2012 NBA Playoffs: Why the Heat Are Definite Locks to Win the Eastern Conference
Most people, including me, expected the Heat to win the Eastern Conference before Derrick Rose got hurt.
Then, Rose got hurt, and we all locked the Heat in to win the East.
The Heat are dominating the Knicks and should cruise into the second round, where they would play either Orlando or Indiana. Indiana is inexperienced and is playing like it, and there's no way the Magic can beat the Heat without Dwight Howard.
That brings us to the East finals, where Miami will be playing Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, or Chicago.
If Philly or Atlanta somehow make it here, the Heat will run them over in 4 or 5 games. If the Celtics or Bulls make it, the Heat will have a harder test.
But here's why they'd beat both teams.
Chicago has played well without D-Rose this year, but with Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, and CJ Watson being the Bulls' best players, I doubt they'll be able to beat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in a seven-game series.
Boston isn't the team they were when they won the East two years ago, even though they still have all of their stars. Ray Allen has been battling injuries, Rajon Rondo got suspended for one game, and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett struggled in Game 1 against the Hawks.
Now, Boston only played in one playoff game this year, but they sure didn't do a good job in that playoff game.
Garnett and Pierce both shot badly and missed opportunities to score. The Celtics missed too many easy shots and let Atlanta make too many jumpers early on, and although Atlanta let them back into the game and gave them opportunities to win, Boston didn't capitalize.
The Celtics went 2-1 against Miami during the regular season, winning 2 in April. However, I think Boston will lose Game 2 without Rajon Rondo, the team MVP of Game 1, and they'll fall behind 2-0. I don't think Boston will win 4 of 5 games against Atlanta, and I see them going home early.
Miami played Chicago last year with an NBA Finals berth on the line, and the Heat prevailed in 5 games. Derrick Rose was heavily pressured on his shots, and he struggled as the Heat ran away with the series.
Without Derrick Rose, imagine what Chicago would face.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James at their best. Chris Bosh, who can take Carlos Boozer out of the game and force the Bulls guards to beat Miami. Shane Battier and Mike Miller, who can light up a crowd with a triple at any time. Mario Chalmers, who can drive, pass, and shoot.
LeBron James has been a nightmare for defenses so far, getting ahead on fastbreaks, driving to the hoop, and finishing. The King has light up American Airlines Arena in the Heat's first two games against New York, with dunks, jumpers, and three-point plays.
And that Wade guy isn't too bad either.
Both of them, plus Bosh and the rest of the team, are contesting shots and playing with energy on defense, which is what Boston lacked in Game 1.
The Heat will out-hustle anyone they face in the East, and they will get ahead of the defense and score two-on-one, three-on-one, and three-on-two baskets.
Miami's Big Three came up short last year, but they won the East. This year, the team is better, and the road is easier. There's no reason to believe why the Heat won't make the NBA Finals.
They shoot well, they attack the basket, they play smart, they defend well, and they know how to light up a crowd. Heat fans have to be very confident right now, because they're going to go far in the playoffs.
And nobody will stop them.
Then, Rose got hurt, and we all locked the Heat in to win the East.
The Heat are dominating the Knicks and should cruise into the second round, where they would play either Orlando or Indiana. Indiana is inexperienced and is playing like it, and there's no way the Magic can beat the Heat without Dwight Howard.
That brings us to the East finals, where Miami will be playing Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, or Chicago.
If Philly or Atlanta somehow make it here, the Heat will run them over in 4 or 5 games. If the Celtics or Bulls make it, the Heat will have a harder test.
But here's why they'd beat both teams.
Chicago has played well without D-Rose this year, but with Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, and CJ Watson being the Bulls' best players, I doubt they'll be able to beat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in a seven-game series.
Boston isn't the team they were when they won the East two years ago, even though they still have all of their stars. Ray Allen has been battling injuries, Rajon Rondo got suspended for one game, and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett struggled in Game 1 against the Hawks.
Now, Boston only played in one playoff game this year, but they sure didn't do a good job in that playoff game.
Garnett and Pierce both shot badly and missed opportunities to score. The Celtics missed too many easy shots and let Atlanta make too many jumpers early on, and although Atlanta let them back into the game and gave them opportunities to win, Boston didn't capitalize.
The Celtics went 2-1 against Miami during the regular season, winning 2 in April. However, I think Boston will lose Game 2 without Rajon Rondo, the team MVP of Game 1, and they'll fall behind 2-0. I don't think Boston will win 4 of 5 games against Atlanta, and I see them going home early.
Miami played Chicago last year with an NBA Finals berth on the line, and the Heat prevailed in 5 games. Derrick Rose was heavily pressured on his shots, and he struggled as the Heat ran away with the series.
Without Derrick Rose, imagine what Chicago would face.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James at their best. Chris Bosh, who can take Carlos Boozer out of the game and force the Bulls guards to beat Miami. Shane Battier and Mike Miller, who can light up a crowd with a triple at any time. Mario Chalmers, who can drive, pass, and shoot.
LeBron James has been a nightmare for defenses so far, getting ahead on fastbreaks, driving to the hoop, and finishing. The King has light up American Airlines Arena in the Heat's first two games against New York, with dunks, jumpers, and three-point plays.
And that Wade guy isn't too bad either.
Both of them, plus Bosh and the rest of the team, are contesting shots and playing with energy on defense, which is what Boston lacked in Game 1.
The Heat will out-hustle anyone they face in the East, and they will get ahead of the defense and score two-on-one, three-on-one, and three-on-two baskets.
Miami's Big Three came up short last year, but they won the East. This year, the team is better, and the road is easier. There's no reason to believe why the Heat won't make the NBA Finals.
They shoot well, they attack the basket, they play smart, they defend well, and they know how to light up a crowd. Heat fans have to be very confident right now, because they're going to go far in the playoffs.
And nobody will stop them.
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