Starting Lewis

[Smash3]

I think it is time to shake it up, Rashard is in form again, last year he was still regaining his form after a two year rehabilitation with various knee problems. I think a lineup of Mario-Wade-Bron-Lewis-Bosh will do very good in the first quarters, yes we will suffer at times when it comes to rebounding, but Haslem isn´t really going to help in that regard anyway.

With Lewis in the starting lineup we´ll have much more flexibility and less slow starts, everyone in the starting lineups are willing passers so the offense will flow better, and create more space for Wade and Bron. I am not saying we should increase Lewis minutes by a lot more but 2-3min extra so we don´t always rely on our bench to make up for the slow starts.

Finally I think the 4 rotation should be: Lewis-Battier-Beasley and then Haslem. I know Haslem means a lot to this team but at this point I think this rotation makes more sense during the regular season. Yes Beasley has to stay hungry but we also have to capitalize on what he can bring to the table, because if he is capable this will only be a 1 year rental.

Agree, disagree?

[shanedude]

Do it.

[ifrosty13]

I like the idea for right now, the more I think of it.

Crazy think is that we have the perfect mix of Haslem/Lewis in Beasley. If we can get this guys head right, and work his strengths around the team, all our PF troubles would be gone.

[caliban]

As much as it pains me to say, I agree. As you said, Rashard looks much better and for the first time outside of last years late stage playoff I feel like Haslem isn't pulling his own weight. This is something that has been evident by the porous start of games which wasn’t the case last season. This might be premature but I think this is where we have to accept that the Warrior is a situational player and not someone that helps the offense with the necessary spacing for LeWade’s driven/cutting game or muscle along Bosh against bruising PF/C around the league. Outside of the surprisingly positive start from the backup back-court pairing of Allen/Cole, Yea! which was a huge liability last season, I think the possible resurgence of Lewis has been the most promising occurrence so far this season.

Edit: Should also ad that it worth remembering that Haslem had a Knee-surgery this summer which is something that might delay such a decision from Spoelstra in hope of more life from Haslems legs even if he would think it's time.

[heatlespeatles]

he can't defend, he would get crushed in the post.

[mopper8]

I'm game, I think Spo has been auditioning Lewis for the role, he's been getting minutes in the 2nd quarter with the other starters (Big 3 + Chalmers). But I doubt it happens until games 10-15. Spo will give Haslem time to figure it out.

In the long run, this team is better if Haslem is able to contribute, and you don't pull the plug on trying to get him going in Nov because he's looked bad for 5 games. This, btw, is also why Spo will stick with small lineups even if they're getting killed on the glass. In the playoffs, we are going to need to play those lineups sometimes, and when we do, they'll need to rebound. You try to work through it now so it's problem-free later. But given how they both look, I don't know that working through it with Haslem is going to work unfortunately. Hope otherwise.

[Smash3]

I'm game, I think Spo has been auditioning Lewis for the role, he's been getting minutes in the 2nd quarter with the other starters (Big 3 + Chalmers). But I doubt it happens until games 10-15. Spo will give Haslem time to figure it out.

In the long run, this team is better if Haslem is able to contribute, and you don't pull the plug on trying to get him going in Nov because he's looked bad for 5 games. This, btw, is also why Spo will stick with small lineups even if they're getting killed on the glass. In the playoffs, we are going to need to play those lineups sometimes, and when we do, they'll need to rebound. You try to work through it now so it's problem-free later. But given how they both look, I don't know that working through it with Haslem is going to work unfortunately. Hope otherwise.

I wouldn´t say necessary pull the plug on him, give him less minutes and just not with the starting lineup. As you say I don´t think working through with Haslem is going to work either. The spacing is a problem and players would rather give Haslem the jumper then let Bron and Wade attack the rim and his shot is not what it used to be obviously. With Lewis out there they would have to guard him similarly to Bosh creating way more space.

Also with a healthier Lewis he seems to be much less of a defensive liability so in many ways it makes a lot of sense. At the end of the day Haslem will still be able to contribute but he is probably better off with the second crew along with Wade or Bron. Where his contributions will have more impact considering our second crew relies more heavily on treys his hustle and rebounding could be key there.

[Pure_Basketball]

I don't like it. I think we should go
Chalmers | Wade | Lebron | Bosh | Anderson

Set the tone with defense and rebounding from the start of the game. At about the 8 minute mark, move Bosh to center and bring in Lewis to power forward and give Anderson a breather.

[TRG]

I don't like it. I think we should go
Chalmers | Wade | Lebron | Bosh | Anderson

Set the tone with defense and rebounding from the start of the game. At about the 8 minute mark, move Bosh to center and bring in Lewis to power forward and give Anderson a breather.

Not enough floor spacing with that line up.

One of the most underrated advantages we have on this team is Bosh's ability to pull opposing C's out of the paint.

[Pure_Basketball]

I don't like it. I think we should go
Chalmers | Wade | Lebron | Bosh | Anderson

Set the tone with defense and rebounding from the start of the game. At about the 8 minute mark, move Bosh to center and bring in Lewis to power forward and give Anderson a breather.

Not enough floor spacing with that line up.

One of the most underrated advantages we have on this team is Bosh's ability to pull opposing C's out of the paint.

There is enough, you have 3 shooters, a guy crashing the offensive glass and Wade doing his thing. We're much better defensively and securing the rebounds too, it's not all about offense. Bosh is a good rebounding power forward and a sucky rebounding center, think about it.

[DefenseWins]

Birdman would never start for this team I don't think. It's usually the PF position that is changed. They don't change it because Bosh is the one who should be drawing the Center position players AWAY from the basket. Birdman doesn't do that. UD can somewhat do that when his jumper is on. Both Bosh and UD when they hit their jumpers can move the big players away from the basket. We've seen it against the Pacers in the playoffs, it's the best example of that.

I'm all for Lewis starting, but I think if we continue to win, we won't see any changes. UD tonight looked like he had a pulse, as long as that happens he remains in the starting line up. I feel like they will force him playing time unless they have to make drastic changes. If we're losing, they will shake things up. So far, we are on a 3 game win streak and counting.

Lewis is just there right now to relieve Battier and Bron these days. I notice Bron's minutes aren't even past 40 yet and some of his minutes are given to Lewis. A lot of players minutes aren't exceptionally high to begin with. Spo's just making the best of his bench.

I mean having UD come off the bench to play with 2 shooters, Birdman and Wade/LBJ...? I'm sure the Heat would rather have 3 3point shooter threats, Birdman and LBJ/Wade out there instead.

[mopper8]

Andersen basically can't play more than 20 without getting gassed. I think Spo likes the flexibility of being able to bring him in whenever he wants and manage those minutes accordingly.

[HeatNation88]

Rather have Lewis over Haslem in the starting lineup.

[Rock Hardy]

He probably needs to defend better before that becomes a reality. I like him too, but I'm not sure starting him would be such a great idea since his post defense is non-existent.

[EscapoTHB]

It's more likely Battier starts, yeah? And then Lewis would get Battier's backup minutes. Hard to imagine Lewis starting on this team, considering his defensive frailties.

He does look good this year though. He's keeping Beasley off the court.

[ifrosty13]

Actually that was something I couldn't quite understand. We went most of the year with Battier at the 4.. Why did we get out of that? Especially now that he's shooting lights out.

[mopper8]

Battier started ~16 games last year, but it was clearly killing him physically. Then we went to Shard for a few games, then Haslem started most of the year after that, up until the Finals.

[RexBoyWonder]

I dont think it really matters who we start, it's all about minutes distribution at SF and PF positions.

The only real constant is Lebron. He's a lock to play 36+ minutes at SF.

that leaves us with 60 minutes (12 at SF + 48 at PF) to fill with these 4 players :

Haslem
Battier
Lewis
Beasley

To me, Battier is the other lock besides Lebron - Shane should get 20-26 minutes any time he's healthy and feeling well. That's enough playing time to keep him in rhythm but not wear him out during a long season. He's the best defender, smartest and on most nights the best fit overall. He just earned those minutes with his recent play.

So now we're left with 34-40 minutes for these 3 players : Haslem, Lewis and Beasley.

Right now, Haslem is playing the most minutes out of those 3, Lewis plays less, and Beasley isn't really playing.

IMO as time passes and our rotation develops - Beasley should get the most minutes, Lewis should play less then him, and UD should hardly play at all unless we want him for a specific matchup.

Basically, Battier and Beas should carry most of the load with Lewis providing good but limited minutes, and Haslem used only as situational player.

Ideal estimated averages :

Battier - 24 minutes
Beasley - 22 minutes
Lewis - 9 minutes
Haslem - 5 minutes

If Beas or Battier get into a bad shooting slump, Lewis can get steal some of their minutes for a night or 2.

[WD]

UD needs to start with LEWIS first off the bench...you can't throw UD to the curb....give lewis more of UD minutes if you want, but if ERIC thinks he should start, he should start

[JimBeanz]

I dont think it really matters who we start, it's all about minutes distribution at SF and PF positions.

The only real constant is Lebron. He's a lock to play 36+ minutes at SF.

that leaves us with 60 minutes (12 at SF + 48 at PF) to fill with these 4 players :

Haslem
Battier
Lewis
Beasley

To me, Battier is the other lock besides Lebron - Shane should get 20-26 minutes any time he's healthy and feeling well. That's enough playing time to keep him in rhythm but not wear him out during a long season. He's the best defender, smartest and on most nights the best fit overall. He just earned those minutes with his recent play.

So now we're left with 34-40 minutes for these 3 players : Haslem, Lewis and Beasley.

Right now, Haslem is playing the most minutes out of those 3, Lewis plays less, and Beasley isn't really playing.

IMO as time passes and our rotation develops - Beasley should get the most minutes, Lewis should play less then him, and UD should hardly play at all unless we want him for a specific matchup.

Basically, Battier and Beas should carry most of the load with Lewis providing good but limited minutes, and Haslem used only as situational player.

Ideal estimated averages :

Battier - 24 minutes
Beasley - 22 minutes
Lewis - 9 minutes
Haslem - 5 minutes

If Beas or Battier get into a bad shooting slump, Lewis can get steal some of their minutes for a night or 2.

I agree, good post.

Surely with Rashard/Beasly being 6'10 and UD being 6'8, giving Rashard/Beasly extra minutes shouldn't hurt our atrocious rebounding? (I am also factoring in how slow/unathletic UD has looked lately)

And now that I think of it, does our offensive output improve when we play:

Chalmers , Ray/Wade , LeBron , Battier/Lewis/Beasly , Bosh ??

Because those lineups have 5 legitimate 3pt shooters which I imagine would be difficult to defend. Would be interesting to see the statistics.