http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/20909/breaking-down-the-stifling-heat-defense First installment of what I'm sure will be a great series of articles entitled "Hoop Schemes". This one focuses on the suffocating Miami Heat defense. It describes three aspects of what makes their defense so daunting: help and recover, pick and roll defense, and simply being everywhere at once. It concludes: [rquoter] This isn't the full repertoire of Miami's defensive attributes. They clog passing lanes. They collapse on penetration intelligently -- still being mindful of the space they've left behind. And they harass incessantly. With impunity. Joel Anthony still poses challenges for the Heat staff, especially on the offensive end, but his anticipation and happy feet defending the pick and roll are helping his team make stops. For all of Arroyo's failing, he, too, is making smart decisions as a half court defender. And Bosh? We might have a Ray Allen effect -- a guy who arrived into a new situation with a horrible defensive reputation, but just needed a coherent system to show off his instincts. Don't expect Bosh to take home any hardware this season for his work on the defensive side of the ball, but he's far, far better than advertised. Whatever cohesion the Heat still lack on offense, Spoelstra has already instilled a fluid brand of defense that maximizes his team's uncommon quickness and smarts. Fans will tune in to watch the offensive exploits and the dazzling Top 10 fodder -- and who wouldn't -- but the Heat are going to succeed on the strength of their defensive system, one that has a chance for a historic season. [/rquoter]
their defense just totally shut orlando down. i bet you JVG was excited watching that game. beautiful defensive showcase.
I said right after LeBron signed the Heat would be a great defensive team and that defense would carry them. I'll also repeat that when LeBron and Wade play hard, active defense, each one is like two defenders because they are so athletic and cover so much ground. LeBron is big and he covers a LOT of ground and while Wade may be only 6'3, he play a LOT bigger than that. I don't dispute the Heat have a very good system in place, but LeBron and Wade on the floor together are what take the Heat defense to the next level.
I suppose you didn't watch the game, Dwight developed an impressive offense this offseason. Miami just continued to keep him in foul trouble and was executing great help-d.
When the heat formed the new trio, I was looking forward to their defense, more than their offense. Wade and james can shut down the passing lanes AND cover the outside shooters while Bosh can provide help defense in the interior. If Heat can get a big body to clog the lane, they will be a nightmare to score against, especially in the playoffs when games slow down.
Dwight for all his in the first half. Miami came out scrambling, overplaying, and using their athleticism to recovery and help and they totally choked out everything Orlando was trying to do. Miami is at championship level defensively already.
They stoped Lopez, who only scored 20 points and 5 rebounds, so I think there low post defense, is pretty decent. It also heaps, having Wade and Lebron stopping the inside passes as well, and controlling the passing lanes.
