Miami Heat Woes: Five Simple Fixes to the Bulls' Game 1 Domination
First off, is there an uglier team in basketball than Chicago? Just had to get that out there.
The Bulls may have obliterated the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, but there’s no reason for panic.
A 103-82 pounding may look like the type of beating signifying a clear gap in ability between the two teams. However, with the way Miami lost, it is far from the case.
Everything that plagued the Heat last night is fixable. Here’s how.
1. Get back to the fundamentals of rebounding
The first lesson a player is taught when learning the skill of rebounding is to find his man, get low, get your ass on him, and close him out. Boxing out ain’t fun, but rebounding is a critical part of this game
Most of the Heat’s roster struggled painfully with this simple premise last night.
After going back to the tape, it was Bosh, Wade and James as some of the primary culprits. Against this juiced up Bulls team, they must rely more on fundamentals then natural athleticism. This isn’t the Boston Celtics where Miami can simply out-run and out-jump them to death.
Fan favorite Joel Anthony was also abused by Joakim Noah (14 boards, eight offensive), among others on the glass. His main problem is he’s such a threat as a shot-blocker that it often leaves him out of position. Noah crashes the glass quicker than any other big in the game. Joel can adjust by staying grounded more even if it’s at the cost of fewer blocked shots.
If the Heat plans on routinely giving up 31 second chance points, it won’t win one game against this team.
Rebounding is pure discipline and desire. It’s about who wants it more. Chicago did last night.
2. Operate from the post
No, the Heat doesn’t have any traditional post players. However, it doesn’t mean it can’t begin its offense closer to the basket. Get the primary scorers the ball within that 10-12 foot range and it will open up Miami’s offense.
Instead of having to get by two waves of the Chicago defense, one is eliminated. And is there a better passer alive out off the post than LeBron?
They need to make the game simpler without using so much exertion trying to dribble through the Chicago defense.
3. Bodies moving away from the ball
Much of the second half last night was the classic “Everyone stand around and watch the LeBron or Dwyane Show”. I think Wade had his hands in his pants for most of the second half because he sure wasn’t putting pressure on the defense away from the ball.
The Bulls were supposed to be the team lacking in firepower, not the star-studded Heat. When the Heat is at its best, bodies are moving on the weak side.
Chicago is too strong defensively to constantly attack off the dribble in isolation situations. The Bulls want teams to attack them straight up. Their entire defensive premise is to keep the dribble drive out of the paint.
Many think Chris Bosh had a fantastic game with his 30 points and nine rebounds. Although he played highly efficiently offensively (12-for-18 shooting), the way Chicago defended Miami as a whole, it wasn’t concerned in the least with him. Its plan was to shut Wade and James out at whatever costs, and it succeeded.
Wade has proven to be a lethal off-ball cutter when he chooses, but held back last night. Standing around is usually a product of fatigue, which then relates to extra defensive possessions because you don’t rebound the ball.
4. Increase the minutes of Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, even at 7’3″, is not the answer to the Heat’s issues. He’s a solid offensive rebounder, but throwing him against Noah on the defensive glass would be a nightmare. There’s a reason he was deactivated.
Haslem and Miller are two of the best rebounders on this team. They should be each playing at least 10 minutes a night, and I don’t care what they contribute offensively.
Domination on the glass correlates to wins every time, and Miami has to keep the rebounding margin close. It’s its primary goal at this point, and those two may not be where we want them to be right now, but they can be effective on the glass.
5. Up the intensity
The Bulls ravaged the Heat in hustle plays. They were clawing, diving and sprinting to every loose ball. They set the tone in the third quarter and the Heat never came close to matching it.
Everything mentioned on this list is fixable with some film study and diligence. There’s certainly plenty of hope for Miami.
If you’re going to have a duck game, Game 1 is the time for it. Remember, if you take one of two on the road to start a series, you’re in incredible shape.
