StartersC - Alonzo Mourning (1999-00)
PF - Kevin Love (2017-18)
SF - OG Anunoby (2019-20)
SG - Dwyane Wade (2009-10)
PG - Mark Price (1991-92)
BenchF - Trevor Ariza (2012-13)
F/G - Morris Peterson (2003-04)
G - Antonio Daniels (2006-07)
Rotations C - Mourning (38), Love (10)
PF - Love (26), Anunoby (12), Ariza (10)
SF - Anunoby (22), Ariza (16), Peterson (10)
SG - Wade (38), Peterson (10)
PG - Price (37), Daniels (11)
FGA Per PlayerWade can be tricky to build around, but we managed it pretty well with elite shooters at PG and PF, plus a clutch of solid 3-and-D guys in OG, Ariza, and MoPete. That opens up the lane for Wade's slashing game as well as Zo's exploits in the mid-to-low post. Price is a great PG to pair with a Wade type as he's a dynamic creator who also generates an off-ball threat with his shooting. Love gives us plenty of options as he can run pick-and-pops/DHOs with Wade or Price, or simply spot up and space the floor, plus he can still crush smaller defenders on the block. Defensively, Price and Love are the weak spots, but we have amazing help defenders in Zo and Wade, along with the aforementioned trio of wing stoppers, to plug the gaps.
Matchup- Assignments to start will be Price-Green, Wade-Harden, OG-Doc, Love-Horford, Zo-KG. MoPete and Ariza will see time on Harden and Doc respectively off the bench. Our more switchable bench group matches up well with durantbird going smaller.
- This is a favourable matchup for our backcourt. 2021 Green has lost much of his previous quickness, and is more suited to defending bigger wings than an explosive guard like Wade. RoCo isn't that great of a one-on-one defender to me either - what makes him special is his help defense. Meanwhile, Harden trying to stay in front of Price is a harrowing prospect. Both guards will be able to get downhill and wreak havoc.
- Harden's spread pick-and-roll loses some of its edge when guys like Doc and Cheeks who don't shoot threes are playing big minutes. Younger Harden had the explosiveness to get where he needed even without a Moreyball setup, but this version needs a more favourable ecosystem. Conversely, Wade here is at or near the peak of his powers, and was able to light up a great Boston defense for 33.2 ppg on 65% TS despite playing on a Heat team with mediocre shooting and post-prime Jermaine O'Neal as his second best player.
Good luck durantbird.