IST: NBA Finals Thread: Thunder VS Heat

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I said at the beginning of the series that I thought Thabo would be best suited to guard Wade. I think you're right that it's Wade that they gotta take out of the equation...or try to anyway. You can't stop Lebron...he's got too many options offensively and you can't really stop him. Wade you can force into a bad game. If you can keep him and Bosh to 20 each or less, you have a pretty good shot at a win I think.

This was how I thought they would try to handle them defensively. Let Lebron score 60 a game and shut down everybody else. Of course, I assumed Harden would play a shit ton better than he has.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

All in favor of trading Taj for Steph Curry, raise your hands.

*raises hand*

I am. Even if Rose wasn't hurt I would. It wouldn't win us a championship but I'd want to flip Curry down-the-road.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Same here. I wonder if that was Spo's call or LBJ's call to exploit that matchup in the post more after game 1? I'm not sure what counter the Thunder have to LBJ going to the post. Maybe Ibaka? The guy they traded away to get Perkins (Jeff Green) would have been an interesting move/matchup too.

Also tough to do now down 3-1 but the Mavs really screwed the Heat up playing a zone in last year's Finals and with some of the length, and speed you have in Ibaka, Durant, Westbrook, and Thabo it could give the Heat some issues for stretches if you keep rotating in and out of it.

Right now the Thunder are way to predictable on the defensive end of the floor and really poorly rotated. Even a shithouse coach like Spoelstra will catch up eventually.

that's literally what i have been saying the last 4 pages...you have to keep the opposing team on your toes, or your strategy falls to pieces with a good offense like the thunder

zone would be good for stretches, miami does have some shooters than can break the zone though so you'd have to use zone when it would be convenient

i like the idea though

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

I have been very disappointed by Durant falling for shot fakes and having fouls called on him. Happened once last night, and twice in either game 2 or 3. I would think with his length and IQ on the floor that that wouldn't happen.

ya, i'm surprised with that too

thing is, he is really the most suited,physically, to guard lebron(other than thabo because of his prowess)

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

This is how I thought Brooks would coach against the Spurs.

 

[FirstTimer]

There were times last night, and especially in game 3 that they just looked defeated. I don't know if being on the road has something to do with that, because I generally downplay that, but I'm expecting them to fold pretty quickly in Game 5.

Harden looks Really shook, and like you I try to stay away from "this player looks scared" but his play has been really bad like his dick shrank up or something. He has seemed really unsure of himself.

The next move I think will be interesting is I heard somewhere about the Thunder trading Harden for a near top pick in the draft. That would put them in position to draft MKG from Kentucky, kind of a prototypical wing/Lebron stopper type at his peak if he progresses and should develop a really nice offensive slashing game. Will be interesting if the Thunder lose if/what knee jerk reactions take place.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

that's literally what i have been saying the last 4 pages...you have to keep the opposing team on your toes, or your strategy falls to pieces with a good offense like the thunder

zone would be good for stretches, miami does have some shooters than can break the zone though so you'd have to use zone when it would be convenient

i like the idea though

I'd rather give Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers an open three every time than let LeBron, Wade, and Bosh continue to get Durant in foul trouble. Not to mention LeBron is eating those undersized defenders alive in the high-post.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

ya, i'm surprised with that too

thing is, he is really the most suited,physically, to guard lebron(other than thabo because of his prowess)

Lebron will sometimes struggle (barely) against players with length, I guess. Still much to strong for anybody on the Thunder other than Perkins, and you don't want that.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

All in favor of trading Taj for Steph Curry, raise your hands.

*raises hand*

depending on the specifics of the trade, it's definitely not a bad thought

 

[clonetrooper264]

This was how I thought they would try to handle them defensively. Let Lebron score 60 a game and shut down everybody else. Of course, I assumed Harden would play a shit ton better than he has.

Yeah Harden has been an embarrassment. They need his contributions to have a shot. Though being down 3-1 now, their chances are all but gone at this point.

 

[FirstTimer]

that's literally what i have been saying the last 4 pages...you have to keep the opposing team on your toes, or your strategy falls to pieces with a good offense like the thunder

zone would be good for stretches, miami does have some shooters than can break the zone though so you'd have to use zone when it would be convenient

i like the idea though

While true, most NBA team have good shooters, but if I'm going to lose an NBA Finals ti's going to be because Mike Miller, James Jones, and Shane Battier wen nuts from the wing at times rather than continually allowing Lebron James to dictate getting the ball 10ft from the basket if he chooses to do so at any given time.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Harden looks Really shook, and like you I try to stay away from "this player looks scared" but his play has been really bad like his dick shrank up or something. He has seemed really unsure of himself.

The next move I think will be interesting is I heard somewhere about the Thunder trading Harden for a near top pick in the draft. That would put them in position to draft MKG from Kentucky, kind of a prototypical wing/Lebron stopper type at his peak if he progresses and should develop a really nice offensive slashing game. Will be interesting if the Thunder lose if/what knee jerk reactions take place.

Best part is that at times the Heat don't even seem interested in guarding Harden, and he won't pull the trigger.

I don't think the Thunder will pull a knee jerk reaction to this. Speculation on my part to be sure, but who knows.

I'll admit, I don't know much about NCAA basketball. Give me an analysis on MKG.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

If I were Scott Brooks, I'd seriously consider going to a 2-3 zone to protect the corner three and force the Miami wing players to catch the ball at three-point line and bait them into shooting. And at least then James would be catching the ball somewhat higher away from the paint.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Yeah Harden has been an embarrassment. They need his contributions to have a shot. Though being down 3-1 now, their chances are all but gone at this point.

Which means Harden will score 55 tomorrow night.

Game 6 SUNDAY!!!

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

I'd rather give Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers an open three every time than let LeBron, Wade, and Bosh continue to get Durant in foul trouble. Not to mention LeBron is eating those undersized defenders alive in the high-post.

Lebron eats most defenders alive in some aspect, lol

i wouldn't give james jones, battier,chalmers too many open 3s..those guys are really good shooters

i do like the zone idea(though if you do know one thing about a zone it's that the middle-high-post,if that's a word, is always open..i remember that because lance thomas hit some big shots against baylor a couple of years ago in that open area of the zone)..but like any defensive strategy, you have to make constant adjustments

it will work for a bit, then get busted and needed to be adjusted(**** ya, i am a rapper)

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I don't think I could sleep for a week if I knew James Jones beat me.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

While true, most NBA team have good shooters, but if I'm going to lose an NBA Finals ti's going to be because Mike Miller, James Jones, and Shane Battier wen nuts from the wing at times rather than continually allowing Lebron James to dictate getting the ball 10ft from the basket if he chooses to do so at any given time.

right...i just don't think that zone is something you can run a whole game unless it works that well...

jmo,though:shrug:

 

[clonetrooper264]

Lebron eats most defenders alive in some aspect, lol

i wouldn't give james jones, battier,chalmers too many open 3s..those guys are really good shooters

i do like the zone idea(though if you do know one thing about a zone it's that the middle-high-post,if that's a word, is always open..i remember that because lance thomas hit some big shots against baylor a couple of years ago in that open area of the zone)..but like any defensive strategy, you have to make constant adjustments

it will work for a bit, then get busted and needed to be adjusted(**** ya, i am a rapper)

Yeah I think what the Mavs did last year was use the zone for maybe one or two possessions and then switch back to man. If the Thunder did that it might be pretty effective because it wouldn't be consistent enough for Miami to plan to attack it each time down the floor.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Best part is that at times the Heat don't even seem interested in guarding Harden, and he won't pull the trigger.

I don't think the Thunder will pull a knee jerk reaction to this. Speculation on my part to be sure, but who knows.

I'll admit, I don't know much about NCAA basketball. Give me an analysis on MKG.

swingman,good athlete, good rebounder for his size, does alot of things on the court, fantastic defender, good motor

not a great shooter but can clean up inside and finish decently

 

[FirstTimer]

Best part is that at times the Heat don't even seem interested in guarding Harden, and he won't pull the trigger.

I don't think the Thunder will pull a knee jerk reaction to this. Speculation on my part to be sure, but who knows.

I'll admit, I don't know much about NCAA basketball. Give me an analysis on MKG.

Charlotte looking to deal No. 2 pick - CBSSports.com

Here's the deal.

NBA draft.net compares him to a Gerald Wallace/Andre Iguodala hybrid.

6'8" 233lbs

Here is Chad Ford's positive and negatives:

Positives

Elite athlete
Amazing motor
Tough, physical defender
Excellent rebounder
Attacks the rim on offense

Negatives

Lacks a consistent perimeter game

From NBAdraft.net

Strengths: MKG is a strong, athletic small forward who possesses the intangibles that can't be taught ... He's at his best in open space, whether it's in the half court or transition ... While most use separation to rise and fire, MKG uses it to build momentum and fearlessly attack the basket ... Excellent finisher at the rim with explosive leaping ability, soft hands and the ability to adjust in mid-air ... Tremendous length allows him to effortlessly finish plays with dunks ... Also able to absorb and finish after contact ... Moves well off the ball terms of angling his cuts as a slasher ... Does not need the ball to be effective or impact a game ... Though not known for his jumper, showed some promise spotting up when his feet are set ... Strong, aggressive rebounder thanks to his relentless pursuit of the ball, non-stop motor and athleticism ... Lockdown defensive potential with the versatility to guard to 3-4 different positions ... Physical on-ball defender with a high awareness level off the ball ... Has a desire, intensity and will to win that elevates his status into elite level despite not having elite skills or potential ...

Weaknesses: Jack of all trades, master of none ... MKG's biggest weakness surrounds his inability to create his own shot in the half court ... Sometimes too intent on getting to the rim when a short pullup is the better play, which he hasn't consistently shown he has in his arsenal... Lacks range on his jump shot, and won't be considered a stretch-threat by opposing defenses ... Shooting motion has a hitch in it, which will be an issue as he looks to extend his shooting range ... A bit undersized at the next level to get the same easy buckets he got in college ... Could use some work as a ball-handler on the perimeter ...

Overall: Though he doesn't have the typical upside of a top 2-5 pick, he poses zero risk when you consider his intangibles and physical tools ... Instead of saying he has a low ceiling, it's more appropriate to say he has a high basement ... There's not a team in the league that doesn't have a need for what MKG brings to the table ... He's a two-way player that can contribute in a number of a different ways, and while he's not going to compete for any scoring titles, his strengths can inspire teammates and energize a fan base ...

Jonathan Wasserman 4/29/12

Decent overview.

MKG is actually my favorite player in the draft.