The Heat, though they can no longer go undefeated, are widely expected to be the best team in basketball by the end of the year. Right now I believe the Lakers look like the best team in the NBA, and, as a surprise to me, Boston showed how teams CAN beat the Heat.
I know it was the first game of the season and it looked like Chris Bosh was about to shit his pants out of nervousness, but still, as a team, Boston played the same great defense that allowed them to not only take out Wade in the playoffs, but LeBron and Dwight Howard too. The thing that Boston does well is, they don't let your shooters get involved.
Look at the Magic last year. Dwight Howard's post game was virtually non-existent. Against Boston in the playoffs, the Celtics took away every aspect of the Orlando arsenal by following one simple philosophy: "Don't leave the shooters!"
If you watch closely, Orlando breaks down defenses by penetrating and kicking on bad rotations. This leaves all those shooters on the perimeter wide open. So instead of doubling on Dwight Howard and rotating to the open shooter, the Celts stuck with their man on the perimeter, effectively shutting down the Magic offense.
With the Heat, I'm thinking that same strategy is going to work. The Celtics rotate so well that, if they do get caught out of position, they make up for it quicker than most teams. With the Heat, the key has to be keeping the paint locked down. Wade and LeBron are going to drive and dish all day. Check that, LeBron is going to drive and dish, Wade is going to drive and get fouled, they have almost established this early on. Right now, it's too easy for LeBron and Wade to just dribble in and hit Bosh for a jumper or James Jones for a three.
Here are the five things defenses need to do to stop the Heat:
1) Sag off LeBron and Wade. Let them shoot jumpers all day! They're still going to be better than you, but these guys really start to get things going when they get in the lane. Neither of these guys are lights out from the perimeter so make them one dimensional by taking away the drive.
2) Be physical and stick on Bosh. Is LeBron driving to the hole? Yes? OK, are you guarding Chris Bosh? Yes? Alright, stay there. The worst thing you can do is try to help your teammate with a streaking LeBron on the way to the hole. One thing is almost guaranteed when this happens: the Heat will score. Either LeBron gets fouled and makes the bucket or Bosh hits an open jumper. The other thing that can happen? You stand in the way to take a charge. Good luck with that shit.
3) Deny D-Wade the ball. LeBron wants to spread the ball around. As long as you stay on Bosh and immediately deny Wade the ball, you've taken out the two other best options on that team.
4) Whoever is guarding Joel Anthony, DON'T GUARD JOEL ANTHONY! He may be the most awkward player in the NBA. I don't know why he even plays. I mean, they could get Mike Miller, Eddie House and Jerry Stackhouse, but they couldn't do any better than a terrible, undersized center to stand around and do nothing? There weren't any veteran players sitting around waiting to play? What can he do?! Either way, when you see LeBron with the ball, start coasting to the paint and be ready. First, cut off Wade, then cut off Bosh, finally stick to James Jones/Mike Miller. EVEN AFTER THAT do not guard Joel Anthony. At this point, you have LeBron with the ball and Joel Anthony open. That's the best possible situation.
5) Go big or go home. I like Chris Bosh, but he is being exposed early on. The Heat are going to need a lot of weak side help for big time post players. Every one should point to the Magic game in this situation because the Heat absolutely destroyed. Well, Dwight Howard is not that good of a passing big man and Rashard Lewis may not be a man at all, so they aren't a good example. Boston, the Lakers and even the Hawks have tough big men that can pass, so I expect them to do well versus the Heat. The key on offense is having a highly skilled point guard and two good big men.
