Come Together: Heat's Amazing One-Year Turnaround Exemplified In Win Over Bulls

Relentless. Poised. Smart. Supercompetitive. Versatile. Confident. Assertive. Tough. Resillient.

All of those words describe Dwyane Wade. All of those words are starting to describe the Miami Heat. They are starting to take on their leaders personality, and are quickly becoming one of the most resilient, confident, and EXCITING teams in the NBA.

Yesterdays Heat/Bulls game was supposed to be a showdown between the number 1 and 2 picks: the Bulls outstanding rookie pointguard Derrick Rose and the HEATs talented young PF Michael Beasley, but it turned out to be a showing of the Miami HEAT coming together as a formidable TEAM for the first time since Dwyane Wade got injured in Houston nearly 2 years ago. Yesterday the HEAT gave you a glimpse into the future, they were not a team overly reliant on one man, but a team led by a superstar with a bunch of ballsy youngsters that  know what theyre doing. Including their coach Erik Spoelstra.

The 2^nd half of yesterdays game was an unbelievable thrill for any true Miami HEAT fan: a showing of the Miami HEAT coming together as a formidable TEAM for the first time since Wade's return to 100% health.

There was Mario Chalmers making plays on offense also impressively holding Rose in check with his defense. There was Daequan Cook hitting shots and locking it up on Ben Gordon. There was Udonis Haslem, Shawn Marion, Jamaal Magloire and Joel Anthony doing the dirty work and making gritty play after play in helping the Heat control the paint.

The HEAT forced 12 bull turnovers in the 2nd half, and converted on what seemed like every one. This was after only forcing 3 in the first half... yes that 2nd half was Spoelstra's blueprint to perfection, true Miami HEAT basketball. They make the team focus every second of the full 48 minutes, and if you dont match their energy and intensity you are getting ran off the court. Chalmers, Banks, Wade, Marion and Cook were all great on the perimeter defensively, using their length and athleticism to frustrate the Bulls perimeter impact-players while forcing many Bull mistakes and turnovers. Its been a while since Ive seen a team with this type of athleticism and length on the wings, they always keep their hands up and seem to get a hand on every post-entry pass the opposition tries. They close out faster than any team Ive seen this year and stay in the passing lanes while being able to recover to their man, the footspeed is outstanding. The fact that Marion and Wade can help on the interior with great shotblocking/shot-altering for a 2guard and Small Forward helps them alot in overcoming their slight lack of size, as does Marions outstanding rebounding for his position.

Not to mention "BEASLEY!!!!!" That boy is really getting it, yesterday you could see a glimpse into the future, of how dangerous the Miami HEAT offense could be around Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley in Eric Spoelstras playing style. Beasley was out there making plays for teammates, attacking the rim, schoolin the opponents bigs as he always could, but now he’s making the right plays passing and taking good shots, he’s boxing out, he’s defending, all things that he couldn’t do a short time ago. As a fan it was VERY VERY REWARDING to see him do these things at a high level and really succeed to the fullest on national tv.... it was even MORE rewarding to see him out there to close out a game, along with Wade, Chalmers and Cook. This was the first time in a long time that the Miami HEAT had 4 offensive weapons out there on the court, making them very dangerous with the level of defense that they play and the fact that Dwyane Wade is one of those weapons out there dominating.

The Miami HEAT got themselves a keeper in Beasley, some young kids confidence would get down or they would say “why this coach doin me like this”, but Beasley just keeps workin hard and doing whats asked and getting better, the kid is gonna be an allstar. The PF version of Carmelo Anthony, only with a coach that stresses defense and working hard to become an allaround player, thats a beautiful thing.

Team-first: Shawn Marion did not play down the stretch, and there he was cheering on his teammates on the sideline and having a big smile as his teammates brought home another win. Jamaal Magloire took Joel Anthony’s center spot in the 4^th quarter due to Aaron Gray’s size, but there was Joel on the sideline cheering on a charge taken by Jamaal. Chris Quinn and Diawara both rooting on the team, Haslem checking in for the stretch run and playing  like a man possessed doing all the dirty work. It was just a great thing to see as a fan, these guys really enjoy being together and its starting to show on the court. Wade didn’t have to do everything, and it made him even BETTER and more efficient than he has already been (if that is possible). When Alonzo Mourning, James Jones and Dorrell Wright return for the stretch run Wade and the HEAT are definitely the team to fear come playoff time...

Erick Spoelstra has been criticized at times for how he’s treating rookie Michael Beasley, but yesterday was a very vindicating moment for him. Michael could ALWAYS score, no matter what, but this boy is now getting it as an allaround player bigtime. Talk about a fast learner, only 2 months into his career he is showing TREMENDOUS improvement on defense, boxing out, shot selection, passing, and energy. This to me shows that he is a fighter, and more importantly a KEEPER. A lot of young players would lose confidence, but not Beasley. He keeps on doing what is asked, working harder, and learning. He keeps on fighting, improving, and he never lost confidence. Yesterday showed how great he could end up being, we already knew he had talent, but he is showing that he has the work ethic to really get it done… he’s gonna be an allstar PF and sooner than you think. As for Spoelstra he has done a great job, and should be the HEAT coach for a very long time.... he just gets it. Defense comes first, he blueprints the best possible way to success around his personnel, he works hard..... in short: he just gets it. Great young coach for the HEAT that should be around for a very long time.

Daequan Cook and Mario Chalmers are two other youngsters that fit the Miami heat culture to perfection, and are definite keepers. Ill take a guy confident enough to throw a 45-foot alley-oop and a guy confident enough to hit a 25foot buzzer beater like its nothing any day of the week, thank you very much. They both bring a lot to the table on both ends of the court, play off of Dwyane Wade perfectly, are EXTREMELY confident in their abilities (just like Beasley), they work hard, they fought their way into the rotation, and the HEAT are reaping the benefits of these two talented youngsters work ethics. If im building a team I would LOVE to have two guys like this: young hardworking talented and extremely confident. Smart players, constantly improving, and never overwhelmed by the moment.

Other keepers for the HEAT: Joel Anthony and Chris Quinn, two team-first roleplayers that do their jobs well. Its great to have Haslem and James Jones as well, two team first veteran winners that should bolster the bench for the next few years as both are under the age of 29 years old.

In sports there is nothing better than watching your team maximize their potential. (And there is nothing worse than watching your team underachieve). 16-12. That is the Miami HEATs record, one year ago they won 15 games in the entire season. This is an unbelievable turnaround, and as a fan there is nothing more rewarding than watching your team come together. I am SO PROUD of our boys.

Yesterdays game really showed how bright the future has become for the Miami HEAT, the fact that is just one year after looking like they were in the worst shape a team could be in is unbelievable. Shaq’s untradeable contract, an injured franchise player, an over-the-hill dejected head coach, a bunch of veteran pieces that didn’t care any more, etc.

Was that really just one year ago? One year later and we have a young talented team around our 26 year old superstar and a ton of capspace on the horizon. Its not hard to tell what im thankful for this Christmas, and all Miami HEAT fans should feel the same way.

Happy holidays.