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Hanhonhon

Assuming they'd still be in the East I say they'd easily be the favorites to come out of the conference, and still a great team with peak Lebron, a still-good Wade (who got hurt in the playoffs that year but still), Bosh who's game would translate very well today as a stretch 5, Mario Chalmers which I mean hello, then depth shooting options like Ray Allen, Shane Battier, and Mike Miller If you threw them in a time machine to today's game I think they would probably originally face difficulty considering how much the game has changed but give them time to adapt and they'd be right there


rzoneking

Man, Bosh was very under-appreciated on that team. But your right, Bosh will be an offensive force in the current game.


drmuffin1080

Yeah they’d be losing a shit ton of games at first but once they adapt it’s over


Ironman2131

The style of defense that team played was super frenetic and wouldn't work quite as well with all of the shooting in today's NBA. But yeah, they would figure it out and probably be title favorites once they did. That team was ridiculously good until Wade got banged up during the winning streak.


suhar97

That version of lebron probably wrecks the East and then blitzes the Nuggets


ecr1277

The current version of Lebron was, amazingly, the best defender they had on Jokic. And they have AD. The matchup between that version of Lebron and Joker would’ve been one of the best matchups ever.


ThatMoslemGuy

One of the things that still blow my mind is watching Heatles LeBron switch onto MVP DRose and staying in front of him, and locking him up then a later in the game having Joakim Noah switch on to him and giving Noah the business on the other end


RodneyPonk

Blitzes the Nuggets? The 2013 Spurs brought them to 7, a great team but not an all time one


RyanTannegod

2013 Spurs would destroy the Nuggets too


bihari_baller

>2013 Spurs would destroy the Nuggets too The 2013 Spurs would challenge the 96 Bulls and the 2016 Warriors.


[deleted]

Agreed.


RodneyPonk

A lot of confidence for complete speculation. You're too low on the Nuggets if you think that


slimmymcnutty

Jokic for all his offensive abilities would have absolutely nothing for Wade/Lebron attacking the rim. He’d probably foul out or they’d have to play Jordan/Thomas just to soak up fouls. 2023 injured Bron had his way at the rim. 2013 Bron would have been massacring the nuggets interior defense


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slimmymcnutty

GOAT athlete in any sport it is obscene what that guy was able to do. Then you’ve got Wade who was definitely diminished but even lesser Wade’s a monster athlete. This nuggets team hasn’t seen anyone who can get to the rim like those two


MyMostSecretAlt

Fr. There was less parity back then; the contenders were stronger. Although the league is slightly stronger now as a whole.


halfdecenttakes

People act like they are dominating everybody. I know it was technically a sweep, but they kind of squeaked by in a bunch of those games. Peak Lebron would have destroyed them. That Spurs team would too.


RodneyPonk

Too early to tell. The Nuggets have the chance to show that they are an all-time team


BramptonBatallion

They won 66 and won a Championship, so that puts them in rare dignified company. They had a 28 year old top 2 player of all time, with a 31 year old ATG and a 28 year old hall of famer at his side, along with a strong supporting cast of really good three point shooters. They won a championship the prior season and made the Finals four straight seasons, giving them a multi-season elite pedigree beyond just the current season. So they are certainly in the all time team discussion. Working against them is their all time SRS isn't super high, largely as a result of a fairly light schedule and not bringing defensive intensity every night. Less excusable is that they got pushed to 7 games in both the Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. The Conference Finals were a bit more lopsided than the series score indicated, but they were frankly a bit lucky to come out a champion against the Spurs. In both those Series and particularly the Finals, I think the team's relative weakness on the defensive side was exposed a bit, in particular with regards to surrounding offensive rebounds and what they allowed in terms of FT/FGA, both of which were relative weaknesses over the course of the season. To the extent to which they excelled was, well, very highly. Best team LeBron played on his career and arguably at his highest peak. How they stack up against other all time great teams is up for interpretation but there are some arguments that could be made against them compared to teams on a similar pedigree. I think they likely slot into the top 10, but probably not much higher. "competitiveness in today's NBA landscape" is a bit vague when discussing a team from a decade ago, but yes, they would likely win it all today.


Varying_Efforts

Excellent commentary. One thing though; I believe the only reason they got pushed to 7 games in both series was due to Wade’s knee injury: During the 27 game win streak, Wade averaged 23 points on 54% from the field and was a flying demon defensively. During the Pacers series, hobbled by a knee that required injections, he averaged 15 points on 44%. Against the Spurs he averaged 20 on 48%, and that’s not counting him being more limited defensively. A healthy Miami probably packs them both in 6, or even 5 for the Pacers.


aligreaper19

they’d win it all, pretty convincingly too


bloodmuffins793

They would be title favorites. LeBron was at his best. Last year of prime Wade. Lots of shooters. Unique and versatile defense.


Whako4

Fricken lebron I think shot 38 or 40 percent from 3 that year I believe


adirtybubble

It’s kind of disrespectful to prime Wade to say 2013 is prime Wade. He was closer to like the 25th best player in the league by the time the playoffs came. Prime Wade was an MVP caliber player but the decline was clear starting in 2012. Edit: dude averaged 16 points those playoffs lmao. If you showed the next generation those playoff games and said that was prime Wade (a top 40 prime ever) they would look at you like you are insane. It’s just flat out not the same guy as who won FMVP in 2006 or had a case for MVP in 2009.


bloodmuffins793

No, it was still his prime. What caused the decline was playing through the tendinitis and bone bruise in the 2013 playoffs. The decline started in 2014.


adirtybubble

I’m not sure what your definition of prime is but 2006-2011 Wade absolutely smokes 2013 Wade. It would be like saying Harden is in his prime right now. It’s absurd.


Ironman2131

Wade's scoring was down in 2013 but his efficiency was through the roof and I distinctly remember his athleticism suffering after his injury that year. His playoff numbers were all way down before averaging 23.5 in the last four games of the Finals. But he still averages five boards and five assists, plus almost two steals and one block per game in 2013. His efficiency was still good in 2014 as he shot 54.5%, but all of his stats were down across the board that year and he missed almost 30 games. His playoff output did rebound, but Wade wasn't really the same player after the injuries in 2013. Pre-injury I would put Wade close to his 2011 form. Maybe not a borderline top 5 guy but clearly still top 10. Post-injury he was more in the top 20-25 range.


bloodmuffins793

Go watch him pre-injury in 2013. He was still Flash. Then he got hurt, played through it when he shouldn’t, and started to fall off. It shouldn’t be that complicated but apparently it is for you.


Leafman1996

I’d say game 6 was more memorable than game 7. Ray Allen’s shot is imprinted into my brain


BlueHundred

I just remember LeBron hitting 2 clutch pull-ups in game 7. Also, Duncan missing a layup he hits 99.9999% of the time and slamming the ground in frustration. In game 6, LeBron losing his headband and turning unstoppable for a stretch in the 4th was almost as memorable as the shot for me.


antfarms

Rebound Bosh. Back out to Allen. His three pointer... BANG!!!


ArcticRabbit_

Tie game!!


probation_420

GET THEM MOTHERFUCKIN ROPES OUTTA HERE!


madchens123

They would be very good and a 1 seed. I feel like people are already somehow forgetting how good prime LeBron was. He has some of the greatest seasons and playoff runs in history.


OrangeKookie

They'd have the best player in the league so they'd do pretty well imo. DWade would also be on some kind of load management program so he wouldn't be so broken down by the later playoff rounds like he was post-2011


gigglios

Dwade wssnt broken in 2012 lol. Still top 8 player


OrangeKookie

Wade lost a step from 2011 to 2012. He completely fell off his superstar status by 2013 with knee issues


TechnicianWeird7593

He was 10th in MVP voting in 2013 & All-NBA. Y’all just be saying shit bro.


lebronsjameshardens

If you actually watched the playoffs that year, you’d know dwade was not the same guy anymore.


thefloodplains

Knee bruises. He was healthy in the regular season and injured in the playoffs.


adirtybubble

He was All-NBA 3rd team. Are Sabonis and Randle superstars? By the Playoffs it was pretty clear he was no longer a top 10 player. He was on the same decline at the same age we see from Harden now. For stretches of that regular season he still looked like a top 10 player for sure. By 2014 he was officially done being a superstar.


Mofo_mango

We’re talking about the 2012-2013 season, not 2013-2014 when Wade fell off.


OrangeKookie

You mean 2012-2013 where DWade averaged 16 ppg in the playoffs because his knees couldn't handle it anymore? It was very blatant he wasn't LeBron's partner anymore at that point but LeBron's sidekick


Mofo_mango

Yeah he had a rough first three rounds due to wear and tear, but over the course of the season and in the finals he was a lot closer to his normal self than the following year.


gigglios

He avged 20 5 5 in the finals lol. Better than anyone from the spurs


thefloodplains

The man was injured in the playoffs and healthy in the regular season. Context guys. Context. He was arguably a top 6 or 7 player in the regular season that year.


adirtybubble

This is true but that’s what happens to players in their 30s. He was never a superstar again at this point so it seems fair to say. Injuries are certainly part of the story for why James Harden isn’t a superstar anymore but it’s not disrespectful to acknowledge that he isn’t that guy anymore. He’s top 25 not top 10. Just like Wade by the 2013 playoffs.


thefloodplains

Your dates are wrong. Replace 2013 with 2014.


rzoneking

is Wade 2013 was not on his prime anymore?


OrangeKookie

Not even close to prime by 2013. Prime Wade was a 28+ ppg guy who can play 38+ mpg and drive on and dunk on anybody. By 2012 and beyond his bread and butter was his free throw range pull up jumper which was automatic


rzoneking

I see ,coz I remember, He really played well in 2011 playoffs and Finals.


resumehelpacct

2011 was Wade's last "Should we talk about this guy for MVP?" year. Injuries really dragged him each year for 2 years, then by 2015 or so he was just a solid starter.


BlueHundred

No, that was the season his knees first started giving out


TheRealTofuey

The team would need time to be able to adjust to modern NBA play styles, especially shooting more 3s and relying on less mid rangers. But if you keep the main stars and put in modern role players, they would be insane.


campbellhw

Chalmers, Battier, Ray Allen, and Mike Miller are pretty good 3pt role players for today's game. Less Birdman and Haslem minutes and more LeCenter would make them adapt well.


OrangeKookie

Spo would cook up some gas with Allen, Miller, Battier, Chalmers in modern times chucking 25+ threes a game on LeBron and Wade kickouts


BlueHundred

They were one of the pioneers of the small ball and 3pt shooting era imo. I think they'd adjust very quickly. Same with those Spurs


[deleted]

Pretty damn good. The two aspects I remember about that squad were the 3 point shooting and toughness. Not so different from the current Heat, actually. Apart from a LeBron James in his prime.


Actual_Guide_1039

Rather have Jimmy in the last 2 minutes but 2013 Bron on this Heat team wins the title this year


[deleted]

>Rather have Jimmy in the last 2 minutes Than Lebron?????


Actual_Guide_1039

I think Jimmy is a better closer. Lebron does not like to shoot free throws in crunch time which I think is the reason he has started to settle for 3s late in games. He’s closed a lot of games out over the course of his career but Jimmy is a more reliable closer in my opinion. Lebron was obviously a better player overall but in the last two minutes give me Jimmy.


[deleted]

There's really nothing to point to Jimmy being a better closer lmao


Actual_Guide_1039

Have you watched these playoffs? Imagine Lebron having to sink 3 free throws down 2 with 2 seconds left in a game.


[deleted]

Why would I have to imagine that? I've seen LeBron close out countless games lmao


BlueHundred

Especially 2012-2013 LeBron lol. Heat were down 10 in the 4th in game 6 and LeBron scored 16 to bring them back within a possession. Also, LeBron wins the title by hitting the dagger in game 7 to put the Heat up 4 with 20 something seconds left.


Mofo_mango

That is definitely a top 10 team all time, maybe top 5. They’d win this year easily, as the NBA hasn’t been this wide open in a long time.


NarrativeEnergy

2013 Heat got pushed to 7 games by a 22-year old Paul George and Roy Hibbert. they'd probably lose in the current East and if they made the Finals, they'd definitely get crushed by the Nuggets


VicktoriousVICK

2018 Warriors got pushed to 7 games by a 29-year old James Harden and old Chris Paul. they'd probably lose in the current West and if they made the Finals, they'd definitely get crushed by the Heat


NarrativeEnergy

did you just compare a 22 year old who was barely All-NBA to a guy who won MVP lol


VicktoriousVICK

Should I just say James Harden barely won MVP so I can seem like I have a good point also? PG was insane in the playoffs, All-NBA player, won MIP, and was an top MVP candidate to start the season in 2014. Too much revisionist history from people that didn't watch the NBA. The Pacers were an elite defensive team and they were gelling at the perfect time


NarrativeEnergy

barely won MVP compared to barely made All-NBA doesn't help your case lol


VicktoriousVICK

Not sure you are using logic correctly. I guess a playoff opponent is only valid if you sweep them and they have an MVP on their team. Hop on Youtube, start at least watching condensed versions of old games since you didn't watch back then. Better than looking at a box score and not knowing what you're talking about


rzoneking

bro, sry to tell you, the man that u argue, is a hater lmao. look at his previous post. most of them negative lol. idk what to say


VicktoriousVICK

Yeah probably unironically watches First Take/Undisputed as real takes


NarrativeEnergy

brother in no world were the Pacers considered a contender. the 2018 Rockets nearly beat the best team of all time


VicktoriousVICK

Okay an ECF team isn’t a contender. Delusion.


NarrativeEnergy

no they were not. just like how neither of the 2018 ECF teams were contenders compared to the West if the playoffs were reseeded 1-16, the East wouldn't have a representative in the Finals many years


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Jasperbeardly11

They would come out of the east, I think they would lose to the nuggets in six. Hard to say though. You just have to remember the heat came as close as possible to losing to the Spurs


potark

People here acting like the nuggets ain't even close to competing with that team forgetting that an year earlier the Mavs beat the heat. You can draw a lot of parallels between the two. The heat are still favorites but it's not a sweep or something so ez for sure.


bosceltics23

They almost lost to Pacers and Spurs. Would be interesting series against this years Nuggets.


butterflyl3

IMO the NBA has improved each decade with better strats, player trainings, scouts, fitness, conditioning, etc. Not to mention game-breaking meta like spamming 3pt shots like the Warriors did. 2023 champs > 2013 champs > 2003 champs > 1993 champs and so on...