I could do the analysis that Basketball Plus generously asked of me, cold, dry, straight to the point, but it occurred to me that it would be good for those who follow us during these NBA Finals 2020 to know from what place my glances are born.
When I grew up, I realized how strong the story of David and Goliath that I read as a child hit me. I think everything like David: competitive and strategist to beat the strongest. It seems romantic, but it is difficult. How easy it would have been to hug Jordan on the road to triumph, but no. Tim Hardaway, Reggie Miller, and Charles Barkley were my idols. Goliath defeated us over and over again.
I always find my David and his style of play, his coach and the philosophy that Miami preaches as a franchise are my preference in these Finals, fairness? Objectivity?
The first quarter was a summary of the ability of the Lakers to adapt to the rival and find solutions in their game to go ahead on the scoreboard at the end of the period. Miami started the game with a pick and roll game, with Butler and Dragic compromising Howard, showing him weak and vulnerable and took advantage because the two main weapons that the Lakers have were not efficient: the low post (Davis – James) and the pick. and roll of LeBron James.
With the first rotations, a change in the dynamics began to be noticed that would be irreversible. Erik Spoelstra opted for his small-ball when Bam Adebayo rested and the Lakers, with James on the bench and Davis in the center, balanced and found 3-point shots and offensive rebounds that hit the first try of the much-praised zone of Miami Here I stop to think that, as happened in the regular round, Miami suffered being in the zone against a team that has a lethal weapon that is not just the shot, but THE PASS. Lots of good passers break the structure and give the Lakers’ static shooters a half second more to be efficient. The all-seeing God of efficiency has no mercy, he doesn’t care if you’re modern (Miami) or old (Lakers).
Los Angeles had more points than shots on all of its players with large number of 3s. By the end of the first half, everyone except Howard had scored at least one triple. But how? Old-fashioned, low post or clarified in the same area, more passes outside, punishing Miami’s catch that never got to answer those shots well as a result of excellent passes. To that he added great defense, remarkable physical power and undressed a Miami that appeared without excuses but with some players touched.
Miami showed great versatility for deficiencies (stolen phrase). Not his hand-to-hand game, his fine and timely shooters, his pick and roll game, the clears for Butler, the zone, etcetera. Nothing worked and they lost key players due to injury, but there is always something to rescue if you are competitive and have that tough philosophy of Godfather Pat Riley: they continued to play within their idea, they sustained it and Kendrick Nunn appeared, who came from little action but is known its value. I always think that in the playoffs, when you have a game with a wide difference, you have to pay extreme attention and get something that renews ideas, because David’s stone in the first quarter did not put Goliath to sleep: it must be either stronger or more precise .
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