Thoughts watching the NBA Finals...

[framer]

The San Antonio Spurs were never stocked to the brim with elite athletes. They had people who could play defense and put the ball into the hole. If "thouroghbred" athletes were what was always needed, Golden State would have a championship or two. Oklahoma City would have beat Dallas.

What you need are:

1. At least two players that demand a doubleteam, at least one should be a big (interestingly I can't think of many teams that had two bigs like this. I suspect this is why many like Kanter paired with Favors. That has a chance to be epic.)
2. Wings that make the opponent pay for the doubleteam. Preferably every wing should be a threat if left open. You may get away with one who is not a good to decent three point shooter (Kiri with Brewer was a disaster. I'm through with drafting wings that are questionable shooters, no matter how good their defense is. Fricken' people at the YMCA can be deadeye shooters, is it too much to ask the people making millions to hit their shots if left open?)
3. The ability to shut down traffic to the front of the rim (Malone and company could, Boozer and company couldn't.)
4. A system and players that is able to deliver the ball to open shooters (Kobe and Shaq could never get past the Jazz until Shaq learned how pass out of the post doubleteam.)
5. A bench that doesn't get embarrassed.
6. Someone who can get a bucket when needed despite a doubleteam (this is the type of person you pick with the #3 pick.)

When the Jazz have all of this, they do very, very well. When they miss out on one or two, they don't look so good.

 

[Deleted member 365]

Key to this series is Peja, JJ Barea, and Terry (and the refs calling the game just decently close. I mean, that foul on Dirk was just pathetic. And calling every little touch on Chandler is frustrating).

They played like dump.

And the Mavs lost.

If Terry scores in the 2nd half, JJ makes a layup or two, and Peja makes just half of his wide open 30's, the Mavs win last night.

 

[vslice02]

I think you make an excellent point - kind of like what I refer to as the Korver-dilemna of "Is it worth having a player who gives you the perimeter shooting you desperately need against 25 teams, but is a complete liability when you're facing elite teams like the Lakers and Heat?"

On one hand, you need elite athletes to match up with Miami - on the other hand if you make all your decisions trying to match up with the Heat athletically, you may end up with alot of good athletes who aren't good players - and it's hard to beat the Heat if you can't beat average/below average teams to make the playoffs first.
I think you can succeed with a few role players who aren't great athletes so I wouldn't stay away from those guys entirely - but the Heat are definitely showing how much defensive success you can have with bigs who are mobile enough to show/recover and wings who are interchangeable and can fly all over the court - and that's yet another reason why I don't want Utah to draft Jimmer.

Derrick Williams needs to jump off of two feet to explode at all

So did Dominique Wilkins and Jason Richardson. IMO that's a non-issue.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Meh, it was one game. I think the key is the Mavs have to have a lead going into the late 4th. James and Wade have shown they explode in the late 4th and the refs will do anything (or not do anything) to allow that explosion occur.

 

[sahlensguy]

It's not all about the superstars ya know.

Signed
Steve Kerr

 

[Beantown]

One of the most winning teams and champions in the last 10 years.. the San Antontio Spurs disagree with this thread.

As do I.

Its about defense, you need a team to play team defense and be able to play REALLY good defense in the 4th quarter and clamp down on a team.

Also dont forget Miami tied a record 11 NBA three pointers for a Finals game. Shooting helps....ALOT.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

One of the most winning teams and champions in the last 10 years.. the San Antontio Spurs disagree with this thread.

As do I.

Its about defense, you need a team to play team defense and be able to play REALLY good defense in the 4th quarter and clamp down on a team.

Also dont forget Miami tied a record 11 NBA three pointers for a Finals game. Shooting helps....ALOT.

The NBA Finals record is only 11 3's? No way

 

[LunaticWolf]

Miami is going to hit the Boston effect.

Great your first year, then only good after. They won't look as good once teams figure out how they can defend them.

 

[vslice02]

Miami is going to hit the Boston effect.

Great your first year, then only good after. They won't look as good once teams figure out how they can defend them.

Figuring out how to defend LeBron and Wade is easier said than done, but the Heat are winning now because of their defense. As of now, "figuring out" how to score on Miami down the stretch is the tougher challenge.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Miami is going to hit the Boston effect.

Great your first year, then only good after. They won't look as good once teams figure out how they can defend them.

Doubtful. A fully healthy Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem will make them better.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I haven't really seen anyone struggle to guard Lebron and Wade thus far. It's when the late 4th comes in and they just go off. It's not like they are out there being unstoppable the whole game.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Doubtful. A fully healthy Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem will make them better.

In addition to that Wade, James, and Bosh aren't that old. In addition to all of the MLE free agents they're going to acquire annually (provided such a provision exists in the future).

The Heat are going to be perennially in the finals. Orlando's rotting, Chicago's not going to suddenly get wing play worth a damn, and Boston is fooling themselves.