Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the prolific heat offense will account for a meager (6 -29 Tues &Wed) combined 4th quarter shooting in the future. The more pressing dilemma is the increasing likelihood
that these two quarters of basketball, will drastically affect the heat’s regular season by pushing the team down a slippery slope. The integrity of the team’s record may be seriously jeopardized in the
next 4 games, all of which feature blue-chip teams (Den, SA, LAL, Phi). This trend is precisely similar to 2010-11, where the heat suffered five losses in six games on their January road trip and another five straight in March. These two quick stretches accounted for nearly fifty percent of the heats losses that season, and demonstrate their trend to spiral after consecutive losses. With the additional constraints imposed by the shortened season, it is certainly conceivable that the next few games may be the toughest
stretch for Miami; outside March’s 4 day encounter against Portland, Utah, and the Lakers. Let’s hope Spolestra, like all great leaders, learns from last the past and avoids the fatal mistake of repeating the mistakes of history.

While it is easy to understand that it is a business and both sides seem to have legitimate reasons as to why they are asking for what they are, it still really hurts the fans more than anyone. The NBA cancelled all of the Summer League games that are usually taking place right now. Once the NFL went into their lockout, people thought the NBA would try their best to not fall into the same problems but to no avail they did and it needs to end soon.

If they are forced to miss any games, whether preseason or regular season, it will then really start to hurt the pockets of all the Billionaires and Millionaires. Let’s hope this gets worked out soon and the
players can get back on the court here, instead of playing overseas.

The game came to quick fizzle 5 minutes in when Dwade pulled a hammy. Everyone held their breath, but the dude was ok. Better now than later.

It is such a good feeling to know that when one star is on the bench we have another two that can lead the team. Not only lead, but trample. James looked as good as he ever has and Bosh led the team with 20 points. The unsung hero again is you guessed it Udonis Haslem with 14/13 rebs.

I know its preseason, but this team is so damn good! Lets Go Heat!

Btw there is a great MMA event on Saturday. Nick Diaz is fighting KJ Noons for the welterweight championship belt.

You can view the event here:

Individual tickets for “Sports * Stars * Wishes . . . The Make-A-Wish Ultimate Sports Auction� are available for $275. The Broward County Convention Center is located at 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, just off the SE 17th Street Causeway.

For more information or to reserve seats for the ultimate sports auction, call (888) 773-9474, extension 318.

Each year, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida (www.sfla.wish.org), the 4th largest wish-granting chapter in the world, fulfills the wishes of more than 500 children in 13 South Florida counties. With $5,000 being the average cost of a wish, the nonprofit organization relies on fundraisers, corporate support, and donations from the public to bring hope, strength, and joy to families who need it most.

Then Daequon Cook inbounds under the net to Chris Quinn on a wrap around where he nails a 3 pointer in front of the Warriors bench with 7 seconds left.

Michael Beasley is pumping his fists in happiness and looking up at the opposite scoreboard when he remembers to pressure the inbound. Andris Biedrins inbounds the ball to Crawford and Beasley shoots in front and steals the ball. He then charges the basket and rainbows the layup which gets blocked by Biedrins, but catches the blocked ball and puts it up and misses, BUT gets fouled. He makes the first and misses the second putting the Heat UP one.

Stephen Jackson inbounds to Crawford, who had been red hot all night, dribble drives and lays one up on a popper and it rims out. Heat win 130-129 in one of the best reg games I’ve ever seen.

This Heat team contests the opponent throughout the entire game. During the Shaq years we would always lag and make a huge surge in the 4th quarter. Now we play a much more balanced game and its exciting to watch.

Utah Jazz are up Wednesday.

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

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