Team USA really made a statement with their 92-69 win over Greece this morning. Facing the team that beat them 4 years ago in Athens, they responded brilliantly. They drove to the hoop, played stellar D, and passed the ball effectively. This win has really proved to me that the red white and blue are the team to beat. Right now, its their gold medal to lose, and with play like that, I don’t think they will.

Dwayne Wade once again made his presence felt by scoring 17 points ( Kobe and Chris Bosh both had 18 to lead Team USA) over 20 minutes on the floor. He also had 5 helpers and really locked down on defense, grabbing 6 steals. (You know somewhere Erik Spoelstra is counting his lucky stars that Dwayne Wade looks like he’s in championship MVP form once again.)  

The big story of this game is Chris Bosh, who went 7-8 from the field, had 5 boards and 2 blocks to compliment his 18 points over his 21 minutes spent on the court. Although team USA dominated the scoreboard, the 3 point shooting was yet again very shaky, the team going 7-20 overall.

Team USA will now face Spain, the most talented opponent USA will have to face in these Olympics. They shut down Germany 72-59, holding Dirk to only 11 points. Pau Gasol had 13. Although Spain is amidst controversy during these olympics, it looks like they have used it to fuel their hunger for gold, and it also looks like it will be time for redemption for the redeem team.

Next Game : USA vs. Spain    10:15 am ET        8/16/08
Quote: “We played like we wanted to win. We played together,” U.S. guard Dwyane Wade said. “We were very aware of their offensive sets, we were very aware of their personnel and we played like that. So we were kind of a step in front of what they wanted to do because we kind of knew everything already.”            - ESPN

As a billion people watched on TV, Team USA, under the watchful eyes of Coach K, stormed to a 101-70 victory over the hosting country of China. Chris Bosh rebounded very strongly, Kobe put on a show with some flashy dunks, but more importantly, Dwayne Wade was the driving force for the team, with a team high 19 points off of the bench.

Heat fans can’t help but be happy that Wade has gotten off on the right foot, especially following his knee injury last season. Tayshaun Prince has been quoted as saying that Wade is playing his best basketball since the NBA Championship, and with his new found partners in Shawn Marion, and rookie phenom Michael Beasley, I can only hope that D maintains this level of play through camp, and onto the beginning of the NBA season.

Next Game: USA vs. Angola      8 am     8/12/08

We are working on getting all posts revived on letsgoheat.com. We had a database malfunction that has screwed us right now, but we’ll be back soon.

I’ve been waiting my whole life to witness The Miami Heat win one and we got it tonight.

I feel so good for everyone on the team. All the vets, all the unsung heroes, and for our young star who clearly deserves everything he got.

Dwayne Wade is the MVP for the 2006 finals and the decision was not even close. The absolute clear and obvious winner.

Tonight may have been The Heat’s best team basketball, not seen since the Detroit series and regular season.

Udonis had his best game of the series. Since game 3 Haslem’s defense has been great on Dirk. Tonight it was steady as well, except he was able to knock down his famous jumper and collect a double double by being tenacious on the glass. He was really great in that department for us.

Another spark was Alonzo Mourning’s play. This guy, and I’ve been saying it all season, has given us, the fans, everything he has. Zo may have had his best season this year. His limited minutes have almost always been chock full of stats and have helped this team over many a hump.

The Heat were down as much as 14 when Zo, The Minister of Defense, as Eric Reid likes to often put it, stepped onto the court. Miami could do nothing right. No defense, no ball control, and Dallas was dropping points in the paint like it was going out of style. I immediately call my brother saying Zo has to come in. I don’t care if Shaq deserves his minutes, I don’t want to lose this game because of policy. We need defense, rebounds, and paint protection and Alonzo Mourning delivered big time.

Zo comes in and immediately blocks shots, rebounds, and makes two dunks. The guy got 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Zo brought us back from being down 11 points to being up 1 at the half. The Mavericks never really took it to the hoop and settled for jump shots for the rest of the game.

I can’t say how happy I am for Zo. Not just for what he went through with his transplant, but I’ve been watching Zo play for The Heat since he got here from Charlotte. Heck, I’ve been watching him since Charlotte. Don’t forget Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson were teammates in NBA Jam. They were always my team in that game.

I’m happy for the players who have chased rings and have gotten close like, Gary Payton, Shanden Andersen, Derek Andersen, and Antoine Walker.

So congratulations Heat. I watched every regular game this season and you guys made it worth it.

Prime 112 Restaurant
My rating: 5 out of 5

This place is a great post Heat game dinner spot. One of the best. Its often frequented by Heat players themselves. Prime 112 is one of the hottest restaurants in SOBE. The food is fantastic. Shaq has been spotted here several times.

Prime 112 specializes in steaks and although thats what I always get, I have tasted the Kobe hamburger and that gives the steaks a run for their money. Maybe Shaq eats the Kobe?

Prime 112 side dishes are not the typical stuffy ala carte fare you get at say Morton’s or Capital Grille. Some popular sides are truffle mac and cheese and vanilla bean sweet potato mash.

The ambience at Prime 112 is typical South Beach, but turned up a notch.

Not for kids.

Dress is sheek casual to dressy.

Pros: Food, Ambience, Service
Cons: Price

Versailles
My rating: 4 out of 5

If you’re not cuban, but you like cuban food this place is worth making a trip for.

Great food and good prices. This restaurant has some real character.

Definitely worth a trip for lunch or early dinner before a Heat game or Hurricanes game.

Pros: Food, Food (twice on purpose)
Cons: Location, Parking