Fire Spolestra or Trade Chris Bosh?
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:27 am
It's interesting that people keep talking about trading Bosh before firing Erik spoelatra.
Let me make my case for why Spoelstra should be fired before attempting to 'reconfigure' Miami's chemistry by trading Bosh.
Firstly: I don't think Spoelatra ever really watched and analyzed Chris Bosh while he played for Toronto. Often i hear this inane nonsense: "Bosh can't create his own offense".. REALLY? Is that why he averaged 24 points off 50% from the floor and went to the line nearly 10 times a game in his final season with the Raptors? Does a slimly built PF go to the line 10 times with his 'open shots' (as Steve Kerr averred, Bosh apparently only scores off hitting open jumpers, and not creating his own offense) or through taking it to the rim? Chris Bosh may be the QUICKEST legit 6'11 athlete the NBA has ever seen, and yet Erik Spoelstra has made scant use of it since Bosh came to Miami.
Now, I will admit that Bosh's poorly considered offseason weight gain has taken a toll on his overall floor speed; his first step is not as quick as it was last year. Notwithstanding that, this can be corrected. Come the offseason (it's dangerous to lose weight during a season schedule, his body could react badly and this is how injuries happen) he can lose the weight and get back to his usual figure.
Miami's offensive philosophy has been built around the quickness and play making abilities of James and Wade. This, by all means, sounds like a sound offensive philosophy, which it is. Problem is, I think Miami would be better served taking advantage of Bosh's low post game. Is this how Miami plays? No.
The vast majority of Chris Bosh's offensive productivity comes off open looks and the rare iso. This has to change. If Miami concentrated their half court offense MORE on Bosh and less on the running around the court of James and Wade, they would be way more succesful. Imagine: Bosh can easily beat most PF's off the dribble (this season may be different for reasons stated above) which makes him a low post threat. With smaller guys, he can back them in and hit the hookshot. Eventually, the defence would make the necessary adjustments to offset Bosh's lowpost threat; this adjustment would lead to doubleteaming him in the low post which open the lanes for James and Wade to take it hard to the rim.
Would this detract from Wade and James' blessed numbers? I don't think it would. Wade and James are most productive on the fast break. The only change I'm suggestng is in their half court ideology. Instead of it being run mostly through James and Wade, it should be run through Bosh - who in his raptor days should a prowess for drawing in defences with his ability to beat PFs/C's off the dribble.
The only explanation for why this strategy hasn't been pursued is Bosh's own timorous nature. He's all about 'team' - and being on a team with two superstars makes your voice smaller than it usually is. So, it remains not Bosh's prerogative to speak up, but for a competent coach to realize the viability of a new offensive approach; to make better use of the existing talent the Heat have.
It would be a shame for the Heat to trade Bosh before getting a Coach who makes better use of Bosh's copious offensive ability.
Let me make my case for why Spoelstra should be fired before attempting to 'reconfigure' Miami's chemistry by trading Bosh.
Firstly: I don't think Spoelatra ever really watched and analyzed Chris Bosh while he played for Toronto. Often i hear this inane nonsense: "Bosh can't create his own offense".. REALLY? Is that why he averaged 24 points off 50% from the floor and went to the line nearly 10 times a game in his final season with the Raptors? Does a slimly built PF go to the line 10 times with his 'open shots' (as Steve Kerr averred, Bosh apparently only scores off hitting open jumpers, and not creating his own offense) or through taking it to the rim? Chris Bosh may be the QUICKEST legit 6'11 athlete the NBA has ever seen, and yet Erik Spoelstra has made scant use of it since Bosh came to Miami.
Now, I will admit that Bosh's poorly considered offseason weight gain has taken a toll on his overall floor speed; his first step is not as quick as it was last year. Notwithstanding that, this can be corrected. Come the offseason (it's dangerous to lose weight during a season schedule, his body could react badly and this is how injuries happen) he can lose the weight and get back to his usual figure.
Miami's offensive philosophy has been built around the quickness and play making abilities of James and Wade. This, by all means, sounds like a sound offensive philosophy, which it is. Problem is, I think Miami would be better served taking advantage of Bosh's low post game. Is this how Miami plays? No.
The vast majority of Chris Bosh's offensive productivity comes off open looks and the rare iso. This has to change. If Miami concentrated their half court offense MORE on Bosh and less on the running around the court of James and Wade, they would be way more succesful. Imagine: Bosh can easily beat most PF's off the dribble (this season may be different for reasons stated above) which makes him a low post threat. With smaller guys, he can back them in and hit the hookshot. Eventually, the defence would make the necessary adjustments to offset Bosh's lowpost threat; this adjustment would lead to doubleteaming him in the low post which open the lanes for James and Wade to take it hard to the rim.
Would this detract from Wade and James' blessed numbers? I don't think it would. Wade and James are most productive on the fast break. The only change I'm suggestng is in their half court ideology. Instead of it being run mostly through James and Wade, it should be run through Bosh - who in his raptor days should a prowess for drawing in defences with his ability to beat PFs/C's off the dribble.
The only explanation for why this strategy hasn't been pursued is Bosh's own timorous nature. He's all about 'team' - and being on a team with two superstars makes your voice smaller than it usually is. So, it remains not Bosh's prerogative to speak up, but for a competent coach to realize the viability of a new offensive approach; to make better use of the existing talent the Heat have.
It would be a shame for the Heat to trade Bosh before getting a Coach who makes better use of Bosh's copious offensive ability.
