Heat back to work after just a day of rest

MIAMI — Given that the Miami Heat have won 41 of their past 43 games, it's clear that things are going fairly well for the reigning NBA champions.

And now they have time to get better.

Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) was a day off for the Heat, a reward for a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Heat will return to work on Tuesday — though the earliest they will hit the floor to begin their second-round series against either Chicago or Brooklyn would be Saturday.

"It will be tough, but we'll challenge each other and we'll push each other in practice," Heat forward Chris Bosh said. "We have great professionals. We're not going to let each other slip. We're going to challenge each other, keep our conditioning up. When this next series starts I think we'll be ready."

The time off certainly will be good for Dwyane Wade.

Miami's starting shooting guard has been dealing with bone bruises around his right kneecap for more than a month now, and was so sore on Sunday that he did not play in the Heat series-clinching win at Milwaukee.


At minimum, the layoff between rounds means Wade will have at least eight full days off without a game, possibly longer.

"It's big," Wade said. "Obviously, we're one of the oldest teams in the league, maybe the oldest team in terms of rotation players. Guys have some bumps and bruises coming out of this series, so it's going to be great to get some rest. But also we have to take this time to continue to stay sharp, to continue to stay in shape as well."

That's likely why Heat coach Erik Spoelstra summoned the team back to work so quickly.

The practice schedule for the rest of the week isn't known, but it's expected that Miami would get at least one more day off without a practice before Round 2 begins — though at this time of year, a "day off" typically means that most players are at the arena for treatment anyway.

"It's interesting because as long as I've been in the NBA I've seen other teams do it. Some teams have 10-12 days off before their next game," Heat guard Ray Allen said. "It's interesting. We have an opportunity to get healthy, get home and take care of your body. For this team, a veteran team, everybody knows how to take care of their body."

If LeBron James has any nagging health matters, they didn't present themselves against the Bucks.

James shot nearly 63 percent in the series, easily the best performance of his career in any playoff matchup. He finished the four games averaging 24.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists.

For him, staying focused during a layoff won't be an issue.

"We're a veteran ballclub," James said. "It definitely won't be a problem for me. I understand what the playoffs all about. We've got an opportunity to rest because we took care of business but our business is not done. The only thing we guaranteed ourselves is the next round. That's it."

The Heat have won 12 straight games going back to the regular season, a streak that started not long after they won 27 in a row — the second-best stretch in NBA history.

James shook off the notion that the Heat could go 16-0 in the playoffs, saying all that matters is the next game against either the Bulls or Nets.

"Sixteen is the ultimate goal. But No. 5 is what we want to get next. That will be Game One of the next round," James said. "That's the way we approach it. Hopefully we're fortunate enough and continue to climb the ladder."

HEAT WIN!

HEAT win!

Your Miami HEAT sweep the Milwaukee Bucks to advance to Round 2 of the White Hot Playoffs!

Final Score: HEAT 88, Bucks 76

LeBron James: 30 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists
Ray Allen: 16 points (4-of-7 3PT FG) and 7 rebounds
Udonis Haslem: 13 points and 5 rebounds
Chris Bosh: 10 points and 5 rebounds

• Miami wins all games with double digit lead
• Miami first team to advance to the 2nd round of the Playoffs

LeBron James' Top 10 Plays of 2012-2013 Regular Season

Check out the top plays from LeBron from the 2012-2013 regular season.

HEAT WIN!

HEAT win!

Your Miami HEAT defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-91 to take a White Hot 3-0 series lead!

Ray Allen: 23 points (5 3PT FG)

LeBron James: 22 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds

Chris Bosh: 16 points and 14 rebounds

Udonis Haslem: 12 points

Chris Andersen: 11 points and 6 rebounds

HEAT WIN!

HEAT win!

Your Miami HEAT defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 98-86 to take a 2-0 White Hot series lead!

Dwayne Wade: 21 points and 7 rebounds
LeBron James: 19 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists
Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen with 10 points and 6 rebounds each
Shane Battier: 10 points
Norris Cole: 7 points 3 rebounds
Ray Allen 7 points 4 assists

Heat, Bucks look to fix issues before Game 2

One area where the Heat struggled in Game
One was 3-point shooting, where they went 7 for 23.
 So maybe that was why LeBron James lured
 Ray Allen and Mario Chalmers into a post-practice
contest. 

MIAMI — Long after just about every Miami Heat player left the practice court on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time), LeBron James stayed behind for a 3-point shooting contest against Ray Allen and Mario Chalmers.

He yelled. He trash-talked.

And he won, getting to watch his teammates do 20 push-ups as his reward.

There is a certain irony in James staying on the court after practice to work on his shooting, especially since there are nights he controls games without looking to score. When he took 11 shots in an NBA Finals game two years ago, he became a lightning rod for criticism.

These days, an 11-shot game from James — like what he had Sunday when the Heat won Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round series against Milwaukee — gets celebrated for effective brilliance. He's controlling the game in any number of ways, and will try to continue doing so when the Heat and Bucks meet in Game Two of the best-of-seven matchup on Tuesday night in Miami.

"The narrative has changed about him, about our team," Heat forward Shane Battier said. "A championship changes that. I don't think LeBron's changed. That's who LeBron is. LeBron's going to make the smart basketball play. He's going to make the right play. If that entails him taking 11 shots and we win, he's going to do it. If it entails him taking 30 shots, he's going to do it."

James will likely be named as the NBA's MVP for the fourth time in five seasons sometime in the not-too-distant future, and with each season, he still seems to be getting better.

He made 9 of 11 shots on Sunday in Miami's 110-87 win, finishing with 27 points and two assists shy of a triple-double. In his first seven-plus seasons, James never shot better than 75 percent in any game in which he took more than 10 shots. Since April 2011, he's done it 11 times, including Sunday, and the Heat are 11-0 in those games.

"We don't take his talent for granted because he does whatever it takes to help you win," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

When the Bucks broke down film after Game One, coach Jim Boylan paid particular attention to the way his team defended James, a job that fell largely onto the shoulders of Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

Boylan raved about Mbah a Moute's effort after seeing that film. James was just too good in Game One.

"It's hard to say, 'You didn't do this, you didn't do that' because Luc was into him the whole time," Boylan said. "LeBron just had a great game."

So now the trick for the Bucks — who are 1-4 against Miami this season — is finding ways to get Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis some help on the offensive end. Jennings and Ellis combined for 48 points in Game One; their teammates chipped in only 39 more.

If that becomes a trend, the Bucks know they'll be on vacation by early next week.

"No one's in a panic," Boylan said. "We've played one game. It's time for us to take a look and see what we can do and figure out how we can help those guys."

There were some encouraging signs for the Bucks on Monday.

Center Larry Sanders, who has battled back pain in recent weeks and was marred by foul trouble that kept him from finding anything close to a rhythm in Game 1, said he felt as good Monday — 80 percent right was his estimation — as he has in a while. And Boylan said Ersan Ilyasova, who has dealt with a wrist problem, shouldn't still be adversely affected by that issue.

"For us, I don't think we look at it as it's a seven-game series and we've got to win four out of seven," Bucks forward Mike Dunleavy said. "We've got to win one game. When we win one game, then we'll say, 'Hey, we've got to win another one game.' To look at it as a whole and say we've got to beat these guys four times out of seven when they haven't lost four times out of 50, it's monumental."

That team that Dunleavy said hasn't lost four times out of 50 — actually, the Heat are 43-4 in their last 47 games — looked at itself with very critical eyes on Monday.

The videotape session that Spoelstra arranged for the Heat at the start of practice Monday lasted an hour, and the clips were not ones the team particularly enjoyed seeing. A night loaded with mistakes were on display in high-definition. Some, including Dwyane Wade, said the scene had a day-after-a-loss feel.

And remember, it was actually after a 23-point win.

"That's one thing Coach Spo does a great job of," Wade said. "He's always making sure that we move on and we move into the new moment. That moment has passed. That's one thing he's been very consistent at."

One area where the Heat struggled in Game One was 3-point shooting, where they went 7 for 23. So maybe that was why James lured Allen and Chalmers into that post-practice contest.

He would yell at his shots, pleading with them to "Get up" or "Sit down." When Chalmers or Allen would miss, James would shout "That's what I needed." And when he took his final attempt, the one that clinched the game, James knew he'd won when the ball was still in flight, saying "Game time" just before the shot went down.

"I've got to stay ready, I guess," James said. "I've got to stay ready."

HEAT WIN

HEAT win!

Your Miami HEAT defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 110-87 to take a White Hot 1-0 lead in the series!

LeBron James: 27 points (9-11 FG), 10 rebounds and 8 assists
Ray Allen: 20 points and 5 rebounds
Dwyane Wade: 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
Chris Bosh: 15 points and 7 rebounds
Chris Andersen: 10 points and 7 rebounds

HALFTIME: MIAMI vs MILWAUKEE

HEAT - 52

MILWAUKEE - 45

LeBron James 15 PTS  5 REBS  4 ASTS
Chris Bosh 10 PTS 4 REB S 2 BLKS
Dwyane Wade 6 PTS  2 REBS  3 ASTS

WITNESS MIAMI

NBA PLAYOFFS Who' ready?

Let's Go Heat beat the Bucks

Blueprint for Miami Heat Title Repeat Entering 2013 Postseason

The Miami Heat's blueprint for repeating as NBA champions heading into the 2013 postseason is relatively simple.

While compiling a league-best winning percentage of .805 in 2012-13, as compared to .697 a year ago, the Heat have re-established themselves as the league's most dominant unit.

When executing their game plan on a nightly basis, there is no scheme, defensive player or team capable of disrupting that.

Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are playing their best basketball collectively, while each of Miami's Big Three is shooting a career high from the field.

If they can continue to shoot with a similar efficiency in the playoffs while remaining healthy throughout, the Heat will become nearly impossible to beat.

That becomes even more the case if the supporting cast can limit production from opposing point guards and increase activity on the glass while the reigning MVP continues to dominate.

• Limit the Big Three's Minutes During the Opening Round

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all took time off during the month of April to prepare their bodies for the postseason grind.

On the strength of a 27-game winning streak, Miami earned that opportunity by separating itself from the competition and securing the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs.

So long as James, Wade and Bosh remain healthy, the Heat are deserving title favorites.

During the opening-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, specifically, the Heat could benefit long term by similarly limiting the Big Three's minutes in preparation for the later rounds. 

Despite what Brandon Jennings told the Journal Sentinel earlier this week, there should be plenty of time to rest while the Bucks are swept away.

• Continued Collective Shooting Efficiency from Wade, Bosh and James

Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James have all shot better from the field than ever in 2012-13 at 52.1, 53.5 and 56.5 percent, respectively.

If they are able to maintain this level of efficiency during the postseason, the Heat will be on their way to repeating as NBA champions.

Each of Miami's Big Three sacrificed scoring to join forces in 2010. Bosh (16.6) and Wade (21.2) posted the second-lowest scoring average of their careers this season, while James (26.8) turned in his third-lowest total.

When called upon, though, each superstar has been more reliable than ever scoring the basketball.

• Minimize Impact of Opposing Point Guards

One area where the Miami Heat comparatively struggle is at the point guard position.

From a net production standpoint, according to 82games.com, the point guard position has yielded a minus-1.9 PER for the Heat in 2012-13. 

At every other position—including center—the Heat have earned a positive net PER.

The Heat are also being outscored by opposing point guards 18.5 to 15.7 on average. They outscore their opponents at every other spot on the floor.

The impact opposing point guards have will need to be minimized as the Heat advance deeper into the postseason. 

Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole will be tested early in the opening round by Brandon Jennings. In a potential finals matchup with Russell Westbrook, Tony Parker or Chris Paul, however, they will need to turn in their best collective efforts of the season. 

• Increase Activity on the Glass from the Supporting Cast

The Miami Heat finished last in the NBA in rebounding, collecting only 38.6 per game in 2012-13.

This occurred even with LeBron James averaging a career-high eight rebounds per night himself. 

While the Heat won't need to improve dramatically from a rebounding standpoint in order to repeat as NBA champions, the activity on the glass among the supporting cast does need to increase. 

This means, for example, that Chris Andersen will need to collect at least one more rebound than the 4.1 he averaged during the regular season.

Udonis Haslem will need to similarly improve from 5.4 rebounds and Shane Battier from 2.3, to name a couple key cogs.

• Dominance of a Reigning MVP When It Matters Most

The Miami Heat do not need LeBron James to advance into the second round. 

There will be moments throughout the postseason, however, when the Heat will need the game's most dominant player to make dominant plays.

On his way to earning his first championship and a finals MVP, James did specifically that throughout the 2012 postseason.

While shooting 50 percent from the floor, James averaged 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists. More importantly, though, whenever a game-changing play was needed at either end of the floor, James stepped up like an MVP and imposed his will.  

If he can continue his individual dominance when it matters most during this postseason, the Heat will repeat as NBA champions.

Player Efficiency Rating of ALL-TIME

Player Efficiency Rating of ALL-TIME in a single season:

1. LeBron James (2012-2013) - 32.2
2. Wilt Chamberlain (1962-1963) - 31.8
3. Wilt Chamberlain (1961-1962) - 31.7
4. LeBron James (2008-2009) - 31.7
5. Michael Jordan (1987-1988) - 31.7

Is there a challenge for Heat in NBA playoffs?

Looking for a reason not to pick the Miami Heat to win another NBA title?

Don't check the odds, where the Heat are such an overwhelming favorite that it might as well be Tiger Woods against a weekend hacker.

Definitely don't bother with the Heat's results, which show exactly three losses since the start of February.

And certainly don't look on the court, where LeBron James sent season-long reminders that he's better than ever and already the best in the world.

The only people who might really believe in caution are the Heat themselves.

"There's going to be trials and tribulations no matter what, no matter how good of a team you are," Dwyane Wade said. "There's going to be a moment in the playoffs where our back is going to be against the wall. And I think everything we've done this season will prepare us for that moment. We have a goal, just like every other team that gets into the playoffs, to win a championship. But we understand the process that it takes."

It starts Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), when the playoffs start with four first-round games. The Heat will open Sunday against Milwaukee in what's expected to be a quick series.

Then it will be up to someone like the Knicks, Thunder, Spurs, or some other contender, to prove that the next two months aren't just a formality.

"They've had the best record and they're the defending champs so they're the team to beat, but I don't think it's much beyond that," Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "I mean, give them their due. They have the best record and they're the defending champs, so they're the team that you need to beat, but no, I don't think anybody is head and shoulders over any. There's too many good teams."

New York, which won three out of four from Miami, hosts Boston on Saturday in the playoff opener. The Nets welcome Chicago for the first postseason game in Brooklyn, while the Western Conference has Golden State visiting Denver, and the Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies squaring off in a first-round rematch.

On Sunday, the Lakers go to San Antonio without Kobe Bryant, and defending West champ Oklahoma City faces former Thunder star James Harden and Houston. Indiana and Atlanta meet in the other East game.

Miami went 66-16 and has been so dominant since Super Bowl Sunday that the betting site Bovada gave the Heat opening odds to win the championship that it said were "unheard of in recent years" — and then already had to lower them when most of the action was coming in on the Heat, anyway.

That dropped Miami to a 2-to-3 favorite, meaning a $3 bet only won $2 more. The Heat were 2-to-9 favorites to win the East, where Indiana and Chicago also beat them multiple times during the regular season.

Knicks center Tyson Chandler said the other contenders shouldn't feel slighted by all the experts that are picking the Heat.

"No, not at all. They should pick the Heat," he said. "They're the defending champions and they should get that respect. But that's not what we believe. We haven't believed in that throughout the year. But they should get that respect because they've earned it."

Miami faced plenty of adversity during last season's championship run. They were down 2-1 to Indiana in the second round, with Wade struggling and Chris Bosh injured. The Celtics took a 3-2 lead in the conference finals back to Boston before James fought off elimination with a 45-point performance in Game 6, and the Thunder took the opener of the NBA Finals and nearly rallied two nights later to put the Heat in a 2-0 hole.

But this version of the Heat is much better, and certainly miles above the team that lost in the 2011 finals in the first season with its Big Three. With Ray Allen, Chris Andersen and Rashard Lewis, the Heat have added players who were able to win games for them even when they chose to rest their superstars down the stretch.

"It's a challenge. Look, these guys are really good. They're the world champions," Milwaukee coach Jim Boylan said. "Dwyane Wade has won multiple NBA championships, LeBron is going to win multiple NBA championships before it's all over and let's not forget Chris Bosh and Ray Allen and all the other guys, too. Shane Battier. Great players. They present a large, large number of problems."

There is much more intrigue out West, especially in the two series involving Los Angeles teams. The Clippers and Grizzlies went seven games last year before the Clippers advanced, and this time they have the home-court advantage. The Lakers didn't even clinch a playoff spot until Wednesday, but they won their final five games and look dangerous even without Bryant thanks to the inside play of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol.

The Lakers and Spurs had one of the NBA's best postseason rivalries in the last decade, and this one could join their list of memorable series.

"We're happy that we're in the playoffs but we're not done yet," Howard said.

The highlight in the East could be in the Boston-New York series. The Knicks ended the Celtics' five-year reign as Atlantic Division champions with their first division title since 1994, with Carmelo Anthony leading the NBA with 28.7 points per game. New York will have to fight off a No. 7 seed hoping it still has a run left with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and trying to give a lift to a hurting city after the Boston Marathon bombings.

"They've been around. They've won. They have a lot of experience," Anthony said. "I think that was one of the reasons that we put together this team that we have with the experience that we have with some of the guys on this team. So right now we want to continue the way that we've been playing."

The winner could emerge as the best hope in the East to beat the Heat — if there is such a thing. Count former NBA coach and ESPN analyst Flip Saunders among those who doubt there is, saying Wednesday on a conference call that he doesn't "see anyone challenging them."

"They've really been off the charts, and the way LeBron is playing," Saunders said. "There's teams that are going to be able to beat them a game or two maybe, but I can't see anyone that has the ability to 

After banner year, another MVP likely for LeBron

MIAMI (AP) -- There has never been a unanimously voted MVP in the history of the NBA. Not Wilt Chamberlain, not Bill Russell, not Shaquille O'Neal, not Michael Jordan.

LeBron James might soon change that.

At least, the Miami Heat believe he should.

2012-2013 PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE

EASTERN CONFERENCE - FIRST ROUND

(1) Miami vs. (8) Milwaukee
Game 1 - Sun April 21 Milwaukee at Miami 7:00PM 7:00PM TNT
Game 2 - Tue April 23 Milwaukee at Miami 7:30PM 7:30PM NBA TV
Game 3 - Thu April 25 Miami at Milwaukee 6:00PM 7:00PM TNT
Game 4 - Sun April 28 Miami at Milwaukee 2:30PM 3:30PM ABC
Game 5 * Tue April 30 Milwaukee at Miami TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 2 Miami at Milwaukee TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 4 Milwaukee at Miami TBD TBD TNT

Forecast: LeBron James for MVP

OK, so this isn't a very difficult forecast: LeBron James should and will win the NBA Most Valuable Player award.

What's interesting in the MVP category is what happens down the ballot, especially for a superstar in an empire state of mind.

Carmelo Anthony's name popped up a lot on our ballots -- in the category of who should get MVP votes, the red-hot New York Knicks forward moved all the way up to fourth in the voting. If the NBA's balloting goes the same way, it would be Melo's first-ever top-five finish in the MVP voting and only his second top-10 appearance in his 10 seasons in the league.

Otherwise the top five consists of the usual suspects: LeBron, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant.

1	LeBron James  Miami Heat | SF | Stats 102 first-place votes		1,060
2	Kevin Durant  Oklahoma City Thunder | SF | Stats One first-place vote		636
3	Chris Paul  Los Angeles Clippers | PG | Stats Zero first-place votes		230
4	Carmelo Anthony  New York Knicks | SF | Stats One first-place vote		171
5	Kobe Bryant  Los Angeles Lakers | SG | Stats One first-place vote		86

HEAT WIN!

HEAT win!

A Norris Cole steal as time expires wins the game for the Miami HEAT! Final score - HEAT 96, Cavs 95.

Rashard Lewis: 19 points
Norris Cole: 16 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists
James Jones: 14 points
Mike Miller: 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists
Joel Anthony: 11 points and 9 rebounds
Ray Allen: 11 points and 6 rebounds

Lebron James Top 10 Tomahawk Dunks | 2012-13 NBA Season

Superstar Talent Hiding Just How Good Miami Heat Really Are

It's easy—and not altogether unfair—to give the lion's share of the credit for the Miami Heat's dominance this season to the star power of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. But the act of attributing Miami's success to the talent of its transcendent trio constitutes a failure to acknowledge a few other key factors.

There will never be a more important component to an NBA team than star-quality talent. But without a sound system, willing role players and good execution, all the talent in the world won't amount to much.

In short, the Heat have pulled off one of the most difficult tricks in sports: They've married elite talent to a well-executed plan. And that's the kind of union that takes a team from "very good" to "historically great."


But First, LeBron

It'd be intellectually dishonest to make the case that the Heat are a good team without James. In fact, all of the evidence shows that they're actually pretty darn bad without him.

Miami's offensive rating with James on the floor is 112.8, a figure that is better than the team's league-best rating of 110.4 on the season. Looking at it that way, it might seem as though LBJ's contributions on offense aren't all that significant.

But a look at how the Heat fare on offense without him quickly highlights James' immense value. With No. 6 on the bench, the Heat score at a rate of 101.4 points per 100 possessions, which would rank 19th in the NBA on the season.


Defensively, James makes the Heat nearly four points per 100 possessions better.

You can run down the stat sheet, and the story will be the same. Miami's assist ratio goes up, its turnover rate goes down and its true-shooting percentage differs by a full five percent—all depending on whether James is on the court.

You can file all of the preceding information in the "Hardly a Newsflash" folder. Everybody knows James makes the Heat go. But it's still worthwhile to preface an analysis of the other reasons for Miami's excellence by first mentioning the biggest one.





Something's Different

Obviously, Miami has plenty of talent. But the way the team is using it has changed this season.

According to Grantland's Zach Lowe, the Heat have all but abandoned a staple of NBA offense in favor of a more unpredictable approach:

"Predictable offenses just aren't good enough anymore against elite competition; that's why Miami no longer runs simple LeBron James-Chris Bosh pick-and-rolls while the other three Heat players just stand around—something that happened a lot in the 2011 Finals against Dallas."

Instead, the Heat now employ lots of decoy action to bait defenses into overloading the strong side. When that happens, their ball-handlers are highly adept at quickly whipping a skip pass to the weak side for an open three-point look.

Watch a Miami game and you'll certainly notice how often the ball swings from side to side. But the numbers show that the offense is different, too.

Last season, the Heat shot about 16 threes per game. But in 2012-13, Miami has been casting away nearly 22 times per contest. Those extra triples are a direct result of an increased emphasis on ball movement and a willingness to make the quick pass to the weak-side corner.

It's not surprising that Miami's assists per game have gone up from about 20 per game in 2011-12 to 23 this season, despite the fact that the team's slower pace this year has resulted in about one fewer offensive possession per game.

Ultimately, the Heat have made the conscious effort to value unselfishness and trust over a more isolation-heavy style. The result has been a more balanced, less predictable offense.




The Other Guys

Of course, the changes in Miami's style wouldn't count for much if it didn't have supporting players who were capable of carrying them out.

Specialists abound on the Heat, and their willingness to sacrifice for the greater good is yet another indicator of how fully the players have bought into the team concept.

Shane Battier essentially does one of two things on offense: shoots threes or quickly moves the ball to the next shooter when he's not open. That might seem like a role anybody could fill, but Battier has done it at a remarkably high level.

Just how specialized is Battier's role? Well, he takes five shots per game. Of those attempts, 4.4 of them are from beyond the arc.

He's hitting 42.5 percent of his triples this year and has played terrific defense on the other end.

Ray Allen's job is similar—except for the defense part—and Chris Andersen has been a hugely valuable interior presence whose only job is to do the dirty work.

The stars have been great, but Miami's role players have been just as good in their own, more limited ways.

The Man with the Plan

It's funny how the public perception of a coach can change so quickly. Until Erik Spoelstra won a championship with the Heat last season, he seemed like a seat-warmer for whichever big-name coach team president Pat Riley was eventually going to bring in.

But now that he has his ring, Spoelstra is regarded as one of the sharpest young coaches around.

Looking at his overall results does give a good indication of Spoelstra's fitness for the job, but the better indicators are a little subtler. Consider the following: After winning a ring, Spoelstra shredded Miami's offensive system, eschewed a conventional lineup and basically started over from scratch.

How many coaches would have done that?

Spoelstra's bold moves illustrated his understanding of the defensive changes that were happening in the league and showed that he had the foresight to work out a way to stay ahead of the game. Toss in the way he's dealt with outsized expectations and juggled the egos of his stars, and it's clear: Spoelstra really is an elite coach.


The Sum of the Parts

There's no getting around the fact that the Heat are a dominant team because of their superstar talent. But there's so much more going on in Miami from a strategic and team-building perspective.

Stars will always matter, but it's time the other reasons for Miami's success got a little shine.




--CREDITS: http://bleacherreport.com

Evolution of Lebron James

MVP!

BEAST STATS !

#MVP

HEAT WIN!

HEAT win!

Your Miami HEAT defeat the Chicago Bulls 103-93 for their 6th consecutive victory!

LeBron James: 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists
Dwyane Wade: 22 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals
Chris Andersen: 15 points and 7 rebounds
Mario Chalmers: 15 points and 5 assists
Chris Bosh: 12 points and 9 assists
Mike Miller: 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists

HEAT WIN!

HEAT win!

Your Miami HEAT defeat the Boston Celtics 109-101 for victory number 63 on the season!

LeBron James: 20 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists
Rashard Lewis: 19 points
Chris Bosh: 17 points and 7 rebounds
Ray Allen: 17 points
Dwyane Wade: 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists

Lebron James on the NEW cover of the SLAM Magazine!

Beast!

If you didn't think LeBron was anything less than a beast, this picture will convince you.
via http://instagram.com/kingjames

Since he is the King, don't rag him for taking a selfie at the gym.

NBA rank 1: Lebron James

ESPN ranks the top 30 NBA Players

Lebron James takes the Top Spot for 3 years in a row

HEAT WIN !

HEAT WIN!

With tonight's 103-98 victory over the Washington Wizards, the Miami HEAT have set a franchise record for most wins in a single season with 62!

Ray Allen: 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists
Rashard Lewis: 17 points and 5 rebounds
Shane Battier: 15 points (5 3PT FG)
Mike Miller: 14 points (4/6 3PT FG) and 8 rebounds
Mario Chalmers: 13 points and 8 assists

MIA vs WAS

Game On for the HEAT!

HEAT vs. Wizards!

LET'S GO HEAT!!

Thursday, April 11

7:00 AM

Verizon Center, Washington, DC

HEAT WIN !

HEAT win!

With tonight's 94-83 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, your Miami HEAT have tied a franchise record for most wins in a season (61)!

LeBron James: 28 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists
Ray Allen: 11 points and 4 rebounds
Norris Cole: 11 points
Udonis Haslem: 10 points and 15 rebounds
Chris Andersen: 9 points and 9 rebound

We've got a game tonight!

We've got a game tonight!

The Milwaukee Bucks are in town for a matchup with your Miami HEAT at American Airlines Arena. Coverage begins at 7pm on Sun Sports/FOX Sports Florida with the HEAT Live pregame show, followed by game action at 7:30pm.

LET'S GO HEAT!

Pat Riley says Heat will be ready for playoffs

MIAMI (AP) -- Pat Riley said he wakes up around 11 a.m. these days then heads into the office to chat with fellow Miami Heatexecutives Nick Arison and Andy Elisburg about nothing.

Miami Heat's LeBron James, center, reacts from the bench to a foul called on teammate Ray Allen, not shown, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday, April 6, 2013, in Miami. At left is the Juwan Howard and at right is Mario Chalmers. The Heat won 106-87. 

He's lying, of course.

There might not be anyone in the Miami organization who savors playoff time more than Riley, the Heat president with eight championship rings in his collection. And with Miami on the cusp of setting a franchise record for wins in a season - the team mark is 61, which this Heat club could match with a win against Milwaukee on Tuesday night - Riley sounds very much like he's ready for another postseason run.

''It's the ultimate dream for me,'' Riley said. ''It really is.''

Riley last coached on April 16, 2008, the end of Miami's miserable 15-win season. All that's happened since is the promotion of Erik Spoelstra to head coach, the acquisition of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers and others to play alongside Dwyane Wade, two trips to the NBA Finals, one championship and 288 regular-season and playoff victories - third-most in the league over that span.

And barring all-out collapse, Miami will head into the playoffs later this month as the No. 1 overall seed in the league, guaranteed home-court advantage through the NBA Finals.

''They're ready,'' said Riley, who sits opposite the Heat bench during home games, rarely showing any outward signs of emotion. ''They know that they have something to play for. They know they have the weapons to go out and play for it. They're so smart as a team. They're getting themselves ready on their own clock and Spo is getting them ready the same way. They'll be ready to play.''

Riley rarely gives interviews about the state of the Heat anymore, preferring the overwhelming majority of the focus and spotlight remain on Spoelstra and the players. He issued a statement through a team spokesman late last month directed at Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, who chided James for complaining about the way he is officiated. Riley's response was swift, direct and slightly profane, though it served as a reminder that there's plenty of fire still burning within him.

And when he met with reporters Sunday at a Heat charity event - one that had ''the future'' as a theme and raised over $503,000 for South Florida charities - Riley seemed to address his own future, indicating that his work in Miami is not over yet.

''I just want to keep helping them,'' Riley said. ''I want keep bringing in pieces that's going to complement them and hope we can have one of those 10-year rides, you know? You think about every team, the Celtics in the '60s and the Lakers in the '80s and the Bulls and then again the Spurs, those guys have been together for eight, nine, 10 years. And if we can keep this group together for eight, nine, 10 years, we're all going to have some fun.''

What happens down the road is secondary these days to Riley and the Heat, however.

For them, the priority is right now.

Since 1970, only four franchises - the Lakers, Chicago, Detroit and Houston - have been able to successfully defend an NBA championship. Miami will enter the postseason favored to become the fifth club on that list, which was Riley's goal when putting the core of this roster together in 2010.

At that time, he used the word ''dynasty'' when talking to season-ticket holders. For the Heat to get there, a second straight title would seem to be an obvious prerequisite.

''I knew after 2008, that 15-win season, that that was it,'' Riley said. ''But I never realized that I would have an opportunity to watch and thoroughly enjoy just the players on the practice court, watch them warming up, watch them playing the game, watch them celebrate, watch them have fun. It's just been an absolute Godsend for me at this stage of my career.''

NOTES: Miami will enter Tuesday's game with the Bucks with a magic number of two for wrapping up the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs. Any combination of Heat wins or San Antonio losses that add up to two would give Miami the right to host Game 1 - and, of course, any potential Game 7 - in the postseason. ... After Tuesday, the Heat head to Washington for a game on Wednesday, and the Wizards have won nine straight at home. Following that trip, the Heat return home to meet fellow playoff teams Boston (Friday) and Chicago (Sunday). ... Odd stat alert: James is currently third in the NBA in total points scored - not average per game - this season, behind Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant. James has finished second in total scoring in each of the past eight seasons.