Miami Heat: 5 Reasons Their Style of Offense Will Work in the NBA Playoffs
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat never fail to provide stunning highlight-reel plays in basketball arenas around the country. From fast breaks to jaw dropping slam dunks, spectators can always expect to be entertained when in the presence of the Heatles on the hardwood.
However, although very entertaining and exciting during the regular season, many have doubted whether or not the Heat's high-paced style of play will work during the postseason when the game tends to slow down and become more tedious.
People often refer back to the Phoenix Suns of a few years back, when they would repeatedly score 120 points a game during the regular season, yet failed to ever reach the finals.
This comparison is flawed for many reasons. The Miami Heat's style of play can in fact work in the playoffs, and here's why.
1. It's Proven
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Yes, the Miami Heat have struggled many times this year against the league's elite.
However, there have also been several statement games for Miami this year when they have proved that they can compete with anyone in the league. They swept the Lakers, blew out the Spurs, and also claimed two easy victories against Orlando.
The fact that they have pulled these feats off shows that Miami is more than capable of competing with anyone in the league, even if it comes time to compete in June when all the money is on the line.
However, by no means am I saying the Heat will run through the playoffs with ease. There are still many unanswered questions for Miami, particularly surrounding the issue of consistency. Honestly though, I do not in any way think that they're issues are as big as all of their doubters and the media make them out to be.
2. Athleticism
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This one is quite obvious, but also of course very necessary.
In order for a team to successfully run though the NBA playoffs and force teams to play their style of fast-paced basketball, they must have the athletes to do so.
The Miami Heat do.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are two of them, just for starters. Joel Anthony, though extremely offensively challenged, is also a great athlete. Mario Chalmers, Mike Bibby, Eddie House and James Jones are all also athletic enough to efficiently run the floor and create plays.
Don't forget about Chris Bosh, who is pretty quick for a big man.
In the end, though, you don't really need much more than James and Wade if you're worried about running the fast break. They can do just fine.
3. LeBron James
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Having the best player on the planet is never a bad thing.
LeBron James is just one of the factors that makes this team ever so dangerous on a nightly basis. When he's not knocking down mid-range jump shots, he's taking the ball to the rim hard. If he's having an off night on the offensive side of the ball, he'll make up for it with his defense or rebounds. Or both.
And lately, he's even shown to be getting progressively better in the post.
When it all comes down to it, you just can't complain when you have your 6'8", 250-pound forward charging down the open floor towards the basket with a head full of steam. Not too many people want to get in that man's path.
4. Dwyane Wade
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Dwyane Wade is the other head of the two-headed monster that goes by the name of James and Wade.
And this is why the Miami Heat are feared by so many throughout the league.
What's worse than LeBron James or Dwyane Wade streaking down the floor on a fast-break? Both of them streaking down the floor in tandem.
You can't help but feel bad for the opposing team's defenders, who often look lost. There are several options.
1. Foul them hard and send them to the line for free throws.
2. Go for the block and probably get posterized.
3. Get the heck out of the way and get a front row seat for another spectacular Wade to James, or James to Wade finish.
As you can see, it's basically a lose, lose, lose situation.
5. Defense
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In the end, the Heat's success will come full circle back to a mantra each player learned to keep close to heart when they joined the Miami Heat organization.
Defense comes first.
The players understand that without great defense, this team will fail. Why? Because this team creates a solid chunk of their points through lockdown defense. Turnovers, blocks and steals lead to easy fast-break baskets, and yes, more highlight reel dunks from James and Wade.
The fact that the Heat are a great defensive team will pay off very well for them come playoff time, when every game's intensity is brought to a new level and defense is the starting point for success.
Should the Heat slip on the defensive end, their chances to win decrease sufficiently. Sloppy defense of course means more points for the opposing team, but also more half court offense, which is no secret that the Heat struggle with.
However, don't expect the Heat to do anything but come out strong defensively on a nightly basis come postseason time. The players are simply too hungry for a championship not to.
