If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
That must be Boston’s modo when facing the Miami Heat. It’s no surprise Kevin Garnett threw some fake elbows last night…he’s really just a fake center like Bosh. Doc Rivers paid a lot of lip service to the signing of Darko Milicic in training camp only to cement him to the bench against the smaller, quicker Heat on opening night. I’m not buying the sore wrist story, ‘Uncle Darko’ is just fine.
While opposing coaches like Rivers rack their brains trying to find a way to match up against Lebron, Dwyane, and the ‘Heatles’ they’re really missing the big picture. It’s not possible to beat them playing their way…you have to try and make them matchup with you. Coach Spo’s ”position-less basketball” is just another way of saying I have no big men.
That’s why I think the Pacers and 76ers have a better chance of upsetting the Heat this season in their quest for back-to-back rings. Roy Hibbert and Andrew Bynum (when healthy) will force Chris Bosh and the other Miami “big men” to adjust to them. It’ll force Erik Spoelstra’s hand, something he hasn’t had to do since trailing 1-2 against Indiana last postseason.
Just 5 minutes of Darko Milicic last night would’ve gone a long way in Boston’s efforts to ruining Miami’s ring night. It would’ve slowed the Heat momentum way before Lebron even left the game with those leg cramps (never to return). At one point, Doc even had Jeff Green at center. While Green will undoubtedly be huge this season for Boston, that lineup threw him completely off his game. Jeff was a complete non-factor last night. Meanwhile, Leandro Barbosa’s imressive scoring barrage in the 4th was fool’s gold. They were playing helter-skelter, small ball against the fastest team in the league…..not even Don Nelson could’ve pulled that one out last night.
The Boston Celtics should watch carefully when Miami plays Philly & Indiana later this Fall.
The NBA is a copycat league…..hopefully, Doc Rivers gets the memo.
YES. Boston will never beat Miami again.