The Heat are the class of the NBA

I am going all in. Putting all the chips on the table now. After watching the Heat take on the Lakers the other night, I came away even more impressed than I thought I could possibly be with this team.

They killed off a desperate team in the Lakers that had a lot to play for. Just ask Kobe, jawwing with Dwyane Wade like a jealous ex-girlfriend. The rivalry of Kobe-Shaq has also grown to include Wade. Because Kobe could not have it any other way.

Yet, even Wade's dominance over Kobe withstanding (witness Wade's 11 second half points to Kobe's 4), this was more about the Heat as a team. Wade's growth is just a barometer of how much this Heat team has grown.

Since Feb. 1, the Heat have lost 3 games. Three. One, two, three...that is it folks. And two of those games? OT losses to the Pacers and Bulls, without Shaq. But it isnt just the wins, but how they have won. The only game in this current winning streak, now up to 11 games, that was played with any sense of competition was the Knicks game the other night. Which only saw Wade hit a game winning buzzer beater in front of the crowd at MSG. A game the Heat played bad enough to lose, but somehow righted the ship and came back from 13 down in the 4th quarter to beat the Knicks on their home turf.

This team has grown and is up for the challenge. DJ is hitting his threes. EJ continues to pour his heart out on the court and defending out of position at SF. Haslem keeps putting up very good numbers each night out. The bench is strong and getting great production from everyone who sees the floor. Just as Zo and Steve Smith who have yet to see significant time themselves. And they could care less because they are just here to help.

There is no team in the NBA that is getting better individual performances each night from not only their star players, but also their bench. There is no team in the NBA that is winning like the Heat are, well, except the Celtics. But the fact that the Celtics are getting a lot of press for their streak and the Heat are not says something. Perhaps, it has already become something to be expected for the Heat. We all are waiting for something bigger and greater.

Right now, there is no team better prepared to show us something extraordinary. The Heat are the best the NBA has to offer right now.