After their dominant win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the Miami Heat solidified their status as the unquestioned favorite to win the NBA title. The win was the Heat’s 18th in a row, and yet another “revenge” win against a team that had beat them earlier in the season (a list including the Knicks, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, and Warriors).
Basically, fans of other teams have little hope for a championship this season.
As Miami gains steam during this winning streak, something bigger is casting its shadow over this season: the desire of many teams to play for the future. Largely stemming from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated before last season, several title contenders made risky decisions this year to position themselves well down the road. The immediate effect could be a Heat championship this year (and until the Heat’s Big Three fall off). Here are three such moves:
James Harden is traded to the Houston Rockets –
Just before this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder broke up a young core of players that had just gone to the NBA Finals and helped the USA win a gold medal in the Olympics. Obviously the Thunder was a team on the rise. Too bad the math didn’t work. ![harden[1]](https://singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/harden1-300x199.jpg)
Facing the reality of paying Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and James Harden, the Thunder struck swiftly dealing Harden for an expiring contract (Kevin Martin), a rookie, and draft picks. The new CBA established stiffer penalties for going over the salary cap (here is a pretty straightforward explanation), something the Thunder could not avoid with four young stars on the roster. While the Thunder could technically afford to pay everyone, they would have no financial flexibility as early as next season.
On the court, the Thunder definitely miss Harden’s production. While their record is good, the offensive dynamic has shifted, putting more pressure on Westbrook to be as much of a playmaker for others as he is a scorer. Against the Heat (the team to beat for a championship), I don’t trust Westbrook to limit his turnovers and defer to Durant when necessary. Essentially, playing for next year put the Thunder further away from a championship.
Rudy Gay is traded to the Toronto Raptors –
Very similar to the Thunder, the Memphis Grizzlies could see the writing on the wall for their finances. With almost their entire salary cap tied up in just four players, the Grizzlies traded Rudy Gay’s huge contract for several cheaper ones. This creates financial leverage for them in the future, but it blew up a dangerous team building on playoff successes.
The Memphis situation is a watered down version of Oklahoma City. Built on defense and low post play, the Grizzlies were a team poised to make a playoff run this season. The Grizzlies were capable of beating any team in the league. Simply put, they are worse now without their former leading scorer. This is yet another example of a team putting money tomorrow before winning today; a defensible, but deflating move for most basketball fans.
Everything involving the Chicago Bulls –
The Bulls were in an unenviable position as soon as Derrick Rose went down with a torn ACL in the playoffs last season. Assuming their best player would be out this entire season, the Bulls tried to punt this season and build for the future. They allowed almost their entire bench to leave in the offseason and picked up several spare parts (many on one-year contracts) to replace them.
Somehow, the Bulls could still do well in the playoffs if Rose can come back healthy this season. It hasn’t always been pretty, but Chicago has held on to the 5th seed in the East, just two games away from homecourt advantage in the first round behind its defense and the emergence of Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler, and Joakim Noah.
![Picture19_crop_exact[1]](https://singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Picture19_crop_exact1-300x203.jpg)
Here’s the debate: The media seems to be split on what to do with Rose as this season winds down. Some believe the Bulls should rest Rose until next year, since the odds are against them to beat Miami this season anyway. Why not ensure that Rose is 100%? Others say since Rose has been medically cleared, you have to play him and take your chance to win now. Miami will be good as long as they have LeBron. Are you going to hold Rose out for the next five seasons?
The lack of urgency to get Rose back on the court tells you where Chicago falls on this debate. They are willing to trade this season for (what they hope is) a decade with a healthy Rose. Another case of next year being more valuable than this one.
—
Playing for tomorrow is often the wise move. As just one example of many, a lack of foresight cost the Knicks for years. For the Thunder, Grizzlies, and Bulls, looking ahead to next year seems to have opened the door for the Heat in 2013. These teams have all become weaker just as LeBron and Miami ascended to another level. A pity for those of us who were looking forward to the NBA playoffs this season.
What’s your view, SBM Sports Fans? Do you still think OKC, Memphis, or the Bulls can challenge for a championship? Does anyone else have a shot or does Miami have the championship wrapped up? Hit the comments and let me know what you think!
![I Don’t Need This Ish! [Podcast]](https://singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ignored.jpg)
The Thunder undervalued Harden, they looked at Kevin Martin can score but he doesn’t have that mmph Harden bring. I’m on board saying Rudy Gay is a bit overrated. Swingman are a dime a dozen in the league. The Bulls simply aren’t matching up with the Heat, with or without Rose, they are what they are. They need another star, especially with Wade back to being Wade.
I think the one people keep missing is the Pacers letting Collision go. Last years playoffs, Collison played fearless, pretty much the closest thing to a closer they had. Sure they can beat up teams in the regular season, but when its pivotal game 5s and 6s who is going to take over?
Agree with your last point. It’s on Paul George to be that guy to step up. You can see he’s evoking, but he’s nowhere near ready to lead a championship team IMO.
Indy could use someone to score in the other three quarters too, lol. Their defense is great but 75-80 won’t cut it against Miami in a 7-game series.
Who were the real "contenders"? You really put Memphis on that level? I think the only teams that thought they had a chance to beat the Heat this year were the Spurs, the Clippers, OKC and possibly the Lakers. We'll see what Kobe does as the year ends, but it looks like they'll be able to make that playoff push but I doubt they can make it all the way to the finals. So we have the Spurs the Clippers and OKC. These three teams happen to be the 1, 2, and 3 seeds in the west right now. Can they handle the Heat? Probably not, but I'm not betting aginst Duncan. Dude has a better record than the Heat and all they do is win and get slept on. I think the Parker injury could hurt the Spurs a lot, but we'll see about that.
My recent post The PageRank Algorithm
I would put Memphis in the "fringe contender" category. They had playoff success the past couple years, and I thought as constructed they'd be in a position to compete again. All playoff series depend on matchups, so there's that. But the way Memphis plays defense, you'd have to consider them a threat against anyone out West.
All of this is under the umbrella of "The Heat are the favorites to win". The way they are playing now, it's thiers to lose.
AfterMath: "So we have the Spurs the Clippers and OKC. These three teams happen to be the 1, 2, and 3 seeds in the west right now."
This is an advantage to the Heat, just as the Bulls had in the 90s. Because the West is better, the Spurs, Clippers and Thunder will beat on each other before they make it to the Finals, Miami has a cakewalk until at least the conference finals.
Memphis and the Bulls more than likely won't get an opportunity to compete for the NBA championship seeing the probably won't make the Finals. So I'm going to say no on that front with those two teams. Clearly, OKC can contend b/c they were there last year. Harden stunk it up in the Finals last year so anything positive out of Martin would be an upgrade in a Finals series versus
the Miami Heatwhoever comes out of the east.Assumingly, of course, if all teams remain relatively healthy going into the playoffs and stay that way the Heat are the favorites from the East and I believe the two teams that are playing well right now in the west that can compete with them are OKC and the Clippers…especially the Clippers with their size and depth and athleticism. I don't think they would beat Miami in a 7 game series, but they will compete and possibly get lucky.
Side note: reason I put "right now" in bold b/c other teams may be playing at a different level (good or bad) at the end of the season…teams playing well with momentum going into the playoffs can be dangerous (see: Grizzlies vs. Spurs series last couple seasons).
As much as I love my Lakers the way we are playing right now we wouldn't be a top tier team in a 7 game series today. Could be a different story come April when the playoffs start, but we'll have to wait and see how all teams are playing then.
Yeah the playoffs come down to who's hot and matchups from the second round on. That's a lot of the reason I included Memphis. They matchup well, and we've seen how dangerous they can be when they're hot.
I think the Lakers will be 5 games and out against San Antonio or OKC. Nothing personal, lol.
LMAO u know it's personal!!!
Joe, bro, there was never a contender the end period. Hands down MIA always had the green light this year and when Labron decided to act more like "I AM THE MAN"things begin to turn around. I did think Indiana had a decent chance of beating them since MIA doesn't match up well against a big line up, but again that was a major fail. It's definitely time to start looking towards 2014 unless something strange happens between now and the start of the playoffs
Well that's no fun, lol. Can't crown Miami before they win it. They are definitely the favorites, but there are (or were) some teams that could match up if they had kept building. Looks like many teams opted to play for 2014 like you suggested.
I think the Bulls did the Heat a favor by letting Omer Asik go. He was a solid center to make the Heat's small lineups pay, especially with no one on the Heat that can stay in front of Rose.
OKC will be fine. They would be the favorites to win if Harden was still there, especially with another year of playing together, but now they are just very good by letting him go.
Regarding the salary cap: OKC and Chicago are idiots. Chicago is the third largest city in the US. OKC has a waiting list for people to buy tickets. They are making plenty of money. Plenty. Winning a title helps you make more, but you are squeamish because of the salary cap? Especially letting someone like Harden (fifth-leading scorer in the league) go?
I'm not handing the title over to Miami yet. It was just 2008 when Houston had a 22-game winning streak, and they got put out in the first round.
Good ass point!
I hear that. They still have a long way to go before things are said and done in June.
I was disappointed in Chicago as well. Definitely think they are shocked to be in the playoff race right now. The way they are treating this Rose thing is fishy as well. If he's healthy, play him. If you're worried about Miami, then you shouldn't field a team at all, lol.
And lets not forget tow years ago when people crowned the Heat champions only to watch them lose to Dallas in the finals. Oh what a beautiful day that was.
My recent post Sudoku Program Updates
The Heat are the favorite to win the title, but that is only because they are the favorite, not because they are the unquestioned and undisputed best team in the league. Here's what everyone forgets about the Heat: Remove the Nets from the equation and the Heat is now 0-5 against the East's top teams. Miami is 1-2 against the Knicks, 1-1 against the Bulls and, 1-2 against Indiana.
This ain't football people. The Heat has to play all those teams in a series. They also 1-1 against the Celtics. Don't gas the Heat. Please don't gas the Heat.
I think any of the other teams that were contenders before hand are still contenders now. If you think a Heat team that can't dominate those teams in the East is going to have any type of a cakewalk in the Finals (provided they make it there) against the Spurs or Thunder, you're bugging.
This is the same team that was down 2-1 to the Pacers last year, down 3-2 to the Celtics last year. Don't gas them boys… please do not do that.
Sidenote, the Pacers got rid of Collison because they were investing in George Hill who is a better scorer and has more height than Collison. They couldn't possibly keep splitting those guys' minutes like they were. That was actually a good move. If they get Granger back and he can give them 24-30 minutes a night, WATCH OUT. Too many shooters on that squad and then that makes it really hard for teams who have problems with rebounding… like the Heat.
That was a copy/paste from an article. The Heat are now, 3-5 against the top team in the East.
What’s up mates, how is all, and what you want to say on the topic of this article, in my view its genuinely awesome in support of me.
I think this is one of the most significant
info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog. You have some really good articles and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some
content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please send me an email if interested. Thank you!
You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I have read something like this before. So great to discover somebody with original thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!
Excellent items from you, man. I have take into
account your stuff previous to and you are simply extremely fantastic.
I actually like what you have bought here, certainly
like what you are saying and the best way during which you are saying it.
You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it wise.
I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is actually a terrific web site.
I simply couldn’t depart your website prior to suggesting that I extremely loved the standard info an individual provide in your visitors? Is going to be back ceaselessly to investigate cross-check new posts
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up
the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog
like this one nowadays.
You really make it seem so easy along with your presentation however I to find this topic to be actually something that
I think I’d never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am taking a look ahead on your next post, I will attempt to get the cling of it!
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave
it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I
had to tell someone!
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different page and thought
I might check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
Look forward to looking over your web page again.
Thanks to my father who informed me regarding this weblog,
this weblog is truly amazing.
Ridiculous story there. What happened after?
Thanks!
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog website?
The account helped me a appropriate deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vivid clear concept