Miller May Start for the Heat!

[BillMc]

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9380625/2013-nba-finals-miami-heat-consider-moving-mike-miller-starting-lineup-game-4-sources-say

Weren't they talking about amnestying him during the regular season? My times have changed.

Good move for the Heat? Maybe. It'll spread the floor and allow "agressive" James to drive. But it puts LeBron likely on Duncan on defense...

[DOS CHAINZ]

Its a bad move for Heat bc they will be small & lose rebounds. But means Tiago or TD will D up Bosh & the other will be mismatched. I think start Diaw & keep TD on Bosh & Kawhi on Bron. Or even Bonner so we can spread the floor too.

[crc21209]

I posted this about 5 minutes ago in the Game Thread. ESPN just had another update where they said Miller may start and they would move LeBron to the Center spot...

[bklynspursfan]

Sort of contradicts what Spo said after the last game. He said it's all about their defense not the offense. That would significantly hurt them defensively.

[Boomersgold]

Not a surprise. He's the only Heat who's played consistently well in the finals so far. He switches very well on defense, and they need his shooting to open up the lanes for Wade and Lebron, who just aren't as comfortable taking the shots that we're giving to them.

[BatManu20]

Not surprised with the way he's shooting. He's killing the Spurs this series.

[crc21209]

So I'm assuming that means a starting lineup of Chalmers-Wade-Miller-Bosh-James...

[timvp]

As crazy as it sounds, I think Splitter would have to guard Wade if that's the lineup the Heat use.

Parker on Chalmers
Kawhi on LeBron
Green on Miller
Duncan on Bosh

That leaves Splitter for Wade.

And while it sounds terrible on paper, the Spurs have been going under screens against Wade so it's not like Splitter will need to chase him on the perimeter.

Personally, I'm hoping Pop starts his regular starting lineup and then sees how long he can survive with Splitter on Wade. But, yeah, don't put Splitter on Miller -- that's suicide with the way Miller is rolling.

Worst comes to worst, Pop downsizes with Ginobili for Splitter early and then the matchups are pretty simple.

[Mugen]

Go to Timmy early and often and force them to go big. Tiago would have to stay on Miller which is going to be a tough task tbh.

[Mugen]

Pop starting Neal is also feasible. I don't think he'd start Manu.

[BillMc]

It'll give us even more of an advantage in rebounding.

[chrhawk]

Is Spo just trying to give Pop something to think about hours before the game? I find it odd that he is sharing this kind of information with the media.

[m33p0]

split on wade, huh. i'm liking it really. and it plays into the spurs' strategy of letting wade take jumpers.

[benefactor]

The Heat will get killed on the glass even worse and will be even worse defending in half court situations.

Go for it Spo.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Tiago on wade works out perfect tbh

[BillMc]

Would this be Miami's D in that situation?

Bosh on Duncan
LeBron on Splitter
Miller(?) on Leonard
Wade on Green
Chalmers on Parker

Not too bad for us.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Go to Timmy early and often and force them to go big. Tiago would have to stay on Miller which is going to be a tough task tbh.

It's how we started last game, and I say we start that way again. Pounding down to Timmy has been more and more successful each game, especially when he's angry.

[emanueldavidginobili]

As crazy as it sounds, I think Splitter would have to guard Wade if that's the lineup the Heat use.

Parker on Chalmers
Kawhi on LeBron
Green on Miller
Duncan on Bosh

That leaves Splitter for Wade.

And while it sounds terrible on paper, the Spurs have been going under screens against Wade so it's not like Splitter will need to chase him on the perimeter.

Personally, I'm hoping Pop starts his regular starting lineup and then sees how long he can survive with Splitter on Wade. But, yeah, don't put Splitter on Miller -- that's suicide with the way Miller is rolling.

Worst comes to worst, Pop downsizes with Ginobili for Splitter early and then the matchups are pretty simple.


Why wouldn't Tiago cover Mike Miller? Mike Miller is a spot up shooter Wade moves around a lot and I know Wade is banged up but he still is Dwayne Wade he will torch TS imo

[smaka]

Miller won't continue with his hot streak today. Book it.

[Mugen]

As crazy as it sounds, I think Splitter would have to guard Wade if that's the lineup the Heat use.

Parker on Chalmers
Kawhi on LeBron
Green on Miller
Duncan on Bosh

That leaves Splitter for Wade.

And while it sounds terrible on paper, the Spurs have been going under screens against Wade so it's not like Splitter will need to chase him on the perimeter.

Personally, I'm hoping Pop starts his regular starting lineup and then sees how long he can survive with Splitter on Wade. But, yeah, don't put Splitter on Miller -- that's suicide with the way Miller is rolling.

Worst comes to worst, Pop downsizes with Ginobili for Splitter early and then the matchups are pretty simple.

Splitter probably picks up 2 quick fouls guarding Wade tbh and the rotation is f'd for the half since Diaw appears to be out of the rotation. Wade would attack Splitter early. While I agree that Splitter on Miller is not a good idea, I'd much rather Pop start Neal rather than putting Tiago on Wade.

[coyotes_geek]

Why wouldn't Tiago cover Mike Miller? Mike Miller is a spot up shooter Wade moves around a lot and I know Wade is banged up but he still is Dwayne Wade he will torch TS imo

Whoever is on Miller has to play up on him. Takes Tiago further away from the paint. With Wade, Tiago could sag back closer to the rim and stay in better rebounding position.

[FromWayDowntown]

As crazy as it sounds, I think Splitter would have to guard Wade if that's the lineup the Heat use.

Parker on Chalmers
Kawhi on LeBron
Green on Miller
Duncan on Bosh

That leaves Splitter for Wade.

And while it sounds terrible on paper, the Spurs have been going under screens against Wade so it's not like Splitter will need to chase him on the perimeter.

Personally, I'm hoping Pop starts his regular starting lineup and then sees how long he can survive with Splitter on Wade. But, yeah, don't put Splitter on Miller -- that's suicide with the way Miller is rolling.

Worst comes to worst, Pop downsizes with Ginobili for Splitter early and then the matchups are pretty simple.

Pop's gone to things like that before -- Timmy guarding Quentin Richardson in the 2005 West Finals comes to mind, though this would be different from that given that Wade isn't just going to hang out in the corner.

Oh, and Miller is 9-10 from three in this series.

He's making Green (16-23) look Iverson-esque.

[Mugen]

I think Spo is trying to find minutes for Battier tbh. If this means Haslem is out of the rotation then I'm all for it tbh because he's been the best defender on Duncan so far.

[davidbowie]

we're fucked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[anjlbitz]

Would this be Miami's D in that situation?

Bosh on Duncan
LeBron on Splitter
Miller(?) on Leonard
Wade on Green
Chalmers on Parker

Not too bad for us.

I think LeBron will probably be on Leonard, Miller on Splitter. If so, Tiago better bring it, roll hard to the basket and go up strong to the hoop.

[yavozerb]

Desperation move in my opinion by the Heat..Better yet, who is Miller gonna cover?

TP on Chalmers
Green on wade
Kawhi on Lebron
TD on Bosh
Splitter on miller

[Dex]

My main concern with Splitter on Wade is that it may open up Wade's driving game. Even though he doesn't have his usual explosiveness, Wade has still been most effective when he is getting into the lane and taking it to the basket. He has the speed to get around Tiago, even if Tiago gives him space, and he also could get Tiago into foul trouble easily with his flop-tastic moves.

That being said, it seems to be the obvious choice to me. Not only would putting Splitter on Miller be murder with the way Miller is shooting, but it also would pull Tiago out of the lane more, meaning less rebounding and shot blocking where we really need it.

[Chinook]

I mentioned this in my perimeter-defense thread, but Miller shouldn't be too big of a problem. Sure, he got five threes, but they were on five different defenders. Each one learned from their mistakes.

Splitter needs to forget the Game 2 block and go hard at James. Get him in foul trouble; get him tired. Make him start wanting to check out in the first quarter. Maybe the Spurs are lucky and SuperJames (the player, not the poster) shows up and tries to be overly physical with Tiago and gets a couple of quick fouls. Either way, Splitter needs to be ready to be physical. If Miller's going to guard him, even better.

[ironman2886]

Looks like Miami is the desperate team.

[SnakeBoy]

I hope so, moving Miller to starter might be a good way to break his streak.

[Beaverfuzz]

Take the ball at Miller a couple of times and draw the foul. Two quick fouls and he's out of the game, leaving Ray Allen as the outside shooter.

But by all means, don't leave him wide open!

[Mugen]

Honestly, the move I was scared of was starting Ray Allen instead of Wade tbh. I'm not too worried about this move unless the Spurs just leave Miller wide open again. He's exploitable on D regardless if we stay big or start small.

[BillMc]

I think LeBron will probably be on Leonard, Miller on Splitter. If so, Tiago better bring it, roll hard to the basket and go up strong to the hoop.

Yep, Splitter better play BIG. No more bringing the ball down and doing fakes you don't need.

[chrhawk]

Duncan should get into the face of every player whenever he doesn't touch the ball to start the game tonight. If Spo is desperate enough to put out such a small line-up then the Spurs need to expose it.

[capek]

Desperation move in my opinion by the Heat..

Definitely feels like that. It'll also be a boon for Parker. Even if he's a little slowed by the hammy, all he has to do is get past the trap and the basket will be that much more open for him. I like it. Miami's scurred. Let's go in for the kill tonight!! :ihit

[superjames1992]

I can't wait for Tiago to shoot a fadeaway hook shot that hits the top of the backboard and misses the rim while Mike Miller is defending him, tbh.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Desperation move in my opinion by the Heat..Better yet, who is Miller gonna cover?

TP on Chalmers
Green on wade
Kawhi on Lebron
TD on Bosh
Splitter on miller

I was going to write the same exact thing. This is a desperation move. Spurs went small and killed the Heat. I am thinking that the Heat see if they go small first, they can get a surmountable lead on the Spurs.

But Miller vs. Tiago off the PnR. Really, is Chamlers going to roll with Splitter off a pick with Parker and Tiago.

This is actually a bad move if Miami makes it. Splitter is one of the fasted C in the League. Just go watch the watch how he defended Curry, Klay, Bayless, Conley, etc when he was isolated against them. He matched them step for step.

[BatManu20]

So that means Lebron will guard Tiago? lol If this happens then literally every possession should go through Duncan in the post. They'd obviously double over immediately cause they're not going to let Duncan just go to work but that should create more open looks for our shooters. Gotta knock em down if that's the case.

[houston spurs fan]

4 down, every possession. Duncan can have his way with them in the post...

[BillMc]

I can't wait for Tiago to shoot a fadeaway hook shot that hits the top of the backboard and misses the rim while Mike Miller is defending him, tbh.

This is my one fear. That Tiago doesn't take advantage of the situation.

[Knoxxx]

Miller is soft and past due to go cold. Hopefully he wasted his best shooting on a big fat "L" last game!

[coyotes_geek]

This is my one fear. That Tiago doesn't take advantage of the situation.

Yep. The first few minutes of the game should be all about Tiago. If Wade, or whoever Tiago guards, starts hitting jumpers, it's the Spurs who have to adjust and go small. If Tiago can assert himself on the boards and score a few buckets against whoever guards him, Miami needs to adjust.

[TheGreatYacht]

I can't wait for Tiago to shoot a fadeaway hook shot that hits the top of the backboard and misses the rim while Mike Miller is defending him, tbh.That is why Tiago Splitter should rely more on foot work in getting to the rim, those up and under moves like Kevin McHale, and close range hook shots. Same goes for Timmy. None of those tough fade away shots. Tim should use his classic closed ranged hook shots and foot work to get lay ups.

[deibero]

for those asking to start diaw, neal or manu let me just say. we smacked them in the mouth and they are adjusting to us and we dont adjust to them. at least not in the starting lineup and give them a mental edge. we roll with what we have and hope it works if it doesnt then you adjust with the bench.

for further proof check the mavs in 2007 who had 66 wins and ended up benching their center to matchup better with GS the 8th seed and ended up costing them the series. they were mentally weak and that just made them weaker.

[TheTruth]

Good, he's a liability on defense and one of the main reasons we're getting so many open 3's. Here's to hoping LBJ is guarding Splitter.

[SpurAddict561]

Miller comes up limping after every play, let's move him to the starting lineup for more minutes. GREAT IDEA Spo

[Spur|n|Austin]

Tim better be pounding it down low like Peter North tonight.

[024]

Seems like a decent move. Lebron is big enough to guard all 5 positions and can likely guard Splitter. Tiago really needs to make him work but he's just been having a meh series. His defense is good enough and his rebounding is at best adequate. His offense is completely missing though... the Spurs will be counting on him to dial up the intensity on that end and hopefully not be traumatized by Lebron's block.

[ironman2886]

He does look limpy sometimes. Some hard picks on him might be in store.

[Real Tomato Ketchup]

When do the lineups get announced? Can they be changed up until game time?

[Boomersgold]

Miller comes up limping after every play, let's move him to the starting lineup for more minutes. GREAT IDEA Spo

He's also the only one hitting his threes.

[TIMMYtoZO]

This move has Spurs fans trembling now. Miami makes love to adversity. They will respond like the championship dynasty that they are and even this series up.

[InRareForm]

Is this the heats barea moment?

[yavozerb]

A move like this would hurt the Heats Defense ALOT. There is no one that Miller can defend and he sure as hell cannot run with anyone over screens. Please let the Heat make this move cause there are gonna be alot of open 3's again if this happens

[BlackSilver]

I agree with all those saying we SHOULD put Tiago on Miller. I think Tiago's got plenty quick feet to stay with Miller and challenge his shot. What, did Miller recently develop a drive and kick skill that I missed??? Wade on the other hand probably has a better chance of getting past Tiago even with a big cushion. Doable, but no need. As for staying big at the rim, IIRC it's been Timmy who's been intimidating LeBron from driving, not Tiago. Also, it's not like Tiago has been lighting it up on the boards. Kawhi is really our best rebounder apart from Timmy anyway.

And also as some others have said, the first coach has blinked...

[davidbowie]

Tim better be pounding it down low like Peter North tonight.

giving facials left and right!

[coyotes_geek]

I'm just surprised that Miami is taking Haslem out of the lineup instead of coming up with some story about Wade's knee being worse than everyone thought so that they could start Miller in his place instead.

Of course if Miller plays well but the Spurs still win, I'd expect that to be the story for game 5.

[Budkin]

Tim better be pounding it down low like Peter North tonight.

:lol Bosh on Timmy

[SpurAddict561]

He's also the only one hitting his threes.

He has been hitting 3s coming off the bench, well rested. You turn up his minutes and he won't keep hitting them the more exhausted he gets. If you think about the shots he made last game, they were when he JUST got off the bench. To ask him to play a ton more minutes at the BIG position is a tall task, ESPECIALLY if Tiago makes him work his ass.

[SpurAddict561]

Tiago better throw one down on Miller to at least semi-compensate for his dunk getting stuffed Game 2.

[coyotes_geek]

He has been hitting 3s coming off the bench, well rested. You turn up his minutes and he won't keep hitting them the more exhausted he gets. If you think about the shots he made last game, they were when he JUST got off the bench. To ask him to play a ton more minutes at the BIG position is a tall task, ESPECIALLY if Tiago makes him work his ass.

Just because he starts doesn't mean he has to play more minutes.

[hater]

:lol Spo

:lol Filibeaner

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Why wouldn't Tiago cover Mike Miller? Mike Miller is a spot up shooter Wade moves around a lot and I know Wade is banged up but he still is Dwayne Wade he will torch TS imo

Wade is less likely to shoot from outside than Miller. If Lebron chooses to drive more and the Spurs want to keep packing the paint, better for Tiago to sag off of Wade than Miller. It'll be tougher to dish out to Miller who has Green on him. If he wants to pass out of the drive, it'll be to Wade or Chalmers.

[Seventyniner]

This move has the potential to backfire badly. The Spurs' starting five is the best defensive five-man group in the league. If Miller gets off to a cold start due to swarming defense, it could affect him all game and take one bench option away from the Heat.

[jestersmash]

Miller won't continue to shoot 100% from 3.

[crc21209]

Starting Miller also makes the Heat's bench alot thinner now....

[emanueldavidginobili]

I doubt Miller actually starts but Miller will come in fairly early

[Capt Bringdown]

ESPN just had another update where they said Miller may start and they would move LeBron to the Center spot...
LeBron at Center is a good move for them. He is strong in the post. Might cause the Spurs some problems.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Miller won't continue to shoot 100% from 3.


Yes, but he might still shoot 60-70%.

[Joyrider]

LeBron at Center is a good move for them. He is strong in the post. Might cause the Spurs some problems.

And he'll get into foul trouble pretty quickly trying to guard Duncan all game.

[ffadicted]

I don't get it tbh

[Capt Bringdown]

And he'll get into foul trouble pretty quickly trying to guard Duncan all game.

Or he might draw more fouls on the Spurs.

[naico]

My question is: who was Miller matched up against, when he made his 3's? Any info on that? I'm thinking it was mostly Neal.

[objective]

I believe the Spurs are +23 in the series with both Duncan and Splitter on the court together, it's one of their best, albeit under used lineups. If this move shrinks their time together then it's a great move by Spoelstra.

[Xevious]

Let them make adjustments. Hopefully Pop doesn't over think it and he sticks with his starting five.

[eric365]

starting Miller is a good move IMO. But replacing Wade....

It would add the spacing Lebron need and Wade would play better against our backup bigs that cant protect the rim

[HarlemHeat37]

I called this in the "adjustments" thread, tbh..

The Heat are going to be content with Duncan, Splitter and Leonard beating them, rather than Parker and the shooters, tbh..

Duncan has been horrible against Haslem and has dominated against Bosh/Birdman, but I think the Heat are going to be content with Duncan trying to score against any of their bigs, even if he succeeds, which is the intelligent move IMO..

Luckily, Wade will continue to play big minutes, which only hurts Miami, tbh..

Knowing Pop and his affinity for small ball, he'll probably be content with matching Miami's small ball lineup, which will probably hurt the Spurs, tbh..

[ohmwrecker]

Reeks of desperation tbh.

[T Park]

LeBron at Center is a good move for them. He is strong in the post. Might cause the Spurs some problems.


Lmfao love how this assclown ignores that it pretty much gives the spurs a bigger advantage downlow and on the rebounds.

[T Park]

I called this in the "adjustments" thread, tbh..

The Heat are going to be content with Duncan, Splitter and Leonard beating them, rather than Parker and the shooters, tbh..

Duncan has been horrible against Haslem and has dominated against Bosh/Birdman, but I think the Heat are going to be content with Duncan trying to score against any of their bigs, even if he succeeds, which is the intelligent move IMO..

Luckily, Wade will continue to play big minutes, which only hurts Miami, tbh..

Knowing Pop and his affinity for small ball, he'll probably be content with matching Miami's small ball lineup, which will probably hurt the Spurs, tbh..

Why would it hurt them all of a sudden when it hasn't yet? :rolleyes

[DBMethos]

:lol Bosh on Timmy

http://i.imgur.com/L3j9c.gif

[Spurs9]

Yes the heat ARE desperate.

[james evans]

Not surprised with the way he's shooting. He's killing the Spurs this series.
he only hit when we leave him and double lebron and lebron kicks to him for an open 3. if u stay with him, he's worthless, cuz he's not gonna try to create on his own for 20 minutes. just dont leave him EVER. ray allen too

[HarlemHeat37]

Why would it hurt them all of a sudden when it hasn't yet? :rolleyes

The Spurs have outplayed the Heat by a large margin with Splitter/Duncan on the floor, and when Miami isn't playing their Lebron + shooters lineup..

When both teams play with conventional lineups, the Spurs have a massive advantage..

I'll clarify that it may not "hurt" the Spurs, but they have a bigger advantage in a conventional matchup IMO..

[HarlemHeat37]

Splitter needs to earn his money tonight, btw..

[T Park]

The Spurs have outplayed the Heat by a large margin with Splitter/Duncan on the floor, and when Miami isn't playing their Lebron + shooters lineup..

When both teams play with conventional lineups, the Spurs have a massive advantage..

I'll clarify that it may not "hurt" the Spurs, but they have a bigger advantage in a conventional matchup IMO..


The spurs have run then off the floor with the small lineup. Leonard at the four has been huge.

[spursince#99]

I called this in the "adjustments" thread, tbh..

The Heat are going to be content with Duncan, Splitter and Leonard beating them, rather than Parker and the shooters, tbh..

Duncan has been horrible against Haslem and has dominated against Bosh/Birdman, but I think the Heat are going to be content with Duncan trying to score against any of their bigs, even if he succeeds, which is the intelligent move IMO..

Luckily, Wade will continue to play big minutes, which only hurts Miami, tbh..

Knowing Pop and his affinity for small ball, he'll probably be content with matching Miami's small ball lineup, which will probably hurt the Spurs, tbh..

Get The Fuck Outta Here :lmao

[Brazil]

This move has Spurs fans trembling now. Miami makes love to adversity. They will respond like the championship dynasty that they are and even this series up.

Spurs fans are trembling due to Parker injury not because of this move

[tesseractive]

This move has Spurs fans trembling now. Miami makes love to adversity. They will respond like the championship dynasty that they are and even this series up.
It's pretty obvious that Spurs fans aren't trembling, but I'll be fascinated to see how the Heat handles this particular flavor of adversity. LeBron might find a way to come out and drop 40 tonight while shutting down the Spurs -- anyone who thinks that's impossible hasn't been paying attention to the Heat.

But I also doubt that you're half as confident as you'd like us to think. The Spurs aren't the Bulls or even the Pacers, and they won't just roll over even if Miami decides to turn it on all the way.

[siraulo23]

I think yeah spurs should play their usual lineup, we've see what happened when that lineup gets disrupted in the gsw series, doesn't matter if we have to play small earlier but start th game with spurs usual starters

[TD 21]

Wouldn't shock me if Splitter guards Wade either, because it's clear they're more concerned with Miller than they are Wade right now. Plus, this game has all the makings of James going off. By giving Wade such an obvious mismatch (and not only that, he/they will inevitably take it as blatant disrespect, even more so than them begging him to shoot jumpers), even if it is for something like 5 minutes at the start of each half and even if he does some early damage, hopefully they become consumed with milking that and going to him.

:lol at the media trying to further tee this up for the expected James explosion by claiming he'll be "playing center", when in reality, he'll be guarding Splitter. Gives them one more storyline to obsess over and glorify should he dominate.

[therealtruth]

4 down, every possession. Duncan can have his way with them in the post...