How will Lebron + Wade coexist?

[DazedAndConfused]

I'm not saying they won't, but am curious as to what their offense is going to look like. Both players typically have the ball in their hands for most possessions, and obviously that can't happen now.

This will be Spoelstra's greatest challenge IMHO, finding ways to maximize the talents of Lebron + Wade and keep a well balanced offense.

[HarlemHeat37]

Lebron was arguably the best cutter in the NBA last season, converting on a ridiculous 76% of his cut plays..he was great at scoring in transition, broken plays, running the pick & roll and off screens..his only weakness was spot-up shooting, where he was still an above average player last year..

His off-ball movement is elite when he's put in those situations, something he wasn't able to do in Cleveland due to the lack of playmakers, so having a guy like Wade next to him will be scary..

Wade was also very good at creating on the pick & roll and cutting, but not nearly as good as Lebron..so while they will both have playmaking duties, I would expect Wade to have the ball in his hands more, utilizing his penetration and playmaking abilities, with Lebron playing more off-ball and focusing on defense more often..

Their usage %s will go down, but not that dramatically, TBH..I expect Bosh to be much more of a receiver in this offense, with less isolation plays coming to him..Bosh's offense often stops the ball and takes up time off the shot clock, so he won't receive nearly the same amount of iso plays that he received in Toronto..

It's a scary thought that the primary perimeter defender has to pick between Lebron and Wade, arguably the 2 best isolation players in the NBA..there will be a lot of passing in their offense, Bosh is a great finisher, as are Wade and Lebron..they have the elite shooter in Mike Miller, and they have Eddie House at the point if they need shooting there..

[Hooks]

With their great passing ability.

LBJ=8 assists in the playoffs playing with scrubs

Wade=7 assists in the playoffs playing with scrubs

[DazedAndConfused]

Lebron was arguably the best cutter in the NBA last season, converting on a ridiculous 76% of his cut plays..he was great at scoring in transition, broken plays, running the pick & roll and off screens..his only weakness was spot-up shooting, where he was still an above average player last year..

His off-ball movement is elite when he's put in those situations, something he wasn't able to do in Cleveland due to the lack of playmakers, so having a guy like Wade next to him will be scary..

Wade was also very good at creating on the pick & roll and cutting, but not nearly as good as Lebron..so while they will both have playmaking duties, I would expect Wade to have the ball in his hands more, utilizing his penetration and playmaking abilities, with Lebron playing more off-ball and focusing on defense more often..

Their usage %s will go down, but not that dramatically, TBH..I expect Bosh to be much more of a receiver in this offense, with less isolation plays coming to him..Bosh's offense often stops the ball and takes up time off the shot clock, so he won't receive nearly the same amount of iso plays that he received in Toronto..

It's a scary thought that the primary perimeter defender has to pick between Lebron and Wade, arguably the 2 best isolation players in the NBA..there will be a lot of passing in their offense, Bosh is a great finisher, as are Wade and Lebron..they have the elite shooter in Mike Miller, and they have Eddie House at the point if they need shooting there..

That's what I was thinking too, but do we really expect Lebron to dramatically reduce his role from primary playmaker to being a strictly off the ball cutter? I just dont' see it, he's going to want the ball in his hands as much as Wade.

As great as Lebron and Wade are, I'm not totally convinced they are the perfect fit chemistry wise. If you look at the Boston Big 3, they all complement each other perfectly. Ray gave up his ball handling duties and became a strict off the ball shooter, Pierce is the perimeter ISO player, and KG is in the post. It works perfectly for them when all are healthy.

[DPG21920]

They are going to get to the rim so much. Even if you pack the paint, they can both still finish.

I agree w/ HH that Wade will have the ball more, but Lebron will still have it a lot. It will take a little while to find what works best, but they have a well balanced team.

[21_Blessings]

I agree w/ HH that Wade will have the ball more, but Lebron will still have it a lot. It will take a little while to find what works best, but they have a well balanced team.

Well balanced with no low post scorer and the two primary options with inconsistent jumpers? Oh ok

[DPG21920]

Yes, well balanced. They have ball handling, slashing, 3 point shooting, a solid post option.

[TD 21]

A solid post option? Who? If you're referring to Bosh, then I take it you haven't seen him play all that much.

Bosh is more of a face up four than a back to the basket one. He's an excellent mid range shooter and has exceptional quickness for a 6-10 guy, which allows him to blow past virtually any defender, get to the rim and subsequently get to the line a ton.

But he's not like Duncan, Gasol, etc.

I don't see James and Wade as a natural fit, either. People can bring up international play all they want, but that's irrelevant. Those are short tournaments, where the U.S. had so much more individual talent than the opposition. Virtually every rotation player played great, because they could play limited minutes, go all out and had to do so little for the most part.

This is different. A lot different. I'm not saying it won't work (they're arguably the two best players in the game, so it's only logical to think they'll find a way), but I don't see this as the seamless transition that it was for the Celtics big three.

Even if it's not a seamless transition, they'll only get better as the season wears on and based on talent alone, should at least make the Finals. Unless the Magic can magically turn Carter into a legitimate go-to option for a championship caliber team or the rapidly aging Celtics magically find the fountain of youth again, who's going to seriously challenge them in the East? I like the Bulls, but they need a win who can get his own shot to even have a chance.

[DPG21920]

I take it you haven't watched Bosh play. He is certainly a solid post option. Does he do other things better? Yes. But he is not some hack in the post. He finishes at an efficient rate and that was as the number one option and no play makers.

With Wade, Bron, Miller, Chalmers....he will get plenty of good looks in the post and he will finish them.

[LeHeat_Dynasty]

To be honest, I'm more concerned of how Bosh will coexist with Lebron and Wade. Wade knows there are sacrifices to be made from his end. Lebron has always been unselfish. Bosh OTOH should get used to around 8-12 shots a night. Not an overwhelming sacrifice on his end but there are going to be nights where he may not be with the amount of touches/shots going his way.

[TD 21]

I guarantee you I've watched Bosh play a lot more than you have. I don't care what the stats say about him converting in the post and I didn't say he wasn't a solid post option, but he's not a dominant back to the basket player.

I do agree with you though that the Heat overall have solid balance as a team. They've done about as well as they could surrounding the big three with such limited resources.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't see egos being a problem at all..these guys weren't forced to play together, they all chose to get together and play on the same team..they obviously must be aware of the risks they have taken from an on-court perspective, and they obviously have to be aware that they're going to get less touches..

[DPG21920]

A solid post option? Who? If you're referring to Bosh, then I take it you haven't seen him play all that much.

Bosh is more of a face up four than a back to the basket one. He's an excellent mid range shooter and has exceptional quickness for a 6-10 guy, which allows him to blow past virtually any defender, get to the rim and subsequently get to the line a ton.

But he's not like Duncan, Gasol, etc.

I don't see James and Wade as a natural fit, either. People can bring up international play all they want, but that's irrelevant. Those are short tournaments, where the U.S. had so much more individual talent than the opposition. Virtually every rotation player played great, because they could play limited minutes, go all out and had to do so little for the most part.

This is different. A lot different. I'm not saying it won't work (they're arguably the two best players in the game, so it's only logical to think they'll find a way), but I don't see this as the seamless transition that it was for the Celtics big three.

Even if it's not a seamless transition, they'll only get better as the season wears on and based on talent alone, should at least make the Finals. Unless the Magic can magically turn Carter into a legitimate go-to option for a championship caliber team or the rapidly aging Celtics magically find the fountain of youth again, who's going to seriously challenge them in the East? I like the Bulls, but they need a win who can get his own shot to even have a chance.

I guarantee you I've watched Bosh play a lot more than you have. I don't care what the stats say about him converting in the post and I didn't say he wasn't a solid post option, but he's not a dominant back to the basket player.

I do agree with you though that the Heat overall have solid balance as a team. They've done about as well as they could surrounding the big three with such limited resources.

. Also, who called him dominant in the post?

[TD 21]

It'll be a problem Harlem, no doubt. With egos that big, it's bound to be. The question isn't whether it'll be a problem, it's whether it'll be their undoing, a la O'Neal and Bryant.

It's all well and good for them to have discussed this in June/July, but it's a lot different once they start playing and it'll go up another notch or two once the 2nd round of the playoffs begin, which is really when their season starts.

You're right DPG, I did say that. I stand corrected.

What I meant to do was distinguish between him being a solid post option as opposed to a dominant one.

[DPG21920]

It very well could be a problem, but Wade is about as selfless as it gets on the court. He has played with bad teams and given his all. Lebron constantly deferred to lesser players to keep them involved. Lebron was a great teammate on the court. I really don't think they will have a problem.

No to mention, Lebron kept his team focused and playing hard during the regular season.

If those two don't have a problem, I don't see how Bosh can. Of course, things change, but I really don't see a problem there.

I would be more concerned with the fit between Bron and Wade before anything else and I think that is a problem that will be figured out.

[JamStone]

They'll take turns assaulting defenses with attacks at the rim. Don't see how it's any different than any other two very good scorers on any other team. You just have two of the best on the same team. Each will sacrifices touches and shots but they'll both still have plenty of touches and plenty of shots. I do think both have to become much, much better set shot jump shooters because whenever one is attacking from one side, the other has to be ready for that kick-out. Plus, there will probably be around 10-15 minutes each game for each of them to take over the game while the other is on the bench resting.

I agree that it will be much more difficult trying to maximize Bosh's talents who will now go from a number 1 option to the number 3 option. Can and will he be able to find an offensive rhythm game in and game out? I don't think that will be a problem with either LeBron or Wade.

[mingus]

I don't think they're a perfect fit, but I don't think they have to be to win a chip.

[Red Hawk #21]

Wade + Lebron coexisting will be quite easy imho. They'll both take turns creating for each other and other teammates, and when they want they can go iso and create for themselves. They will dominate in that regard. Opposing teams big men will be under a lot of pressure next year, because they'll have both Lebron and Wade attacking the rim at 95 MPH. They have a great thing going on in Miami, since Lebron or Wade just can't be keyed in on. You key in on one of them, the other is gunna light you up. And I haven't even mentioned Bosh, who will be even more efficient since he'll be getting great looks. That is a dynamic team they have in Miami TBH.

[DPG21920]

Wade & Lebron are good enough shooters you have to worry about them. Plus, they are both awesome off the ball at moving and they will find each other often.

[milkshakeballa]

No to mention, Lebron kept his team focused and playing hard during the regular season.

Too bad he can't do that for himself during the playoffs.

[DPG21920]

Too bad he can't do that for himself during the playoffs.

That is where talent matters. His team had very little of it.

[milkshakeballa]

That is where talent matters. His team had very little of it.

So his team's lack of talent (even though they led the NBA in wins 2 YEARS in a row) is an excuse for quitting? Especially when your team is considered the championship favorite?

[DPG21920]

He did not quit. You can win regular season games by playing hard every night, especially when you have the best player in the game.

But once the playoffs roll around, you need talent. They did not have nearly enough.

[Booharv]

Lebron should be running the fast break like Magic. Tbh Lebron's never been on a running team, I would throw all outlet passes off rebounds to Lebron and let him attack the defense, and have Wade sprint down court on every defensive rebound. In the half court I would have both players pick and roll with Bosh a ton plus use Wade in the mid post some since he has a very well developed post game. Isolating, except in the case of Wade in the mid post, would be something I would avoid. Wade and Lebron taking turns isolating from the perimeter would be a worst case scenario imo.

[SomeCallMeTim]

I think they'll coexist just fine. LeBron and Wade are inner-circle HOF-level talents playing at their peaks and total professionals. I'm not as sure of Bosh's fit but I think he'll likely be fine. Just not sure he'll be OK with the role he ends up playing.

I am really excited to see how these guys play together. It should make for some great basketball.