Wade in a funk? or Bulls D on Wade?

[jmbflame21]

I have no doubt in my mind that Dwade wil show up if we make it to the finals

[andremcosta]

Bulls defense is terrific.

Despite of 3-1 it's been a hell of a series.

All 3 games we won were kinda close.

Since Dallas defense is worse, I think he'll play much more confortable.

[andremcosta]

Bulls defense is terrific.

Despite of 3-1 it's been a hell of a series.

All 3 games we won were kinda close.

Since Dallas defense is worse, I think he'll play much more confortable, in case we advance.

[bemzk]

Bulls defense is terrific.

Despite of 3-1 it's been a hell of a series.

All 3 games we won were kinda close.

Since Dallas defense is worse, I think he'll play much more confortable, in case we advance.

Dallas will go Zone against us, so there will be problems driving to the lane.

[NewAge2012]

For some reason, I would say it appears DWade is injured. Don’t know if it occurred during our last game of the series against BOS, where in the dying seconds of the game, he dove into the stands trying to secure the HEAT’s last possession.

What’s the best zone buster? Our Big 3 having their perimeter game working like a well-oiled machine. After facing some of the toughest D MIA will face during these playoffs, we’ll be properly prepared to put a hurtin on Dirk & Cuban’s feelings again. One thing is for certain, all those opportunities Nowitzki, Terry, Stojakovic, Barea & Kidd were having from beyond the arc against LAL & OKC will be non-existent against MIA.

[jagz]

Rhythm. Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm.

Earlier in the year, I participated in some discussions about the James/Wade oncourt dynamic, and I mentioned that there were rhythm issues between them. They solved them by equalizing ballhandling responsibilities, but now they are re-emerging.

However, that's not even the biggest factor. The biggest factor is the emergence of Bosh.

Obviously, you can't fault James or Bosh for the way they've played. They've carried us. If Bosh hadn't covered the slack, The Heat lose this series and Wade is a national scapegoat.

But, what you have to understand is that there are tradeoffs. It's not even tied to number of shots/ touches so much as it is the timing of those shots and touches and the pattern of them.

How many times throughout his career have you seen Wade start out 2/10 or 3/10, and finish 12/23 or 13/23? But, now if he starts out for 2/10, and LeBron is in the flow and Bosh is playing well also, he might only get 5 or 6 more takes the rest of the game. Especially in the playoffs, where every possession is crucial.

As well as LeBron has been playing, he's obviously going to get his plurality of touches, but now that Bosh is asserting himself also, it's cutting into Wade's share. Particularly, since Bosh is becoming aggressive in the 4th quarters now also. Instead of LeBron making 50% of the plays and Wade making 50% plays, LeBron is making 50% (or more) of them, and Bosh wants to make 25% of them. For a player like Wade, who thrives in 4th quarter situations, he needs to make more than a 1/4 of the plays to see if he can locate that end-game dominance that lies inside of him.

None of this absolves Wade. He's got to make more shots and play better. I'm not excusing the way he's played, I'm just explaining it. There are rthythms to dominance, and the Heat's changing oncourt dynamic is affecting Wade's ability to get into rhythm.

[andremcosta]

As well as LeBron has been playing, he's obviously going to get his plurality of touches, but now that Bosh is asserting himself also, it's cutting into Wade's share. Particularly, since Bosh is becoming aggressive in the 4th quarters now also. Instead of LeBron making 50% of the plays and Wade making 50% plays, LeBron is making 50% (or more) of them, and Bosh wants to make 25% of them. For a player like Wade, who thrives in 4th quarter situations, he needs to make more than a 1/4 of the plays to see if he can locate that end-game dominance that lies inside of him.

None of this absolves Wade. He's got to make more shots and play better. I'm not excusing the way he's played, I'm just explaining it. There are rthythms to dominance, and the Heat's changing oncourt dynamic is affecting Wade's ability to get into rhythm.

I see no problem in this. Lebron is delivering in the 4th quarter. Wade still is a beast defending and in transition, something no slump will take away from him.

And that's the point of having 3 superstars. You always have someone to carry the load.

If you assume it's a collective game, you simply don't mind who's the one winning the game, and there's no problem with Wade making 20-25% of the plays.

In fact I'm much more confortable with Lebron having the ball in 4th quarter half-court situations. Like I said, Wade's suffocating defense and transition game is enough alongside Lebron clutchness to give us victories. And he's also an option when receiving the ball in good spots.


I really believe that some haters really want Heat to win with Lebron playing bad and Wade being the MVP, so they can say Lebron is a second option. Not sure how many Heat fans have that in mind, but for sure a lot of Heat haters would be very happy to see a ring with Lebron as a second man, because they just want to say Lebron is not that good enough to lead a team.

[DWadeno3]

As well as LeBron has been playing, he's obviously going to get his plurality of touches, but now that Bosh is asserting himself also, it's cutting into Wade's share. Particularly, since Bosh is becoming aggressive in the 4th quarters now also. Instead of LeBron making 50% of the plays and Wade making 50% plays, LeBron is making 50% (or more) of them, and Bosh wants to make 25% of them. For a player like Wade, who thrives in 4th quarter situations, he needs to make more than a 1/4 of the plays to see if he can locate that end-game dominance that lies inside of him.

None of this absolves Wade. He's got to make more shots and play better. I'm not excusing the way he's played, I'm just explaining it. There are rthythms to dominance, and the Heat's changing oncourt dynamic is affecting Wade's ability to get into rhythm.

I see no problem in this. Lebron is delivering in the 4th quarter. Wade still is a beast defending and in transition, something no slump will take away from him.

And that's the point of having 3 superstars. You always have someone to carry the load.

If you assume it's a collective game, you simply don't mind who's the one winning the game, and there's no problem with Wade making 20-25% of the plays.

In fact I'm much more confortable with Lebron having the ball in 4th quarter half-court situations. Like I said, Wade's suffocating defense and transition game is enough alongside Lebron clutchness to give us victories. And he's also an option when receiving the ball in good spots.


I really believe that some haters really want Heat to win with Lebron playing bad and Wade being the MVP, so they can say Lebron is a second option. Not sure how many Heat fans have that in mind, but for sure a lot of Heat haters would be very happy to see a ring with Lebron as a second man, because they just want to say Lebron is not that good enough to lead a team.

You simply go with who is doing well in the game. Dwyane's been in a funk as of late, he'll get out of it. We had stretches where Wade was our so called "closer" as well. People tend to make a big deal out of nothing. In fact, I thought in the last game Bosh was somewhat our closer offensively, as he made the big shot. But in reality, this whole "who's got the bigger balls and closes games" discussion is something for haters and player fans. I just want the Heat to score more points than the opposition. It's been annoying me all year how people were trying to prove a point on this. LeBron was a good closer prior to these playoffs and Wade is still someone I trust a 100% to close a game out down the stretch as well.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

I think the rhythm thing is an excuse, its more shot selection and just plain poor play than anything else. He still gets the ball plenty. Its not like he's only getting 10 shots a game or something.

If you watched the 4th quarter of game 4, Wade wasn't even trying to get the ball, he knew he didn't have it going. But credit to him for stepping up in OT.

[TheAnkh]

I think you can credit the Bulls D to an extent, but I would say their success has been pinned on taking advantage of our shoddy offensive structure. A lot of the times, I see us getting Wade the ball on or near the baseline with very little room to work and where the Bulls D can crowd him and double him a lot easier. This leads to turnovers and horrific shot selection by Wade (something he is not excused from, because all he has to do is assert himself and ask for the ball in his spots rather than in places where he's treated more as a role player than a franchise player). I for one see far too many plays with LeBron dribbling for long periods of time and Wade standing in the corner with his hands on his knees.

I would love if there was some type of analysis that showed his conversion rate when starting off with the ball at certain areas of the floor. I truly feel thats a big part of his struggles.

[Morten]

Both.