I have a decade worth of hate.
---------- Post added 17-05-2011 at 10:25 AM ----------
And in any case, I wrote a preview of this series on another site, which Ill post here for your enjoyment.
Preview of the Heat Bulls series.
Prediciton : Bulls 4-2.
Although the Bulls took the regular season series, Miami haven't played as well as they are right now all year. With Boozer's final game against Atlanta showing he may FINALLY be fit (may), it means the series should be very even. Let's look at the match ups.
Rose V Bibby/Chalmers/House
Clear win for the Bulls and this little match up at the point could decidce the series. There is no doubting Rose's talent and the MVP award now sitting in his den means for Miami to win this series, they need to come up with a way to stop him. I think Wade or Lebron will do most of the defensive side of things on him, which could well open up Bogans/Korver/Brewer outside shooting. Rose has torched Miami so far this year, I see no reason why that will change. Whoever the heat have at the point, simply won't be enough.
Bogans V Wade
Since the heat have worked out that this IS wade's team, not Lebron's, they have been playing alot better. The key to Wade's game is his ability to get into the paint, if they can keep him outside, he becomes a less dangerous prospect. Easier said than done, Bogans and co will have their hands full trying to keep him out there. Wade can be streaky from long range , so if they keep him out there and away from the foul line, they can limit his effectiveness. Chicago's SG can make more of an impact on the defensive end that the offensive by playing solid D on Wade. On offense, if they can offer 8-10 points a night and limit Wade to 20-24, then that's almost a win for them. Big big task.
Deng V Lebron
Another key match up. Bigger than the SG match up as Deng offers alot in Chicago's offense. Also, he's a big body that James won't be able to bang against and move out of the way. Like Wade, Chicago need to keep Lebron away from the paint and the charity stripe. Once that happens, he can get frustrated and starts jacking up wild three's from all over the place. Key will obviously be some help from Noah and Boozer in double teams, but Deng can hold his own defensively against Lebron. But where he can really hurt Miami is in his Offense. He has such a pure shot, a nice quick release and if he gets on a roll hits them from anywhere. Lebron is no defensive slouch so Deng will have his work for him in getting those open shots, will be a lot of moving and screens off the ball, but having the best PG in the business feeding him, he should get his fair share. Lebron still showing why he's so hard to guard though with his current form, he could well just tear Chicago a new date.
Boozer V Bosh
Not sure whether it was mind games or an inadvertant slip, but Boozer's comments on Miami may have Bosh fired up. "They have two great players in Wade and James, they are a well coached, well drilled team........" All year theyve been known as the "Big 3", Boozer only ackowledges two of them as a challenge?? In any case, it's either a chance for Booz to eat his words or show he was right about what he said, this pair will matchup head to head for most of the series. Bosh sweet outside shot, when going, is hard to match up with, Boozer isn't the best defender in the PF position so Bosh could exploit that. Boozer edge may come in rebounding numbers, bigger body, more aggressive in the paint might give him the edge there. Im looking forward to this battle, two big off season buys banging in the ECF, couldnt have scripted it better. Keys will be Bosh's ability to get the ball fed to him, and Boozer's ability to stay fit!!!
Noah V Anthony
Noah's agression on the boards, both defensive and offensive is a worry for the Heat. He's no nonsense, hard nosed, in your face makes him so loved in Chicago and so not loved with other sides. It's no secret that the Heat have been beaten up this year by the bigger bodies around the league, but with Haslem potentially finding some minutes and Anthony's length, they may just be able to battle back. I think this is where Bosh could be either so influential or so ineffective. Noah has the potential to go too hard and get into foul trouble, however, being a playoff series you would hope the ref's would let a bit more go. In any case, Noah can make a big impact with his defence, and like Anthony is a decent shot blocker. Both sides match up pretty even here, with a bit white European guy coming off the bench.
BENCH V BENCH
Heat's bench has been labelled "Scrubtastic". But, if their sole purppose is coming on for 2:16 minutes to provide a body that gives James and Wade a rest, they are doing a superb job at it. I think Jones can make the biggets impact offensively for the Heat as seen in the Boston game where he scored 25, and Miller if he decides to crash the boards can make a big impact defensivley. The rest, may not see much action outside of Chalmers and House to rotate on Rose.
Bulls bench is a good even spread of ompact players on both ends of the court. Korver is a pure shooter, Watson and Brewer provide good offensive and Gibson is growing into a real up tempo player that makes a difference when he enters a game. This is where the series could be decided.
I think the Bulls will have too much, based largely around the Heats inability to handle Rose. You can't ignore just how well Miami are playing at the right end of the year. They have got it together,
and I think we need to resign ourselves to the fact that if they don't win it all this year, it's only a matter of time before they do. Should be a great series.