Can you answer these questions for Spoelstra?

[nostar]

Jeff Green

Outside of their "big three", the Heat have a team of spot up shooters and nothing but. Chalmers, Battier, James Jones and that guy.

What happens when Doc puts in Pierce and JG (especially against their small ball (which, according to Heat fans, Spoelstra invented. Seriously))?

LeBron James defends one of them. What do the Heat do to stop it? An old, shattered Battier?

Battier isn't "shattered". He's still a very effective defender even playing out of position. He embodies the phrase 'savvy veteran'.

Additionally I don't think any respectable person thinks the Heat invented small-ball. With the complete drought of real centers in the NBA it's been the norm for a while.

And lastly I don't consider Chalmers a spot-up guy. He's actually got a lot of potential, much as I dislike him. The Heat don't even come close to using Chalmers right. He's got a reasonable handle, a great shot and pretty good moves in the lane. His passing is suspect for sure but I think Spoelstra is a bad coach and doesn't effectively use many of his players.

Wilcox/Darko/Garnett/Sully

If they go small ball, all their non-LeBron/Wade wing players are old spot up shooters that our big can cover.

On the flip side, who defends Wilcox/Darko/Garnett? Bosh defends one, how about the other?

Put in Haslem? Pick your poison. Wilcox is bigger and more athletic. Darko is way bigger. Garnett will kill him.

If we try to go big against the Heat they will run us out of the gym. Wilcox will help but Bass/Sully/Darko aren't runners. The Heat's best P&R defender up front is Anthony. Probably some combination of Bosh/Anthony/James in their front court.

Guards

Barbosa, our 5th best guard, is better than all their non-Wade guards.

All 5 of our guards love running. What will Wade do against shooting guards with fresh legs that keep going at him?

Barbosa is not better than Ray Allen. He *might* be better than Chalmers but I don't think so. I think Wade will either have a monster season this year or begin his fade. Around age 30 a lot of guys who rely specifically on their explosiveness start to fall off. We'll see about Wade but my guess is that he is less effective than he was last season.

[Eddie20]

Miami has actually gotten a bit smaller and looks more vulnerable against bigger teams than in the past.  Lewis has basically replaced Anthony in their rotation. So now the Heat have a "big man" rotation of Battier, Bosh, Lewis, and Haslem. Robin Lopez and Davis were pretty much having their way with the Heat.

[ianboyextreme]

(1) I think Battier is a fine matchup against Jeff Green. Miami will be comfortable with that.

(2) They'll leave Battier on Wilcox or Bass. They'd probably need to switch LeBron off of Pierce and onto Darko or Sully though. With Battier covering Pierce.

Neither Wilcox or Bass is a strong enough shot-creator in the post to force Miami away from that Miami. Darko (7-0, 270lbs) should be against a small guy like Battier (6-8, 225lbs) and Sully (6-9, 270lbs) stands a very good chance too. I'd expect LeBron (6-9, 270lbs) to be fully capable of handing both players but Pierce would have an easier (but still difficult) matchup with Battier there instead of LeBron.

If Boston goes with two bigs who are post threats (KG + Darko/Sully) and two big wings (Green and Pierce), I think that would force even more difficult matchups for Miami.

Personally, I think they should drop one of their guards for Rashard Lewis and let Lewis defend either Green (with LeBron staying on a big and Battier on Pierce) or the weaker post-scoring big man (with LeBron back on Pierce and Battier on Green). Then leave either Wade at PG or Chalmers at PG. The Heat would still have two ball-handlers with LeBron + Wade/Chalmers and lots of shooting / floor spacing (Rashard, Battier + Bosh at center). In this type of a lineup, I'd expect Boston to lose more offensive firepower than Miami does.

Also, I don't think Bass or Wilcox or Darko or Sully can ably defend a Rashard Lewis or Shane Battier on the perimeter. Very difficult for interior guys like that to play sound man-to-man defense [the easy part = limited shot creators, stand still shooters] + effective team defense [the hard part = with LeBron/Wade's dribble penetration and Bosh pulling the other big out of the paint] on perimeter shooting threats like Battier/Rashard. None of them have shown a comfort level defending on the perimeter in the past.

Garnett could defend them (Rashard, Battier) but then you lose his interior defense and leave Bosh with an advantageous matchup against whichever big man (Darko, Sully, Bass, Wilcox) is left on him.

(3) I don't think Miami should be sacred of a running game. They should invite it.

If Miami feels comfortable with Batier on Green, then I want them to be the most comfortable team in the league.

[LarBrd33]

Wilcox/Darko/Garnett/Sully

If they go small ball, all their non-LeBron/Wade wing players are old spot up shooters that our big can cover.

On the flip side, who defends Wilcox/Darko/Garnett? Bosh defends one, how about the other?

Put in Haslem? Pick your poison. Wilcox is bigger and more athletic. Darko is way bigger. Garnett will kill him.

I'm sure nightmares of stopping Darko and Wilcox keeps Spoelstra up at night...

lol

[bfrombleacher]

The Celtics don't really have the talent (big man) to exploit this vulnerability. Size, yes. Talented size? Outside of Garnett, not so much.

Instead of thinking low post scoring, think Tyson Chandler in the preseason against us. Darko and Wilcox out with Garnett playing limited minutes meant Chandler had his way with us with his pick and roll.

(1) I think Battier is a fine matchup against Jeff Green. Miami will be comfortable with that.

(2) They'll leave Battier on Wilcox or Bass. They'd probably need to switch LeBron off of Pierce and onto Darko or Sully though. With Battier covering Pierce.

Combine the 3 and suppose we go [guard]/JG/Pierce/[legit-sized big]/[legit-sized big]

That was more what I of had in mind when I started this thread.

Their best lineup is [guard/spot up shooter]/Wade/spot up shooter/LeBron/Bosh

The [guard] defends Wade, JG/Pierce against LeBron, Pierce/JG against one spot up shooter, a big against the other and Bosh is covered by a big.

On the flipside...what would they do? There's only one of LeBron and three of our weaker big (Wilcox or Darko or even Sully if Bosh is defending KG), Pierce and Jeff Green. It's not like their spot up shooters are great defenders. Think Tyson Chandler in the pre-season against us.

Wade is going to have to defend the guard. Run the guard through PnR's.

Outside of Rondo, the 3 rotation (as of right now) guards all pose problems for Wade as well. Lee has size and defense, Bradley I don't need to elaborate on and the Jet is the one he'll have to stay on on D 100% of the time.

If they switch in their big and forget small ball, it's going to be Haslem. Wilcox is bigger and much more athletic and Darko is way bigger. Again, think Tyson Chandler in the pre-season against us.

(Gonna post this at the start. Should have done so before.)

Very difficult for interior guys like that to play sound man-to-man defense [the easy part = limited shot creators, stand still shooters] + effective team defense [the hard part = with LeBron/Wade's dribble penetration and Bosh pulling the other big out of the paint] on perimeter shooting threats like Battier/Rashard.

There will be problems on D. The big will be out, as you said, defending the shooter and it'll be a 4 on 4. Question is who loses out more. Us or them.

[Eddie20]

Wilcox/Darko/Garnett/Sully

If they go small ball, all their non-LeBron/Wade wing players are old spot up shooters that our big can cover.

On the flip side, who defends Wilcox/Darko/Garnett? Bosh defends one, how about the other?

Put in Haslem? Pick your poison. Wilcox is bigger and more athletic. Darko is way bigger. Garnett will kill him.

I'm sure nightmares of stopping Darko and Wilcox keeps Spoelstra up at night...

lol

It's not so much of them scoring, but think of other things their size brings such as setting screens, boxing out, keeping balls alive, second chance opportunities, etc.

[celtsfan84]

I think you guys are confusing weight with strength, sure Battier can be similar in weight but it doesn't mean he is as strong as our bigs are. Now Lebroid is strong as heck but he is one player. David West looks to me like a finesse player, Wilcox isn't, I feel he can bang inside much better than West... I think Wilcox would be more difficult to guard than West, for Battier... that's all speculation though. Who do they put out there when we have a lineup like this... RR, PP, JG, KG, and Darko?? They can put Wade on RR (RR will win that), Lebron on PP or JG (probably Green b/c he is more athletic), then Battier on PP or JG (PP probably), Bosh on KG, who do they have who can stop Darko (someone who I see y'all underrate)... Haslem? I look for Darko to go right through Haslem like a flea and the same if we exchange Darko for Wilcox... Darko and Wilcox can both handle Haslem on Defense, which would keep them close enough to the paint on help D. Wilcox and Darko are also fast enough (Darko isn't as slow as some suggest either) that they could also handle Battier on defense but they would be pulled further out, which is bad for help D but all 5 of our guys out there are pretty good man defenders... you can't stop Wade or Lebroid but PP, RR, and Green are solid enough defenders to stay with them and make them take jumpers (which they are not that good at unless it's a hot night for them). I think we will give Mia more matchup problems than you guys are giving us. We can match them or make them have to try and match up with us (which Doc will do)... they are vulnerable to the big lineups... I know it was preseason, but NO is an example of what bigs can do to Mia (imagine a team like us with our DEFENSE against them, b/c NO is not a stalwart on D like we are).

1) Chris Wilcox is not stronger than David West.

2) People are underrating Darko because he has proven to be pretty awful at professional basketball for a long stretch of time.  Miami would be thrilled to see him play heavy minutes instead of Bradley, Terry, Lee, Bass, or Sullinger. 

Miami's answer to that lineup is to hope we run our offense through Darko, create easy fast break baskets against a slow lineup after Darko turns the ball over, and laugh all the way to the Finals.  Darko is a fine spot-minute defensive big and I'm glad we have him, but I'd hesitate to suggest that Miami would have problems guarding him.  Any lineup that features Darko is at best our 1,000th best offensive lineup.

Yea because Darko would be our primary offensive option 0.0. Darko is an excellent passer (per Doc and what I saw in the preseason). Darko isn't great on offense by any stretch but he would destroy Haslem or any other big they have (nobody)! Yes, Darko may not be able to keep up with Mia on the break but you talk as if he is the ONLY player out there, discounting the other 4 FAST enough players out there! Who in the lineup I suggested are considered slow besides Darko, I'll wait...
It doesn't matter that Darko is average on offense (when he puts forth effort he can put up points, go to youtube and search it), he can be good for us with no one but his man being able to play him b/c the other guys have to worry about our other 4 shooters/scorers! He is also a good and willing screen setter too (again, Doc)!

Just because you don't like someone there is no need for exaggeration... Darko hasn't lived up to his draft spot but come on man, just stop what you are spewing, he is not awful!


I swear, if I go by your post I would think Darko was out there alone... what, is 1X5 legal in the NBA now?



BTW: I NEVER said Wilcox was stronger than West, I just think Wilcox is more willing to bang inside than West (probably b/c Wilcox can't shoot much), I said West is more finesse (or at least he was last seasons playoffs against the cHeat)!

To answer that question, Paul is slow for a shooting guard and slower than our other options. And Garnett is slower at PF than our usual small ball options against Miami.  You are making 3/5ths of the usual lineup we play against the HEAT slower (SG, PF, C).  While you were waiting, the HEAT scored multiple fast break layups.

For Darko to "destroy" Haslem, or anyone else, he would need to get touches that would better off be used by Pierce, KG, Rondo, Terry, Bradley, Lee, etc... Darko shouldn't be an offensive option at all.  Every possession that goes to him instead of an infinitely better player is a win for the HEAT, regardless of who is guarding him.  Any play run for Darko is a play not run for a better player.  You mention running plays for him because he will be singled due to 4 shooters on the floor.  Why not do the same except with KG?  Put him with four shooters.  Surely, you must think KG is better than Darko.  We can't afford to give away possessions against the HEAT, not one.

I am not judging Darko based on him being the #2 overall pick.  I could care less where and when he was picked.  I do care that he has produced a body of work of 9 years of terrible basketball, in a variety of different situations, with a variety of coaches.  His PER was in single digits last year!  He is awful, point blank. Doc isn't the only good coach in the NBA.  Putting a big man with KG and coached by Doc doesn't suddenly make him a good player - ask Patrick O'Bryant, Ryan Hollins, or the litany of awful bigs we've had.

Us beating Miami hinges on Rondo, KG, Pierce, and Doc (mostly), the help they can get from Bradey, Green, Terry, and Lee, and possibly from injury luck from Wade.  Darko is a very small piece of that puzzle.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I think you guys are confusing weight with strength, sure Battier can be similar in weight but it doesn't mean he is as strong as our bigs are. Now Lebroid is strong as heck but he is one player. David West looks to me like a finesse player, Wilcox isn't, I feel he can bang inside much better than West... I think Wilcox would be more difficult to guard than West, for Battier... that's all speculation though. Who do they put out there when we have a lineup like this... RR, PP, JG, KG, and Darko?? They can put Wade on RR (RR will win that), Lebron on PP or JG (probably Green b/c he is more athletic), then Battier on PP or JG (PP probably), Bosh on KG, who do they have who can stop Darko (someone who I see y'all underrate)... Haslem? I look for Darko to go right through Haslem like a flea and the same if we exchange Darko for Wilcox... Darko and Wilcox can both handle Haslem on Defense, which would keep them close enough to the paint on help D. Wilcox and Darko are also fast enough (Darko isn't as slow as some suggest either) that they could also handle Battier on defense but they would be pulled further out, which is bad for help D but all 5 of our guys out there are pretty good man defenders... you can't stop Wade or Lebroid but PP, RR, and Green are solid enough defenders to stay with them and make them take jumpers (which they are not that good at unless it's a hot night for them). I think we will give Mia more matchup problems than you guys are giving us. We can match them or make them have to try and match up with us (which Doc will do)... they are vulnerable to the big lineups... I know it was preseason, but NO is an example of what bigs can do to Mia (imagine a team like us with our DEFENSE against them, b/c NO is not a stalwart on D like we are).

1) Chris Wilcox is not stronger than David West.

2) People are underrating Darko because he has proven to be pretty awful at professional basketball for a long stretch of time.  Miami would be thrilled to see him play heavy minutes instead of Bradley, Terry, Lee, Bass, or Sullinger. 

Miami's answer to that lineup is to hope we run our offense through Darko, create easy fast break baskets against a slow lineup after Darko turns the ball over, and laugh all the way to the Finals.  Darko is a fine spot-minute defensive big and I'm glad we have him, but I'd hesitate to suggest that Miami would have problems guarding him.  Any lineup that features Darko is at best our 1,000th best offensive lineup.

Yea because Darko would be our primary offensive option 0.0. Darko is an excellent passer (per Doc and what I saw in the preseason). Darko isn't great on offense by any stretch but he would destroy Haslem or any other big they have (nobody)! Yes, Darko may not be able to keep up with Mia on the break but you talk as if he is the ONLY player out there, discounting the other 4 FAST enough players out there! Who in the lineup I suggested are considered slow besides Darko, I'll wait...
It doesn't matter that Darko is average on offense (when he puts forth effort he can put up points, go to youtube and search it), he can be good for us with no one but his man being able to play him b/c the other guys have to worry about our other 4 shooters/scorers! He is also a good and willing screen setter too (again, Doc)!

Just because you don't like someone there is no need for exaggeration... Darko hasn't lived up to his draft spot but come on man, just stop what you are spewing, he is not awful!


I swear, if I go by your post I would think Darko was out there alone... what, is 1X5 legal in the NBA now?



BTW: I NEVER said Wilcox was stronger than West, I just think Wilcox is more willing to bang inside than West (probably b/c Wilcox can't shoot much), I said West is more finesse (or at least he was last seasons playoffs against the cHeat)!

To answer that question, Paul is slow for a shooting guard and slower than our other options. And Garnett is slower at PF than our usual small ball options against Miami.  You are making 3/5ths of the usual lineup we play against the HEAT slower (SG, PF, C).  While you were waiting, the HEAT scored multiple fast break layups.

For Darko to "destroy" Haslem, or anyone else, he would need to get touches that would better off be used by Pierce, KG, Rondo, Terry, Bradley, Lee, etc... Darko shouldn't be an offensive option at all.  Every possession that goes to him instead of an infinitely better player is a win for the HEAT, regardless of who is guarding him.  Any play run for Darko is a play not run for a better player.  You mention running plays for him because he will be singled due to 4 shooters on the floor.  Why not do the same except with KG?  Put him with four shooters.  Surely, you must think KG is better than Darko.  We can't afford to give away possessions against the HEAT, not one.

I am not judging Darko based on him being the #2 overall pick.  I could care less where and when he was picked.  I do care that he has produced a body of work of 9 years of terrible basketball, in a variety of different situations, with a variety of coaches.  His PER was in single digits last year!  He is awful, point blank. Doc isn't the only good coach in the NBA.  Putting a big man with KG and coached by Doc doesn't suddenly make him a good player - ask Patrick O'Bryant, Ryan Hollins, or the litany of awful bigs we've had.

Us beating Miami hinges on Rondo, KG, Pierce, and Doc (mostly), the help they can get from Bradey, Green, Terry, and Lee, and possibly from injury luck from Wade.  Darko is a very small piece of that puzzle.

So are you telling me those players are slow? I never said they are lighting quick but every last one could get back on D because they are all on the perimeter anyway. Those are 4 players who could get back but you don't need all of them back, with Green and RR back that should at least slow them down. Darko is much better than Perk on offense, didn't Perk get close to 10pts a game here. If Perk can get 10 a game, Darko can! Darko is better than all those bigs you named (no one says he will be great but it could be advantageous with the other players we have drawing dbls for Darko, much like how Sully scores)! Are you serious? Are you really suggesting that I think Darko is THE key? LOL come on dude! I'm just talking about matchup problems for them, we have the better shot at matching them than they do us! No team is going to completely stop Mia on fast breaks.

I can't wait until the season unfolds, barring injury, I look for Darko to surprise you nay-sayers... I bet he is at least as good as Perk and possibly better for us offensively!

[Celtics18]

I'll be thrilled if Darko Milicic can fill Greg Stiemsma's shoes.  And, that's no diss on either of them.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I'll be thrilled if Darko Milicic can fill Greg Stiemsma's shoes.  And, that's no diss on either of them.

See, now I know you are joking... Darko is better than Stiemsma already! Stiems could block shots. I'm not going to reply again about this because you obviously don't like Darko and you are just saying anything now.

[Celtics18]

I'll be thrilled if Darko Milicic can fill Greg Stiemsma's shoes.  And, that's no diss on either of them.

See, now I know you are joking... Darko is better than Stiemsma already! Stiems could block shots. I'm not going to reply again about this because you obviously don't like Darko and you are just saying anything now.

No, no.  You've got me all wrong.  I do like Darko. 

I happen to think that Greg Stiemsma's contributions to the Celtics last year are extremely underrated.  Greg was a heck of a defensive player for us. 

And, the truth is I think Darko can be even better.  Darko is bigger, more athletic, and he's got a crazy streak.  It's that crazy streak that's the wild card for me.  I suspect that when people talk about Darko's attitude problems in the past what they really mean is that that dude is just plain loco.  And, I don't think he's found a place where anyone could help him harness that nuttiness in a positive direction on the basketball court.

I harbor some hopes that Boston might be that place.  This has proven to be a locker room that can handle some pretty off-center personalities. 

We'll see, I'm hoping for the best.  'Cause he's definitely got the size, mobility, athleticism, and strength (and mean streak?) to be a real Boston Celtics style center.

[jdz101]

1. They have Lebron James.

That is all.

[crimson_stallion]

Ok, first things first.

I think we have two things about out team that gives us a major advantage over Miami

1. Options

Think of any type of player - we have it

Pure PG - Rondo
Scoring combo guard - Terry, Barbosa
Defensive combo guard - Bradley
Power wing - Pierce
Athletic wing - Green
Scoring wing - Pierce, Greenn
Defensive wing - Pierce, Green
Shooting big - Bass, Garnett, Sully
Post up big - Sully, Garnett
Defensive big - Garnett, Darko, Collins
Rebounding big - Garnett, Darko, Sullinger, Wilcox
Athletic big - Bass, Garnett, Wilcox

The only single thing we don't really have is a defensive PF, but Green actually did a REALLY good job on a few occasions in the preseason when he was matched up against opposing PF's in the low post. 

Now, Miami right now only really have two types of lineups that they can try to exploit against opposing teams:

1. Speed - the run and gun approach
2. Shooting - cover the floor with 4 three point shooters

Last season we had very few options.  We really didn't have any lineup 'style' that we could exploit the heat with, we just simply played our butts off and tried to outfight them.   This year, we have the following approaches:

a) Speed: Rondo, Barbosa, Lee, Green, Wilcox/Garnett
- Chalmers cannot keep up with Rondo
- Wade will use waste energy chasing Barbosa
- Ray, Miller, Lewis cannor keep up with Lee
- Lebron will waste energy chasing Green (Battier can't)
- Lazy Bosh probably won't even try running with Wilcox/KG

b) Ballanced scoring: Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass, Garnett
- Rondo will score off penetration and create with passing
- Terry cannot be given an inch of space from three
- Pierce will score anywhere and everywhere
- Bass cannot be given an inch of space from 15 feet
- No Miami player can defend KG in the low post

c) Shooting: Terry, Lee, Pierce, Green, Sullinger
- 5 guys with good midrange jumpers and three point range
- Terry capable of defending Miami Point Guards
- Lee can defend any Miami SG
- Pierce can defend any Miami SF
- Green can defend Miami 'small ball' power forwards
- Sullinger can defend Miami 'small ball' centers
- Sully will crash the boards for many second chance shots
- This lineup can dig us out of a big holes real fast

d) Big-Def: Rondo, Lee, Green, Garnett, Darko
- Two quality shotblockers in KG and Milicic protect paint
- Two good defensive rebounders in KG and Milicic
- Good perimeter defense in Rondo, Lee, Green
- Darko vs Bosh, KG vs Battier inside
- Green vs Lebron, Lee vs Wade, Rondo vs Chalmers outside
- Better rebounding than any lineup Miami has

e) Big-Off: Rondo, Pierce, Green, Sullinger, Garnett
- Rondo has a good post game for a PG and will set guys up
- Pierce will kill any Miami SG in the post
- Green has can post up any Miami SF
- Sullinger has post advantage on Lebron, Battier, Lewis
- KG has post advantage on Bosh, Anthony, Haslem
- Rondo + Pierce would kill Miami's PG + SG on the boards
- KG + Sully would kill Miami's PF + C on the boards
- Rondo, PP, Green, Sully all good at drawing fouls
- Rondo, PP, Green, KG will make up for Sully on defense

So, in terms of options we are far more flexible and can throw a lot of different looks at them, just to see what works. We are also flexible enough that we can substitute different guys into that lineup. 

* Barbosa and Terry are interchangable as the scoring PG/SG
* Barbosa, Terry, Lee are interchangable a scoring SG
* Terry, Green are interchanable as athletic SF
* Pierce and Green are interchangable as powerful SF
* Wilcox and KG are interchangable as athletic C
* Wilcox and Bass are interchangable as athletic PF
* Darko and KG are interchangable as defensive C

Then on top of ALL that, consider the fact that I haven't even mentioned Bradley in those lineups yet.  Once he comes back our versatility gets even stronger.

The only really appraoches they can take are the running game and the outside shooting game - this year we have enough speed and enough shooters to match them on both of those fronts.


2. Bench
This is the next area where I believe we have the ability to really kill them - not necessarilly on talent alone (they are fairly deep too) but with youth, health and athleticism.

Miami's Bench
- First 5 off will be Cole, Allen, Miller, Lewis, Haslem
- The average age of that second unit is 32 years
- Four (Cole, Allen, Miller, Haslem) had recent injuries
- Cole is the only guy with ANY athleticism
- No playmaker, yet none can create their own shot
- Haslem is the only quality solid rebounder
- Zero low post presence

Boston's Bench
- First 5 off will be Barbosa, Terry, Green, Sully, Darko
- Average age of that second unit is 28 years
- Only two (Barbosa, Green) have had recent 'injuries'
- Barbosa, Terry, Green are all fairly athletic
- Decent playmaker in Terry
- Barbosa, Terry and Green can all create their own shot
- Sullinger and Darko are strong rebounders
- Green/Sullinger can dominate Miller/Lewis in the post

For our second unit, the approach is pretty simple:
- Darko protects the paint
- Darko and Sully gobble up rebounds
- Darko and Sully (both good passers) throw the outlet pass
- Barbosa, Terry and Green run, run, run in transition

Once those guys are out in transition, all three of them are capable of either attacking the rim, passing to a teammate or spotting up.

Once we are out and running Sully and Darko can take their time - Ray and Miller are NOT catching us.

[celtsfan84]

I think you guys are confusing weight with strength, sure Battier can be similar in weight but it doesn't mean he is as strong as our bigs are. Now Lebroid is strong as heck but he is one player. David West looks to me like a finesse player, Wilcox isn't, I feel he can bang inside much better than West... I think Wilcox would be more difficult to guard than West, for Battier... that's all speculation though. Who do they put out there when we have a lineup like this... RR, PP, JG, KG, and Darko?? They can put Wade on RR (RR will win that), Lebron on PP or JG (probably Green b/c he is more athletic), then Battier on PP or JG (PP probably), Bosh on KG, who do they have who can stop Darko (someone who I see y'all underrate)... Haslem? I look for Darko to go right through Haslem like a flea and the same if we exchange Darko for Wilcox... Darko and Wilcox can both handle Haslem on Defense, which would keep them close enough to the paint on help D. Wilcox and Darko are also fast enough (Darko isn't as slow as some suggest either) that they could also handle Battier on defense but they would be pulled further out, which is bad for help D but all 5 of our guys out there are pretty good man defenders... you can't stop Wade or Lebroid but PP, RR, and Green are solid enough defenders to stay with them and make them take jumpers (which they are not that good at unless it's a hot night for them). I think we will give Mia more matchup problems than you guys are giving us. We can match them or make them have to try and match up with us (which Doc will do)... they are vulnerable to the big lineups... I know it was preseason, but NO is an example of what bigs can do to Mia (imagine a team like us with our DEFENSE against them, b/c NO is not a stalwart on D like we are).

1) Chris Wilcox is not stronger than David West.

2) People are underrating Darko because he has proven to be pretty awful at professional basketball for a long stretch of time.  Miami would be thrilled to see him play heavy minutes instead of Bradley, Terry, Lee, Bass, or Sullinger. 

Miami's answer to that lineup is to hope we run our offense through Darko, create easy fast break baskets against a slow lineup after Darko turns the ball over, and laugh all the way to the Finals.  Darko is a fine spot-minute defensive big and I'm glad we have him, but I'd hesitate to suggest that Miami would have problems guarding him.  Any lineup that features Darko is at best our 1,000th best offensive lineup.

Yea because Darko would be our primary offensive option 0.0. Darko is an excellent passer (per Doc and what I saw in the preseason). Darko isn't great on offense by any stretch but he would destroy Haslem or any other big they have (nobody)! Yes, Darko may not be able to keep up with Mia on the break but you talk as if he is the ONLY player out there, discounting the other 4 FAST enough players out there! Who in the lineup I suggested are considered slow besides Darko, I'll wait...
It doesn't matter that Darko is average on offense (when he puts forth effort he can put up points, go to youtube and search it), he can be good for us with no one but his man being able to play him b/c the other guys have to worry about our other 4 shooters/scorers! He is also a good and willing screen setter too (again, Doc)!

Just because you don't like someone there is no need for exaggeration... Darko hasn't lived up to his draft spot but come on man, just stop what you are spewing, he is not awful!


I swear, if I go by your post I would think Darko was out there alone... what, is 1X5 legal in the NBA now?



BTW: I NEVER said Wilcox was stronger than West, I just think Wilcox is more willing to bang inside than West (probably b/c Wilcox can't shoot much), I said West is more finesse (or at least he was last seasons playoffs against the cHeat)!

To answer that question, Paul is slow for a shooting guard and slower than our other options. And Garnett is slower at PF than our usual small ball options against Miami.  You are making 3/5ths of the usual lineup we play against the HEAT slower (SG, PF, C).  While you were waiting, the HEAT scored multiple fast break layups.

For Darko to "destroy" Haslem, or anyone else, he would need to get touches that would better off be used by Pierce, KG, Rondo, Terry, Bradley, Lee, etc... Darko shouldn't be an offensive option at all.  Every possession that goes to him instead of an infinitely better player is a win for the HEAT, regardless of who is guarding him.  Any play run for Darko is a play not run for a better player.  You mention running plays for him because he will be singled due to 4 shooters on the floor.  Why not do the same except with KG?  Put him with four shooters.  Surely, you must think KG is better than Darko.  We can't afford to give away possessions against the HEAT, not one.

I am not judging Darko based on him being the #2 overall pick.  I could care less where and when he was picked.  I do care that he has produced a body of work of 9 years of terrible basketball, in a variety of different situations, with a variety of coaches.  His PER was in single digits last year!  He is awful, point blank. Doc isn't the only good coach in the NBA.  Putting a big man with KG and coached by Doc doesn't suddenly make him a good player - ask Patrick O'Bryant, Ryan Hollins, or the litany of awful bigs we've had.

Us beating Miami hinges on Rondo, KG, Pierce, and Doc (mostly), the help they can get from Bradey, Green, Terry, and Lee, and possibly from injury luck from Wade.  Darko is a very small piece of that puzzle.

So are you telling me those players are slow? I never said they are lighting quick but every last one could get back on D because they are all on the perimeter anyway. Those are 4 players who could get back but you don't need all of them back, with Green and RR back that should at least slow them down. Darko is much better than Perk on offense, didn't Perk get close to 10pts a game here. If Perk can get 10 a game, Darko can! Darko is better than all those bigs you named (no one says he will be great but it could be advantageous with the other players we have drawing dbls for Darko, much like how Sully scores)! Are you serious? Are you really suggesting that I think Darko is THE key? LOL come on dude! I'm just talking about matchup problems for them, we have the better shot at matching them than they do us! No team is going to completely stop Mia on fast breaks.

I can't wait until the season unfolds, barring injury, I look for Darko to surprise you nay-sayers... I bet he is at least as good as Perk and possibly better for us offensively!

I am not saying those players are slow.  I am saying that as a lineup it is slow.  There is a big difference!  You are playing Pierce out of position and in a position that he hasn't played in years.  Is Pierce faster than Bradley?  Are you saying that?  Or is he slower and thus your proposed lineup is slower?  If Pierce isn't slower than Bradley, Terry, or Lee than we should cut Bradley, Terry, and Lee because there is no point in having them if they aren't quicker than a 35 year old small forward.  And Garnett is faster as a center than as a power forward.  This should be flatly obvious.  You are also suggesting this lineup against MIAMI, one of the fastest teams in the NBA, not against the Lakers or Brooklyn.  This lineup is SLLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWWW. Rondo, Bradley, Pierce, Green, KG is much faster than Rondo, Pierce, Green, KG, Darko and so are many more potential lineups.  Yes, that lineup is slow.  And getting just two guys back on D is inviting disaster.

You seem to think Darko is key enough to play him a multitude of minutes.  Perkins averaged 10 a game for us in a season where he averaged about 28 minutes per game.  He had our 5th most minutes and our 6th most shot attempts.  I'd prefer to see Rondo, Bradley, Terry, Lee, Pierce, Green, KG, and Bass get more minutes and shot attempts than Darko.  Our roster is much deeper than when Perk averaged ten a game.  You must understand that more shot attempts hep you get more points and Darko shoud have less shot attempts than the guys I named above.  What exactly are you proposing minutes wise and production wise for this awful and slow Darko lineup?

[bucknersrevenge]

I would say if You're gonna run a big lineup to try to take advantage of Miami it had better be with Bass/KG at the 4/5 as we'll need shooters to play off of Paul and Green's post up opportunities. Running Darko out there for any major stretch of this game just seems like a bad mismatch. Darko is what he is. A nice add, a piece that can help us against some big teams. Occasionally he can get you a few points. But Miami, the way they play, this is not the team you want to trot Darko out and say "hey get us 10 points off the bench". Wilcox is your bench guy for this team and maybe a little bit of Sully but not now.

Where I like us is on the perimeter. We can pressure the ball a little. I'd like to play Wade straight up the whole game, now that Ray is no longer here and on occasion, double Lebron and/or trap him out on the perimeter and make someone else make the play. That's how I would defend them. And you need quick, mobile bigs on the floor to be able to trap or cover for another.