NBA Playoffs 2011: Should Celtics Focus on Stopping LeBron James or Dwyane Wade?
After the first two games of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat second-round clash, the Heat own a 2-0 series advantage headed into Boston. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have played a near flawless offense through two games, chipping in a combined 123 points in the first two games.
Putting the plethora of points scored into perspective: The Heat have scored a total of 201 points in the series, as James and Wade have accounted for over 61 percent of the scoring load.
The number one defense in the league in the regular season is seeing its struggles against the two talents, as the Celtics still lack the right game-plan to impede the production of either James or Wade. Through the first two games, the Celtics haven't seemed to pay special attention to either player, as the Heat have made them pay the price.
Join B/R and myself in going through the five reasons why stopping LeBron James is more important than stopping Dwyane Wade in trying to beat the Heat in the best-of-seven series.
5. An Effective Facilitator
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LeBron James is an accurate a passer as any forward in the league as his ability to rack up the assists has been put on display against the Boston Celtics this postseason.
James' full-court assist to Dwyane Wade, in what was referred to as a "Cam Newton" pass, was one of the better dimes this postseason may have to offer.
When it comes to allowing teammates to get cleaner, more open looks in the half-court set, James poses the bigger threat to the Celtics defense. In Game 1, James recorded five assists, five of which proved costly as some contributed to James Jones impressive 25-point night.
Many of James passes are on looks inside to the players like Joel Anthony and Bosh for easy buckets, as his height and strength advantage on defenders like Paul Pierce and Jeff Green allow for greater vision.
Dwyane Wade records just as many assist on the stat line, but the Celtics know that when help is brought in covering James, he more than likely will find the open teammate. Help defense for the Celtics could make or break the series for them, as passes from James and Wade on the inside will need to be contested by a weak-side defender.
4. Crashing the Glass
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LeBron James is as good as it gets at grabbing rebounds on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
In the last two contests against the Celtics, James has brought down 6.5 rebounds a contest, while managing to post three of the 13 rebounds on the offensive glass. It may be just three offensive rebounds, yet that's two better than Dwyane Wade.
Wade has posted just nine rebounds for the Heat in the first two games against the Celtics, including a one-rebound game in Game 1.
Going into Game 3, the Celtics must find an answer on the inside, as bench production on the glass has been an issue for the team throughout the 2011 NBA playoffs. Players like Glen Davis and Jeff Green will be key for the Celtics in controlling the battle of the boards.
3. Ability to Drive and Get to the Line
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Like any team in the league, the Boston Celtics know that stopping LeBron James from getting to his spot on the court is a top-priority.
When LeBron James puts that face on and turns the corner, that's when a team can face loads of trouble protecting the painted area.
The Celtics have shown after two games that beating the Miami Heat will have to consist of a game plan that involves tougher, more aggressive perimeter defense on James. In two games, James has been to the free-throw line 18 times.
Despite Dwyane Wade's 22 free throws in the series, he remains less of a threat for the Celtics defense getting to the line. LeBron James has the athletic ability to draw fouls and as quick a first step as any front court player his size.
Without Kendrick Perkins to protect the basket for the Celtics, both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have been able to get to the rim early and often in the series. More alert help defense and an emphasis on double-teams on his drives to the basket will key for the Celtics in slowing down James' offensive production.
2. The Numbers Don't Lie
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Clearly, LeBron James isn't phased by the Boston Celtics defense.
The stat line doesn't lie.
In the four regular season games against the Celtics, James averages 28.8 points, 48.8 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Through two games this postseason, James averages 28.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and shoots 50 percent from the field.
Dwyane Wade's play against the Celtics this season has been inconsistent, averaging 12.8 points, 5.3 turnovers and 28 percent shooting per game. Despite much improved play in the postseason, Wade doesn't get in the lane or hit shots as well as James does against the C's.
The Celtics understand that James is a player that can be streaky. Throwing different looks at James defensively throughout the course of the game will be crucial if the Celtics expect to take back control of the series.
1. The Better Leader and Winner
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The Boston Celtics know as well as any team that LeBron James can flat-out win basketball games single-handedly.
Going back to the old Cleveland Cavaliers days, James has been called upon to be a leader for his troops. When it comes to winning games, James can teach Dwyane Wade a thing or two.
Wade has an NBA championship under his belt, but he also had Shaquille O'Neal and a strong, versatile supporting cast. James Posey, Gary Payton, Udonis Haslem and Jason Kapono are a few of the players that made up the 2005-06 Heat championship roster.
James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to two consecutive 60-win seasons, including a 66-win season just two years ago. Last year's Cavaliers team would win 61 games in the regular season. In the postseason they would come up short to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.
James has had significantly less of a supporting cast than has Dwyane Wade since entering the league, as he led a struggling franchise to two of the better seasons in the team history.The Cavaliers are on hands and knees for James now, as this season they would record the longest losing streak in NBA history at 26 games.
If the Celtics know who needs to be stopped in order to win the series, the answer is LeBron James. Paul Pierce will have his hands full on the defensive end, as his defense on James may be the deciding factor in the series.
