Miami Heat And Pat Riley Say Goodbye.. They Get Swept Away

[Mitchell]

Well, last year's NBA champions have been sent home with an early exit from the NBA playoffs, as Shaq O'Neal, Dwayne Wade, Pat Riley, and Company, had a 92-79 loss pinned on them this afternoon, by the tenacious Chicago Bulls, in Game Four of the NBA Quarterfinals first round playoffs. While I admittedly didnt watch every second of every game of the series, I did catch key moments of all the games, and I watched most of the second half of today's game. The Bulls defense was very formidable, and, especially today, it looked like Miami collapsed down the stretch.
The commentators on the broadcast called the Heat being swept away in the first round "stunning". There are questions about the future of the franchise, as well as the question of whether Riley will be back as team president, head coach, or either.
We know from past champions, such as the Bulls of 1991-1993 and 1996-1998 with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and the Lakers from 2000-2002 with Shaq and Kobe Bryant, that two marquee players are enough to win championships. This year, it wasnt to be for the Heat.
One glaring problem, that has existed for years, is Shaq's inability to shoot free throws, especially down the stretch of games. The guy will one day be in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and is a great scorer and rebounder, when healthy, but it is amazing that he has won four championship rings, and been to the finals as many times as he has, with as pitfully as he shoots free throws.
It will be interesting to see what the Heat do during the summer, but, this first round playoff sweep, was very surprising, to say the least.

Mitch

 

[primetime]

If there was anyone truly enjoying watching the Heat get swept, it was me. If my Lakers are going to go down in flames, it was fun watching the Heat join them. At least my Lakers won't get swept.

I guess Snack O'neal couldnt lead his team to another title. I know, i know, the Heat were defending champs, but they got that ring because Dwyane Wade played out of this world against the Mavericks. Snack was not a factor in the Finals. With Wade being hurt this year, Snack and the backstabbing crew couldn't get it done. They are old and creaky, so the Heat may not see another title for a while...

The Bulls/Detroit series should be fun to watch as Ben Wallace returns to Detroit. The winner of that series will represent the East in the Finals.

And before you decide to crack jokes about my Lakers, i already KNOW they are not that good. But, if Kobe Bryant ever gets help, then they will be back. It is only a matter of time....

 

[Soda83pop]

I enjoyed, because my Bulls havent won a first round series in a long time, and I stick by my teams forever. It is nice to see them winn

 

[Mitchell]

Actually, I wasnt going to crack jokes about the Lakers. I dont like Kobe, but my post wasnt directed at them. I despise Pat Riley, for many reasons, because of the classless way he resigned from the Knicks, faxing his resignation to them in 1995, to his insufferable arrogance. Back in the 1990s, when the Bulls were regularly beating the Knicks in the playoffs, and when I was sort of rooting for the Knicks, when I lived in NY, I didnt like the Bulls, or Jackson. Since he moved to LA, and I've read his biography of the 2003-2004 season, The Last Season, I havent had it in for Phil. Riley, that's another story. When I lived in NY, and he was coaching the Knicks, I used to listen to his postgame press conferences on MSG network. The man used to treat the press like shit, and was just incredibly arrogant. So, whenever he loses a big game, or series, I am satisfied.

Mitch

 

[RobAce]

Congrats to the Bulls....

But let me say IF Dwayne Wade was 100% healthy....this would still be a series, tied 2-2 most likely. Of course the Heat did well in Wade's absence, but with him on the court it was a liability.

But Congrats to the Bulls....and good luck to whomever loses to the winner of the Western Conference.

Rob

 

[PainTrain]

Go Bulls! Now that is is apparent that my Mavs are a joke, I'm pulling for the Bulls all the way.