The Heat have allowed 100+ points in 4 of our last 6 games, as opposed to last year when we only allowed 100+ points 12 times and we're on track to top that by the end of next month.
Well, the scoring in the league has been significantly higher now... with the refs calling more fouls. So it's not the Heat's fault. Its usual to see 100+ games now, as opposed to last year when only Dallas and Sac would be gettin them consistantly.
The scoring is higher in the leauge now because of the refs and the player getting to the line more. I have noticed they do need to improve at the defensive end. If they can lock down and get at least 5+ steals a game they'll be alright.
It has a lot to do with all the free throw shooting and that defenses are more afraid to be agressive because of all the foul calling. At the same time the Heat defense has really sucked lately but after the Wolves game SVG was kicking some a-- and we came back strong against the Bucks. The Heat have really defended the pick n roll better and seem to be playing better team defense.
SVG has decided to tweak the defense and was planning to implement the new adjustments during a rest period. But after the Wolves game and because of the Heat's busy schedule, he has decided to do it earlier because looking at the Schedule the Heat will play 30 games before a good rest/practice period comes around. He had a shootaround 2 hours after the Wolves game and 2 hours before the Bucks game. The new way to defend the Pick-n-Roll for the Heat seems to work and they looked a lot better on defense against the Bucks. Here's more info on the tweaks made on defense: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="1">Heat coach Stan Van Gundy couldn't wait to make a defensive adjustment, not when his team had given up an average of 98.3 points in its first eight games. So Van Gundy, with no consistent practice time in sight, brought his team together for a morning shootaround and installed some minor but significant adjustments to the defensive scheme. The primary change is in pick-and-roll defense, where players will be asked to help less on the dribbler, therefore reducing the number of frantic recoveries to wide-open players. ''Like Dirk [Nowitzki] is that guy on [Dallas], so you can't be helping on the pick-and-roll and leave him open,'' Shaquille O'Neal said. ``[Wednesday], we can't be helping on the pick-and-roll a lot and leave Van Horn open.'' O'Neal, though, isn't necessarily part of those changes. He will play pick-and-rolls the way he has all season, keeping him closer to the basket to protect the paint. Van Gundy said he made the decision to switch the defense a week ago but figured he couldn't wait any longer to implement it. ''I don't expect it to be real smooth,'' Van Gundy said. ``But I can't keep looking at everything on a one-game basis.'' The new approach is really a return to old ways for Heat players who were around last season. ''I would think they would have the easier adjustment in things and back to stuff that we know better,'' Van Gundy said. While the adjustments should help the Heat's halfcourt defense, there are other areas in which the team needs to simply give more effort, Van Gundy said. ''I was very honest with them today. There are things like the rebounding and being able to play the ball one-on-one that they've got to do,'' Van Gundy said. ``But some of the other things on our system, I'll take responsibility for.''</font></div> Here SVG talks about the Heat's busy schedule: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="1">Thinking for days about revamping the Heat's lacking defense, Van Gundy had his players back on the court Wednesday morning, hours after playing the Timberwolves, and hours before playing the Bucks. "I've been waiting for practice time," he said. "There's been changes I've been wanting to make and said, `We need some practice time; we can't do it.' I started looking at our schedule ... I didn't know when we were ever going to practice." Actually he did. The Heat does not have a two-day break in its schedule until Dec. 1-2. It does not have a three-day gap until Jan. 15.</font></div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, the scoring in the league has been significantly higher now... with the refs calling more fouls. So it's not the Heat's fault. Its usual to see 100+ games now, as opposed to last year when only Dallas and Sac would be gettin them consistantly.</div> Fouls can also go to the other side more fowls are not affecting thim as much. Whats hurting them is there innability to guard the pf of almost any team and thats because haslem is not getting any help on D. Also they are turning the ball over consistantly and that resulting in fast break points for the other side.
It seems that sgs light you guys up. Teach Wade to move his feet and avoid offensive fouls. That will get him more minutes on the court and he'll be able to tire out his defender and decrease their offensive potential. When he's in foul trouble he cant do that.
I think it will take some time. They're only a few games in and they have a lot of new players. Once they get use to the big guy manning the middle, I expect them to be a a very good defensive team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">I think it will take some time. They're only a few games in and they have a lot of new players. Once they get use to the big guy manning the middle, I expect them to be a a very good defensive team.</div> ^ Very true. I don't expect much from the teams that revamped their rosters this season (Lakers, Heat, Rockets, and the Magic off the top of my head). I'd give these teams until after the All-Star break to really start showing what they're capable of before passing judgement.
Revapming the roster shouldn't be an excuse for not playing defense, the players especially on the perimeter need to play better defense, and like I've said, DJ is not a good defender.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Revapming the roster shouldn't be an excuse for not playing defense, the players especially on the perimeter need to play better defense, and like I've said, DJ is not a good defender.</div>I don't know if you were responding to my comments but I'm not making an excuse as to that's why their playing poor D. I'm just saying, IMHO, that these teams that changed a lot during the offseason won't show what they're capable of until after the all-star break (which is right when last year's Heat started winning). As for the defense I think it's to blame on both the players and SVG. I posted an incerpt of an article of SVG explaining the tweaks he made to the defense and as you can see in the 2nd Bucks game the Heat were defending the pick-n-roll waaaay better. About DJ: it doesn't matter if DJ can't defend, cuz if he can't defend he won't get playing time this is heat basketball not bucks basketball. we don't play dat sh--
