Miami Heat: Power Ranking LeBron James and the Top Defenders on the Team
Holding my breath as I type this, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat have appeared to hit their stride once again having won five out of the last six games. All of those wins were against teams with a record above .500, including two impressive wins over the elite Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.
A large part of the Heat's recent success has been their defense. In all of their last five wins, they have held opponents under 100 points. In four of those five wins, they have held opponents under 90 points.
Many find it puzzling that the Heat have shown such great potential on the defensive side of the ball this season, as many proclaimed heading into the year that defense would be one of this team's greatest weaknesses. After all, James and Wade have always been known for their offense, Bosh has always been said to be soft and they lack size down low.
However, though James and Wade are known for their offense, they have also been strong defensive players their entire careers, and they have each played huge roles in helping this team's defense surface as one of the league's best.
There may not be any notoriously tough defensive-minded players on this roster (at least not healthy at the moment), but this team has done a great job maximizing their defensive potential and playing suffocating team defense.
Let's take a look at the team's best players on the defensive side of the ball.
5. Mario Chalmers
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Mario Chalmers is a player who is still trying to find himself in good graces with a majority of Heat fans. Though he has been playing particularly better as of late up until his recent knee sprain, there are still plenty of fans in Miami who aren't sure what to think of Chalmers.
Regardless of what the fans may think, Chalmers has been the best defensive point guard on this Heat roster all year. He's the youngest, the most athletic and definitely the most aggressive on the defensive side of the ball.
Chalmers is currently third on the team in steals behind only James and Wade averaging just over 1.1 per game.
However, as aggressiveness defensively is one of his strengths, it's also one of his weaknesses. There have been plenty of times this year when Chalmers has been overzealous when guarding his man and has been called for unnecessary fouls.
If Chalmers can learn discipline and be able to control himself, he can turn into a very well-rounded point guard in this league.
4. Joel Anthony
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The only reason Joel Anthony isn't higher on this list is simply because of his size.
Though he does lead the team in blocks per game with 1.4, there are plenty of times when Anthony struggles down low against the bigger bodies of the league. There have even been several instances this year when Anthony hasn't seen the floor at all. However, with what he lacks in size, he makes up for with effort and tenacity.
He hasn't earned the nickname the "Warden" in South Florida for no reason.
3. Udonis Haslem
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If this were a power ranking of who has the most heart, Udonis Haslem would undoubtedly be number one.
The Heat have really missed his defensive presence down low this year, but more than anything they have missed his heart, his won't quit attitude, and his blue-collared playing style. Haslem is not afraid to get physical but he's also not afraid to sacrifice his body if needed.
Since coming to Miami he has embraced the Heat culture, as on a yearly basis Haslem leads the team in charges taken. Although he may not be able to contribute on offense as steadily as many hope upon his return, he should hopefully be able to give the Heat a little extra boost on the defensive side of the ball.
2. Dwyane Wade
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I know that many will probably want to debate this one.
Dwyane Wade has unlimited potential to be a great defensive player, he just doesn't put forth the effort on a consistent basis during the regular season. Being as injury plagued as he's become, can you blame him?
However, when Wade needs to step it up on defense, whether it's in big regular season games or in the post season, he does. We've already seen him take on the tiring task of guarding Kobe Bryant twice this year, and shut him down both times.
Wade also is second on the team in steals, averaging just over 1.4 per game. Somewhat shockingly to some, he's also second on the team on blocks per game, averaging 1.05 per game.
As we near closer to playoff time, there is no doubt he has turned it up another level on defense. Along with his usual stunning offensive highlight reels, there have been plenty of wowing defensive plays on Wade's part, from steals to monster blocks.
1. LeBron James
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Like his good friend Wade, LeBron James also at times has a habit of not putting forth the maximum effort on defense. However, also like his friend Wade, James turns his defensive presence up a few notches when needed.
His athleticism allows him to guard almost any player in the league outside of defending bigger forwards and centers in the post. And he's even done that a few times this year.
He's also quick, tall, and aggressive which allows him to stay on top of some of the best scoring threats in the league. James leads the team in steals, and although he doesn't lead the team in blocks, vivid images of James motoring down the court and sending players packing as they think they have an easy layup are not by any means in short supply.
In a nutshell, James has everything needed to be one of the best defensive players in the league—skill, knowledge, athleticism, and size.
