Can Paul Pierce and Ray Allen play top-level defense and still score?

[Roy Hobbs]

When thinking about how we match up against the Heat, I've come to the conclusion that we match up okay *if* Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be big contributors on both ends in each game.

As we saw in the playoffs, both Paul and Ray are capable of playing stellar defense.  Ray's defense on Kobe was largely superb, and Paul defended Lebron very well.  However, during our series against Cleveland and LA, Paul's and Ray's offense struggled while they were defending their tough covers.

In playing against Miami, is this going to be an issue?  Do Paul and Ray have enough left in the tank to be able to contribute at an elite level on both sides of the ball?  I think both guys can be competent on both ends, but I'm not sure that competent beats Miami.  We need elite defense, and at the very least good offense.  I worry about whether we'll see that. 

The other thing I worry about is that we have nobody to cover Wade or Lebron when one of our stars needs to go to the bench.  Miami's stars should already be playing more minutes than our guys; the fact that we don't have anybody to cover either of them -- let alone both -- is a concern to me.

[Greenbean]

I am hoping the scoring burden can be lifted form these guys a little bit.

Rondo needs to continue his arc of improvement offensively.

I really hope he can jump up to 17-18 ppg this year.

I defeinitely agree with you that we need elite defense to beat the Heat.

I just hope we arent as reliant on these two guys to score as much because they will not be able to do it with as much consistency most likely.

[Chris]

Absolutely they can.  Although the tough part about Miami is that Wade and Lebron are excellent defenders as well.  I am not worried as much of Wade (since he is better at one on one defending than chasing guys like Ray off Picks), but Lebron's defense I think was the biggest reason Pierce struggled in the Cavs series offensively.  I don't think it was because he was working so hard defensively, it was because Lebron took away what Pierce wanted to do offensively.

More than anything though, the key to Pierce and Ray being effective offensively against a team like the Heat will be Rondo (and also whoever is playing Center).  If he allows them to play 5 on 4 (or 3), then it makes it so much easier for them to take Pierce and Ray away, and make them really work to score.  However, if Rondo takes that next step, and becomes more consistent with his shot, then I think he will create the space needed to get Pierce and Ray the open shots they need to get in a rhythm.

[Who]

I would expect Miami to be forced to use Wade against Rondo and Chalmers against Ray.

Mario Chalmers did a very poor job defending especially off of screens. That is a nice matchup advantage there. Also, Mike Miller doesn't move well off of screens, so Ray can get a lot of joy offensively against him too.

I think Wade would do a much better job defensively against Ray next season now that he has more talent around him. More energy to spend defensively. Plus, with LeBron there, Wade can choose to be more of a man-to-man defender and less active in team defense when matchups dictate ... but like I said earlier, I think Wade will take Rondo to try and keep Rondo under wraps. Wade will do a good job against Rondo (similar to Kobe albeit not as good because of the lack of length inside).

[MBunge]

They can still defend and score at a very high level, but they can't do it for 40 minutes a game.  I'm not even sure they can do it for 35 minutes a game.  That's why I think Ainge has to get both a backup 2 and 3.  It's no longer enough to rest Paul, Ray and KG during the regular season.

Mike

[steelbos]

I am suprised JO hasn't been mentioned in the equation yet. Teams will not be able to lay off him like they did Perk as he will burn them. This will make Rondo that much more dangerous as Perk's guy used to come off him to deny Rondo a good drive to the basket. If Rondo is more consistant with his jumper next year this team will be dangerous.

[td450]

Whether LeBron and Wade can recreate the same dynamic that Jordan and Pippen did will determine whether the NBA will be competitive for the next 5 years. They are capable of being the best defenders at their positions in the NBA, and combining them on one team can amplify that. If they focus more on defense than offense, they may become almost unbeatable.

Perhaps Rondo will become dominant enough to break things down

[Assassin70]

When thinking about how we match up against the Heat, I've come to the conclusion that we match up okay *if* Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be big contributors on both ends in each game.

As we saw in the playoffs, both Paul and Ray are capable of playing stellar defense.  Ray's defense on Kobe was largely superb, and Paul defended Lebron very well.  However, during our series against Cleveland and LA, Paul's and Ray's offense struggled while they were defending their tough covers.

In playing against Miami, is this going to be an issue?  Do Paul and Ray have enough left in the tank to be able to contribute at an elite level on both sides of the ball?  I think both guys can be competent on both ends, but I'm not sure that competent beats Miami.  We need elite defense, and at the very least good offense.  I worry about whether we'll see that. 

The other thing I worry about is that we have nobody to cover Wade or Lebron when one of our stars needs to go to the bench.  Miami's stars should already be playing more minutes than our guys; the fact that we don't have anybody to cover either of them -- let alone both -- is a concern to me.

I have the same concerns.  The only answer I have is we are going to have to let one guy go bonkers, and limit other peoples chances.

Who that is my change from game to game but I say that would be the best plan against the Heat.

[Mr October]

If the celtics have a really solid 2 way wingman on the bench, then Pierce and Allen's minutes can be monitored and they will be fine.

The official advantage against the Heat will be Rondo and the primary bigs: KG, JO, KP.

[Mr October]

When thinking about how we match up against the Heat, I've come to the conclusion that we match up okay *if* Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be big contributors on both ends in each game.

As we saw in the playoffs, both Paul and Ray are capable of playing stellar defense.  Ray's defense on Kobe was largely superb, and Paul defended Lebron very well.  However, during our series against Cleveland and LA, Paul's and Ray's offense struggled while they were defending their tough covers.

In playing against Miami, is this going to be an issue?  Do Paul and Ray have enough left in the tank to be able to contribute at an elite level on both sides of the ball?  I think both guys can be competent on both ends, but I'm not sure that competent beats Miami.  We need elite defense, and at the very least good offense.  I worry about whether we'll see that. 

The other thing I worry about is that we have nobody to cover Wade or Lebron when one of our stars needs to go to the bench.  Miami's stars should already be playing more minutes than our guys; the fact that we don't have anybody to cover either of them -- let alone both -- is a concern to me.

I have the same concerns.  The only answer I have is we are going to have to let one guy go bonkers, and limit other peoples chances.

Who that is my change from game to game but I say that would be the best plan against the Heat.

In general, you glue a guy to Miller, and then make the rest of the Heat jump shooters. I am not convinced that their range is good enough to win a title. Sure they may go off for a game or 2, but not for 7 games.

[Roy Hobbs]

When thinking about how we match up against the Heat, I've come to the conclusion that we match up okay *if* Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be big contributors on both ends in each game.

As we saw in the playoffs, both Paul and Ray are capable of playing stellar defense.  Ray's defense on Kobe was largely superb, and Paul defended Lebron very well.  However, during our series against Cleveland and LA, Paul's and Ray's offense struggled while they were defending their tough covers.

In playing against Miami, is this going to be an issue?  Do Paul and Ray have enough left in the tank to be able to contribute at an elite level on both sides of the ball?  I think both guys can be competent on both ends, but I'm not sure that competent beats Miami.  We need elite defense, and at the very least good offense.  I worry about whether we'll see that. 

The other thing I worry about is that we have nobody to cover Wade or Lebron when one of our stars needs to go to the bench.  Miami's stars should already be playing more minutes than our guys; the fact that we don't have anybody to cover either of them -- let alone both -- is a concern to me.

I have the same concerns.  The only answer I have is we are going to have to let one guy go bonkers, and limit other peoples chances.

Who that is my change from game to game but I say that would be the best plan against the Heat.

In general, you glue a guy to Miller, and then make the rest of the Heat jump shooters. I am not convinced that their range is good enough to win a title. Sure they may go off for a game or 2, but not for 7 games.

Is it that easy to keep both Lebron and Wade out of the paint, though?

[slamtheking]

When thinking about how we match up against the Heat, I've come to the conclusion that we match up okay *if* Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be big contributors on both ends in each game.

As we saw in the playoffs, both Paul and Ray are capable of playing stellar defense.  Ray's defense on Kobe was largely superb, and Paul defended Lebron very well.  However, during our series against Cleveland and LA, Paul's and Ray's offense struggled while they were defending their tough covers.

In playing against Miami, is this going to be an issue?  Do Paul and Ray have enough left in the tank to be able to contribute at an elite level on both sides of the ball?  I think both guys can be competent on both ends, but I'm not sure that competent beats Miami.  We need elite defense, and at the very least good offense.  I worry about whether we'll see that. 

The other thing I worry about is that we have nobody to cover Wade or Lebron when one of our stars needs to go to the bench.  Miami's stars should already be playing more minutes than our guys; the fact that we don't have anybody to cover either of them -- let alone both -- is a concern to me.

I have the same concerns.  The only answer I have is we are going to have to let one guy go bonkers, and limit other peoples chances.

Who that is my change from game to game but I say that would be the best plan against the Heat.

In general, you glue a guy to Miller, and then make the rest of the Heat jump shooters. I am not convinced that their range is good enough to win a title. Sure they may go off for a game or 2, but not for 7 games.

Is it that easy to keep both Lebron and Wade out of the paint, though?

Personally, I don't think so.  losing TA will certainly hurt in those efforts.  they're both good passers too so that will play in their favor as well with our help defense.  we won't be able to help off anyone very much against that team.

right now, I think the only team that can give Miami a real matchup problem is LA.  I don't think we offer enough balance from all 5 positions to keep them honest on D.  JO may solve some of that when he's in for Perk but unless Rondo gets a reliable jumper and Ray can hit open shots consistantly, we're going to have problems.

[xmuscularghandix]

Yes

[FallGuy]

When thinking about how we match up against the Heat, I've come to the conclusion that we match up okay *if* Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be big contributors on both ends in each game.

As we saw in the playoffs, both Paul and Ray are capable of playing stellar defense.  Ray's defense on Kobe was largely superb, and Paul defended Lebron very well.  However, during our series against Cleveland and LA, Paul's and Ray's offense struggled while they were defending their tough covers.

In playing against Miami, is this going to be an issue?  Do Paul and Ray have enough left in the tank to be able to contribute at an elite level on both sides of the ball?  I think both guys can be competent on both ends, but I'm not sure that competent beats Miami.  We need elite defense, and at the very least good offense.  I worry about whether we'll see that.  

The other thing I worry about is that we have nobody to cover Wade or Lebron when one of our stars needs to go to the bench.  Miami's stars should already be playing more minutes than our guys; the fact that we don't have anybody to cover either of them -- let alone both -- is a concern to me.

I have the same concerns.  The only answer I have is we are going to have to let one guy go bonkers, and limit other peoples chances.

Who that is my change from game to game but I say that would be the best plan against the Heat.

In general, you glue a guy to Miller, and then make the rest of the Heat jump shooters. I am not convinced that their range is good enough to win a title. Sure they may go off for a game or 2, but not for 7 games.

Is it that easy to keep both Lebron and Wade out of the paint, though?

It took everything the C's defense had to keep Wade and LBJ out of the paint this past spring. With the two elite guys together and Bosh standing around as a third option, the task becomes nearly impossible.

To answer your question - no. This is Boston's achilles heel right now and it's a big one. Ray and Paul won't have the gas to defend elite players at a high level for long minutes and score. Without two very strong defenders on the bench, this team will have to rely heavily on Rondo and Garnett to pick up the scoring burden. Not a good sign.

[FallGuy]

When thinking about how we match up against the Heat, I've come to the conclusion that we match up okay *if* Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can be big contributors on both ends in each game.

As we saw in the playoffs, both Paul and Ray are capable of playing stellar defense.  Ray's defense on Kobe was largely superb, and Paul defended Lebron very well.  However, during our series against Cleveland and LA, Paul's and Ray's offense struggled while they were defending their tough covers.

In playing against Miami, is this going to be an issue?  Do Paul and Ray have enough left in the tank to be able to contribute at an elite level on both sides of the ball?  I think both guys can be competent on both ends, but I'm not sure that competent beats Miami.  We need elite defense, and at the very least good offense.  I worry about whether we'll see that. 

The other thing I worry about is that we have nobody to cover Wade or Lebron when one of our stars needs to go to the bench.  Miami's stars should already be playing more minutes than our guys; the fact that we don't have anybody to cover either of them -- let alone both -- is a concern to me.

I have the same concerns.  The only answer I have is we are going to have to let one guy go bonkers, and limit other peoples chances.

Who that is my change from game to game but I say that would be the best plan against the Heat.

In general, you glue a guy to Miller, and then make the rest of the Heat jump shooters. I am not convinced that their range is good enough to win a title. Sure they may go off for a game or 2, but not for 7 games.

This strategy won't work. You can't just "make them jump shooters." That's the whole point of this - that Ray and Paul will exhaust themselves trying to keep Wade/LBJ from racking up points. And they may not even be able to do that.