Aloha,
Well I posted before the game that if we came out with the same energy that we did against the Magic, we would lose. We gave up 69 points in that first half. You can’t do that against a good team. And we did. We played some defense in the 2nd half and only gave up 44 but it was too little to late. Just a few thoughts:
Shooting 28% from 3 is never good. And the Heat shot 45% but that only translated into 4 more 3’s. But the problem was that we shot 40 3’s 7 more then the Heat. That was the killer.
But the even more telling stat to me was assists. The Heat had 30 to our 20. LeBron and Russ combined for 13 assists while Butler had 12 by himself.
I wonder what our record is when LeBron shoots a lot of 3’s and misses. Sure he scored 33 but was 1 for 8 from 3 and just 4 assists. It hurts us when LeBron settles that much from 3.
Trevor looks washed.. 0 from 5 from 3 and 4 turnovers in just 15 minutes. And it would be different if he was playing lock down defense. He’s not. I wouldn’t be surprised if improved some but Stanley is playing so much better. And he brings young legs to the party.
I did love the comeback. We were down by 23 with 9 minutes to go when THT and Stanley game in. Along with Avery They both played terrific defense, they tag teamed Butler who only managed two free throws and no assists in those last 9 minutes. Both Bradley and THT also hit big 3 point shots.
Stanley not only continues to make a case to be signed for the rest of this year and next, but he should be starting ahead of Trevor.
I wonder if Austin has hit the rookie wall. He really hasn’t done much on either side of the ball over the last 5 games.
It’s a lot to ask of Wayne when you rarely play him and then put him in to hopefully hit some 3’s. He was 1 for 2 but that was 1 shot every 5 minutes he played. He’s a shooter, if you are going to put him in the game, get him shots.
We still can have a great road trip but not if we are not going to come out with energy and play hard for the entire game.
Well said, Michael. I felt the same way about LeBron. He needs to stop taking those 3s without making a play. If they are not going in please work on a plan B. Don’t just keep jerking them up at the expense of the team. If he’s hot from the 3 then it would make sense.
The case for Ariza is real. He should not be starting ahead of Johnson. I have also noticed Reaves’s lack of energy for a while now. Could it be due to the hits from the charges he has been taking lately? But in any case, he is going through something that’s bothering him both mentally and physically. I hope to see that changed.
Bottom line, please come to play with energy. Our season is on life support.
This team is nowhere near good enough for these “we’ll turn it on late!” rallies or mentality.
First quarter meltdown was directly because Frank Vogel started Russ, AB, LeBron, Ariza, and Dwight got the third straight game. I posted the horrible negative net ratings the last three games for this starting lineup. Yet Frank rolls them out once again. That’s it for me and Vogel.
All you have to do to analyze this game is look at Frank Vogel’s starting lineup of Russ, AB, LeBron, Ariza, and Dwight. This is the third game in a row where we have played a starting lineup that not only cannot defend but also cannot score. We’re like a team led by a coach with no clue.
The result last night? Team most 11 minutes on the floor with an OffRtg of 59.1, a DefRtg of 118.2, and a net rating of -59.1. The worst rated lineup and most used lineup by Frank Vogel, who now supposedly has full control of the rosters.
The result the last two games? Team most 17 minutes on the floor with an OffRtg of 85.3, DefRtg of 108.8, and NetRtg of -23.5. Again, worst rated and most used 5-man lineup the last two games.
The result the last three games? Team most 27 minutes on the floor with an OffRtg of 92.6, DefRtg of 101.8, and NetRtg of -9.2. Again, worst rated and most used 5-man lineup the last three games.
Shit show job by shit show coach; At this point, I would fire Frank Vogel is he comes out with AB or TA in the starting lineup. I’ve reached the end of the line with this guy. He can’t make simple logical smart lineup decisions. This team has been lost and this season is toast.