To Meet Great Expectations, Heat Must Try Harder

Filed under: 76ers, Heat, NBA Press Box

Just one more loss and the Miami Heat would have faced the most averages of averages with a .500 record at 8-8. The Heat eventually prevailed over the Philadelphia 76ers, but this wasn't what anyone envisioned when Pat Riley locked up the three biggest players in the most hyped free agent class ever.



Injuries may have taken a toll on a team with so much top-heavy talent. But too often the Heat lack focus and energy through stretches of games that result in telegraphed passes being stolen, opponents grabbing offensive rebounds and unforced Miami turnovers. Then, to overcome these mental lapses, the Heat must play perfect basketball down the stretch, where the margin of error is razor thin. Too often lately it's been difficult to overcome against quality teams, providing critics of the Heat with more ammo.



"This is what every competitor, I think, would really want," said Spoelstra before the Heat victory over the 76ers. "To be in an environment where you matter as a team. Everybody is watching us; everybody cares about what we are doing. A lot of it may be negative, but that can be very motivating at the same time.



"I remember what it was like three years ago when we won 15 games. That's the most miserable existence you can have in professional athletics. That can't even compare to this, so this can be a very motivating and inspiring."

 

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/27/to-meet-great-expectations-heat-must-try-harder/