I’m a die hard Heat fan. Even a few weeks ago, when the Heat were 99% out of the playoff race, I continued to watch games intently. Now, it’s impossible. All the players worth watching aren’t playing, and the Heat officially began the tanking process weeks ago.

Last night, the Heat scored a total of 54 points to lose to the Raptors by 42. A TOTAL of 54!!! Basketball teams should not score less than football teams, especially those that play in the NBA.

After this year of Miami sports, I am on suicide watch.

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My friend, Tommy O, brought up the point that the Heat look like they have been throwing games in the past couple weeks. At first, I balked at the idea that my team is officially throwing in the towel, but I think he’s onto something. He noted that with a few minutes left against the Lakers last week, the Heat shortened the deficit to six points, only pull out Wade and Marion and get smashed.

Then, after having a huge third quarter lead against the Kings, the Heat ended up getting blown out.

Okay, whatever, the Heat are out of playoff contention and have nothing to play for except the top pick of the draft next season. But then Riley decides to come out with this quote:

”I should write a check tomorrow to each season-ticket holder and send them back [their money] at least for tonight,” Riley said. “I should write the check back because I can’t get them to play hard. They have a tendency to give in and not hold their ground, we’ve seen that a lot this year but you can’t do that at home. I have to ferret out the guys who really don’t care, I have to ferret them out of here and put them on the bench and bring in a bunch of young guys.”

I’ve been to probably eight games this season, with tickets costing an average of $40 (none of which I paid for), but I would be more than happy to accept a $320 losers rebate from Riles.

I get throwing games. The Heat want that number 1 pick. I also agree that a handful of guys on the team don’t give two craps about winning (Ricky Davis and Jason Williams to name a couple). But if you’re going to pretend that it’s those select few players who are currently losing games, when it’s clear that the coaching has been a major factor of the losses as well, please don’t bull shit the fans like this.

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I am absolutely convinced Pat Riley has thrown in the towel. Thursday night, the key were getting smoked by the Lakers for pretty much the entire game, but then we cut the lead to six points with about five minutes left, and what does Riley do? Of course, pull out Wade and Marion! Duh! Last night, the Heat were KILLING Sacrament for the first two and a half quarters, by up to 20 points, and what happens? We not only blow the game, but WE end up getting smoked. Last month, I said bad has gotten worse, but how bad can this get? I guess at this point, we’re playing for the number 1 pick in the draft.

Thankfully, all hope is not lost in South Florida. Hurricanes’ basketball got a much needed victory against ACC rival Virginia on Saturday. What made me especially optimistic about this game was that it was a close game, something we will surely see many of in the upcoming ACC Championship and Tourny. Let’s just hope we can keep it up.

Unfortunately, you can’t get good coverage of college baseball ANYWHERE. But Hurricanes’ baseball is kicking ass (depending on where you look, anywhere from number 2 to number 15 in the country). We started the season with three straight wins against Cincinnati, and won the first two against the Gators this weekend, before falling to them on Sunday. 5-1 record = my likey!

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This season (and last) have been such a shame. We have truly not been 100% healthy since we won the championship over a year and a half ago. That, coupled with two stars getting divorced, sets up for some bad news.

Last night, though, we got a good look at what could’ve been this Heat’s season. Wade is (kind of) healthy, Haslem is back, Marion is there, etc., etc., etc. Next season, we’re going to draft a top point guard and Mark Blount has been playing pretty well this season. With Wade, Marion, and a top PG on offense and Udonis on defense, this team could already be a threat come next season. If only we can get a decent bench.

The rest of the guys around D. Wade decided to finally wake up last night. All starters were in double digits and Wade only had a modest game, yet we blew the Kings out by 21 points. Too bad it’s all too late, and although we want to see the boys succeed, we don’t want to slip that far in the draft. The top pick in the NFL is overrated, but for the most part, in the NBA, you’re going to get a stud with that pick. So I don’t truly know what to root for right now…

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The Dolphins: So, I didn’t really cover the Zach Thomas trade. I’m not sure why we traded so many guys without trying to get any value from them, but we’re going to have some serious cap room coming up. As of right now, we don’t know what sort of results Bill Parcells will have in Miami, but you have to applaud his decision to take the bull by the horns and do what needed to be done to this team, essentially, to create a new one.

The Heat: Ugh. The other night against Houston, the commentator said it best when he said "Dwyane Wade is like Michael Jackson with a bunch of Tito Jackson’s running around out there."

Hurricane Basketball: The huge win against Duke last Wednesday was by far the most exciting college basketball I attended. After that win, then whooping up on Maryland on Saturday, we should make it to the tourny. I’d like to see us win a couple games in the ACC tournament, and preferably get top four seed in the ACC so we get a first round bye, but a good showing in the ACC tourny will get us a good seed in the big tourny.

Hurricane Baseball: Most people don’t even realize that baseball season started. The Hurricanes are number 2 in the country and just swept Cincy to start the season. We have the Gaytors coming up this weekend. See ya in Omaha!

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Alright Heat fans, what exactly are we rooting for? Shawn Marion’s performance yesterday against the Lakers was very good. The Heats response to the new style of play was even better. If this trade happened two months ago, I would say we had a great shot at making the playoffs. But as it is right now, we have to go the rest of the season with losing about five games at most to get the eighth seed of the East.

I was kind of shocked by how well the Heat played yesterday, and there is no doubt in my mind that we would’ve won the game had Haslem not missed it with injury. It was fun to see us running down the court, and to see how surprised the players were to be hit with such quick passes on fast breaks. (I almost forgot what a fast break looked like during the Shaq era).

Also, often overlooked in the trade was point guard Marcus Banks. I didn’t know much about him before we got him, but he is quick, seems to have a decent shot, but just needs to work on his passes. I would like to see him start a game soon, though. I’m done with Jason Williams at this point. For the first time in my life, I saw a player pull up for a three pointer on a 5-on-1. Yes, a 5 on frickin’ 1!!! He clanked it so bad that it hit off the rim and went out of bounds. It came at a time that two points would’ve kept us close to a one score game, but right after it, LA went on a huge scoring run. Not to be overshadowed, Williams also popped a two point shot up on a 3-on-1 earlier in the game, another shot he missed. Normally, if a guy does this every once in a while, I can handle it. But he’s the POINT GUARD!!! His job is to set everyone else up and run the court. How do you not get an assist on a 5-on-1?!

Anyways, overall, the Heat played well. With Haslem in there, another point guard, and some better shooting, this team can be a force. I just can’t imagine rooting for a draft pick halfway through the season (especially when you have one of the best players in the league on your team). What a mess.

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Rumors are that Shaq is on his way to Phoenix on his private jet this morning, even though no announcement has been made on his trade. He will be undergoing his physical with the team today. Normally, I wouldn’t consider that a roadblock to a trade, but with this obese monster, I wouldn’t be surprised if he failed. If I’m a Suns fan, I’m thinking “what the $*#!” right now.

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Word has just broken that the Heat are entertaining trade talks involving Shaq. HALLELUJAH!

Apparently, the Suns are the target right now, who might possibly send Shawn Marion with his expiring contract and PG Marcus Banks to me in Miami. Dallas, too, has always been a team that could possibly be interested.

My thoughts: Shaq’s time in Miami is finished. Once the trade talks begin, he is mentally out of town. As a Heat fan, this needs to happen soon. I understand Marion isn’t the idea candidate to take on board, but at this point, I would give Shaq away, just to clear some financial room up. Anyone who has watched Miami this season has seen Dwyane Wade ball his brains out around four chickens with their heads cut off. This team plays no D, can’t scores, and has zero motivation.

Please, please, pleeeease let this happen!

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