Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Quick Hitter - NBA Finals

I had to write a quick post here about the NBA Finals after watching Miami win Game 2. Just a few interesting notes:

1. Miami (read: Spoelstra) did a great job adjusting to the pick and roll in Game 2. It looked different and felt different, and it didn't click until Doug Collins made a post game comment about how they mixed more than one type of technique to defend it, going under, hedging, and doubling. Without game tape to review I suspect their decision was based on a combination of Miami personnel and Spurs personnel, which made adjustments for San Antonio difficult. Bosh was much better defensively in Game 2, and while I thought Wade was still weak, it looked like Miami took advantage of the players who were working hard in Game 1 (Chalmers, James, Birdman, etc.) to up the pressure when they were on the floor together. Cool stuff, interested to see what happens in Game 3 when the Spurs look at the game film.

2. The Spurs are going to have to deal with James guarding Parker at the end of the game. It's a great strategy for Miami, and it forces Ginobli to run the Spurs offense. Ginobli is a dynamic, creative, and exciting player. Unfortunately, he also has some bad habits (jump pass anyone?) and is simply not as cool under pressure as Parker. Parker makes better decisions with crucial possessions, and Miami knows it. That doesn't mean Ginobli is a liability - he's an exceptional player as Game 1 proved - but it looks like he's more effective when Parker is a threat and Miami's defense is stretched thin, providing the passing lanes he likes so much. When Parker is guarded by James, it just looks like the floor gets smaller.

3. If the Spurs get aa solid contribution from Leonard, Miami is in trouble. Leonard has been battling foul trouble all series, and he continues to be the Spurs best answer for guarding James. Miami won Game 2 by two points, after the Spurs missed 4 consecutive free throws, and when Leonard spent barely any time guarding James. I think with a better game from Leonard San Antonio is already up 2-0 in the series. Miami deserves some credit here, but Leonard needs to stay on the floor.

4. The Spurs offense is terrifying when it clicks, and I wonder if Miami will have the energy to disrupt it for the entire series, although maybe they only need to disrupt it four out of seven attempts.

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