The biggest difference between this Heat locker room and what we saw in Cleveland, though, may be in attitude. The Cavs were consistently discussed as being very loose, very easy going, always joking. The bench famously danced to their opponents’ misfortune . Many found it disrespectful, some found it unprofessional. It’s possible that the Heat could turn into the same happy go-lucky bunch when they get to know one another better, when there aren’t kids scrapping for a final roster spot on a team that could net them a championship their first year in. But there was a very clear sense of the tone of the Heat both in the locker room and on the floor, best summed up by Udonis Haslem before the game.
“From Day 1,” Haslem said, “when everyone started to make sacrifices to be a part of this, we understood what it’s all about. It’s all about business, and everyone coming together for a common goal, to try and win a championship.”
via Heat are all business as team develops – CBSSports.com.
From a piece of mine at CBS after witnessing the Heat first hand. It’s a weird combination of people, with a weird vibe. It’s also going to be an incredibly good team. Do not be fooled. Don’t bite on the “it’s only preseason” talk. This team is going to be good. But for the Celtics fans who are outraged that another Eastern team dare receive some morsel of attention that should be rightfully theirs as reigning power, this should also be noted. The Celtics are perfectly positioned to beat this team, and make it look impressive, just as they did with the Cavs.
For starters, I think you’re going to see a lot more perimeter pick and roll with Wade as the screen-man instead of James. I now that sound bezerk considering the size differential but I watched Mike Miller running Wade’s sets and based on where most of the motion of the offense has been through two games, I don’t think it’s nuts to think that carries over. The Heat obviously are focused on the idea of space. Using James to peel over the weak side defender, which forces the low defender to rise up to close out on Bosh who is inevitably open for a mid-range J which he’ll knock down almost every time. Using the perimeter pick and roll with Wade as the off-ball man forces both defenders to pursue James in order to stop the drive, which means on the kickout, Wade has more space to either drive or shoot. Now, if his three point shooting doesn’t improve, this approach becomes flawed. That’s something to track.
But it’s this drive to create space that’s likely to pay into the Celtics’ hands. For example, off the screen and roll it won’t be Wade’s man shading toward James’ near-side, it’ll be a low-defender, forcing James to spit low to Joel Anthony, a result the Celtics will live with every time. It won’t be a problem closing out on Bosh because it will be Kevin Garnett slightly edging over instead of wildly committing. And should James get to the basket, the Celtics are likely okay with that to a degree, in that they’ll simply hit him on the elbow as hard as possible. And while James hasn’t iced the elbow this preseason and seems to be fine? I’m telling you, unless what my eyes see is completely fabricated, it’s not.
I told a colleague that James in the post is almost an impossible option because due to his size and ability differential, the defense HAS to commit a double, at which point his efficiency plummets. The colleague responded by saying “Yeah, but think about how many fouls he probably draws down there.” I decided to look it up on Synergy, and low and behold, James draws free throws 25% of the time he’s in the block. Among qualifying centers who spent at least 50 possessions down there last year? James was second behind Howard. That’s pretty incredible. And that’s really the only way the Heat would be able to beat the Celtics. It would take grinding, to a degree none of the Triad have really done outside of Wade in the 06 Finals, when he simply went to the rim every single time, and was fouled every single time (and he was fouled, Mavs fans).
The article talks about the business approach of the Heat and how it could affect them this season. It could also be too much for them. If this team gets on a losing streak, it could wind up like spring, then pop, with an unfortunate role player being the collateral damage. And God forbid if Bosh starts missing mid-range J’s. In the interim, be prepared for a highlight factory, because this team in transition is simply stupendous. As James sprinted down court with Bosh edging to the baseline and Miller flashing to the perimeter, I realized that even without Wade, this is the best team James has been on. Forget Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao, Mo Williams. This team has more talent with more understated players that know and obsess over their role than anyone.
It’s frightening to see what kind of thing we’re dealing with, even in the preseason, before it’s even really unleashed.
