DAMN, THE HEAT GOT THEIR ASSES BUST
Game 1 was what a matchup is supposed between a 1-seed and an 8-seed was supposed to look like. The Heat are outmatched, but getting their asses bust like that it isn't only due to the Nuggets being flatout better. Obviously there's also a major size discrepancy between the teams when for instance you regularly find someone like Gabe Vincent having to defend Aaron Gordon.
In fact now that I think about, the Nuggets can be considered to biggest team in this year's playoffs in general. Their frontline has an average height of about 6'10". This of course makes me think of all the dumbasses the last few years who've been indirectly saying stupid sh*t like size doesn't matter in today's NBA or forthrightly even saying dumber sh*t like there's no longer any place for traditional bigmen, which brings me to...
SHOUTOUT TO AARON GORDON
Jokic + Murray are such that they're going to do what they do regardless. And there are a number of exceptional role players on their team. But to me, the real ex-factor, when he's on, is Gordon. And I have to give him his props because, he's not one of the tallest players on the court but out there settling for jump shots. He's banging on the inside, and, if someone smaller tries to defend, will post them up. This isn't how he played when he first came to Denver, but it seems that now, finally, he's been incepted.
And the really sad thing is that at least half of the teams in the NBA are currently lacking in size, either in quality and/or depth. So the teams that already have bigman quality and depth, such as the Nuggets, Bucks or even Lakers I guess, should be dominating into the foreseeable future.
PLEASE HEAT, MAKE ADJUSTMENTS
Erik Spoestra has been quoted by NBC Sports as saying "scheme is not going to save" the Heat. Rather, he thinks the team needs to rectify its "toughness and... collective resolve". And I believe that's a disappointing strategy for a Head Coach to adopt in this situation for a couple of reasons.
First is that just as the Heat can turn up their toughness and resolve, so too can the Nuggets. And again, Denver is the better squad. Do I believe they have the best starting 5 in the NBA in terms of raw talent? Not particularly, though arguably. But more importantly, their stars are more compatible than, say, the Suns.
But second and most importantly, as a coach you're always supposed to be looking for adjustments. And that's especially true when the opposing team's starting five is more talented than your own. I understand where Spoestra is coming from, that it does look kinda stupid trying to make major adjustments this late in the season. But based on what I seen in Game 1, I have some suggestions.
For instance, I would consider starting Lowry and Highsmith in Game 2 over Strus and Martin. Strus, Martin and even the beloved Gabe Vincent are arguably bench players anyway. So the Heat are lucky they even got this far starting them. But now, they really have to respect their opponent, if for no other reason then due to the height advantage.
I would also consider starting Kevin Love or at least, you know what I'm saying, giving dude some run. I strongly doubt if Love can defend Jokic, Gordon or Porter. But at least he has size and is an exceptional rebounder.
SHOUTOUT TO BAM ADEBAYO
That said, there's probably no other team in the NBA (besides the Warriors) as proven in turning unknown players into stars or notable names than the Heat. For instance I remember when Bam Adebayo was drafted, and like no one was expecting him to be a perennial all-star.
Of course he's the one player the Nuggets have to worry about most. Why? Because first of all Jokic's defense is suspect, and secondly, Bam is the most athletic center in the NBA, meaning that there's no way Nikola can realistically defend him. This is something I wanted to point out even before the series started, and now I wish I did since that theory proved true in Game 1.
But Adebayo is not going to be able to do this alone. So I hope the Heat do the right thing and maybe, for Game 2, have a starting lineup like Bam + Jimmy + Gabe + Kyle + Highsmith. That may not solve all of their problems, but maybe it will. Or in the very least, it'll give them a better chance against a team as big as the Nuggets.
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