| Improving Defense Needs To Be A Priority For Heat Authored by Andrew Friedman - January 29, 2006 - 8:32 pm
The Miami Heat currently stands at 27-18 and as the second best team in the Eastern Conference. Slowly, Miami is making progress towards looking like the team they should be. Miami, however, needs several issues to be resolved in order to get into playoff form.
Miami has to prove an ability to defend (or at least contain) premier perimeter players and teams consistently. Perimeter defense and transition defense, in particular, are among Miami's most glaring weaknesses. It is usually James Posey's role to stick on players like Vince Carter and Lebron James, either of which the Heat is likely to meet in the playoffs. And recently, Pat Riley even called on Dwyane Wade to become a better defender. Nevertheless, the team as a whole needs to execute on defense successfully for Miami to take its game to the next level.
Since Shaquille O'Neal came back from missing 18 games and after Pat Riley returned to the sidelines, the Heat has lost eight games. Upon inspection of each of those losses, it is apparent that most of the opponents had an elite perimeter player, were an elite perimeter team, or were either the Spurs or the Pistons.
Two losses were against the Suns, debatably the best perimeter-oriented team in the league. One was from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who enjoyed a 41-point game from Lebron James. Another loss came against the New Jersey Nets, where the Heat saw Vince Carter explode for 51 points. And another game came against the Lakers, where Kobe Bryant dished in 37 points, though by his standards, that was a quiet night. Even the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets recognized the Heat's weaknesses and played a fierce, high-octane perimeter game and ended up blowing Miami out. Miami's closest losses came against the Pistons and Spurs.
Of course, this issue of defense depends on the Heat's ability to get healthy. Miami has played (and lost) many games when without Jason Williams (knee and finger). Some have come without Dwyane Wade (ankle).
And Shaquille O'Neal is still working his way back into playing shape.
The starters have only played a total of 14 games together, winning nine of them. Miami's players need to get healthy and build chemistry in order for improvements on defense to be evident.
Still, Miami could use more depth, especially at backup shooting guard and small forward. At power forward, Miami has to make due with undersized 6'8" forwards Udonis Haslem and Antoine Walker. And with Jason Kapono unable to crack the rotation, Miami lacks a reliable pure shooter.
One way Miami could go about adjusting the backcourt depth is by making Gerald Fitch the primary backup at point guard. Gary Payton then becomes the backup at shooting guard. Fitch has done a very nice job filling in for injured guards in his rookie year and both are excellent defenders. If and when it comes time to play a team like the Detroit Pistons, Miami would have good defensive talent coming off the bench to chase Billups and Hamilton around. In addition, Miami could continue to use variations of the three-guard lineup and be comfortable knowing another point guard is available.
None of these issues, however, would be as noticeable if Miami can execute on defense consistently. A healthy Miami Heat team that plays successful, consistent defense could do some serious damage this season. After all, with the players Miami has and a coach known for his focus on defense, anything less than ultimate success and a championship is a major letdown. |
