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Did Anyone See that Flash Across the Screen?

The Kobe/Shaq matchup has lost its flavor…

You might be worried Heat fans but I am not. You might think we are an old team that has lost motivation b/c we captured a title last year. I do not. You might think our role players are overrated and will not amount to anything. I do not. I am going to make a statement that will open some eyes, come playoff time, the Miami Heat will be better then they were last year.

Case in point. Dorrell Wright, Jason Kapono, and the return of Shaq.

The Miami Heat (in case you were throwing up all the egg nog you drank yesterday) beat a good Lakers team behind Dwyane Wade’s 41 point outburst, his best performance of the year. The Heat are starting to look like champions again after Pat Riley gave some encouraging words to Dwyade Wade.

Now why do I think the Heat will be better come playoff time then last year? There youth. They will have fresher legs and more experience from there younger more talented role playerscome playoff time. Jason Kapono is coming into his own as a legitimate 3 point threat. Kapono had 11 points and three 3 pointers in Monday’s win. The Heat did not have that legitimate 3 point threat last season. If you say Antoine Walker you are banned from the site for a week. Dorrel Wright is the more interesting character. You can see his game expanding as the season goes on and I can only hope for what is in store come the end of the season when he has really found his groove. Speaking of Dorrel did anyone notice what his role in yesterday’s game was? That’s right, guarding Kobe Bryant. Add those on top of the same bunch from last year and you have quite an upgrade. Now don’t get me wrong I would have welcomed an AI trade in a second, but I am quite contempt with our current situation, especially how they have been playing lately. Now if only Riles could keep these guys motivated to playing winning basketball before the playoffs. Detroit is starting to look like a powerhouse again and we do not want to slip farther then the 4th seed in the playoffs.

I find it hilarious how every coach that has a failing gameplan against Dwyane Wade resorts to the “he cheated and there was nothing we could do about it” mentality. Even the Hall of Fame coaches like Phil Jackson.

As The Dude stated over on MSD…

But no matter how much bullshit – err, sorry, I mean psychology – Phillip likes to play, he can’t change the fact that Dwyane Wade is now The Man and that he led his arch rival, Pat Riley, to another NBA title while Jackson is stuck with a selfish player and some dude named Smush on his team.

The Heat take on the surging Chicago Bulls on Wednesday from Chicago where they look to seek out revenge after the opening night ass whooping they took on ring night. Expect a big game from the role players as Wade always struggles against the Bulls in Chicago.