11/05/24
November 01, 2006
Chicago Plays Rings Around Miami After Championship Party: In 1982, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Golden State Warriors 132-117, a 15-point loss that was the worst ever by a defending champ in a season opener -- until last night. The Miami Heat followed an hour-long ring presentation and banner-raising ceremony with a 42-point loss to the Chicago Bulls. "We have been conditioned to accept the notion that these 82 regular-season games do not matter much to the Heat," writes Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote. "But we are now reminded, with some certainty, that these games will matter very much to Miami's opponents. All 82 of them."
posted by rcade to basketball at 08:35 AM - 12 comments
I watched this game, and it was amazing how ugly the Heat played. They looked old and tired aside from D-Wade. Shaq was invisible. I know I'm biased because I want them to lose 81 more games, but Miami's decision to stand pat seems like a huge mistake.
posted by rcade at 09:26 AM on November 01, 2006
I have read numerous articles about this game, and each one has blamed the Heat for their putrid performance. Yes, they looked lazy, they looked like they didn't care, they were sloppy and couldn't buy a basket, but how about the Bulls? Does anyone realize what kind of a statement they just made? Hopefully this is just the beginning for what the Bulls can do, but I also hope Miami bounces back. They are a better team than what showed last night.
posted by sublime4390116 at 09:36 AM on November 01, 2006
I know I'm biased because I want them to lose 81 more games, but Miami's decision to stand pat seems like a huge mistake. They are pursuing Jalen Rose. p.s. How can you hate them? You must have missed Wade's Lincoln commerial. He cares about the kids.
posted by bperk at 10:10 AM on November 01, 2006
This game was not a fluke. I predicted before this game that the Bulls would win the East this year and I feel very secure in that prediction today. And Tyrus Thomas will be a superstar when he learns to play under control. Can anyone name another player who both rejected Shaq and dunked on Shaq in his first NBA game?
posted by Scott Carefoot at 10:15 AM on November 01, 2006
The Bulls are definitely a team on the rise. I wouldn't count on Tyrus Thomas this year, though. He's going to get schooled.
posted by rcade at 11:17 AM on November 01, 2006
Well, who did Shaq play in his first NBA game?
posted by yerfatma at 11:23 AM on November 01, 2006
What a way to wake up this morning The Bulls are going all the way this year Just Kidding but this team is already much better than last year. This Bulls team will definetely get out of the first round in the playoffs which is why they did the off season moves They have assembled good players around a young team and I wish them the best of luck and barring injuries the might even win the east this year GO BULLS
posted by luther70 at 12:04 PM on November 01, 2006
You must have missed Wade's Lincoln commerial. He cares about the kids. Good Lord, do I ever hate that commercial. I would love to see someone do a column in Miami (maybe Carl Hiaasen?) on whether Wade has ever given anything that substantial away. I consider that sort of bullshit intellectual fraud.
posted by wfrazerjr at 12:05 PM on November 01, 2006
I want to know exactly how many basketballs you can fit into a Navigator.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:26 PM on November 01, 2006
Scott Carefoot, I called this one too. Bulls take the Heat this year and could go all the way on defense, depth and athletism. not a fan of either team--just an observer. when I told my friends this before the game everyone told me they were a sub par .500 team that was going no-where near the champs, who got completely exposed in that game. but this is more than just the wishfull thinking from the Ben Wallace addition, look down the line and you'll see what I mean, a couple of solid veterans, size and rebounding up front, peremiter shooting plus penetration and youthfull exuberance. As far as Tyrus Thomas getting schooled by rcade--your right, he WILL make mistakes. but his rawness shows Amare like potential, we'll just have to wait and see but I think this kid will be exciting to watch. ...watch out for the Bulls this year, thats all I'm saying.
posted by Captain Shugg at 09:08 PM on November 01, 2006
Can anyone name another player who both rejected Shaq and dunked on Shaq in his first NBA game? yes, I seem to remember Kobe blocking shaq's shot so that he could have the shot and then dunking it on shaq's head.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 02:42 PM on November 02, 2006
So many teams make the playoffs in the NBA that it would be pretty shocking if the Heat didn't. I think there don't-use-it-all-up-in-the-regular-season formula can still work. Plus, they have some old players, so what other formula could they possibly use?