who is going to guard KG on the heat?

[cman88]

everyones talking about how are we going to stop wade/Lebron..

but, Garnett has been playing some of his best ball offensively of the big 3 era. he's averaging 19ppg and 10RPG..

and thats being defended by good defenders in Josh smith, elton brand, lavoy allen..especially if bosh cant go. KG should have a field-day with Anthony/turiaf/haslem.

[mctyson]

the Heat have as many matchup problems against us as we do against them...yes Wade will pose a problem now that Bradley is out, we have the bodies to throw at Lebron (Daniels, Sasha)...but we know that Rondo destroys Chalmers and Joel Anthony/Udonis Haslem have nothing on KG.

Remind me again where their clear advantage is?

[Who]

I'd expect Ronny Turiaf to continue to start and Joel Anthony to be the second line defender. I'd use LeBron as my third choice defender instead of Haslem but Spoelstra might go with Haslem.

I think Ronny Turiaf has been decent defensively against KG (nothing special but reasonable/serviceable) but J.Anthony has gotten his rear end handed to him a few times. Haslem has too but at least J.Anthony offers better rim-protection on team defense.

LeBron got a few reps against KG when he was back with the Cavs in his final two seasons there. He wasn't particularly good but I think he offers as much as J.Anthony does and putting him on KG instead of Haslem (for short stretches) would allow Miami to put more offense on the floor. That's my thinking there. I wouldn't put LeBron on KG for any extended periods though. A brief period, a different look to shake things up (more of a change for Boston's team defense than KG's individual offense).

[ManUp]

Many will try none will succeed.

[angryguy77]

Joey Crawford....

[pearljammer10]

Im guessing Haslem will get the majority of the minutes guarding garnett. garnett should be able to get by turiaf and anthony pretty easily if they are put on him.

[esel1000]

the Heat have as many matchup problems against us as we do against them...yes Wade will pose a problem now that Bradley is out, we have the bodies to throw at Lebron (Daniels, Sasha)...but we know that Rondo destroys Chalmers and Joel Anthony/Udonis Haslem have nothing on KG.

Remind me again where their clear advantage is?

 Exactly what ive been saying. Its like without AB everyones given up. These guys are weathered veterans, mentally tougher, and the heat have just as bad if not far worse injury in Bosh. I'm looking forward to this one

[hpantazo]

Im guessing Haslem will get the majority of the minutes guarding garnett. garnett should be able to get by turiaf and anthony pretty easily if they are put on him.

Haslem is a dirty player. I expect the Heat to resort to dirty fouls on KG with the hope of getting him suspended and/or injured. It's the Heat m.o.

[lightspeed5]

KG: 6'11

haslem: 6'8

[lightspeed5]

this is the mismatch we all want.

kg is 6'11 and is center.

joel anthony is 6'9, and is a slow center. he will open up the lane if he goes out to cover KG (i think he will since they might try to double KG so its not even an option for joel anthony not to come out to cover KG). This can present opportunities for everyone else to drive inside.

haslem is 3 inches shorter than KG at 6'8

turiaf is an inch shorter than kg, but hes a waiver wire player

[CelticsPrideKG]

The biggest factor I can see right now is Garnett has to stay out of foul trouble.  He's probably going to be constantly challenged by drives from Wade/LeBron and he has to be careful with how he goes about challenging shots because him getting in foul trouble = game over for Celtics.

[droopdog7]

KG: 6'11

haslem: 6'8

Kg may be listed at 6'11" but he is actually 7'0" and could be 7'1".

[lightspeed5]

KG: 6'11

haslem: 6'8

Kg may be listed at 6'11" but he is actually 7'0" and could be 7'1".

correct.

[get_banners]

KG: 6'11

haslem: 6'8

Kg may be listed at 6'11" but he is actually 7'0" and could be 7'1".

Isn't he actually 7'2"?

[indeedproceed]

Haslem is a dogged man defender, crafty and tenacious. Joel Anthony is less crafty but just as tenacious.

Neither though should do more than pee in the wind in the face of kg if he's hitting open looks and getting the ball regularly in good position.

Also, kg is 8 feet tall and a warlock. Fact.