Here comes Detroit. Miami is clashing with Detroit for a second time in 2 years in the Eastern Conference Finals.

What’s different this year?

-The bench of the Miami Heat is stacked with veterans as opposed to untested playoff first timers.
-Two first rate, albeit old, but veteran, point guards as opposed to Damon Jones and an unfamiliar and injured Dwayne Wade bringing up the ball.
-A slimmer quicker Shaq.
-Multiple deep three threats in James Posey, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, Gary Payton, and now Wade as opposed to just Damon Jones.
-Defensively, they might be slightly better due to veteran wiles and the ability to take more charges. Udonis Haslem has improved his defense tremendously over last year.
-Chemistry with Shaq is better. Especially between Shaq and Haslem/Wade.
-Big time shooting Robert Horry style with Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, and Dwayne Wade as opposed to just Wade last year.
-The ability to get to the basket more with Williams, Wade, Shaq, Haslem, Payton, and Walker. Last year it was Wade, Shaq, and sometimes Haslem. None of the perimeter players could really get to the basket last year (aside from that hellacious dunk on The Franchise by Keeyon Dooling last year).
-Lets not forget coaching. The coaching staff has naturally gotten better with some more experience under their belt. Oh yeh they added Pat Riley too.
-Announcers. Yes The Coach, Tony Fiorentino got better at calling the games and doing color. Eric Reid, like Coach Rothstein, had no way of improving after so many years. They just maintained their greatness.

I’ve been Antoine Walker’s biggest fan it seems if you listen to the callers on 790 the ticket. Not the hostsmind you. but the callers. I remember people saying we should be playing Dorell Wright over Antoine. I don’t think so now and I never did then. Without Walker it seems we would not have beaten the Nets. Hes had 3 big games in this series including clutch baskets we needed.

I’m filing under this under coaching as well. Riley knows Walker is the last key to the puzzle to spread the defense giving Shaq and Wade more room. If Haslem can get his bounds and baskets in addition to those 3 then we will beat anyone.

Shaq had his best game of the series with 1 handed alley oop dunks and his vintage spin two handed dunks. Shaq rebounded strong most of the game. I was really impressed with his rebounding tonight. Shaq seemed to be playing with tremendous effort. Maybe because D Wade is hurting a bit more than we know.

James Posey had a tremendous game with great defense and huge baskets. Including his steal off the pass in.

Haslem had a tremendous night on the glass. One of the major keys to our success.

Walker played pretty much contained, but put in a significant contribution early in the game to give us a nice lead.

Bring on the Nets Baby!