Miami Heat: Small Ball Or Two Bigs – Which Is The Best Lineup?
Shane Battier is often Erik Spoelstra’s first option for the small ball lineup, but is it the best unit for the Miami Heat? (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)
The Miami Heat are a team that has built an identity as an intense team that–more times than not–has the strength and depth to deal with any situation that may arise. However, it could be argued that even Erik Spoelstra himself doesn’t know which five can best get the job done. In fact, during the course of the 2012-13 regular season, Miami used more than 10 different players as part of the starting lineup. Albeit some were forced by injuries, most were Erik Spoelstra simply looking to spice things up and re-energize his team.
Which is their best line up: the small ball lineup that spreads the defense or the traditional two big men that helps against bigger teams?
Two Bigs: Chris Bosh (C), Udonis Haslem (PF), LeBron James (SF), Dwyane Wade (SG) Mario Chalmers (PG)
Last year, this was Erik Spoelstra’s preferred starting lineup, as they played more minutes together than any other Heat unit. And for the most part, the lineup worked relatively well, as Haslem was Miami’s best rebounder per 36 minutes overall with 10.3. However, as a whole, the unit was actually worse off rebounding wise with Haslem on the court.
Furthermore, in games where opposing teams had two skilled big men, such as Indiana, the Heat were better off playing this lineup despite having fewer blocks per game as Haslem’s toughness and defensive aptitude lent itself well to stopping–or at least slowing down–the opposition.
In 2013-14, Miami may be better suited to play Chris Bosh at his natural 4 position and help out on rebounds and have another big man play alongside him in such situations. Chris Andersen may be a viable candidate to man the middle thanks to his shot blocking prowess and ability to finish around the basket, but perhaps Greg Oden–who brings pretty much the same thing skill set as Andersen. Only difference is that Oden does it while being 7’ and 270 pounds. After all, what better way to defend a 7-footer than with another 7-footer?
Unfortunately, the main issue with that particular lineup–as always–is the health of Greg Oden, who is still in the process of a comeback after four years as a spectator.
If teams play zone just as San Antonio did during the Heat’s last preseason game on Saturday, Miami has excellent ball movement as well as shooters, just as the white-hot James Jones demonstrated with a 6-of-8 shooting master class from deep; four of them coming in the first quarter. And that was just the tip of the iceberg, as the likes of Ray Allen (all-time leader in 3-pointers made) and James (40 percent shooter last year) didn’t play.
Small Ball: Chris Bosh (C), LeBron James (F), Shane Battier (F), Dwyane Wade (SG), Mario Chalmers (PG)
The beauty of having a physical specimen with the skill of LeBron James is that you can essentially play him anywhere on the court and he will still find a way to be effective. And to have a defensive maestro with the smarts and shooting touch of Shane Battier makes for a lot of possibilities. That’s the sort of luxury coach Spo is working with his Miami Heat squad.
Unfortunately for the Heat, the Brooklyn Nets exposed the main weakness of the small ball lineup as Shane Battier started in place of Udonis Haslem and Brooklyn ran away 86-62 winners, thanks in large to their huge 53-31 rebound margin.
Nevertheless, the small ball lineup did work as it created more room to operate for the Big Three with Chris Bosh and James each having 16 points in the contest.
So then, which is better?
The answer, simply put, is neither. Both lineups have their own strengths as well as weaknesses. Plus the fact that Erik Spoelstra can quickly decipher the situation and easily adjust means he has Plan B waiting in the wings whenever necessary. Besides, having the best player on the planet doesn’t hurt either.
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