer could get him out of his contract claiming fraud.
posted by graymatters at 05:24 PM on March 07, 2011
He's watching the Spurs streaking toward the enemy coast flying six inches off the water with nobody watching, wreaking unnoticed havoc on their way to being the first to 50 wins.
The Lakers notice. They paid the Spurs a nice little house call yesterday.
posted by cjets at 05:56 PM on March 07, 2011
They're still first place by three games. First place and crying over a few lost games? Dude. The Wizards were mathematically eliminated a week into the season and you don't see them crying.
I feel like this is an attempt to make them seem like underdogs, which they're not, and to give them the opportunity to "show all the haters" or some such nonsense.
Go out and play some basketball, Heat. Keep your mouths shut about how awesome you are for the rest of the season. Speak with the fricken' ball. Once you either win the whole damn thing or get eliminated early, then brag or cry.
Nothing against crying, just have some sense of proportion. Heavens to Betsy!
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:05 PM on March 07, 2011
They're still first place by three games.
Who is? Not the Heat.
posted by dyams at 07:43 PM on March 07, 2011
Yes they are, in their division.
I feel like this is an attempt to make them seem like underdogs
If not underdogs, some sort of Us v. The World rallying cry, given D. Wade's "Everybody hates me, guess I'll go eat worms" speech.
posted by yerfatma at 07:45 PM on March 07, 2011
"This is a classic example of sensationalism, looking for a headline," Spoelstra said after the team's two-hour film session and workout on Monday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I really think you guys are probably reaching for this. Guys were very emotional about it in the locker room. Heads were down. I saw glossy eyes, but that's about it. I think everything else is probably an exaggeration."
Has anyone ever fired the coach of a team over .650?
posted by yerfatma at 08:37 PM on March 07, 2011
Has anyone ever fired the coach of a team over .650?
Claude Julien was fired with one game left in the 2006-2007 NHL season, after leading the Devils to a 47-24-8 record (.646 record).
Al McNeil took over the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970-1971 season. He turned the team around (with a .645 winning % in the final 55 games) and won the Stanley Cup. He was replaced before the start of the next season.
That's just off the top of my head.
posted by grum@work at 08:52 PM on March 07, 2011
Claude Julien was fired with one game left in the 2006-2007 NHL season, after leading the Devils to a 47-24-8 record (.646 record).
But we can never know what goes on inside the brilliant mind of Uncle Lou.
posted by NoMich at 09:18 PM on March 07, 2011
Yes they are, in their division.
Divisions in the NBA aren't necessary. It's where they stand in the east that matters.
posted by dyams at 09:55 PM on March 07, 2011
Divisions in the NBA aren't necessary. It's where they stand in the east that matters.
So, wait, the top team from each division doesn't automatically go to the playoffs anymore? :P
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:40 PM on March 07, 2011
the top team from each division doesn't automatically go to the playoffs anymore?
Unfortunately, yes ..
"Teams 1 to 4 in each conference are the three division winners and the team with the next best regular-season record, with the seeding of these four teams determined by regular-season record. The playoffs seedings of Teams 5 to 8 are based upon regular-season record."
posted by cixelsyd at 11:34 PM on March 07, 2011
But better records are guaranteed home court advantage in matchups, not division winners.
posted by dyams at 07:57 AM on March 08, 2011
posted by yerfatma at 09:12 PM on March 10, 2011
I'm amazed that the stars of the Heat have so little composure and self-assurance. It's like they thought the mere presence of the three stars on a gutted team would instantly translate into rings.
If they keep the faith and stay patient, the success will come. But if they keep overreacting to adversity, they'll flame out completely.