By: Matt Blue

Relax, I’m only kidding. But unfortunately the national media isn’t.

What this article is really about is the unprecedented and shameful media coverage being directed at the Miami HEAT coming off a Game 1 loss to Chicago. We are talking about confirmation bias, distortion, fear based tactics and unreasonable assessments coming from bloggers, reporters and attention seeking websites.

You would expect this kind of sensationalism from tabloid publications such as the New York Post or the New York Daily News, not from well-respected news outlets with decent reputations.

Apparently, this is a best of 1 series not a best of 7 series where the first team to 4 wins will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

On this site we like to talk about the facts and we actually like to maintain perspective.  After all, this is a HEAT team that had won their last 41 of 44 games and that not too long ago went on a 27 game winning streak.

It’s also not unusual for a defending champion to lose at home in the playoffs. Five of the last ten NBA champions have rapidly started a series with a playoff loss at home. Champions always overcome obstacles and battle through adversity. It happens to the very best. Remember when the HEAT had their backs against the wall last year when they trailed Indiana 2-1, fell 3-2 Boston, and lost the first game of the 2012 NBA Finals?

You can remember when everyone was writing them off by saying that “the formula wasn’t working. The HEAT didn’t have the right chemistry to win a championship.” You can easily recall those proclamations. What is going on right now is actually pretty similar.

The noise is absolutely exacerbating.  However, that’s all it is. It’s all noise, noise and even more noise.

Therefore, it’s basically the HEAT and the city of Miami vs the world’s most illogical buffoons. NBA writers are trying to create an atmosphere of misery around the team. These are individuals that thrive on attention, drama and negativity.

The proper perspective on the HEAT’s game 1 performance would be this.  The HEAT played a terrible game and still almost won. They were still able to give themselves a chance to win.  Even LeBron admitted that they missed a myriad of uncontested shots and they were able to get good looks. Now are you really going to bank on Miami missing open threes and wide open layups in consecutive games?

The fact is they absorbed Chicago’s best punches and kept their poise. History and logic tells us that this will be the worst basketball Miami will play in the entire playoffs. You are talking about the deepest, most talented and the most prideful team in the NBA.

Now Chicago has Miami’s full and undivided attention. So this would be a reasonable analysis if you are covering the HEAT. I think they have done enough to warrant this kind of benefit of the doubt. They are the defending champions.

On the other hand, let’s give credit where credit’s due. Chicago played smart and efficient basketball. They were energized right from the start. They were ready to run through a brick wall. The HEAT is used to getting a team’s best effort. After all, it’s not too hard to get up to play Miami.

Chicago is a team that believes they can beat anybody. Head coach Tom Thibodeau always emphasizes that they have enough to win. He has established himself as one of the league’s best coaches. So it’s obvious that the HEAT has their work cut out for them. But they have been through this before. This is nothing new to them.

While this type of hyperbolic madness and hysteria is nothing new for the HEAT’s most belligerent critics.

The post Heat Fall to Bulls in Game One, Time to Panic appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Matt Blue

Have you ever asked yourself why Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony always seems to get a free pass, while LeBron James always seems to be playing under a microscope? The fact is, even though Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James were both drafted the same year; Melo has advanced only as far as the second round in his 11 year career. Now can you imagine if LeBron James had only been as far as the second round in his playing career? The ridicule and the scrutiny would be relentless and constant.

The expectations placed on LeBron James are completely unfair and outlandish. Yes he is the best player in the NBA and yes he will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. But why is LeBron held to a different standard compared to Melo or anyone else?

The truth is, public perception can be a strange thing. If you visit any blog, NBA Facebook page, or comment thread, you will see the vulgar hatred and the unprecedented ridicule constantly being directed at LeBron. The bottom-line is, LeBron should be admired and respect based on what he has accomplished on the basketball court.

The funny thing is many basketball fans and commentators used to give him a hard time for not having a championship. And now he has that elusive ring. So why is there such a stark difference in perception and popularity between the two players?

Is it that Carmelo Anthony plays on the world’s biggest stage and LeBron plays in South Beach? That quite possibly could be the reason. But the most plausible theory is that many fans and pundits still haven’t recovered from the public relations nightmare that was “The Decision”. It’s funny how society can easily forgive athletes for murder, rape and dog abuse. But an athlete who made a mistake in judgment by participating in a TV special that had unbelievable ratings nonetheless, can’t be forgiven?

Carmelo Anthony never did a “Decision Special”. The fact that he alienated an entire fan base in Denver by practically forcing the Nuggets organization’s hand is now ancient history. The unprofessionalism and selfishness that he portrayed while with Denver was deeply disturbing.

Did LeBron handle himself in a similar manner in Cleveland?  Nope. LeBron honored his contract and he never complained about the roster or about having to carry a subpar team on a nightly basis. He dedicated his heart and soul to the city and to the team.

But LeBron did a “Decision Special on ESPN”. Talk about an unforgivable crime against humanity right?

So is this the only thing that separates the two players as far as popularity and public image is concerned? It sure seems like it. Believe it or not, Anthony even passed LeBron in jersey sales. Now, there is no denying the fact that Anthony is a very gifted player. Anthony is an absolute scoring machine averaging 23.9 points per game this past season.

However, there is no way he should have more jersey sales than the best all-around player in the entire league. Do I have to remind you of the type of season LeBron had last year? Well I will anyways.  He won an Olympic Gold medal, an NBA championship, an NBA Finals MVP award, an NBA regular season MVP award all in the same year. While this year, he has orchestrated an historical 27 game winning streak and he led his team to the best record in the NBA. Also, he just won another league MVP award.

But it just doesn’t seem to matter to certain fans. The fact is, regardless of what LeBron continues to accomplish in his career as far as records, stats and championships are concerned; he will never please his unrelenting and unreasonable critics. That is just the cold hard truth. Conversely, Melo knocks down a three in the Garden and he is praised and beloved. He could go his entire career without even sniffing the NBA Finals and he will still be regarded as an elite talent. However, when LeBron comes up short, he is labeled as a choke artist. Talk about a serious double standard.

But nothing is going to change.  LeBron and Melo will continue to be evaluated differently and held to completely different standards all because of one Decision Special announcement on ESPN. That is pretty unfathomable for the unbiased NBA observer to understand. Because trying to understand the rationale of a LeBron hater is like trying to understand the mindset of a patient in a mental ward.

The post LeBron James vs Carmelo Anthony appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Steven Rawnsley

If you listened to the telecast of the Celtics/Knicks game in Boston really closely, you could hear the TD Bank arena playing the swan song in the background. The Celtics, will try to become the first team in history to come back from a 3-0 deficit, but this series was probably over in late January when Rondo went down with a torn ACL.

Rondo has been the best player on that team for a few years now, and its not even close. You see it in the first round.

The Celtics are not just getting beat, but they are getting killed. The benches have been cleared at the end of the first three games. They are averaging 75 points per game in the first three games.

Pierce has done a magnificent job of fighting age, but that battle is unwinnable. He cannot create shots for himself anymore.

Kevin Garnett is not any different. He is 7^th all-time in regular season minutes. He is losing the same battle. KG cannot create for himself either. He gets most of his points now on pick and pops with Rondo. You can probably count on one hand the number of times he has gotten that shot in the series. He needs Rondo to set him up.

Now, torn ACL’s are not career ending injuries anymore, but they still alter a lot of careers. Who knows if Rondo will ever be the same. An optimistic prediction is being ready for the season opener with minute restrictions.

What is the best hope for the Celtics next year? Even with Rondo, could they beat New York right now? Let alone the Heat? Then you add another year of age to a very old core, next year, and what? They challenge in the first round, and maybe, just maybe get past the first round if the ball bounces their way, next year.

Their cap situation is very bleak next year either. This current roster makes 73.8 million next year, and the tax threshold is 70.3 million. (The tax threshold goes up about one million per year on average.) The tax penalties get much more severe starting next year. Even if they want to add somebody, for teams paying the taxes the CBA laid out, the most they can offer anybody is 3 million in his first year. You are not adding a great player for that much, unless a player takes a discount from a title contender, like Ray Allen did with the Heat. However, I don’t think players are going to be flocking to Boston after a possible first round exit.

Pierce has a non-guaranteed contract next year. They could wave him and get about 10 million of the 15 million he is owed back. So that can help but, if you waive/trade him, though you go into full rebuild mode.

KG has said he wants to retire as a Celtic. The Celtics could very easily decide to go into full blown rebuild mode. KG is so loyal possibly even to a fault. The Celtics could force him to make a decision. Does he stay with them while they rebuild or end his career somewhere else, or retire?

People are already talking about the 2014 draft, and saying it could be one of the best of all time. If this is true, wouldn’t it be the perfect time for them to have a terrible season to get a great pick? (Maybe, they get lucky in the lottery next year. They deserve it after the Spurs jumped ahead of them in the Tim Duncan lottery.)

The Celtics were hammered in the first three games, but there was some life in game four as they fought off elimination. But, can they win three more in row? The core is on the wrong side of their careers. The new CBA will make it very hard for them to add an impact player. The CBA also makes it much more expensive to pay taxes.

Let’s remember, when they traded to form their big three six years ago, they had a very small window of time, and they have tried to keep it cracked open past few seasons. However, age, and injuries have forced that window to slam shut, and getting destroyed by not even the best team in the east shows it.

The post The Fat Lady is Singing the Celtic’s Swan Song appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Pedro Heizer

It’s no secret that Chris Andersen has clearly been not only a huge boost to the Miami Heat, but he’s also become a fan favorite.

The Birdman has been providing Miami the energy and size off the bench that they have been missing since the days Alonzo Mourning came off the bench for Shaquille O’Neal.

In the 2013 postseason so far, Andersen is averaging 10.3 points, 6.3 rebounds per game on 14.3 minutes per game.

Andersen, who averaged 4.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 14.9 minutes per game in the regular season, is a veteran player who can literally fly across the court, defend the rim, grab rebounds, and even score when needed. Andersen is the full package, and it will benefit Miami if they can resign the 34-year old center.

So far in the 2013 postseason, Andersen is averaging 10.3 points, 6.3 rebounds per game on 14.3 minutes per game.

The problem Miami will run into when they want to resign Birdman will be money.

As we know, Andersen was picked up mid-season on a minimum contract and is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Ideally he wants to stay with the Heat, according to reports by Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida.

Mark Bryant, agent for Chris “Birdman” Andersen, said his client wants to re-sign with the Heat this summer.

“We’re certainly hopeful,’’ Bryant told FOX Sports Florida about Andersen re-signing with the Heat. “But he’s going to finish this task first (of trying to win a title with Miami). But, absolutely, he has embraced (being with the Heat).’’

However, as with everything in the world of sports, it comes down to money. As taxpayers, the most the Heat likely will offer him is the taxpayer’s midlevel of about $3.2 million. Another team could come over the top and bid more than that. If it’s significantly more, he would have to consider it.

Then again, we can’t forget that Miami has a knack of signing players at a bargain (ie. Ray Allen, Udonis Haslem, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh) with the promise of winning the ultimate prize.

In the end, the Birdman has made a nest down here in South Beach on a team where his role is defined and he can win rings.

He stays with the Heat.

The post Chris Andersen Wants to Remain in Miami appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.