The Sad Truth

            For Christmas my girlfriend gave me tickets to the February 10 Hawks vs. Heat game in Atlanta.  Its cliché, but words can’t express the joy I felt upon receiving those tickets.  And the seats…the seats, courtside!  I literally broke out into my very own happy dance.  If my brother had had his camera, no doubt I would be a youtube sensation(more likely, obscure youtube fool).  Needless to say, I’ve got to step my game up for Valentine’s Day when it comes to the gift giving.  However, that’s not what this article is about. What you’re reading is focused on the upcoming game itself and what just became clear to me, it’s sad but predictable result.

            It hasn’t been easy being a Heat fan this season.  Halfway through the NBA season Miami has experienced its highs and lows, unfortunately, recently it’s been more of the latter.  Last night I had the misfortune of tuning into the 39 pt drubbing put on the Heat by the Bobcats.  After watching Nazr Mohammed give Jermaine O’Neal WORK, and concluding that Dorell Wright was the best Heat player on the floor last night I had an epiphany.  My epiphany was that come February 10 my beloved Heat are going to get wrecked(my initial thought was a bit more graphic in nature, but I decided to clean it up a bit). 

            Now I’m a diehard Heat fan, really I am, so believe me when I say it hurts me to admit to myself that Miami is most likely going to take a loss to the Hawks in February.  I envy Lakers and Cavs fans for their belief that their team has a very good chance to win every game as long as they play well or in more cases just playing decently usually suffices.  Not so for the Heat.  When the Heat play a contender, I have to hope not only for my team to play well but also for the opposing team to play down to the competition.  It’s sad, but true. 

            If anyone would have received this memo, you would think it would be the Heat players themselves.  But after the kind of game they had yesterday it doesn’t look like that point has sank home.  Miami is a mediocre team.  Miami’s offense is not only limited but it’s predictable.  Predictably bad.  They have 2.5 offensive weapons, Dwyane Wade, Micheal Beasley, and O’Neal.  Wait, have you seen O’Neal this season?  I take it back, Miami has two offensive weapons.  Wade, when not being double or triple-teamed has to face a congested paint.  Beasley, as any true Heat fan will tell you, is totally underutilized.  His touches are limited and when he does get the ball you can see that he’s over thinking things, worrying about making a mistake and getting taken out of the game.  If Pat Riley doesn’t want to have to fire Eric Spoelstra, he better get him an offensive minded assistant-coach sometime before next season.

            Defense was an area that the Heat were supposed to be able to hang their hat on, but even that has been abysmal at times this season.  The Heat’s defensive system is based on solid principles, the problem is with personnel and effort.  The Heat’s limitations crossover to the defensive end also, neither Mario Chalmers or Carlos Arroyo can stay in front of anyone and O’Neal this season has been all talk and no results.  There was no effort in last night’s loss to the Bobcats and that pissed me off more than anything.  After a nightmarish first quarter, the team waved a white flag and rolled over for the Charlotte.  I can accept the Heat not having much in the way of talent, but there is no excuse for their lack of effort. 

            Barring a major trade it will be the same Heat personnel from last night that face the Hawks in February.  The last time these two teams faced each other the Hawks couldn’t make a shot in the ocean.  I would like to think they have forgotten about that game, but something tells me that they’ll be reminded of it before that game and come out with a vengeance.  I’d like to think the Heat will be ready of that first wave.  I’d like to think that the Heat will play with effort.  I’d like to think that it will be a competitive game that will go down to the wire and end with Dwyane Wade heroics.  I’d like to think that my positive thinking will lead to Heat victory. Sigh.  I just remembered, how much my positive thinking helped in the 07-08 season.  15 wins, ouch.

            Oh well.  Come the night of February 10, I’ll be in Philips Arena sharing my Heat on.  If it just so happens that Jamal Crawford is capping a 15-0 run with another three to put the game away in fourth quarter.  I’ll console myself with these two facts, I got to see Dwyane Wade play live and we’ll be much better next year.  I know, I know, to have conceded defeat before battle is sad.  All I can do now though is accept the sad truth.


Tega