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-Kyrie, Wade-Jones, OG-LeBron, Love-Tucker, Zo-Ewing. Zo sags back on pick-and-rolls to guard against LeBron drives/Ewing rolls. Price vs. Kyrie is mutually assured destruction. We go more switch-heavy when Ariza and MoPete come in off the bench.
- Given that Zo outperformed Ewing in the chosen seasons, I'd argue we have the overall edge in top-end talent even with LeBron being the best player. Wade is one of the few perimeter players who can approach LeBron's level, especially with this level of spacing. (The Celtics had no answer for him in the 2010 playoffs despite the horrendous team around him.) Love is much more threatening as a stretch 4 than Tucker while being a far superior rebounder.
Good luck flaco.