With a roster featuring three future Hall of Famers (in there prime) and solid supporting cast (when healthy) it is obvious to say that the Heat have something special in the works. Despite the criticism from all angles and slow start in the beginning of season, The Heat manage to compile a 58-24 record (2nd, Eastern Conference). Fast forward to the 1st round playoff matchup against a young, hungry 7th-seeded 76ers team, the Heat has Philly on the ropes 3-0 looking to seal the deal in gm 4. Leading by 6 with a minute and a half left in the 4th, and a chance to go home early Miami fails to put the nail in the coffin and allows Philly to steal gm 4 86-82, forcing a gm 5 in South Beach. As I watched in disbelief as Lou Williams hits the game-winner over Wade, a simple question to mind: Where's your killer instinct??? We all associate the greatest players of the game to also being the greatest "closers" as well (MJ, Bird, West, Magic, Kobe, etc). Playoff basketball is displayed on different stage full of emotions, but the X's and O's of the sport never change. In the closing moments of the 4th quarter, I've notice the Heat rely too heavily on the "one on one" play of D-Wade and LBJ. Even with that said, so does the Bulls in Derrick Rose. The only difference is the Heat aren't translating these advantages into wins during late game situations. They can get away with these inconsistencies against the 76ers, but with possible playoff matchups against better teams in later rounds (Boston, Chicago or even Atlanta) it wouldn't be a bad idea to go back to the lab and draw up some plays for your Big Three. You wont win championships in this league with your clutch players at the top of the key and telling the other 4 to simply "clear out".
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