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The Heat's kryptonite

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08:16 AM ET 01.04 | Wondering about a common thread running through losses in South Florida? The zone defense is killing the Miami Heat. OK, it's not really killing the Heat. After all, they won 58 games and went to the NBA Finals last year, and so far they're 5-1 this year. But you know what I mean. The zone is hurting the Heat badly when applied correctly by good teams. Dallas did it in the Finals last year. Boston did it this year. And on Monday, Atlanta did it well enough to defeat the Heat, 100-92. And so the struggle continues. So does the search for answers. "We have to be aggressive," guard Dwyane Wade said. "I think the zone has made us a little passive." A little passive? The Heat is confused against the zone. And it works.

Sheridan Hoops

Dwyane Wade, Getty Images Dwyane Wade, Getty Images
January 4, 2012  08:27 AM ET

I hate the zone, so boring to watch and slows the game down too much. If you can't guard you player then you just can't play or get some help but scrubbs gets bailed out on Zone defense.

January 4, 2012  08:33 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

I hate the zone, so boring to watch and slows the game down too much. If you can't guard you player then you just can't play or get some help but scrubbs gets bailed out on Zone defense.

It's part of the game and great players master all facets of the game. This shows that Miami's trio is mentally weak. Yeah its great to play with friends but I don't see a championship in them... they just don't have the mental physique to get it done. And I'm not saying this because of my disdain for the Heat. That Lebron cat is disgusting to watch and I can only hope some misfortune gets him out of my airwaves quickly. The NBA on the other hand is doing all they can to prop up his marketing value. F Miami and everything Heat!

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January 4, 2012  08:47 AM ET

Takes advantage of how the Big 3 usually aren't good shooters, also taking advantage how their 4-5 aren't big and rarely touch the ball. The Heat's offense is mainly built on 3 things: fast-break, driving, getting to the FT line.

January 4, 2012  08:51 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

It's part of the game and great players master all facets of the game. This shows that Miami's trio is mentally weak. Yeah its great to play with friends but I don't see a championship in them... they just don't have the mental physique to get it done. And I'm not saying this because of my disdain for the Heat. That Lebron cat is disgusting to watch and I can only hope some misfortune gets him out of my airwaves quickly. The NBA on the other hand is doing all they can to prop up his marketing value. F Miami and everything Heat!

The zone hasn't been around that long. I can't remember when it first started but I am pretty sure it was after Jordan retired the second time. I just think the zone hurts the game and keeps terrible defenders out on the court.

January 4, 2012  08:52 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

So when is spo going to make an adjustment?

Or maybe spo doesn't know how to beat the Zone. You would think he would have made some adjustments in the finals? I bet if it was coach K Miami would have won the title.

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January 4, 2012  08:54 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

The zone hasn't been around that long. I can't remember when it first started but I am pretty sure it was after Jordan retired the second time. I just think the zone hurts the game and keeps terrible defenders out on the court.

Make up, barcadi 151, beer... they all help ugly women get laid. What's your point?

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January 4, 2012  08:58 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

The zone stops penetration and makes players become jump shooters. You need an inside presence to break the zone that's why the Heatles are going to have a hard time getting their first ring! They may go 60-6 this year but they will be slowed down in the playoffs. They need to start practicing some of their half court offense!

Pat Riley is probably more dumb than the texture of Gloria James' vaulva on MVP night. You lose the finals due to not having a point guard and center. Then you come back again with no center and point guard... what the hell do you expect?

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January 4, 2012  09:06 AM ET

Team ball?

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January 4, 2012  09:08 AM ET
QUOTE(#13):

they lost the finals for 2 reasons-1) LBJ disappeared2) spo made no adjustmentsthem not having a proper center and pg were not the main reasons they lost

Well the first part about Lebron I totally agree. The second part not so much. If faced with a zone defense and you don't have big man to post up or lob a pass to what other adjustments are there to be made. Let's not forget they aren't great shooters either so they are handicap against zones... there's nothing they can do about it. On the other hand Miami's kryptonite is not the zone. It's Gloria - she needs to stop having the players get drunk for sex before and after games...

January 4, 2012  09:09 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

And it's tough for Spo to coach players that don't post up.

Bing!

January 4, 2012  09:10 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

Pat Riley is probably more dumb than the texture of Gloria James' vaulva on MVP night. You lose the finals due to not having a point guard and center. Then you come back again with no center and point guard... what the hell do you expect?

I wouldn't call a guy who put together a championship contender team in a quick summer very dumb. Try one of the best basketball minds in the game.

 
January 4, 2012  09:12 AM ET
QUOTE(#19):

I wouldn't call a guy who put together a championship contender team in a quick summer very dumb. Try one of the best basketball minds in the game.

I can tell an opportunist from a realist. If he's a pure basketball architect, he wouldn't have added Chris Bosh to the master plan.

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