Hey you had me fooled there for a moment...Detroit, who allowed the Bucks to steal 1 win...who allowed King Lebron and the Cavs to push them into a 7th game, were supposed to be this year's champs?
I don't know if Detroit were supposed to be this year's champs...eventhough Detroit had the best W-L record in the NBA...I think it was the Spurs who were supposed to be this year's champs...anyways, give me something more than just Shaq...convince me that Miami is more than just Shaq.
Yup. If you've been following the NBA this season, Detroit were the favorites,
as the season progressed, to win the championship. Their loss just goes to show how everything brecomes different come the playoffs. You mentioned the Spurs were supposed to win it all, but didn't they lose in 7 against Dallas? Hell, the LAkers lost a 3 - 1 lead. So did Dallas, if I remember it right. Welcome to the playoffs.
You want more than Shaq? It's pretty obvious what Miami has going for them. Finals experience from their coach and center and a posse of troubled star players that's proven critics wrong and are very hungry for a title.
You also said "Miami's DEFENSE IS SUSPECT, and they will have a hard time defending the athletic players of either Dallas or Phoenix"...yes, both Dallas or Phoenix will have a headache with Shaq...but, didn't you just said Miami will have a hard time defending the athletic playerS?
Again, you have to look at it in the big picture. The Heat may have a hard time against those players, but they still match-up with them athleticism-wise; the same cannot be said of their big men matching against Shaq. If the Heat becomes complacent with their defense, then the title slips from their hand. The only trouble I see for Miami is if and when they face a runnig Phoenix squad. Shaq may be big and athletic, but I don't see him running up and down easily. Then again, that's where Riles will probably slow the tempo down and cut off the Suns' legs.