Jeff Van Gundy Predicts Miami Will Break Multiple Records

[Primetime]

• The Heat not only will be great, but historically great. So predicts the co-lead NBA analyst for ABC/ESPN.

``They will break the single-season win record [of 72],'' Jeff Van Gundy said. ``And I think they have a legit shot at the Lakers' 33-game [winning] streak [in 1971-72], as well. And only the Lakers have even a remote shot at beating them in a playoff series. They will never lose two games in a row this year.

``They have put together a much better roster than anybody could ever have expected,'' Van Gundy added. ``There is now no good way to defend them. They are unguardable. They are indefensible. They are just too good and have added so much shooting and are so versatile that they will score at will.

``And with Erik Spoelstra coaching, they will be in the top three defensive teams in the league, as well. The other 29 teams better hope the lockout gets moved up a year.''

Michael Jordan's Bulls set the regular-season victory mark at 72-10 in 1995-96.

``I'm not trying to be Mercury Morris and root against anybody, but I don't think it will happen again,'' said TNT's Steve Kerr, who played on that Chicago team. ``There are too many variables, too many meaningless games, too many bad shooting nights, too much playoff preparation.

``If anybody has a shot to do it, Miami does. If everything comes together perfectly, maybe they get to 70.''

• The agent for second-round pick Da'Sean Butler, a former West Virginia small forward, said the Heat prefers Butler sign with Miami than play a year in Europe, but that he probably won't be ready by October because of a torn ACL. The final roster spot could come down to Butler, Kenny Hasbrouck and Patrick Beverley.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/07/1766361/abcs-van-gundy-heat-will-break.html#ixzz0w8Xpc46g

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[Misogi]

Approaching levels of Skip Bayless trolling, sir!

 

[ralaw]

Outside of the 33 game win streak I can see them getting it done. I don't see them winning 72 games, but I can see them pushing it.

 

[Miami Flash15]

72 is alot...60+ maybe, but 72 is kind of a handful.

But hey, you never know

 

[Primetime]

I don't see them doing it, but it is certainly attainable. If LeBron can win 66 with nobody as good as Wade or Bosh on his team, I can certainly see him winning 70+ with the Heat.

 

[Hasselbeck]

If they have any remote bench help.. this team is going to be scary good.

 

[zack54attack]

 

[G-men]

as good as this team is, i just dont see them getting there. too many teams will be giving them their best shot and winning 7 of 8 the whole season is a tough thing to do.

 

[Fox1994]

I don't see them doing it, but it is certainly attainable. If LeBron can win 66 with nobody as good as Wade or Bosh on his team, I can certainly see him winning 70+ with the Heat.

You mean him and Bosh on WADE'S TEAM. :eviltongue:

But really, it's possible, yeah. When you look at it like that.

Idk, I just don't see the Heat winning a championship this season... I figure it'll be next year or the year after that, but it's possible. Anything's possible. Just ask KG.

 

[G-men]

this Heat team > that Celtics team IMO. i definitely think the Heat have a great shot at the championship but not so much with the wins record.

 

[Diivox]

team still seems extremely top heavy, but they've done a remarkable job filling out the bench. lack of state income tax is a big deal in a league that is as money hungry as the NBA. (if this was baseball, and there was a team owner in florida with deep pockets and a willingness to spend, yankee tradition wouldnt mean shit).

but the regular season is a long and grindy affair and i think 72 wins is kind of ludicrous to expect. these guys are playing together for rings, not stats. I still think both Phoenix and LA can beat them in the finals though. Lebron and Bosh aint got any clutch in them, and even though Wade does (his playoff performance in game 4 last season was AMAZING) I am still skeptical that the team as a whole will be able to turn it on when it matters.

 

[Primetime]

team still seems extremely top heavy, but they've done a remarkable job filling out the bench. lack of state income tax is a big deal in a league that is as money hungry as the NBA. (if this was baseball, and there was a team owner in florida with deep pockets and a willingness to spend, yankee tradition wouldnt mean shit).

but the regular season is a long and grindy affair and i think 72 wins is kind of ludicrous to expect. these guys are playing together for rings, not stats. I still think both Phoenix and LA can beat them in the finals though. Lebron and Bosh aint got any clutch in them, and even though Wade does (his playoff performance in game 4 last season was AMAZING) I am still skeptical that the team as a whole will be able to turn it on when it matters.

:jonesy:

I was a huge Phoenix fan with Amare there and that is simply ludacris. They lost their best player and got nobody special in FA. I understand you like them and all but let's face it, the glass is half empty in Phoenix.

 

[Fox1994]

this Heat team > that Celtics team IMO. i definitely think the Heat have a great shot at the championship but not so much with the wins record.

Actually, I was referring to this:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0OLoK0NZk&feature=fvst"]YouTube- ‪Kevin Garnett "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!" Interview (6.17.08)‬‎[/ame]

But carry on.

 

[dave]

Jeff Van Gundy a pretty smart basketball man.
If he's saying it's possible, people should listen.

 

[IamMedellin]

jeff van gundy needs to stop egging on his brother

Jeff's an asshole, lol

 

[Bear Pand]

Lol at Phoenix beating anyone in the finals. Phoenix isn't making the finals anytime soon.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I think Phoenix will be better without Amare (lol@their best player being Amare, btw) and adding Childress.

Amare Stoudamire is the most overated player in the league. Can't defend, doesnt rebound, gives half effort a lot of the time. He's softer than bread.

Suns will run some teams off the floor, like the old days.

 

[jeffx]

....Amare Stoudamire is the most overated player in the league. Can't defend, doesnt rebound, gives half effort a lot of the time. He's softer than bread.

...and of course the Knicks were the only team willing to give him such a bloated contract. That's why he came here, not because of Isiah.

 

[red33]

if this works OBV MIA is going to smash records left and right. But just adding a bucnh of star players doesnt always work.

years 2-3 i could see them making a serious run at 72 wins.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Lol at Phoenix beating anyone in the finals. Phoenix isn't making the finals anytime soon.

I think Phoenix is gonna struggle to make the playoffs this year, nevermind the finals..