[Poe]

Quote

Some of the Heat's best play in recent games has come with Dwyane Wade at point guard, including Thursday's loss in Cleveland.

That, of course, hardly is surprising, since Wade also is the Heat's best shooting guard and, arguably, its best small forward.

What is surprising is how Erik Spoelstra routinely is turning to that option at the close of the first and third quarters.
So, could an answer finally be at hand?

To Spoelstra, only in limited doses.
"We'll see. We'll evaluate," the second-year coach said. "We've always done it a lot of times in the fourth quarter. At times, we may look to it."

But extended stretches apparently are not a direction that Spoelstra is leaning.
"In small doses, it's pretty good," Spoelstra said. "Longer doses, it can wear on him a little bit. We don't get quite as consistent movement."

The issue mostly has remained a minor one, with the thought that Wade does not view fullcourt ballhandling in his best interest.
That, however, may not be the case.

"It's something I've done over my career," he said. "In Boston, that was our best lineup, when I'm at the point, being able to make plays, attack, as well. I don't mind doing that at all."

In a season when learning about itself seemingly is as significant to the Heat as victory, perhaps it is time to go back to Wade's roots, to how he broke into the league.

Source


It doesn't seem like there has been any final decision on it, but Spoelstra and Wade seem to at least be putting it under some consideration.

The Heat have lost 7 out of their last 8 games. Sticking with the same line up most likely will not result in a change in the record. I think the best adjustment will be to start Wade at the point.

[Hero]

Honestly I'm not sure. Being at point is more tiring than being at SG. I think what Spoelstra is doing is alright, but sooner or later the Heat will need a solid PG to compliment the team play. Do you have any ideas who can fit into the Heat's system?

[Poe]

Hero, on 08 February 2010 - 10:17 PM, said:

Honestly I'm not sure. Being at point is more tiring than being at SG. I think what Spoelstra is doing is alright, but sooner or later the Heat will need a solid PG to compliment the team play. Do you have any ideas who can fit into the Heat's system?

There aren't too many moves the Heat can make this year as far as trades go without changing their summer plans. The Heat have already made a lot of changes at point guard. First starting Chalmers, then signing Arroyo and moving Chalmers to come off the bench. Then trading Chris Quinn for Rafer Alston, and starting Rafer with Chalmers off the bench and moving Arroyo to third string.

The only time for a real change at the point will be this summer. I've talked a bit about Steve Blake, who will be a free agent. He'll be looking to leave Portland since they already have Miller and Bayless. He's good friends with Haslem, and his style of play will be a perfect compliment to Wade's game. He's already proven to be a good fit with Brandon Roy.


For now, though, with all the problems the Heat have at point, I think the best solution will be to move Wade to start there. At least for now until the necessary upgrade is made.

[travesy3]

Wade wouldn't hold the ball much more than he already does lol. Only difference would mean he is guarding PG's instead of SG's. Wade already turns it over quite a bit, I don't think this type of move will fix the Heat season. I would definitely, as a Heat fan, rather the ball be in Wade's hands than Chalmers or Rafer though.

[Poe]

travesy3, on 08 February 2010 - 11:11 PM, said:

Wade wouldn't hold the ball much more than he already does lol. Only difference would mean he is guarding PG's instead of SG's. Wade already turns it over quite a bit, I don't think this type of move will fix the Heat season. I would definitely, as a Heat fan, rather the ball be in Wade's hands than Chalmers or Rafer though.

The solution would be to start Wright with Wade. Wright seems to prefer guarding PGs rather than any other position, so he can take pressure off of Wade defensively by guarding his man. Wright can take partial ball handling duties as well if they need to set up a play for Wade off the ball. Dorell can handle it. He averages about 20 mpg and only 0.5 TOpg or so, and there has only been about one or two times this year where Dorell has had 3 TOs despite his point-forward role, so he isn't turnover prone.

This post has been edited by Poe: 08 February 2010 - 11:24 PM

[Clutch]

i like this idea (for the time being this season if no trades are gonna happen)

pg.wade
sg.dorell or qrich
sf.dorell or qrich
pf.beasley
c.jo

i think one of the key things is to give dorell more minutes , he has been puttin up numbers quite consistently and can really be that other guy steppin up, and with chalmers hopefully returning healthy soon, the bench should be decent as well

[Poe]

Clutch, on 08 February 2010 - 11:39 PM, said:

i like this idea (for the time being this season if no trades are gonna happen)

pg.wade
sg.dorell or qrich
sf.dorell or qrich
pf.beasley
c.jo

i think one of the key things is to give dorell more minutes , he has been puttin up numbers quite consistently and can really be that other guy steppin up, and with chalmers hopefully returning healthy soon, the bench should be decent as well

Yea, I pretty much made a whole thread about that about a week ago (here).

I agree, though, D-Wright certainly deserves more minutes. He's too good to be receiving only 20 minutes per game with the Heat struggling like this. His versatility to play 4 positions should at least earn him up to a good 30 minutes each night, plus he has great chemistry with Wade and Richardson.

[travesy3]

I don't watch the Heat but why does Beasley play the 4 all the time? I was under the impression he was more of a 3. I think his size and rebounding ability at the 3 would outweigh his defensive liabilities there.

Why not run Wade-QRich-Beasley-Haslem-JO? Considering the Heat aren't a particularly great rebounding team, starting Haslem, the team's best rebounder, would be ideal in theory, would it not?

[SRV]

We are trying to hard to make Beasley a PF. I don't think that is smart at all for defense. He is great at getting rebounds and on offense, but we get screwed over so much when we play teams with tall post players because we only have O'Neal to cover one tall guy. We would get the same exact production from him if he was at SF.