It ended up being a lot less close than the scoreboard dictated.
The NBA season arrived with one of the most anticipated openers in years, with the majority of the focus concentrated on how the star-studded Heat would mesh in their coming out party.
The answer is, not well.
This is there first game together we are missing our starting point guard mario chalmers who is a good outside shooter missing mike miller who is our best outside shooter did you see how many turnovers we had cause of the guys not used to playing with eachother and this was wades first game back from an injury he was rusty this isnt the same wade you will be seeing all season if i were you i wouldnt feel too good about what i saw yes the celtics played good but wade went 4-16 and bosh went 3-11 and we still almost came back to win the game despite 2 of our stars playing terrible and no cohesiveness we still almost came back to win now i know you cant expect them to keep playing like that i see we will be able to beat boston with just 2 of the 3 playing good in the future and in the postseason forget about your little double teams when mike miller comes back so be happy the nba gave the eastern conference champs who have been playing together for years their first game against a team with more than half of its roster consisting of new players who need time to gel we will see later on in the season when our team is on the same page.
The Heat went 4-17 in a nine-point first quarter that was marked by confusion and incompetence.
The Heat looked a lot like LeBron's Cavaliers; relatively one-dimensional. LeBron took over in the third quarter, but it was not enough to prevent the loss. Dwyane Wade was 4-16, Chris Bosh was 3-11, but those stats do not sum up the Heat's problems.
It goes without saying that soon the Heat will look better. Their chemistry will improve and they will begin to play together.
The lack of inside presence for the Heat is something that will be no more apparent than against teams like the Celtics. The Celtics were tenacious on the boards, revealing the possibility that the acquisitions of the two O'Neal's could be the solution to the Celtics rebounding woes; a weakness that ultimately cost them the title last year.
The t-e-a-m aspect of the Celtics that has led them to the NBA Finals two of the last three years (would have been three if not for the Garnett injury), was their ticket to victory against the Heat, and it will be their greatest strength all year long.
The loss cannot be completely blamed on Miami's lack of time together as a unit, as their defense looked fairly capable, particularly in the second half. How do three players that were once the focal point of their teams, that have never known anything else than being the number one guy, learn to play together? It certainly won't be easy.
Regardless of the Heat defense, the Celtics ball movement was tremendous throughout. The presence of Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal demonstrated an anticipated improvement in an inside-out playing style.
Glen Davis looks like he might live up to his off-season claims of a “defining season.” Davis was consistently strong to the hoop and seemed more aware of his surroundings in finding the open man. He will continue to be a huge asset off the bench, particularly while Kendrick Perkins is gone.
The Heat had extensive difficulties getting in the paint, and so will the rest of Boston's opponents. Along with the new inside presence, the Celtics look as healthy as ever.
Kevin Garnett looked back to form, defending pick and rolls and staying tight on defenders. Marquis Daniels went 4-5 and seems to finally have his quickness back.
Jermaine O'neal would have made such a difference. Plus we had more valuable role players missing. Playing together will make how they play together different idiot. Is that concept to hard to grasp? Wade and Lebron got all of those turnovers because they have yet to learn each other tendencies.
No one has discredited the celtics defense who had Wade and Bosh at times feeling uncomfortable making them settle for jumpshots. Wade a bit more because he wasn't in regular season shape (mentally) Lebron was at least knocking most of them down.
Paul Pierce looks leaner, quicker, and more assertive going to the rack (I won't go on an extensive rant regarding the block call against LeBron). It wouldn't be surprising if Pierce has re-ignited the athletic capabilities he had a few years ago.
Bench players like Daniels and Nate Robinson are progressively finding their place in the Celtics' plans.
Granted, it is only the beginning of the year; there are sure to be some injuries down the road, but Doc Rivers will keep the veteran squad in constant check. The fact that Boston is not starting the season off with any significant injuries is the best case scenario.
The Celtics have an improved depth that will likely make them a much better team than in recent years. Opponents may be amazed that Boston's defensive intensity could possibly be better that it was in 2007-08, but after holding the supposedly “extremely dynamic” Heat to 80 points, that may be just what the future holds.
The Celtics looked even better than their wide skill-set and depth indicated going into Tuesday's contest; it's hard to believe that Kendrick Perkins will re-join the team early next year, and that in only ten games Delonte West will be added to the mix.
The Heat are going to have to rely on guys like Jones, Chalmers and Miller knocking down 3s...that isn't the reciepe for elite success.
I think a lot of people are looking at this like a video game - the truth is neither Wade or LeBron are very good shooters. They are tremendous players and scorers, but knocking down 20 footers isn't their strength, and all of their playmaking ability is based on driving and kicking out, so yes, I can expect them to struggle offensively when they are just shooting jump shots. I really don't know what kind of offense everyone expectst them to run, if its just a straight isolate, drive and kick then Bosh isn't going to ever get into good spots or rhythm and 3-11 is going to be common.
The stars didn't play terrible, I just don't think they are going to be able to set up a offense where James, Wade and Bosh all utilize their skills and strengths.
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