Tom Haberstroh

  (12:02 PM)

Heat go up 2-1 in the series and are two wins away from netting LeBron's first title. Hm, where have we heard that before? Lots to talk about, let's get right to it.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Will the Heat beat the Thunder in the Next 2 Games to be the 2011-2012 NBA Champions?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:04 PM)

I guess it's possible, but have we learned nothing from last year? The Heat are two wins away from winning the title, but that's when everything unraveled for the Heat in 2011. I'm not sure it's a good idea to doubt the Thunder after what they did against the Spurs down 0-2. This Thunder team is too good to lay down for four straight losses, no matter who has home court.

Jeremy H (Minneapolis)

Westbrook is not a PG. Why do people refer to him as such?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:06 PM)

Good question. A couple years ago, I had an exec tell me that the Thunder should trade for Steve Nash and slide Russell Westbrook to the 2 where he's more suited to play. Nash is a free agent and the Thunder have young assets that the Suns would covet in a rebuild. Do I smell a sign-and-trade if the Thunder lose in the Finals? Alas, we're getting way ahead of ourselves, but I'm with you: Westbrook plays like a 2 and may be there long-term.

quincy, fl [via mobile]

Who should the miami heat get in the upcoming draft?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:07 PM)

Fab Melo if he falls that far. Doubt he'll slide to late first-round where the Heat are, though.

Deven (Miami, FL)

On a scale of 1-10, what's the likelihood that Steve Nash joins the Heat?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:08 PM)

I'll say a 3. Just my opinion though.

Deven (Miami, FL)

What are the chances Miami amnesties Mike Miller? And how come he can never stay healthy?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:10 PM)

Looked into this last week. Amnestying Miller wouldn't really help them. Sure, it would save them tax money, but it wouldn't get them get under the tax threshold where they could get a bigger mid-level exception. So, you'd essentially cut Miller and still have to pay him, but it wouldn't free up money to land a bigger fish. Not as likely as it seems given how broken his body looks (and probably is).

Sean (Colorado)

Who would you put Durant on for defense if you were Brooks so he can avoid foul trouble? I was thinking Bosh.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:11 PM)

Definitely not Bosh -- he's one of the most talented whistle-drawers in the game. Hide him on Battier all day, throw Thabo on LeBron.

Tom (Houston)

The narrative after Game 3 seems to largely be: 'this series is just about over.'; 'LeBron just won't be denied this year.'; 'OKC are too inexperienced.'; 'Heat have learnt from last year and just want it more.' But if OKC win on Tuesday, it's 2-2, and then the pressure is all back on the Heat. Miami has the edge, certainly, but it's far from over.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:12 PM)

Amen, Tom. Alike names think alike.

Oscar (Hialeah, FL)

What is going on with M.Chalmers game? Besides his 12 point game in game 1. He's been 2-15 with 5 pts in the last 2 games. Is Westbrook getting to his head???

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:12 PM)

A two game sample? Shooting slump, probably.

Kevin (Cincinnati)

Any change to your original prediction for the finals?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:13 PM)

Picked Heat in 7 and I see no reason to change that. The Thunder will be back. James Harden isn't this bad.

J (Boston)

do you think the NBA will do anything to deter Spo from coming onto the court? the Westbrook 3 was particularly egregious. I know Doug Collins has complained in the past...

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:14 PM)

I didn't happen to see this in real-time but looking at it on the replay, the Heat had 6 defenders on the floor. I don't think the NBA needs to step in; that's what the referees are for. Give him a technical foul and I'm sure he'll watch his step.

David (Minneapolis, MN)

From these past 3 games, it just seems that Miami is more set to win an NBA Title than OKC this year.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:15 PM)

Why do you say that? Is it because they're up 2-1?

Jon (NJ)

How big of a factor is the work LeBron's doing off the ball (particularly on the baseline)?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:17 PM)

Enormous. He was doing all the right things on the court and saying all the right things off the court. No one wants to hear all the sacrifice that LeBron had to give when he came to the Heat, but he had to completely transform his game compared to his iso/Pick-and-roll ball in Cleveland. He's owned up to being like a big man in the post, cutting like a shooting guard on the wing and defending fives like a center. He's embracing his unprecedented combination of talent, speed and size. Not much else he can do out there.

Jose Diaz (Puerto Rico )

How come every time Lebron leaves the floor, the Heat loose the lead? Wade and Bosh are superstars, how come they cant keep the lead?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:19 PM)

Short answer: Because LeBron's pretty good at basketball. Longer answer: LeBron does so many things on the floor for the Heat (see last answer) and Wade/Bosh aren't fully healthy.

Steve (Spain)

Will Wade need surgery in the off season?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:20 PM)

I'm not Dr. Haberstroh, but I would imagine so. I also wouldn't bet that he's an Olympian this year either. That knee needs more than a draining I presume.

Jorden Baumblit (NY)

In your personal opinion, is Lebron James the best player in the NBA?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:22 PM)

Yes. And I don't think it's close given the work he does on both ends of the floor. Many coaches/execs believe he's the Defensive Player of the Year. And he's averaging 31 points and 5 assists here in the playoffs. Who else has that resume?

Charly (Oxford MS)

Who starts at Center for the Heat next season? 1) Bosh, 2) J. Anthony, 3) Draftee X, or 4) Free Agent X?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:23 PM)

Wild guess: Marcus Camby.

Gio (Orlando)

If the heat do indeed win the series (knock on wood), what do you think the excuse will be from all the naysayers?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:26 PM)

Pretty sure we're already hearing it. "Win it in a non-lockout year!" "Referees rigged it!" "Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard and Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis, derp, derp!"

Paul (Portland, OR)

Give a coach a technical for being over the line (or in Spo's case, WAY over)? I don't think I've ever seen it done. Heck, they're supposed to enforce that in the NCAA too, and I never see it done.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:27 PM)

Doesn't mean it shouldn't be called.

Alex (Miami)

Do you think if the HEAT win the championship, we'll learn more about D-Wade's injury?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:27 PM)

I think we'll hear about it win or lose.

Justin (Miami)

When will Bosh keep scoring throughout the game? Game 2 no points in second half I believe and game 3 only 4 points. If he is able to score will that allow the Heat to take a bigger lead in games?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:29 PM)

Yes, to answer your question I think if a team scores more it will allow the team to take a bigger lead. Snark aside, Bosh is giving the Heat way more than just offense and that's more essential at this point. Look at his help defense against Kevin Durant down the stretch. He bailed out LeBron on more than one occasion.

Adrian (Oxford, MS)

Why doesn't James Jones play more? He's always ready to pull the trigger and I think he's a pretty decent defender.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:30 PM)

He's an OK defender at best, but he's far more capable than Mike Miller at this point. There in the first half when Miller couldn't stay out of his own way, I was wondering what James Jones must be thinking on the bench while watching Miller stumble around the court. Miller provides some hustle on the boards, but I think Jones is the better (healthier) player at this point.

Tyler (Miami)

Is there a better defensive duo in the league better than LeBron and DWade ?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:31 PM)

Kevin Garnett and Avery Bradley might have something to say about that.

Jeff (Kansas City)

So if the Thunder should somehow win, the excuses will be...Wade and Bosh not healty, shortened season...etc.?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:33 PM)

Probably. And remember, excuses often times are not excuses at all. They're legitimate reasons. In this machismo society, any explanation for a loss is characterized as a whiny excuse.

Dre (Washington DC)

I see the endings to LeBron's last 4 seasons as him sitting in a tub with the water running, and once he wins a title, the water will overflow, meaning more championships. What effect will his first title have on him personally and for his future career?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:33 PM)

Pat Riley, is that you?

Tim (Chi)

Noah and Deng a pretty good duo as well.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:35 PM)

Yep, they're right up there for sure. Though I think Dwyane Wade's defense has slipped with his knee issues. Just like he doesn't have that lethal first-step anymore, he can't defend a lethal first-step as easily as he once did.

Coach K (Miami)

Heat look very good when Wade played the point on pnr last night he might had double digit asists if it wasnt for fouls do you think Spo should stick to that plan?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:36 PM)

Spoelstra loves that blueprint and I think you'll see it more and more as the series progresses. Just don't want to do it too much; LeBron is way more effective with the ball than standing in the corner, which is tempting to do in those PnR situations.

Dre (Washington DC)

OKC 286 MIA 285 over the 3 games, it definitely does not feel like that!

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:37 PM)

Disagree. The games certainly feel like that. The surrounding talk may not.

Charly (Oxford MS)

There's no excuse for making it to the Finals 2 years in a row with your top 3 players in the prime of their careers and coming away empty handed.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:40 PM)

I hear that to some extent, but 1) Are you talking about Memphis? 2) Winning championships ain't easy 3) Dwyane Wade is in his prime?

Carlos (Miramar, Fl)

When are we going to see more of the Wade/James PNR?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:41 PM)

Saw it a ton against Boston, but they may have better options in this series. The Heat are feasting on Bosh's defenders in the pick-and-roll.

Mark (Miami)

What happened to the Heat's jump-shooting last night?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:42 PM)

Maybe Mike Bibby was recently hired as a consultant?

Dan (NJ)

U watch any of the US Open?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:44 PM)

A little, but bad timing with the Finals. Webb Simpson and I were good friends in college at Wake Forest. Little known fact: he and I acted out a scene from Sam Shepard's True West a couple years ago in an acting class. Now he's the acting US Open champion.

Mike (Lansing)

Why are Chalmer's mates always giving him hell?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:44 PM)

You know, that's what happens when a shooting guard has to play point guard next to two superior point guards.

Spyro (Moscow, Russia)

Do you think Jordan would have been catching the same criticism as LeBron had Twitter existed back in the 80s?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:47 PM)

No doubt. Few people remember but he was ridiculued for being a me-first, stat-padding loser right up until he won his first title at 28. If you don't believe me, just watch this stunning interview with Pat Riley before MJ wont he title: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWOYrtlToO8

Tom (Springfield)

I don't understand why coaches are scared to play someone like Bosh at the 5. I know he gives up height and weight to Perkins, but is anyone really scared that Perkins is going to consistently score on Bosh?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:49 PM)

I'm not sure it's the coaching. Bosh even said last night that he fought playing the 5 all his career. Spoelstra catches a lot of heat (sorry?) but he has sold Bosh on playing the 5 and LeBron on playing the 4. Not many coaches can do that.

Matt (Steinway)

Jordon conducted himself like a winner. James conducts himself like he wants everybody to vote him prom king. Jordan would never have caught the flack that Lebron does.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:51 PM)

Go read "Playing for Keeps" and "The Jordan Rules" then get back to me.

Mike (Ft. Lauderdale)

Any chance Heat can sign Garnett this offseason?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:52 PM)

Tempted to steal a line from Dumb and Dumber....

Bubba (Miami)

Is there anyone worth amnestying on the Heat if Miller isn't a great option? We can definately use some upgrades on our roster.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:54 PM)

Unless the Heat amnesty LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, they can't use the amnesty to free up more money in free agency because they're so far over the tax. To answer your question: No.

Spyro (Moscow, Russia)

So you're saying there's a chance?

Mark (Miami)

What do you think the Heat's best lineup is?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:55 PM)

Big Three + Battier Chalmers... Spoelstra closing out shooters on the sidelines.

Paul (Portland, OR)

"Playing for Keeps" is a great book. I miss David Habersham. Jordan did INDEED catch a lot of heat before finally getting his title. And yes, he was a winner, but I'm not sure a person who forces you to keep playing pool or cards until he beats you is a winnner, or a poor loser.

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:56 PM)

He's a competitor, that's for sure.

Brishank (Canada)

So, who will take Wade's spot in the Olympics? He was the leading scorer off the bench in 2008, right?

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:58 PM)

That was four years ago. And in this stage of a shooting guard's career, that's more like six years. Coincidentally, I think James Harden's the guy. Has a little experience coming off the bench, no?

George (Miami)

Any chance Deron Williams takes the MLE to come to Miami? I think he will. Wouldnt lose a game

Tom Haberstroh

  (12:58 PM)

No.

Paulo (Portugal)

I'v read you'r answer on the garnett question and no doubt he wouldn't sign with the heat but what about ray allen? At the end of game 7 he seemed to be handing out resemes to the heat..

Tom Haberstroh

  (1:00 PM)

It's certainly possible. The Heat would be thrilled to land him, but they really need a C. And let me just say before we wrap up here in a couple minutes, we're in the middle of the Finals and 70% of the questions are about the offseason. Just an interesting commentary on NBA fandom.

Stephen (Philadelphia)

Brooks is in the same position as Spo was last except Brooks doesn't have another year to fall back on, could this lead to Brooks not getting an extension especially if he can't make the right adjustments?

Tom Haberstroh

  (1:03 PM)

Fascinating situation there in Oklahoma City. Scott Brooks deserves an extension for sure, but there's such a great free agent market for coaches that it might be tempting for OKC to send out the feelers. Just to name a few: Phil Jackson, Brad Stevens, Stan Van Gundy...

Dan (Chicago)

The Heat have more two way players then the Thunder. That's why the Heat will win.

Tom Haberstroh

  (1:04 PM)

Thought the same thing about the Dallas Mavericks last year and look what happened. Here's the golden question: Can the Heat stars keep enough left in the tank to play both ends of the floor? They couldn't last year.

Tom Haberstroh

  (1:06 PM)

Gotta run. Thanks for the great questions and we'll do this again some time soon.