ABC's Jeff Van Gundy: Miami Heat will break Chicago Bulls' win record
miamiherald.com
By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Heat, Dolphins, UM and Marlins tidbits:
• 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. |
