Season Predictions

[Iputsomepantson]

Now that the season is underway and we finally get to see how our team has played this season, let's do some season predictions. At the end of the season, we'll bring this post back up and the person (or people) who were the most right get to say they are a basketball genius in their signature.

I am going to be bold and project a 3rd seed with the Heat advancing to the 2nd round.

I base this on our in-house improvements, as well as the fact that our team is overall more talented than the squad we had last year.

Just look at this squad compared to last year pre-Jermaine trade, you can see the pieces fit better. Marion was out of place in our offense, Beasley had no role, Haslem was playing center oftentimes, we had no post presence, we had Wade at backup PG, 2 rookies and a second year player in major roles, and a rookie coach, yet we still had a 28-24 record with that squad.

Now with this squad, the sky really is the limit. I think we are going to surprise quite a few people.

For further evidence, just look at the way we played as a team compared to last year in the first game against the same opponent. Wade played fairly the same, we scored the same amount of points, yet we lost last year. Mostly due to our lack of overall defense. Our key this year is our improved defense. Q-Rich pointed it out, defense has been the focus since day 1.

[Booz]

46-36, 6th seed, 3rd SE, 2nd round.

The only teams that I honestly see ahead of you are:

BOS
ORL
CLE
ATL
WSH

I'm not buying on the Raps yet. If JO and Beaze can seriously stay this way, and if Q-Rich keep up with his sexy shooting, then I see you guys being just fine. Fine enough to convince Wade to stay.

[AkiraSendo]

4th seed, EC finals :V

[ashlov]

I'm going with the theory that we'll have added a major player by the trading deadline:

51-31, 4th Seed, ECF

[kyphi]

just as long as the Heat aren't stuck in No-Man's Land = good enough to make the play-offs as a low seed, but not good enough for a high draft pick.

[BFRESH44]

50-32

4th Seed. ECF. Yessirrr

[pineda211]

4th Seed. Beat ATL in first round, lose in second. 48-34

[Wade2k6]

I say they get the 5th seed. I think BOS, CLE, ORL are all clearly better, while ATL is also a better team. Washington is going to go through their yearly injury bug, so I'm not worried about them too much. I don't buy the TOR hype just yet.

[heat4life]

I think anywhere between 45-48 wins if we keep the same team. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando are better and unlike most of you, I just don't see Atlanta being that much better than us but again I could see a flip 4-5 situation there. After that, I like Philly with a healthy Brand over Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Toronto and Indiana who will be fighting for the last 2 playoff spots.

[heat in italy]

45-37 and 4 or 5 seed. We will go to the 2 round and lose to the Celtics.

[Miami's Finest]

Did you not see the game last night? This team wins 70+ games... easily.

[CoolD]

Cavs is the team that I think is going to have a big drop off.
I say they win around 52 wins, and that is if LeBron doesn't get hurt. Considering last year they were 66 win team. That is pretty big drop off.
So If Heat get close to 50, I say they have a shot at the third seed. Just LeBron getting hurt for a couple weeks will probably drop Cavs even lower.

I think Boston and Orlando are superior teams. Cavs I think they are not in that level. Their defense with Shaq has taken a huge hit. They have a very hard time getting back on defense,(transition) pick and roll defense. And their offense has just gotten even slower. Though If Shaq gets hurt, I say they take the third seed.

[salqaddoumi]

45-37, 5th or 6th seed.