Heat, Spoelstra, and the Position-less Non-Revolution

[rserina]

Whether you like Lebron or not, like the Heat or not, like Spoelstra or not, like the NBA or not, this article is fascinating from a simple hoops perspective. Lots of interesting things, including:

“We need you to play like a big man,” Spoelstra recalls telling James. “Forget everything you know; you’re a 4 now.”

In the Heat's next game, James guarded 6-11 center Marcus Camby and finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and no turnovers in a 107-93 victory over the Trail Blazers. It was the first time since turnovers were tracked in the 1977-78 season that someone had a game with at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and no turnovers.

Needless to say, James got the message.

That wasn’t an aberration. James was a statistical monster when he played the 4 in the Heat's 2011-12 championship season. James had an NBA-best 30.8 player efficiency rating (PER) last season, but when he played the 4, that number ballooned to a staggering 37.1, according to 82games.com. Rather chew on some traditional numbers? James averaged 39 points, 12.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists per 48 minutes while playing at the 4 for about a quarter of his overall minutes.

The idea is simple: The traditional labels don’t apply to the Heat’s roster so they won't play that way. If the Heat employed Dwight Howard or Chris Paul, things might be different. But they use a fleet of chameleons in James, Battier, Dwyane Wade and Bosh, plus Ray Allen and Mike Miller...

Spoelstra no longer uses positions to designate his players. Instead, he uses initials of players' names on his diagrams and assigns players to five spots on the floor for his go-to sets: a single man in the post, two in the corners and two in the wings.

In practice this preseason, the Heat will run their sets over and over before Spoelstra shouts “switch up” and the players play their own version of musical chairs, rotating from spot to spot. Wade replaces Bosh in the post, and Bosh goes to the top of the key, where he can take opposing centers off the dribble. Battier heads to the corner while Allen goes to the wing.

Switch up again. James goes to the block and Wade heads to the corner, where he cuts to the rim. Bosh heads to the corner, where he has developed a sharper 3-point shot. Again and again.

Ball handlers. Post guys. Screeners. Perimeter shooters. Cutters. All parts are interchangeable.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/mia...h-lebron-james

You have to give Spoelstra credit. There is a reason Riley stuck with him and why Wade swore by him despite their disagreements: the guy understands the game. Sure, it is easy to say he has all the right players, but it takes a certain perceptiveness to understand what your players do well and to find unconventional ways to mix and match those players to accentuate the strengths and minimize the weaknesses. He has done it very well and in my opinion deserves the credit he is receiving for it.

[GatorGrad2013]

"James averaged 39 points, 12.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists per 48 minutes while playing at the 4 for about a quarter of his overall minutes."

Saw this earlier. Incredible numbers. I wasn't sold on Spo until I saw what he did in the playoffs last year. I'm convinced he's the right man for the job. I like his idea of playing "positionless" basketball.

[tupacbiff]

They write it like it was spolestra idea.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Originally Posted by tupacbiff

They write it like it was spolestra idea.

We all know it was your idea Tupac

[tupacbiff]

Originally Posted by NorthCaptivaGator

We all know it was your idea Tupac

That would be accurate if you thought I was pat Riley.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by NorthCaptivaGator

We all know it was your idea Tupac

Nice. That, the internet, and cheese fries. Also, capitalism.

[sixoburn]

THis is reminiscent of the "total football" that the Dutch used to play (in soccer). It allows for amazing flexibility and constant attacking, as long as you have players who can flow in between positions and play at an elite level.