MIAMI — With Shane Battier draining nine 3-pointers through two games, it seems like an odd time to bring it up. But it is worth discussing: Zone defense. As the NBA Finals shift to Miami, I can’t help but remember last season: The Dallas Mavericks utilized all their parts and all of their schemes in an attempt to slow down the fast and powerful offense of the Miami Heat. If even for a string of possessions at a time, the Mavs made
I will be the first one to admit I’m late to the party on Kevin Durant. I drink coffee, not Red Bull. My headphones are Sennheiser, not Beats or SkullCandy. I didn’t have a Twitter account until nine months ago. I still don’t have a Smartphone. So when some new phenomenon permeates basketball’s pop culture, I’m not exactly at the front of the line. In fact, I didn’t even attend the parties for Harold Miner, Derrick Coleman, Glenn Robinson, Joe Smith, Damon
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Miami Heat’s lead was down to 4, the shot clock was at 5 and Shane Battier was about to set a screen for Dwyane Wade at the top of the key. But he slip-screened, backed up, got his hands ready, set his feet and let the ball fly. “I was just trying to get it on the rim, to be honest with you,” explained the do-it-all forward. “The shot clock was low, (Kevin) Durant was in my
// OKLAHOMA CITY — “No question that’s a foul.” Those were ABC broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy’s final words on Thursday night’s broadcast, and the foul/non-foul will be shown over and over and over again until this series resumes Sunday night in Miami. The play in question was a seven-foot baseline jumper that Durant attempted after his arms got locked with James’ arms, a good half-second before Durant faded away and got off a clean release that bounced harmlessly off the rim. It
OKLAHOMA CITY — Will Chris Bosh start tonight? Sure sounds that way. “The way we use Chris might be a little different, like the way we used him in the regular season,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said this morning at the Heat’s shootaround. “I think he’s gotten his feet wet enough and we’ll need him to be a little bit more of who he was.” Heading into Game 2 of the NBA Finals tonight, the Miami Heat are in the precarious position
OKLAHOMA CITY — Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said it best Tuesday when speaking about the Oklahoma City Thunder, saying “they imposed their identity” on Game 1, and the Heat will need to dictate the “force, will and energy” in Game 2 in order to avoid falling behind 0-2 in the NBA Finals. Do you know what I take that to mean? They are going to knock Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on their asses Thursday night, and they will test the
