Written by Eboy.....*sorry for the disappearing act....this last month has been off the wall, Michael Jackson style.*
Back in the mix..... back to reality. At the start of this NBA season, being a Miami Heat fan made the prospects for this season as being the butt-end of many uneducated (at least in knowledge of basketball) associates and fellow NBA fans seem like a harsh reality that I lived for the last two seasons. I tried to be optimistic in their chances of being slightly respectable, but never really gave off the actual feelings I had about the team if all things went well for most of the season. Through the first 21 games, let's just say, they're doing me proud.
First and foremost, I want to take sole credit for the Dwyane Wade resurgence. Yes, me, sweet little, lovable Eboy, the purveyor of all things good and unholy. I think my constant chiding of him and his "I'm D-Wade and I like to sell things for money" attitude over the last couple of seasons got him to focus in on what's important.....his game. Allright, not really, but it really is a pleasure to watch dude ball each and every night this season. He is undoubtedly the best player in the game at the moment from games 1 to 21. No doubting from any morons who may dick ride the Kobe/Lebron skin boat. Just look at the numbers..... then shut the fuck up. League leader in scoring at 28.9 per game, 7th in assists at 7.7 per, 11th in blocks at 1.75, 3rd in steals at 2.4 per. Should I continue? Nah...why be a prick. Dude has made the game seem easy every night, he's playing his best ball ever (yes I've seen every pro game in dude's career, he's off the charts right now)and lastly, he's made the team respectable. Pretty big accomplishments for a dude most of you.......well, pretty much all of you, shitted on for the better part of the last 18 months. Nothing like quieting the doubters by shoving well placed tomahawk dunks down the throats of simple minded dum-dums (I see you Emeka).
It's not so much the numbers Dwyane's putting up, it's more the WAY he's doing it....driving the lane like Barry Sanders cutting through the Viking's D in 1992, making jumpers from all angles, shooting threes with consistency and still drawing fouls and making free-throws at a high clip. It's how he should play....it's his game...and this season....it is HIS game. Is there still a twinge of uncertainty whenever he goes to the ground? Sure, but you can't live your life waiting on something bad to happen, can you? Dwyane is THAT dude.....and that's pretty fucking great for anyone that cheers for the guy.
As for the state of the team itself.....they're not world beaters buy any stretch of the imagination....but they are a legitimate team that can give a run to any team in the league on any given night. Sure, they haven't played the Lakers or the Celts or the Cavs yet, and once they do, there can be a proper barometer of where they really stand, but in the meantime winning games, playing hard and having a new culture in place is exactly what the team needed. Props to Eric Spoelstra for getting the guys to buy in to the frenetic, small ball style they HAVE to play with the current roster they have. He's got all the Riley mannerisms on the sidelines....hopefully that's where the similarities end. 
Sure, Shawn Marion is still stealing minutes from Michael Beasley, basically doing nothing but missing the most G.O.D. awful-looking shots in the league. I think Spoelstra feels obligated to give the bulk of the SF minutes to The Busted Matrix, and Beasley has played admirably off the bench. Beasley is beginning to get his niche in the game right, and I'd say by midseason, he will solidly show why he WAS the number 2 pick and not just a shadow behind Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo. His skill set is phenomenal and compared to the two forwards the Heat start, their talent comparison is like comparing me and TADOne in our SKO photos, one guy looks terse, a little out of sorts and grumpy while the other looks cool, calm and sexual. Yes, I am Michael Beasley to TAD's Shawn Marion. Coincidentally, since Beasley has come off the bench and they inserted the limited in skill, kind of limited in potential, Joel Anthony at center, the Heat are 5-1 and could have been 6-0 with a slight controversy in LA in a one point loss to the Clippers. The roster is balanced in such a way that as of right now, this is the best option they can roll out to be competitive and it's working....so it's hard to argue with it's results.
The other big story is that 2nd round steal, Mario Chalmers is ballin', straight ballin' really, and is one of the top point guards of this rookie class. Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, D. J. Augustin, and Chalmers are going to be remembered for a long, long while as one of the strongest PG drafts....maybe ever. Chalmers is incredibly mature in a basketball sense and runs the team efficiently in his minutes. Plus he's a beast on the defensive end. Backup point Chris Quinn, yes that same Chris Quinn who was the butt of several of my jokes for the last two seasons, who is 10th in the league in three point accuracy, is really playing the role of backup well. In the offseason, when it seemed like the roster was submerged like a sick manatee at the point and the five spot, today, the point is pretty solid, if not spectacular because of the two of them.
My hope is that the team keeps gelling, they make a push for the playoffs, Wade stays healthy and by this time next season, the possibility of having a contending team again will be part of Heat fans makeups. Hey, it took until April to get to 12 wins last season, so it's like Christmas already in the MIA. Thanks Santa, I knew you'd come through. Now can you make that snow on Christmas Day request come true too to quiet my little guy down?
Welcome
Over the course of human history, greatness has melded together at one time or another, creating fused unity that can sometimes be history changing. Bonnie & Clyde, The Beatles, Marvin & Tammy, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael & Scottie, Biggie & Tupac, Shaq & Kobe, Paris & Nicole! Now, the 21st century welcomes the next great movement to rewrite the history books and change the rules. It's us, ya'll. Ain't no stoppin' us now.
"We, the elite Linkstigators, have formed like Voltron, We could have used our powers for evil. It was quite tempting, actually. But instead, we have decided to bless the internets with the most slammin' blog (no pun intended). A blog which is dedicated mainly to the game of basketball, but also to diverse topics such as Mountain Dew Code Red, Democratic primaries, Guitar Hero 3 and post-structuralism. We are sponsored by Nabisco."
The Players
Cheryl
Cheryl will offer “A Sistah’s Point of View” (ASPOV) to this madness, because as you will read over the next few months, it will be needed. I see connections, like Haley Joel Osment sees dead people. Connections between modern sports, culture, politics, race and racialization, art and dance, religion and myth. I will try to point these out without being too esoteric or dogmatic (but if I am, sue me). But what you can always expect is that I will be open, honest, and often catty. (That was an awfully un-feminist thing to say, huh?)”
Eboy
White Hot Eboy, or just plain E, is a polarizing figure. On the SLAM site, the place of his e-origin, Eboy seems to move between love for his regular foils to sheer unbridled hate for his detractors. Here in this blogventure, look for Eboy to speak on basketball in all forms, movies, tv, politics, sports in general and anything else that he can throw his opinion at. Besides, he's legally obligated to be truthful and forthright, so stay ready, an E-storm is brewing.
TADOne
"We, the elite Linkstigators, have formed like Voltron, We could have used our powers for evil. It was quite tempting, actually. But instead, we have decided to bless the internets with the most slammin' blog (no pun intended). A blog which is dedicated mainly to the game of basketball, but also to diverse topics such as Mountain Dew Code Red, Democratic primaries, Guitar Hero 3 and post-structuralism. We are sponsored by Nabisco."
The Players
Cheryl
Cheryl will offer “A Sistah’s Point of View” (ASPOV) to this madness, because as you will read over the next few months, it will be needed. I see connections, like Haley Joel Osment sees dead people. Connections between modern sports, culture, politics, race and racialization, art and dance, religion and myth. I will try to point these out without being too esoteric or dogmatic (but if I am, sue me). But what you can always expect is that I will be open, honest, and often catty. (That was an awfully un-feminist thing to say, huh?)”
Eboy
White Hot Eboy, or just plain E, is a polarizing figure. On the SLAM site, the place of his e-origin, Eboy seems to move between love for his regular foils to sheer unbridled hate for his detractors. Here in this blogventure, look for Eboy to speak on basketball in all forms, movies, tv, politics, sports in general and anything else that he can throw his opinion at. Besides, he's legally obligated to be truthful and forthright, so stay ready, an E-storm is brewing.
TADOne
TADOne, or just plain TAD, is quite possibly the most sane member of this blog group, although, that is not saying much. My sarcasm, or just plain lack of empathy, has been known to reach epic levels of true disdain. Because of this, I have a love of binge drinking and mindless humor. Therapy is good.
Tariq
I am a sensitive, delicate soul. I use sarcasm and cynicism as self-defense mechanisms, douchebag. I do this to protect my faberge-egg-like psyche. If only I could increase my self-confidence, maybe then I could achieve a moment of sincerity. But I can't. So instead I have to be content with writing sublime pieces which delve into the realms of basketball, football (American), football (real), literature, religion, The Legend of Zelda and Reese's Pieces. I may even occassionally shed some insight into the complexities of the human condition. No promises, though.
My turn-ons are non-smokers and world peace. My turn-offs include crystal meth and springtime.
AR
You may (though most likely don't) know me as commenter H to the izzo from SLAMonline.I will no longer answer to that moniker-ever.I'm retiring only to return again,but this won't be no Linkin Park collaboration.My list of lifetime achievements include being the second most foreign member.The youngest member,the least educated member.I roughly rank as the 3rd most white member and am three time Vodka chugging champion in my district.I intend to prove that basketball opinion and having little else better to do are a dangerous mix.I am usually wrong and am possessed by the ghost of Charles Oakley's right fist.
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30 comments:
EBOY it's ya boy Justin Walsh from SLAMonline, I totally agree, Chalmers is more calm and composed than any other PG in the rookie class. That includes Rose. Rose is better, Chalmers is calmer and more composed. Also, I hope Beasley takes over The shoddy ass Matrix's minutes for good.
Thanks, Justin, and thanks for the debate over at SLAM today. It's nice to at least have Dwyane in the top player conversation again after a prolonged absence.
Anytime Eboy! He worked his ass off to get back in the talk. By the way, where did you get that picture on the frontpage of the white kid with the shawn kids child shirt?
I found it on Google Images. It's my mental image of H to the Izzo in photo form.
This Walsh character is going to be asking for an SKO honorary membership if he keeps things up! :-)
And QFTMFT (no homo): "One guy looks terse, a little out of sorts and grumpy while the other looks cool, calm and sexual."
Nice one, E. It is definitely XMas in the MIA. The Heat are on the move up, and the *gasp* Dolphins are peaking at the playoffs. Who'da thunk it, 'cept you and me?
Yeah, we're smart like that. I was going to do a Dolphins piece too, but I doubted that our international/Virginia Beach blogmates could give a shit about TWO resurgent South Florida sports teams, let alone one.
Dwyane Wade is ~amazing~
This was a very entertaining read
Nice piece, Eboy! Wade's dunking on Emeka was a great move, but what really impressed me was what he did before it - split two defenders with that power low-dribble move of his, which has been back since Beijing. Nobody does that move like he does right now, with that explosiveness.
How do you think the Heat're gonna improve from this season to next? As Beasley inevitably improves into a burlier version of Melo, you think they should dump Marion for a center or a shooter and some change?
I feel like a Magic 8 ball, "hard to tell", "try again in April", "too many variables", "weed and injuries could be the determining factors".
Nice piece but I have to call you out on that disgraceful media day photo of Beasley. Urgh.
Eboy! It's been to long, homie. Just for the record, I did predict that the Heat would be right in the thick of the playoff race in the East this offseason. Your welcome. I was watching the Heat play the Suns the other day and this occurred to me, who is the best defensive rookie point guard ever? Super Mario should definitely be in the convo. Oh yeah, new ish on Where Basketball B-Longs.
Nice, E. Great to have you back. OK, on to hoops. I love Wade this year, he's doing great. But you say he's shooting threes with consistency. He's only shooting .277 from behind there. If you meant consistently not very good, then you have a point, but he isn't doing great back there. As for poised point guards, Chalmers is definitely up there. But look at my man DJ Augustin! Dude's doing great over there in NC. Great piece, Eboy. Nice to have you back, again.
Moose, Wade's 3 point shooting has been more timely and useful than his actual percentage. I can't think of a better way to explain it, other than...do you remember how it felt watching Antoine Walker shooting 3s in a Heat uniform? Well imagine the complete and utter OPPOSITE of that feeling, and that is how I feel when Wade shoots a 3
If you back into the archives of hibachi, you'll find an article written by me called 'flash back to reality'. That was written prior to the Olympics when the USA played Canada in pre-tournament play. Looks like you're not the only one who's been supporting him for a while... solo my ass. Peace out.
Eboy:
At least one of your international blogmates is interested in both the Heat and the Fins. I thoroughly enjoyed Wade's dunk on some Bobcat (I forgot who) where he took off from the 3-point line. And I wouldn't mind at all if the Dolphins won the AFC East.
Actually, I was just thinking about this: it's very possible that an AFC East team could win 11 games, but lose the division crown on a tie-breaker and thus miss the Playoffs, since both the Colts and Ravens are currently in the wild-card spots. I wish the NBA regular season had that kind of excitement.
Oh yeah, it was Okafur. He's been gettig dunked on a LOT lately.
Speaking of excitement, don't even get me started on the NFC. If the Eagles and Saints smehow make the playoffs (slim chance, I know), I will experience glee.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart scare me.
Thats because the Panthers own you
and this was somewhat intresting to read.
Can't you pick a blog site and stick to it, fucker? I need to laugh, bitch.
Glad to see E still dreams of me.
Tariq, after this weekend, those two running backs will be having nightmares of Wesley Woodyard and Jamie Winborn.
Nice work, E.
All OK in VBeach, TAD????
Calling me a fucker just proves that you are enamoured by my commenting skills and wish you were me. As for changing stuff, i do recall a White Hot Eboy exsisting at one point that was waaaaaaaaaaay more tolerable than his douchey twin Starbaros who took over and changed the user name to Eboy. Things havent been the same ever since. Crying, sweat, and throwing in the towel makes miami heat fans whine and scowel (or leave the game mid-way thru the third/play a drinking game who can scream "MVP MVP" the loudest while Wade goes tot the free throw line, but it usally ends up sounding like "PCP PCP", werid?
The Heat and Nets are right where I predicted they would be. The big question is can they stay there?
The Heat and Nets are right where I predicted they would be. The big question is can they stay there?
New ish on W.B.B.Longs!
Check Hibachi 2.0, some lucky and special stuff happened to me last night . . . !
TRUTH: Wade's been the best player in the world since he's been healthy again (team usa this summer, first 26 games of this season)
Yes this is the same 26 year old guy that carried his team to a world championship at 24 years old, and WAS the best player in the NBA in the 2006-07 season up until he got injured in game 55 in Houston......
so I would say you might be onto something EBOY.
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