http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nba/teams/1/80x60/mia.gif VS http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nba/teams/1/80x60/njn.gif


Duane Wade re-injures himself, Shaq gets tired from running and the Nets win in 6 and face us in the ECF. Pretty much how I see it.

Should be a great ECF no matter if it's the Nets or Heat.

Round 2 Schedule

1. Mon, May 8 – at Miami, 8:00 pm EDT (TNT)
2. Wed, May 10 – at Miami, 8:00 pm EDT (TNT)
3. Fri, May 12 – at New Jersey, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
4. Sun, May 14 – at New Jersey
5.* Tue, May 16 – at Miami, 8:00 pm EDT (TNT)
6.* Thu, May 18 – at New Jersey, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
7.* Sun, May 21 – at Miami

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5438/njvheat3da.jpg
Kidd is really the leading rebounder for the Nets?

I think the big key to NJ winning this series is how aggressive they take it to the basket, and how durable they can be.

If they take the ball to the hoop, they'll have a good chance of getting Snaq in foul trouble, and the Bulls just showed how effective that can be when you are trying to beat the Heat. The Bulls just weren't good enough to pull it off.

I think if the Nets play the same way the Bulls did they'll have a shot, because they have the slashing/swing players to seal the deal. Of course, the Bulls also hit a ton of threes, and the Nets won't be doing that IMO.

Will Kristic be able to knock down his jumper and pull Snaq away from the rim?

Should be an interesting, albeit sickening, series to watch.

i think NJ can win this. Miami doesn't have the defenders to slow down Vince and RJ. i think Vince averaged like 38.5ppg vs the heat during the regular season. that seemed to be the problem w/ the bulls. they just didn't have the firepower to attack the heat.

i think i picked Miami to win it in the playoff contest, but i really think this will be close and the Nets can handle them.

Isn't it hilarious that teams get huge guys just to battle Shaq and the first two teams the Heat play in the playoffs are teams with almost zero post presence who simply run past, around, and through them?

Might be fun to add a poll to this to see who everyone thinks will win.

I'm like Matt. I picked the Heat in my bracket, but I'm sort of leaning towards NJ right now, even if they didn't put away Indy as easily as I thought they would.

The Heat were even less impressive, IMO.

The Nets have had pretty good success against Shaq this season. They play him one on one with Collins.

For all of the Nets shortcomings Jason Kidd is just so damn good at making you think they actually have a team. The Heat are kind of similar in respect that they really suck as a team but somehow they pull it off as if they are a good elite team.

I heard Mahorn say on the radio the other day that this friend of his in Miami says that the Heat are the worst team at what they do. Really wasn't sure what he ways saying but I take it as what I said above.

hmmm the nets could only beat the pacers w/o peja. the heat had trouble with the perimeter play and defense of the bulls. i think it goes 5 games with a heat win. NJ defense is a sham of a lie(the bulls play much better defense than them IMO). They can't stop wade. They wont slow shaq down. And they dont move the ball around enough to rattle the heat after Kidd.

The heat are overrated on defense too. but not as much as jersey. they cant stop carter on the perimeter, unlike jersey they got a couple guys to make up for it on help out. VC can dunk on mourning. but more often than not mourning will alter and block his shot. the only way the nets push this one is if kristic averages 20+ points a game in the series.

Rors, after reading your prediction on the Jersey series I called my bookie and laid everything on the Nets. I mean given your prognastication history and all.


Suns in 4. this is a joke matchup. I expect the Suns to push for 160 while kobe is pushing for 60.

Rors, after reading your prediction on the Jersey series I called my bookie and laid everything on the Nets. I mean given your prognastication history and all.


Suns in 4. this is a joke matchup. I expect the Suns to push for 160 while kobe is pushing for 60.
i based it on something. nice try though. i'd never give you a prediction without depending factors. not that naive. sorry. :)

kobe tried to go for 60 (came up 10 short) and they lost. sticks to what i said. and no one here predicted phil jackson getting him to stick to the gameplan this long. no one person saw that coming including d'antoni's dumbass. i gave you reasons i figure the heat to win. but thats depending on kristic. if he explodes the nets have a shot. but if he doesnt and odds are that shaq will wear him and his mediocre frontline buddies down. cliff robinson could be a factor too, but he's more streaky that walker and his hot streaks are coming fewer and farther in between. VC is gonna try to outscore wade, but wade has no resistence the paint at all. VC has to try and dunk on Zo and Shaq all series.

if theres any change i'll make, it would be that jeffersons defense will have to be better than letting walker go to the hole all day like the bulls did. but shit sell your mortgage on the nets. just dont blame me when Jimmy the finger breaker the loan shark owns your crib. :)

All in good fun.

The Nets are pretty good defensively, or at least better than what you give them credit for. The Heat should win this series (I am sure they are favored too) but the Nets are one of those types of teams that have the ability to beat anyone or lose to anyone. An enigma I guess.

I just wanted to bust your chops on that prediction is all.

All in good fun.

The Nets are pretty good defensively,.
you lost me right there. i'll read the rest later :)

Heat in 5 games.

Nets dont stand a chance unless carter and RJ are going for 40 each night.

Heat in 5 games.
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I don't care who wins this series. I just want it to go the distance or at least 6. A 5 game win for either team doesn't help us at all.

I don't care who wins this series. I just want it to go the distance or at least 6. A 5 game win for either team doesn't help us at all.

I care. I want to play the Nets. If you have to pick between Wade and Shaq, and some other team, you want the other team. The Heat have been lazy this year, but I think they're hungry--at least Shaq is--and since just looking at Wade the wrong way is a foul, I'd MUCH prefer the perimeter Nets. Krisitic had a nice game against us last time, but I don't think he can do it over a 7 game series.

Go Nets.

I'd rather beat Miami on the way to the Finals.

Beating Milwaukee, Cleveland, Miami and San Antonio is impressive (well, beating the Bucks is easy)

Avoiding Miami and possibly the Spurs will give all the haters more ammo.

I'd rather beat Miami on the way to the Finals.

Beating Milwaukee, Cleveland, Miami and San Antonio is impressive (well, beating the Bucks is easy)

Avoiding Miami and possibly the Spurs will give all the haters more ammo.

I agree, but fuck the haters.

The Nets have no inside presence at all. Kristic :eek: Shaq isnt what he used to be but he can still put up 30 and 20... Would be fun to watch Wade vs Vince driving it every possession.

Should be a hard one for both teams.

Who on the Nets guards Wade?

Who on the Nets guards Wade?

Better question: Who does Wade guard?

Game 1 tonight on TNT!

Nets jump out to a 12-2 lead. the Heat look shell shocked, lol.

Miami doesnt respect the Nets. That's very obvious.

17-5 Nets, w/ two free throws coming up.

the Heat had better start respecting them soon, lol.

RIchard Jefferson is DESTROYING Miami....

Jason Collins is flopping shaq to death.....

ROFLMAO!!

offensive foul on Shaq?!! he's been getting called for those this playoffs, i've noticed. hell hath frozen over.

collins just got blasted and bloodied in the chin by Wade

the Nets really need to do some damage while Shrek's on the bench w/ two fouls.

Nets up 16pts w/ 3min to go in the 1st. impressive.

WHen VInce Carter is out-hustling your team for rebounds, you're in trouble.

the Heat look like trash right now. when Wade or Snaq aren't shooting, it looks like they have no idea WTF to do.

wtf.....Flexo climbed over Lamond Murray like he was a jungle gym.

38-21 Nets after the 1st quarter.

Miami looking very old and very slow.

wow. 38-21 Nets.

38-21 Nets after the 1st quarter.

Miami looking very old and very slow.

exactly what i was thinking. that's even with lumbering Shrek on the bench. i mentioned in my first post in this thread that Vince and RJ were going to shred Miami's defense. 22 points between them in the 1st quarter.

i don't expect the Nets to continue to shoot 70%FG throughout the game.....but they've been getting lots of layups....

when Jason Kidd hits his outside shots, it's gonna be a long night....

Kidd 5-5 FG 2-2 3pt.

Nets up 22, LOL

Jason Kidd is shooting Payton into retirement....

ROFLMAO........Kidd is working Payton, Chauncey-style.

14 pts for Kidd

the heat truly expect teams to lay down in fear of them. factoring this in, maybe the heat go down in 6 ? :o

The Nets are really a terrific defensive team which is why I think they have a great chance at beating the heat. Jason Kidd is a tough matchup for most PG's due to his size.

Though there is one person here who hasn't watch the Nets much this year and doesn't think they are that good defensively.

Kidd is turning into a chucker and the the Heat are capoitolizing. 22 point lead down to 14. Shaq to the line....

Though there defense has been pretty porous on every Wade drive they are great? Wow I thought it was the heats lack of defense. :rolleyes:

Obvious Guy says......"Nets need to run more"

the nets arent doing anything on defense to make this happen. its all offense and bad D by miami.

Hehe. Okay great except for Wade drives to the bucket. Seriously though, it's pretty accepted that they are one of the better teams on defense. They lack a shot blocker but they man up better than most. Not the level of Detroit obviosuly but good. Steve Kerr just said their identity is on the defensive side.

sadly for the Heat, they are shooting 52% FG.

they've also got 10 turnovers.

Steve Kerr just said their identity is on the defensive side.
you understand that steve just killed their credibility. steve wasnt the defense guru last i checked :headshake:

the Heat are getting straight up embarassed.

can someone tell me what Miami's identity is? they've got absolutely no chemistry from what i've seen. they need to just give up pretending to be a complete team and let Wade and Shaq shoot 99.99% of the time.

Long rebounds off of missed threes are what the Nets live on.

And Miami looooves to oblige teams by missing the long ball....

And yes, its pretty clear Miami has no identity as a team. They're the Shaq and Wade show, period.

carries for anyone else =greatness dribbling by Wade.

the Heat are getting straight up embarassed.

can someone tell me what Miami's identity is?
Lazy, chucking premadonnas?

So much for my prediction that the Heat would be "hungry." Casebook example of defense being a habit, a practice you can't turn on and off.

How far the Heat have fallen from a year ago...

Nets up 21, RJ laughing as he runs back down the court.

Heat fans booing jason william's airball, lol.

ya'll have nice weather, but your fans suck.

The Miami Fakers.

wow....just turned on the game. This makes my crappy day moderatly happy.

how can you even argue Shaq leading with his elbows, not being an offensive foul?

the game would be a lot easier for me too, if i could give my defender elbow strikes before shooting....

The Miami Fakers.
The Meat? The Miami Sheat?

The best I can do.

[quote=Gecko] steve wasnt the defense guru last i checked :headshake:

Yeah true Rors, we all know your the defensive guru here. Kerr has nothing on you. :p

[quote=Gecko] steve wasnt the defense guru last i checked :headshake:

Yeah true Rors, we all know your the defensive guru here. Kerr has nothing on you. :p
nope. but kerr's endorsement doesnt sit you ahead of me . :D

Shaq picks up 3rd foul at 11:47 3rd quarter. Game, set, match.

RJ hurt......ruh roh.

Vince has blown by Wade like was not even there, for the second time.

Snaq picks up foul #4.

i love hearing the Heat fans boo their own players, lol.

Antoine Walker should be used to it by now....

NJ is running Chicago's gameplan vs Miami a lot better than Chicago....

"It has been a.....very....long night for Antione Walker" - Marv

If Jefferson is done for the season, NJ is screwed.

RJ went back to the lockerroom.

good news is, the Nets can probably finish off this game without him. they really need him back for the rest of the series, obviously.

RJ went back to the lockerroom.

good news is, the Nets can probably finish off this game without him. they really need him back for the rest of the series, obviously.
if miami slows the game down and stop turning the ball over trying to make espn. it'll be pretty easy to deal with the nets in a grind out game.


@gecko: the nets have a simplistic but effective scheme. but the idea that they actually "play" great defense is bs IMO.

The Nets have been handling Miami all season long, and they just did it again tonight.

Plain and simple, NJ has a better gameplan than the Heat, and Miami is the underdog in this series. There is no "obvious" way for Miami to beat NJ, like there was for Miami to beat Chicago.

Plain and simple, NJ has a better gameplan than the Heat, and Miami is the underdog in this series.
i totally agree there. pat riley has coached worse than d'antoni did against phil jackson.

Wrath of the fatman. Shaq was just told by his wife no dinner if they lose. :o

EDIT: nevermind. jason williams is shooting them back out of it. :)

Well, the Heat got a major shock tonight. All of a sudden, they're not the unquestioned 2nd best team in the East anymore.....

Time will tell wether or not NJ can keep it up.

If Jefferson is done for the season, NJ is screwed.

Am I the only one who feels that Jefferson didn't come back because the game was in hand?

That injury didn't look that bad at all. No need to risk further injury in a blow out.

If Jefferson is done for the season, NJ is screwed.

Am I the only one who feels that Jefferson didn't come back because the game was in hand?

That injury didn't look that bad at all. No need to risk further injury in a blow out.

Possibly, but it didn't matter because these guys can't stop Vince Carter. He absolutely ate them alive, followed closely by Kidd. Dwayne Wade also had an off night shooting(he was almost as bad at the FT as Shaq). If Jefferson's injury isn't serious then I could definitely see the Nets handling business quick.

@gecko: the nets have a simplistic but effective scheme. but the idea that they actually "play" great defense is bs IMO.

The Nets are one of the better defensive teams in the league. Jason Collins and Jason Kidd are both legitimate defensive forces, and Vince Carter can be when he tries.

Looks like Jefferson is out for game 2. If the Heat lose with Jefferson out then this series will be over in no more then 5.

Hopefully heat pull out game 2 and this series goes 7.

do the Nets have a chance in hell without RJ?

Well what do you know...RJ has some balls after all....

WTF is up with all of Wade's threes?

WTF is up with all of Wade's threes?
just put a hand in his face. but yea he's obviously been practicing it.

Miami 25

New Jersey 4

LOL

30 - 11 WTF? I just turned it on. What's going on?

Wade's hitting threes like ray allen, and NJ isn't playing hard at all.

So much for my NJ plays good defense tirade.

41-19 after the first quarter.

that was ugly. i give riley props for getting some of his pride back. bnut NJ comes out on top stealing a game regardless.

Shaq said after the game that they "gave one away' the other night? I remember it as a blistering by the Nets. I'd say the Nets took the game. No give away there Shaq.

But maybe I was thinking of a different game.

Jefferson should have sat out.

missed the game. bummer the Nets lost, but they split the first two, so they've gotta be happy about that.

how did RJ-tiny-ears look?

Tiny as ever.

Anyone watching this today? Shaq just calld for his 2nd offensive foul I didn't see the first one but this last one was rather B.S.

I think the thing I like least about this series is that the Heat are playing Gary Payton for defensive reasons.

Wade down again. He stayed down for 2 possessions but it looks like just a nose bleed.

Fall down for 7 minutes milk it for 8.

NJ is running away with it.....

dwade = drama queen

oh WOW, the refs didn't want to call Snaq's 4th foul.....instead they call it out of bounds on RJ, LOL.

I can't believe you are WOW'ed by the refs bailing out Snaq. I am shocked they've called him for 3 fouls so far.

I can't believe you are WOW'ed by the refs bailing out Snaq. I am shocked they've called him for 3 fouls so far.

not surprised....i guess it was more of a LOL for being so blatant.

Ever since I heard a ref asking the score keeper how many fouls Shreq had going into the 4th quarter of a WCF game nothing (other than that fraud Nash getting the MVP) has shocked me.

miami up 4. 10min left in the 4th quarter......the nets need to finish strong.

miami is just unimpressive to me. i really think we'll steamroll them if they get to the ECFs.

i know it's been beaten to death, but i don't watch their team and worry about anything. their old team, you'd worry about their gunner from the outside to compliment Shrek and Wade. now they have Fatoine and JWilliams, LOL

Oh, that look on Shaq's face is priceless. That's right, buddy. You're washed up, and the refs know it.

HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH Carter stripped by Shaq.

uh......so Shaq's allowed to throw elbows to Vince when he's on the floor?

Nets being cut down late. Jefferson is saying curse words.

damn, those fadeaways by Vince were sick.

6 point game with a minute left in the game.

The Nets gave the Heat a gift.

I think the Heat will win the next two.

That game was power gay.

I just came back from a Mom's day thing and listened to the Jack Ramsay radio broadcast of the 3rd quarter. I feel about 90 fucking years old now.

Heat in 5 games.
:)

I just came back from a Mom's day thing and listened to the Jack Ramsey radio broadcast of the 3rd quarter. I feel about 90 fucking years old now.

I was listening to that as well and it was hi-fucking-larious. He's a very insightful guy but he sounds and talks his age. Sometimes I thought he was drunk.

"The Heat.......need solid contri butions from Shaq..............uille and Wade for this team to *takes a 30 minute nap*"

game 5, tied up 54-54 at the half.

let's go Nets......make it a longer series, please.

4 fouls on Shrek.

Miami up 2 w/ 8min to go in the 3rd.

if Fatoine is owning you, you deserve to lose.

they need to double fatoine?. wow.

Closer than I thought it would be.

Gecko i wish you were right about the nets defense. but i've seen them too long to believe the hype they generated in that department. :(

NJ one chance left.....

1.4 seconds to get a shot off. Nets down 1

Well shit.. Looks like Miami will be rested yet again when (if) we get to the ECF.

FUCK

the nets are wack. i almost felt bad for them until i saw rod thorn and vc's receded hairline. LOL@the nets.

but seriously i hated being right about the 5 game series prediction. i wish i could've been right about us winning in 5 games.:o

its our own fault, always the hard way...i'd really thought NJ had a chance, i blame Cliffy, they missed him defending down low, Krstic played like shit

no big deal


NJ choked like bitches though

the earliest the ECF's would start is Sunday.....that means Miami gets 4 days of rest. here's to hoping Snaq and Fatoine hit up the local buffets during their off days.

if Fatoine is owning you, you deserve to lose.

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. . .

Well shit.. Looks like Miami will be rested yet again when (if) we get to the ECF.

FUCK
this sucks. but is not a big deal IMO. it was the same last year by more time(they swept). its only negative impact is on us getting rest in the finals. HCA changes the scope of things. but we gotta play better. the heat are definately feeling confidence now. but one thing. in spite of what anyone here says. its just like cleveland with washington. the nets dont play as good on defense as us. not even close. the heat will get a reality check and their adjustment to it will be the x factor of the series. i'm worried that pat riley is a much better playoff coach than Flip though. :( we can win in spite of it. but it sucks that we have to.

Rest won't matter if we're the better team.

Quit acting like a bunch of bitches.

I agree with Arch.

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