Miami HEAT 2014 Season Preview: Theory of Man

When it comes to the Miami HEAT, fanalysts hate what they can't understand, fear what they can't conquer. I guess it's just the theory of man.

LeBron James: Can He Shoot the HEAT to 72 Wins?

Miami Herald beat reporter Joe Goodman Jr. asked whether the Miami HEAT could win 72 games if LeBron James made 60% of his shots this season. Let's see what the numbers have to say...

Dwyane Wade Is the Best Man Next to the Man

Dwyane Wade said while he's the Miami HEAT's second option on offense, he's one of the only second options in the NBA that averaged 20 points per game last season. Analysis of the highest scoring 2nd options in the NBA shows Wade was the most productive 2nd option on offense last season.

10% Diss: Dwyane Wade vs. James Harden, courtesy of Kevin Durant

Show me don't tweet me..
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 25, 2013

One more time for the slow kids... Dwyane Wade was the best shooting guard in the NBA last season.

HEAT Check: 2013 NFL Preview for HEAT Players' Favorite Teams

The experts predict the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers will give Udonis Haslem, James Jones and Mario Chalmers bragging rights for the 2013 NFL season, but that won't be the case after Week 1.

Kyrie Irving Dickriders Gots To Chill

Kyrie Irving's become overrated despite missing an average of more than 25 games his last 3 seasons playing for the Duke Blue Devils and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Shaved Monkey Nuts Makes Me Proud

Fuck those threes he hit in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. I've only been proud of Shaved Monkey Nuts (aka Shane Battier) once since he joined the Miami HEAT.

HEAT Summer League: James Ennis, James Nunnally, D.J. Kennedy and Ian Clark Earned Training Camp Invitations

Miami HEAT went into the Summer Leagues needing a point guard and power forward and then waived Mike Miller. After losing their last game in Vegas, it was clear they found 3 winners of the "Chance to Replace Mike Miller Sweepstakes" but probably need to keep looking for a power forward. After their last game in Orlando, it was clear they found a potential point guard. That's not a bad summer's work for the front office.

HEAT Summer League: Jarvis Varnado Had His Best Game of the Summer & James Ennis Is Having the Best Run In Vegas

Jarvis Varnado was dominant in the paint against the Cleveland Cavaliers to get the Miami HEAT into the Vegas Summer League semifinals, but 2013 2nd round draft pick James Ennis is the player that's been carrying the team in the desert.

HEAT Summer League: James Ennis Returned To Productivity In 3rd Game in 4 Days

James Ennis photo from nba.com/heat

James Ennis recovered from 2 unproductive summer league games to be the most productive player on the floor in his 3rd game in 4 days as the Miami HEAT head into a much needed day off.

HEAT Summer League: D.J. Kennedy Dominated Day 1 in Vegas

D.J. Kennedy photo from nba.com/heat

D.J. Kennedy did what he wanted offensively in the Miami HEAT's 1st Vegas Summer League game after struggling with his shooting and scoring in Orlando.

HEAT Summer League: Ian Clark Dominated His Final Game in Orlando But Chose Not To Play With Miami in Vegas

Ian Clark's performance in the final HEAT game of the Orlando Summer League left no doubt that he deserves an invitation to training camp while Jarvis Varnado still has something to prove when the HEAT begin playing in the Las Vegas Summer League on Saturday.

LeBron James: Humble & Grateful Pt. 3

What does the success of back-to-back champions Miami HEAT and back-to-back Finals MVP LeBron James smell like to haters? It smells like a HEAT Shit List.

HEAT Summer League: The High Rise of Eric Griffin

Eric Griffin, a dunker and shot-blocker with crazy hops from Campbell University, came out of nowhere to posterize Pistons center Andre Drummond and make a name for himself on the HEAT summer league team in Orlando.

HEAT Summer League: James Ennis Breakthrough Game

Miami HEAT 2nd round draft pick James Ennis was the most productive player on the floor in the team's 94-80 domination of the Orlando Magic as they became the 1st team this year to sweep all 4 quarters in a summer league game.

HEAT Summer League: 2nd Round Pick James Ennis Most Consistent & Productive Player After 2 Games in Orlando

James Ennis is the story after the Miami HEAT's 2nd game of the Orlando Summer League ended with a 93-86 win over the Brooklyn Nets. 

HEAT Summer League: Ian Clark Is Player to Watch After 1st Game

Ian Clark was the biggest story from the Miami HEAT's 1st game in the Orlando Summer League. The guard from Belmont University showed his shooting and defensive prowess in the NCAA could translate to a higher level of play.

On to the Offseason: Title Run Recap & Summer League Preview

A quick look at the predictions and production for the Miami HEAT playoff and summer league teams as the NBA offseason begins.

2013 NBA Finals: Humble & Grateful, Pt.2

LeBron James told the media to get the fuck out his face. Dwyane Wade told the truth about he and Ray Allen being 2 of the best shooting guards ever. Humble. Grateful. Sacrifice. That's the 2013 NBA Champion Miami HEAT.

2013 NBA Finals: Humble & Grateful

Miami HEAT were pushed to the brink by the Older Gods, but in the end the 3 Kings prevailed in Game 7.

2013 NBA Finals: Miami HEAT Need To Be Faster & More Physical In Game 7

Miami HEAT will need to be better in transition and attacking the paint if they don't want Game 7 to come down to a miraculous 30 seconds like Game 6.

2013 NBA Finals: Miami HEAT Won Game 6 with Relentless Resilience. Who Will Bring It In Game 7?

The relentless resilience of Mike Miller, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers and the 3 Kings helped the Miami HEAT make a 4th quarter comeback to defend their throne in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

HEAT Check: The Difference Between HEAT vs. Thunder Then and Spurs Now

LeBron James, Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade were more productive against the Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals than they've been against the Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals. Let's take a look at the numbers to see where their production's declined.

HEAT Check: Dwyane Wade Not To Blame For Danny Green's BIG Game 5

Dwyane Wade got most of the blame for Danny Green's 24 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals but his defense didn't surrender most of the points.

Danny Green: From Random Scrub HEAT Killer to Finals MVP?

How did HEAT fans end up in a situation where they could be watching a Random Scrub HEAT Killer like Danny Green become Finals MVP after breaking the record for threes in the NBA Finals? Good question. 

2013 NBA Finals: Older Gods Strike Back in Game 5. Will 3 Kings Defend the Throne in Game 6?

The Older Gods were faster, more physical, less fatigued and more aggressive than the Miami HEAT in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. What adjustments do the 3 Kings and Erik Spoelstra need to make for Game 6?

2013 NBA Finals: The 3 Kings Returned in Game 4, Will the Older Gods Strike Back in Game 5?

When the Miami HEAT needed the 3 Kings the most, they were there in a Flash to take back home-court advantage in the NBA Finals. Will they be able to withstand the wrath of the San Antonio Spurs' Older Gods in Game 5?

Off the Index: What Does History Say About Jason Kidd Coaching the Nets?

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said he wants to win an NBA championship by 2015. He and Billy King must think Jason Kidd will be 1 of the greatest coaches of all-time for that to happen.

Miami HEAT 5 Factors for the Finals: Fast, Physical, Free Space, Fatigue & Foul Trouble

Miami HEAT trail the San Antonio Spurs 1-2 because they played weaker physically and mentally in 4 of the 5 factors for the NBA Finals.

Miami HEAT Out-Hustled & Out-Gunned in Game 3 of the NBA Finals

Miami HEAT must be fast and physical to create fatigue and foul trouble for the San Antonio Spurs if they want to defend their NBA title. They lost all four of those areas in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals and got shot out the building by 36 points.

2013 NBA Finals: Which Game 2 Adjustments Will Carry Over to Game 3?

Mario Chalmers attacking off the pick-and-roll with LeBron James was the biggest adjustment on offense for the Miami HEAT in Game 2. The biggest improvement on defense came in the post against Tim Duncan.

Gregg Popovich: No Good Run Goes Unpunished... Unless It's Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals

Gregg Popovich and the Spurs are one of the best run-stoppers in the NBA, so how did the Miami HEAT out-score them 33-5 in the 2nd half of Game 2 in the NBA Finals?

2013 NBA Finals: Spurs Hyperdrive Was Too Weak To Leap With the HEAT in Game 2. Will They Keep Up in Game 3?

Miami HEAT went on a run that took Game 2 into rare air and the Spurs couldn't breathe. Will the Spurs take a deep breath in Game 3?

Dwyane Wade: Half-Man, Less Amazing On 1 Leg This Postseason

Dwyane Wade's knee injury has literally turned his offense into half-Wade, less amazing this postseason. This article breaks down the areas his performance declined and the impact it's had on the HEAT's ability to win games.

2013 NBA Finals: Game 2 Adjustments

Miami HEAT's key adjustments on offense for Game 2 include:

• Chris Bosh finishing off the pick-and-roll in the paint and getting some baseline cuts like the Birdman 
• More opportunities in transition for LeBron James
• Replacing the isolation offense Dwyane Wade can't provide with his knee injury 

On defense, the key adjustments for the HEAT include:

• Doing a better job of finding, contesting and containing the Spurs shooters like Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili on spot up plays
• Improved defense on Tim Duncan in the post

Loose Balls Had a Big Impact on Game 1 of the NBA Finals

San Antonio Spurs took advantage of loose balls to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

1 Picture, 1000 Words: Game 1 of 2013 NBA Finals

LeBron James gave Chris Bosh a look that summed up Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs perfectly.

Miami HEAT Gave Away Game 1 of the Finals

What's the recipe for the Miami HEAT losing a game they had a 55% chance of winning? Mix 5 turnovers with a disappearing act by 2 all-stars in the 4th quarter and sprinkle in a buzzer-beating bank shot for good luck.

2013 NBA Finals Intro: Older Gods

The Miami HEAT's 3 Kings will give the older gods from the San Antonio Spurs their first loss in their last trip to the NBA Finals.

Feel This Moment: Will Miami HEAT Be Homicidal or Home-Sick in Game 6 vs. Pacers?

When properly motivated, the Miami HEAT are an unstoppable machine. What will be their motivation for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers?

Miami HEAT Offense is SkyNet

The Miami HEAT offense improved in each game of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals. What's in store for Game 4?

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Miami HEAT Let Pacers Know the Series Is Over

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade led the HEAT to a dominant Game 3 performance with indicators they can play even better in Games 4 and 5.

HEAT Need to Improve Defense & Turnovers to Defeat the Pacers

LeBron James' brilliant performance in Game 2 was ruined by poor defense and turnovers. The HEAT need to improve those areas if they want to win Game 3 and the series.

Old Man Swag: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Invented It, Tim Duncan's Just the Latest Living It

Tim Duncan had a great Game 3 against the Memphis Grizzlies to put the Spurs up 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals, but his old man swag can't compare to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time scoring leader.

It Ain't No Fun: Dwyane Wade and LeBron James Just Pass Paul George Around For Game-Winners

Dwyane Wade told LeBron James to blow by Paul George for the game-winner because The Dogg Pound said it best, "It ain't no fun if the homies can't have none."

Dwyane Wade: Best SG in the NBA by the Numbers

How does Dwyane Wade end up 3rd Team All-NBA? Rarely touted, forever doubted seems to be his NBA legacy. A look at the numbers from the boxscore shows Wade was the most productive shooting guard in the NBA this season, despite struggling with rehab from knee surgery and bone bruises.

HEAT Produced: Frank Vogel Beat Erik Spoelstra In a Race to the Bottom for Game 1

As Erik Spoelstra was choking away another Game 1 in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Frank Vogel saved him with a Heimlich maneuver that forced defeat from the jaws of victory so he could swallow Spo's chewed up loss for himself.

HEAT Produced: Key Matchups for 2013 Eastern Conference Finals

Based on HEAT players' production in the playoffs so far, going big with a lineup of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem could be the key to dominating matchups with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2013 NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Picks

Miami HEAT and San Antonio Spurs will be facing off when the Conference Finals are all said and done.

22 Twos: Will Steph Curry Get 40 and a W in Game 2?

Will Steph Curry follow the example set by Chris Mullin 22 years ago in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs tonight?

HEAT Produced: 1 MVP Was Not Enough to Win Game 1 vs. Chicago Bulls

LeBron James said he couldn't have won his 4th MVP without his 14 teammates and the Miami HEAT coaching staff. Turns out he couldn't win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals without them, either.

HEAT Check: Sweeping the Bulls is Mandatory

There's no excuse for the Miami HEAT to need more than 4 games to eliminate the Chicago Bulls from the NBA playoffs.

2013 NBA Playoffs: Conference Semi-Finals Picks

The Spurs will blink before the HEAT and the Thunder will be pushed to the brink in the 2nd round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

HEAT Produced: Ray Allen Was Most Productive Player in 1st Round Sweep

LeBron James said this is the most efficient he's ever played in his career, but Ray Allen was more efficient and productive sweeping the Bucks.

HEAT vs. Bucks Game 4: Clean Sweep

The HEAT injury report may have changed, but the mission hasn't: sweep the Bucks. If they play hard now, they can rest later.

HEAT Produced: All the 3 Kings Men Win Game 3 in Milwaukee

Ray Allen and the reserves helped the Miami HEAT beat the Bucks by double-digits in Milwaukee without a complete game from LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

HEAT Produced: Complete Team Effort Needed to Dominate Game 3

Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, LeBron James and Chris Bosh have not been on the same page at the same time in the first two games of the playoffs. That needs to change in order to get 1 step closer to achieving the true objective for the series against the Bucks.

HEAT Produced: LeBron James and Shaved Monkey Nuts Need to Improve in Game 2

LeBron James dominated the Bucks in Game 1 but there's 1 area he and the Miami HEAT need to improve in Game 2 to ensure the series ends next Sunday.

Miami HEAT vs. Milwaukee Bucks: What Will It Take For a Sweep?

Will the HEAT sweep the Bucks? They got this. There are three keys for the team, players and coaches to focus on if they want to break out the brooms next week.

2013 NBA Playoffs: 1st Round Picks

Expect 3 sweeps and 2 Game Sevens in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs.

Week 24 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Award Tour

It’s the last week of the regular season, all 8 playoff spots are clinched and 6 of the playoff seeds are set. That means the only thing left to do is reflect on the season and analyze who the award winners will be in the last Fanalyst Rankings of the regular season.

Week 23 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Anti-Tanking Edition

The NBA season has reached that point where teams start tanking games for the draft lottery or the playoffs. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyzes how the best teams in the East would rank if the NBA implemented a new playoff system that placed more emphasis on division and conference records.

Week 22 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Game Winners, 2nd Edition

The best teams in the NBA win most of their games going away, but when shit gets real they have to be able to win games with clutch shots. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyze the clutch shooting for the best teams in the East when teams are separated by no more than 3 pts with less than 24 seconds in the 4th quarter or overtime.

Week 21 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Tony Starks Edition

NBA teams face 2 battles: their opponents and their injuries. It takes Iron Men and depth to survive the grind of 82 games. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyzes the games missed by the starters for the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Off the Index: 2013 March Madness Picks

It's March Madness and that means it's time for brackets. Here are my brackets from Yahoo! and you can find the biases that influenced those picks listed in this post.

Week 20 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Streaking Edition

Since the Miami HEAT have the 2nd longest winning streak in NBA history, this week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyzes the longest winning streaks for the best teams in the East this season.

Week 19 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Best Supporting Cast

The Miami HEAT blew out the Pacers with LeBron James producing a season-low 13 points while Mario Chalmers (26 points) and Chris Bosh (24 points), the team’s 5th and 3rd leading scorers, stepped up to lead the team in scoring. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyze the supporting casts for the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

LeBron James: I Choose Not To Dunk

There's a simple explanation for LeBron James' decision to avoid the Slam Dunk Contest.

Week 18 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Finishing Moves

LeBron James put the nail in the coffin for the Knicks with a hammer dunk on Sunday. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyzes who has the best finishing moves for the best teams in the East.

Chris Bosh: Will He Get His Mind Right for the Knicks?

There's a big difference in Chris Bosh's play before and after Lil' Wayne announced he fucked his wife at a party during NBA All-Star Weekend. Will Bosh be able to put that shit behind him to be successful against Tyson Chandler and the Knicks on Sunday?

Week 17 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Follow the Leaders

Dwyane Wade, the all-time leading scorer in Miami HEAT history, scored his 16,000th point over the weekend. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyzes how the active all-time leaders for the best franchises in the East will impact their teams’ performances.

Week 16 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Raisin in the Sun Edition

Since the Lakers are the biggest story and disappointment in the NBA going into the all-star break, this week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyze whether the best teams in the East withered under the heat of preseason expectations like A Raisin in the Sun or produced the fruits of success in the 1st half of the season.

Week 15 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Everybody Makes a Run

No lead is safe in the NBA because every team makes a run during the game. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyze which teams build the biggest leads and the largest margin of safety for winning.

Week 14 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Posterize or Die Trying

The NBA is about survival of the fittest. Win or lose. Dunk or be dunked on. Posterize or die trying. That’s why the best teams make the best highlights. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyze how the best teams in the Eastern Conference attack and protect the rim.

Week 13 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: Stars Edition

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” On MLK Day, this week’s Fanalyst Rankings shine a light on the real stars for the best teams in the Eastern Conference instead of the ones that cloud the fans’ perception.

Week 12 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: All 3 Everything

Nothing changes a game faster than a three-pointer. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings analyzes the three-point attacks of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Week 11 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: In the Ghetto Edition

For the best teams in the NBA, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at. This week’s Fanalyst Rankings take a look at how the best teams in the East perform on the road.

Week 10 NBA Fanalyst Rankings: New Year's Edition

This week’s Fanalyst Rankings take a look at New Year's resolutions for the best teams in the East to improve in 2013.