Spo & 2014 Issues
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:11 am
Instead of having 5 threads about this topic, I thought it would be ideal to post here. So far this season, we've seen our Ups and Downs. We are reminded at every corner that were pacing our self's and not to worry. Yes we have won 2 titles! But let’s not forget what we had to do to get there and how close we were to being 0-3 in the BIG 3 era. But let’s forget about the last 2 years. Because well! This is a new year and new changes are here. So why are we looking at last year to answer everything about this year.
1. Small Ball! Yes it won us a series vs. OKC but is it really working year in and year out? Last year vs. Pacers we almost lost trying to play Battier on West. We almost lost to Bulls till we played UD. But since it worked on OKC and SAS, all we have seen is small ball. But to this season! Yes the team is pacing themselves! I would agree. But that's another reason why it’s so DUMB! We aren't playing as hard! Were not fighting for every inch! You know why? Because it’s the regular season! It’s the same thing that happened last 2 years during regular season but this is the first year is the first were we went small from day 1! So I ask why run a season that demands so much of a team that clearly isn't looking to play at 1000%? It’s being short sided! Small Ball works vs. some but it isn't the answer to all. Shane Battier is great but you can't expect a 6"8 210 SF to defend PF's every day! It’s the reason why were almost dead last in rebounding! It’s the reason why, team can get wide open shots on us. You move the ball and were not chasing it! So once again, I ask anyone who supports Spo and sees this system as working right now to please tell me why? Explain to me why Small Ball is the right system for this team right now? It may work in the playoffs (when we’re giving 1000%) and versus some teams (OKC, SAS, NY) but why are we trying it now? But this topic leads me to my next point...
2. Rotation! What are we doing with this? Every week, were looking down the line and Spo is trying to force feed players into the rotation. At no point in NBA history has Lewis/UD front-line being a good idea. At no point is it ok to insert Roger Mason when he doesn't understand the system. At no point is it ok to bench the hot hand for well, whatever player was supposed to come in during that time of the rotation. This "System' is very difficult to master and yet every week your taking out someone for some you feel "Deserves" to be back in the rotation. I understand that maybe the "System" is draining and that's why you’re doing this but doesn't that say something about the "System". My god Spo! Does this team a favor and figure out the best 9 and take out the bias and do what’s best for THIS TEAM and not what you feel is best for 2009-2014. Who care what UD has done for us! UD wants Rings more than minutes! Lewis is happy collecting a check! So to those that like what Spo is doing, please explain to me, why this rotation is working?
3. Beasley! Well this is an easy one! Can someone explain to me with a logical response, why Lewis is playing ahead of Beasley? Look at the numbers and there in Beasley's favor in a landslide. You say D? Well Lewis isn't winning any awards. You say Rebounds? UD isn't grabbing any? You say Size? Well All 3 are about the same size? But fine! You found a single thing UD/Lewis does better than Beasley but does that make up for the fact that neither can hold a candle to Beasley on offense? We need playmakers that relieve LeBron! So why are we benching them for those that can't create or do anything? Today we gave up million points and we have up 48 rebounds! Instead of looking for issues in Beasley, why can't we work with what he can give us? Why after a few months of solid basketball where he hit game winners, played one on one D to win games, did he get benched for a player like Lewis? Clearly there is more to this story but stats don't lie, the only reason Beasley is sitting is because of Spo.
4. Lewis! Can someone explain to me what Lewis has done to deserve these minutes? 43% shooting? Beasley at 50%? Could it be rebounding? 1.9rpg in 18mpg? Beasley at 3.8 in 16mpg? Could it be scoring? 4.8 for Lewis? 9.4 for Beasley? Ok maybe its ball movement! 1 assists for Lewis and .6 for Beasley! so one less pass! I got it! It must be floor spacing! Lewis is known as a shooter! Lewis is 35% this year from down town! Beasley? 46%! So I ask the question? Why is Lewis ahead of Beasley? If we’re talking about how we care less and want to get through the regular season? Why wouldn't we use a guy that takes some pressure off LeBron and helps us during the regular season? Hmm......I'll wait for someone response on this as I'm sure its "Beasley's a knucklehead", "Beasley doesn't practice hard", "Beasley don't play defense"(Yea because Lewis does), "Beasley has to earn those minutes"(Because Lewis clearly has). If after 2 months of good play and terrible play of the player in front of him, doesn't earn him minutes, why sign him in the first place or have him on roster? It’s a waste of talent by Spo. Riley had the right vision but once again, Spo is holding back this team.
5. UD! I love this guy! The heart of Miami! Mr. 305! But why is it that at every turn, Spo is trying to find a reason to play him. Today, when being killed inside, we went with UD instead of Bird? Every time, the game is on the line, we try to bring in UD as if he is ALL Defense 1st Team. The guy has become an all time bad offensive shooter. I haven't done the numbers but I'm guessing last year isn't much different that then year! You ask what those numbers are. Last year Haslem averaged on spot-up jumpers just 29.5 percent! YES 29.5 percent! Your eyes aren't lying to you! From mid-range his accuracy rises slightly to 31 percent, which is still abysmal by his standards and the league! So I ask? Why are we playing UD? If we’re talking about 2014 and only this year, it’s foolish to put UD on the floor. Ok let’s stop talking about the offensive end of the floor! He must be in the game due to rebounding? Right? Well UD is averaging this year 2.9 rebounds, which puts him around the league average. So please I'll leave this topic to re-open the conversation. Why has UD done to earn his rotation minutes? And let’s not forget he re-earned those minutes after 1 game! Not a month but after 1 game, Spo declared him back!
So I ask the question? Are we being put in a position to succeed or a position to fail? I for one bet on LeBron/Wade/Bosh coming through when needed but ask yourself! If it wasn't for the greatness of Bron, are we being put in position to win? Are we playing the right system for this year? Is this regular season setting us up to fail?
1. Small Ball! Yes it won us a series vs. OKC but is it really working year in and year out? Last year vs. Pacers we almost lost trying to play Battier on West. We almost lost to Bulls till we played UD. But since it worked on OKC and SAS, all we have seen is small ball. But to this season! Yes the team is pacing themselves! I would agree. But that's another reason why it’s so DUMB! We aren't playing as hard! Were not fighting for every inch! You know why? Because it’s the regular season! It’s the same thing that happened last 2 years during regular season but this is the first year is the first were we went small from day 1! So I ask why run a season that demands so much of a team that clearly isn't looking to play at 1000%? It’s being short sided! Small Ball works vs. some but it isn't the answer to all. Shane Battier is great but you can't expect a 6"8 210 SF to defend PF's every day! It’s the reason why were almost dead last in rebounding! It’s the reason why, team can get wide open shots on us. You move the ball and were not chasing it! So once again, I ask anyone who supports Spo and sees this system as working right now to please tell me why? Explain to me why Small Ball is the right system for this team right now? It may work in the playoffs (when we’re giving 1000%) and versus some teams (OKC, SAS, NY) but why are we trying it now? But this topic leads me to my next point...
2. Rotation! What are we doing with this? Every week, were looking down the line and Spo is trying to force feed players into the rotation. At no point in NBA history has Lewis/UD front-line being a good idea. At no point is it ok to insert Roger Mason when he doesn't understand the system. At no point is it ok to bench the hot hand for well, whatever player was supposed to come in during that time of the rotation. This "System' is very difficult to master and yet every week your taking out someone for some you feel "Deserves" to be back in the rotation. I understand that maybe the "System" is draining and that's why you’re doing this but doesn't that say something about the "System". My god Spo! Does this team a favor and figure out the best 9 and take out the bias and do what’s best for THIS TEAM and not what you feel is best for 2009-2014. Who care what UD has done for us! UD wants Rings more than minutes! Lewis is happy collecting a check! So to those that like what Spo is doing, please explain to me, why this rotation is working?
3. Beasley! Well this is an easy one! Can someone explain to me with a logical response, why Lewis is playing ahead of Beasley? Look at the numbers and there in Beasley's favor in a landslide. You say D? Well Lewis isn't winning any awards. You say Rebounds? UD isn't grabbing any? You say Size? Well All 3 are about the same size? But fine! You found a single thing UD/Lewis does better than Beasley but does that make up for the fact that neither can hold a candle to Beasley on offense? We need playmakers that relieve LeBron! So why are we benching them for those that can't create or do anything? Today we gave up million points and we have up 48 rebounds! Instead of looking for issues in Beasley, why can't we work with what he can give us? Why after a few months of solid basketball where he hit game winners, played one on one D to win games, did he get benched for a player like Lewis? Clearly there is more to this story but stats don't lie, the only reason Beasley is sitting is because of Spo.
4. Lewis! Can someone explain to me what Lewis has done to deserve these minutes? 43% shooting? Beasley at 50%? Could it be rebounding? 1.9rpg in 18mpg? Beasley at 3.8 in 16mpg? Could it be scoring? 4.8 for Lewis? 9.4 for Beasley? Ok maybe its ball movement! 1 assists for Lewis and .6 for Beasley! so one less pass! I got it! It must be floor spacing! Lewis is known as a shooter! Lewis is 35% this year from down town! Beasley? 46%! So I ask the question? Why is Lewis ahead of Beasley? If we’re talking about how we care less and want to get through the regular season? Why wouldn't we use a guy that takes some pressure off LeBron and helps us during the regular season? Hmm......I'll wait for someone response on this as I'm sure its "Beasley's a knucklehead", "Beasley doesn't practice hard", "Beasley don't play defense"(Yea because Lewis does), "Beasley has to earn those minutes"(Because Lewis clearly has). If after 2 months of good play and terrible play of the player in front of him, doesn't earn him minutes, why sign him in the first place or have him on roster? It’s a waste of talent by Spo. Riley had the right vision but once again, Spo is holding back this team.
5. UD! I love this guy! The heart of Miami! Mr. 305! But why is it that at every turn, Spo is trying to find a reason to play him. Today, when being killed inside, we went with UD instead of Bird? Every time, the game is on the line, we try to bring in UD as if he is ALL Defense 1st Team. The guy has become an all time bad offensive shooter. I haven't done the numbers but I'm guessing last year isn't much different that then year! You ask what those numbers are. Last year Haslem averaged on spot-up jumpers just 29.5 percent! YES 29.5 percent! Your eyes aren't lying to you! From mid-range his accuracy rises slightly to 31 percent, which is still abysmal by his standards and the league! So I ask? Why are we playing UD? If we’re talking about 2014 and only this year, it’s foolish to put UD on the floor. Ok let’s stop talking about the offensive end of the floor! He must be in the game due to rebounding? Right? Well UD is averaging this year 2.9 rebounds, which puts him around the league average. So please I'll leave this topic to re-open the conversation. Why has UD done to earn his rotation minutes? And let’s not forget he re-earned those minutes after 1 game! Not a month but after 1 game, Spo declared him back!
So I ask the question? Are we being put in a position to succeed or a position to fail? I for one bet on LeBron/Wade/Bosh coming through when needed but ask yourself! If it wasn't for the greatness of Bron, are we being put in position to win? Are we playing the right system for this year? Is this regular season setting us up to fail?
